Kentish Express Ashford & District
Kennington FC
EXTRA TIME GOALS FINALLY SUBDUE STUBBORN RIVALS
Kennington’s debut making FA Vase adventure continued in West Sussex – but they were nearly taken the distance by a stubborn Sidlesham side.
Extra time goals from Tom Scorer and substitute, George Latham, saw Ton into the first round proper for the first time against a battling Sidlesham, who were reduced to 10 early in the second half, with the dismissal of goalkeeper,
Warren Boyt.
Prior to kick-off a minute’s silence was observed by both sides and sets of supporters, in memory of Owen Kinghorn, the Kennington Junior’s player who tragically died last week, aged 15.
Charlie Owen gave Ton the perfect start, firing home from the edge of the box after just two minutes – a lead they held until close to half time when Rob Madden powerfully headed in at the back post to level, from Morgan Forry’s in-swinging corner.
Midfielder Gary Clarke claimed his sixth goal in seven this term when rising above his man from Rob Greenfield’s cross to give Kennington the lead once again just before the hour - and following Boyd’s sending off for petulance, the visitors looked like they would go on to add to their tally.
However Sidlesham took the tie to extra time when Morgan Forry smashed home after Kennington failed to deal with James Kilham’s long throw-in from the right.
Kennington had to bide their time against their Southern Combination Division 1 hosts, but the extra man and their patience eventually paid dividends late on when Tom Scorer nipped in to finish Sam Brown’s parried volley, before George Latham put the result beyond doubt – being played through in the final moments to coolly slot beyond stand-in keeper Jono Tallent.
The result extends Kennington’s unbeaten run to six in all competitions, with their reward a home tie against Crowborough Athletic in the first round proper, to be played at Homelands on Sunday, October 13.
Kennington: Barnes, Stow (sub, Hughes 61mins), Greenfield, Phillips, Penfold, Clarke, Calvert, Scorer, Lockyer (Latham 91mins), Conlon (sub, Fisher 78mins), Owen (sub, Brown 55 mins). Unused subs: Tomsett, Goddard, Philpott.
■ Kennington are on the road once again on Saturday, visiting SC Thamesmead in the SCEFL Division 1 (3pm).