Force hit by comeback

Faversham Strike Force let slip a threegoal lead as they drew with Tudor Sports in a thrilling Kent County League Premier Division clash. In a reversal of the previous weekend’s trip to Peckham Town, when they fought back from a two-goal deficit to claim a creditable point, the Force raced into a commanding position against the Sidcup side before seeing their hopes dashed late on. Steve Sparks put Strike Force into the lead with a smart finish across the face of the goal from 20 yards and the increasingly dominant hosts doubled their advantage before the interval. A long diagonal ball from Dave Walsh found the head of Ali Adam who directed his header quite brilliantly into the top corner of the goal from the edge of the box. Gary Axford’s men started where they left off in the second half and added a great third through Dinu Catalin after a quick exchange of passes in midfield. The game turned on its head shortly afterwards as Tudor Sports scored a scrappy goal which was followed by another shortly afterwards. Increasingly confident, the visitors laid siege to the Strike Force box and found an equaliser following a long ball into the area that left the final score 3-3. “We were guilty of allowing them back into the game and to grow in confidence,” said manager Axford. “We must learn how to see games out when we take a good lead and this will come with experience – but nevertheless a very frustrating day for us all. “Last season we would have taken five points from our last three games but this season we are disappointed that we haven’t taken all nine. Our expectation levels are higher and rightly so as we are a much better side than last season.” n With many games falling victim to the weekend’s wet and cold weather, the Strike Force under-9 Thunder side were grateful for The Mount’s 3G pitch as they were able to host Chartham. Will Jones was named man of the match for a whole-hearted performance. Two-goal hero Roman Lee was named best player for under-8 Lightning after scoring a pair of top-corner screamers against Hernhill Herons, while Reggie Hughes and Scott White also found the net. Under-8 Hurricanes travelled to play Ramsgate FC and scored two great goals through William Hogben-lambert and Ashley Back, as Oscar Garsed was given man-of-the-match honours for an outstanding effort.

BOSTIK SOUTH EAST

Cray W.......... 24 19 4 1 55 20 61 Ashford Utd... 24 15 3 6 51 22 48 Hastings Utd . 24 14 4 6 52 30 46 Horsham....... 23 13 3 7 43 29 42 Haywards H .. 23 11 6 6 43 33 39 Whyteleafe.... 23 11 5 7 45 30 38 Hythe T ......... 24 10 6 8 46 41 36 VCD Ath ........ 22 11 2 9 41 39 35 Ramsgate ..... 24 9 6 9 42 36 33 Phoenix Sp ... 23 8 8 7 45 44 32 Sevenoaks ... 24 8 6 10 34 36 30 Three Bridges24 8 3 13 40 47 27 Guernsey ...... 22 7 4 11 31 41 25 Whitstable ... 23 6 7 10 19 35 25 E Grinstead .. 22 6 6 10 39 46 24 Faversham ... 23 6 5 12 36 60 23 Sittingbourne 23 6 2 15 30 47 20 Herne Bay..... 23 6 2 15 40 63 20 Greenwich B . 24 5 2 17 29 62 17 Results: Saturday: Ashford 2 Sevenoaks 1, Cray Wanderers 6 Herne Bay 0, Hastings 1 Guernsey 1, Hythe 1 Three Bridges 0, Phoenix Sports 3 Sittingbourne 4, Ramsgate 4 Greenwich 1. Tuesday: Faversham 2 Hythe 1, Greenwich 0 Phoenix Sports 1, Herne Bay 1 Ramsgate 5, Horsham 1 Hastings 1, Sevenoaks 1 Whitstable 1, Sittingbourne 0 Ashford 2, Three Bridges 3 Haywards Heath 4, Whyteleafe 1 Cray Wanderers 3. Fixtures: Saturday: Cray Wanderers v Guernsey, East Grinstead v Ramsgate, Faversham v Greenwich, Haywards Heath v Herne Bay, Hythe v Phoenix Sports, Sevenoaks v Whyteleafe, Three Bridges v Sittingbourne, VCD v Horsham, Whitstable v Hastings.

FA VASE Fifth Round Results: Saturday:

Canterbury 2 Leicester Nirvana 1, Cray Valley 3