Frustration as City go for the jugular without success

Canterbury City’s Division 1 play-off hopes were dented as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Bridon Ropes on Saturday. Joe Quinnear finished off a quick counter-attack to put Bridon ahead in the first half, but City equalised midway through the second period when Luke Illsley forced the ball over the line after it had come back off the bar following Rob Lawrence’s terrific volley. Canterbury threw everything at their opponents thereafter but the home defence stood firm to prevent them finding a much-needed winning goal. While the result didn’t count Danny Lawrence’s team out of the play-off race, it has certainly made it more difficult and, with two games to play, they must wait to see how other results go before the situation becomes clearer. Boss Lawrence reflected: “Obviously, [we are] disappointed at not taking the three points but, sometimes, things out of your control have a huge impact on the day. “Bridon are, obviously, difficult to beat now - drawing six of their last eight - so it was always going to be tough, but windy, bobbly conditions matched with some questionable officiating made it more challenging.

“We could have done things better in the first half but we had a chat at half-time about controlling our emotions a bit and, second half, I can’t fault the boys.

“We threw everything at them in search of the win but, in football, I think it’ll be classed as ‘one of them days’. “But we still have two huge games to look forward to.” A depleted Faversham Strike Force side conceded two late goals as they slipped to a 3-2 defeat at relegation battlers SC Thamesmead.

With their hosts looking to wrench themselves free of the drop zone for the first time this season, it was a cagey start in south-east London but Stuart Benfield’s men looked most threatening. They took the lead when Tom Barton latched onto an Adam Sheepwash through-ball.

That jolted Thamesmead into life and they were level before the break via a scrappy goal as the Force failed to clear their lines from a throw-in. Brooke Tiernan restored the visitors’ lead after a scramble in the penalty box but two goals in the final 10 minutes turned the match.

“It was a disappointing result in the end but, with us having a number of injuries and suspensions, we were down to bare bones,” said boss Benfield.

“It also showed that we have very little to play for and all credit to Thamesmead, who really went for it and got a result that might help them to stay up.”

City travel to Larkfield & New Hythe, who are already virtually guaranteed a play-off position, on Saturday before their last home match of the season the following week at home to Croydon.

Strike Force are at lowly Meridian this Saturday and host FC Elmstead in their last fixture on April 27.