Kentish Express Ashford & District
Aldington in safe hands with keeper Briggs
Ashford & District Sunday League
Young goalkeeper Lewis Briggs once again impressed as Aldington picked up their first points, returning from their trip to Sandgate Saint-Germain 4-2 Premier Division winners.
It was a much-improved team performance from the visitors who have struggled in preseason and they raced out of the traps going into a 2-0 lead inside the opening seven minutes.
Stephen Cowell headed Aldington in front at the near post from Ryan Petto’s corner, before just moments later Petto was again the provider as his through ball set up young striker Jack Price to round the keeper to double their lead.
Sandgate pulled a goal back midway through the first half when former Nailbox forward Craig Maxwell fired his effort into the top corner, and the home side breathed a sigh of relief soon after when Aldington missed the opportunity to regain their two goal advantage when Cowell saw his penalty well saved by Allen.
Sandgate went 3-1 behind when Petto’s thunderous free-kick came back off the woodwork only for the ball to fall to Alex Williams to steer it home on the rebound. Sandgate found the back of the net with 15 minutes left when Michael Yianni got the all-important final touch from a long throw into the box, and they almost drew level when substitute Kieran Byrne was denied by an outstanding save from Briggs.
But that proved to be Sandgate’s last chance as Aldington broke up the other end with teenage forward Price grabbing his second and Aldington’s fourth.
Brewmaster maintained their 100% winning start to the new season as they came back from behind to beat Mersham Sports Club 4-1.
John Ripley’s side looked the brighter of the two sides in the opening stages but were made to pay for missing a host of early chances when Chris Wilson finished well as Mersham hit their hosts on the counter attack.
Mersham held onto their lead until the 54th minute when Charlie Sharp equalised for the Brews with his first league goal for two-and-a-half years.
Heavy pressure from the home side saw Brewmaster awarded a penalty with 20 minutes left, but the usually reliable Gary Mickelborough could only look on as he fired his spot-kick over.
Mersham were undone in the final ten minutes as the Brews scored three unanswered goals to go on and claim all three points, Jack Goldsmith heading in before Piers Fuchter and Bradley Burton made sure of the victory.
Stanhope & Beaver Rangers also claimed their first win in a hugely entertaining 6-3 victory at Red Heathens.
Tom Collins bagged a hat-trick for Rangers while further goals from Liam Ellis, Lewis Bagshaw and Anthony Finch sealed the victory. Red Heathens replied with two goals from former Crystal Palace striker Gareth Williams and an outstanding strike from Craig Haynes.
League newcomers Albion FC lead the way at the top of the Division 1 standings on goal difference as they beat Lydd Grasshoppers 5-0 at Sandyacres.
The pub side went in at halftime with a deserved 1-0 lead as Andy Ward put them ahead from the penalty spot.
Sam Conlon made it 2-0 before Jake North scored Albion’s third with an unstoppable strike into the top corner. Mark Howells and Adam Mercer sealed the victory.
Substitute Morgan Regardsoe scored a late penalty to help Charing come from behind to beat Folkestone United 3-2.
Charing went ahead with a goal from new signing Joe Sullivan, but Folkestone hit back when Adam Brown found Dan Arnold who finished well. Ryan Jordan’s free-kick gave United the lead for the first time but Charing drew level again just after the hour mark when manager Lee Woods introduced summer signing Gavin Prowse, and the former Newchurch midfielder fired in an equaliser with an unstoppable finish.
But just as the game looked to be finishing all-square Charing were awarded a late penalty when James Fraser was brought down in the box, Regardsoe converted the spot-kick.
Ten-man Cheriton AFC got off the mark as they beat Horsebox Bars. Chris Jones’ side suffered a major blow when goalkeeper Petr Bris was shown a red card for handball outside the penalty area after just ten minutes, but replacement stopper Nathan Ingleston went on to keep Cheriton’s first ever clean sheet in the Ashford Sunday League spanning 63 league fixtures.
Both of Cheriton’s goals came from corners as Ryan Hall and Adam Ghidaoui netted.
Alfie Dryland scored twice as newly promoted Ashford United 3ds made it two wins from two in Division 2 with a 5-1 home victory against Biddenden.
Former Market Hotel defender Dryland was on top form netting a brace while further goals from John Giles, TJ Wood and Jordan Boorer ensured the hosts won. Kieran Funnell grabbed a consolation for Biddenden.
Midfielder Mark Potten continued his outstanding start to the new campaign as he netted a second successive hat-trick in Park Farm Rangers’ 6-1 home victory against FC Folkestone. Additional strikes came from Joe Cox, Daniel Marshall and Tyler Loosemore.
Ashford Spartans were well beaten by promotion favourites Troggs 5-0 at Cornes Meadow. Ben Allen (3), Paul Newman and Declan Burden all scored.
Burton Grove returned from their trip to Appledore with all three points as three first half goals helped them to a 3-2 victory over the Smugglers. Jurgen Ahmetaj opened the scoring but Dean Clark soon levelled. Player-manager Andy Crouch restored the visitors’ lead before James Sloan scored before half-time with a free-kick. Bradley Osborne pulled a goal back for Appledore in the second half.
Fox Sunday bagged their first points of the season with a 2-1 victory at home to Egerton thanks to goals from George Large and Barry Brown.
Lolzors sit pretty at the top of Division 3 with two wins from two games as they beat Mersham Sports Club Reserves 2-0, Nathan Boxall and Aiden Bourne scoring.
Ashford Dynamo drew 1-1 at Pilgrims as Calvin Smith’s opener was cancelled out by Aaren Carlton.
Waterside helped themselves to a 4-2 home victory against Bromley Green with goals from Kai Harris, Dave Bates, Ben Pilcher and Dylan Thomson.