Pilcher’s treble helps City get back on track

SECL round-up

Canterbury City returned to winning ways with a 4-1 win over Lordswood in the Southern Counties East League Premier Division on Saturday – their fourth consecutive away win. Rob Lawrence twice missed the target and Gary Mickelborough was twice denied by keeper Ryan Chandler before the break and saw another appeal for a penalty waved away. Sam Conlon headed another chance wide and Josh Mccallum’s strike was blocked by Chandler right on halftime but the deadlock was broken on 56 minutes when Conlon and Mickelborough combined to tee up Dave Pilcher to ram home. Lords levelled just two minutes later from a long throw which found its way to David Smith to prod home, however the lead was restored within 60 seconds as Pilcher was played through to beat the offside trap and score his second. A Grant Mcilheron shot deflected onto the top of the bar and from the resulting corner, a header was blocked on the line to keep City ahead. City pulled further in front with 12 minutes to go.chris Webber picked up a loose ball and went past a defender before lofting a cross which Mickelborough allowed to run to Pilcher who turned and fired past Chandler to complete his hat-trick. Lordswood tried to respond as Sam Hallett fired over from close range and Smith shot across goal but the fourth arrived on the break with two minutes remaining as Pilcher was again played through, this time sliding through for Mikey Yome who ran on to beat Chandler and seal the victory.

Kane Rowland’s second-half double clinched Whitstable Town’s 2-0 win at Sevenoaks Town on Saturday. The victory stretched Town’s impressive run to 11 wins in their last 12 matches, ending the West Kent club’s title hopes after a second successive home defeat in four days. Bola Dawodu went close early on, seeing his header blocked by home goalkeeper Scott Chalmers-stevens. Dan Eason punched clear Greg Benbow’s free-kick soon after but the Town keeper was rarely tested after that, and his impressive throw-outs beyond the halfway line were a source of several attacks. Charlie Smith’s header was saved by Chalmers-stevens, Aaron Quain’s effort bounced off the far post, Dawodu’s follow-up effort was blocked, then Rowland had an effort ruled out for offside. Dawodu headed wide two minutes before half-time, before Rowland broke the deadlock with the 49th-minute opener, finishing off a move involving Quain and Smith. Rowland missed out on another chance, before wrapping up the points nine minutes from time firing home left footed, after Ollie Lee and Quain had set-up the chance.