KEMSING United returned to the top of the Premier Division with a 5-3 advantage over hosts Nomads, writes Derek Hodge.

A first-half hat-trick by Ryan Standley laid the foundation to a victory, which sees them take a two-point lead over deposed leaders Hildenborough Athletic, who were otherwise engaged in a Sevenoaks Charity Senior Cup quarter-final tie.

Also on target for the victors were Dave Wood and Lee Kennett. Ace marksman Danny Brazenell netted twice for Nomads with Kieran O'Connor also getting his name on the score sheet.

Brad Draper gave Sevenoaks Town A an interval lead against lowly Dunton Green at Greatness Park and he went on to complete his hat-trick in the second half. Nathanial Sencherey was the other scorer.

AW London saw off the challenge of St Lawrence to win 2-0, thanks to late goals by Darrell Ditchburn and Jose Justo. Saints have thus gradually slipped down the table, their last victory coming as far back as November 1, and comes after they had completed their first four opening matches unbeaten.

A Fergus Farmer hat-trick was the highlight of Borough Green United's comfortable 6-1 success over hosts Eynsford. The home team went in at the halfway stage leading through a Simon Copley goal but, having the sloping pitch in their favour during the second half, Borough took full advantage, scoring six goals. Also on target were Will Jeffery (2) and Dane Keenan.

In a high-scoring match that produced no fewer than 10 goals, Halstead United just had the edge to win 6-4 against Sevenoaks Weald. In an exciting encounter, Halstead United led 3-1 at the break, but in the second half Weald clawed their way back to forge ahead at 4-3.

However, the hosts came back strongly during the last 20 minutes to score three times and thus take the points.

For the victors Bobby Turner netted a brace of goals, and there were individual credits for Neil Radburn, Peter Smith, Fred Lee along with an own-goal. James Hitchell (2), Andrew Stringer and Richard Day replied for Weald.

The race for the Division 1 title gained momentum as second-placed Orpington III, unbeaten since late September, went down 3-2 to Ide Hill who kept their own hopes alive of gaining promotion. Orpington raced into a 2-0 lead, but the Hill came more into the game, levelling before finally forging ahead. Rob James (2) and Joe Gilman were the scorers.

The turning point of the match came early in the second half when the young Orpington goalkeeper was injured and taken to hospital for treatment.

Leaders Tonbridge Baptist Church retained their unbeaten record with a 4-2 advantage over Seal. Don King scored twice, along with Rob Smith and Zac Alexander. Seal's Antony Algeo was taken to hospital by ambulance with a broken leg. At the other end of the table, bottom club Halstead United Reserves were left still searching for their first league win of the season, following a 2-0 defeat to Wilderpark at Raleys Field. The villagers' form on the day belied their lowly position and they might consider themselves unlucky not to have at least gained a point. Paul King had an excellent game in midfield and striker Michael Sterling was a constant threat.

Both goals came during the second half, the first after pressure by Joe McLoughlin had forced a defender to put past his goalkeeper and the second following an excellent cross by Paul Bellringer, which the unmarked Dave Hobby headed home.

Goals by Darren Coumbe (2), Andrew Pearton (2), Chris Moon and Jamie Height gave Kingsdown Racers a comfortable 6-2 win away to Fleetdown United A, while Eynsford Reserves collected three points from a narrow 4-3 advantage over hosts St Lawrence Reserves.

For Eynsford, Tom Wilder grabbed a hat-trick with Tim Matthew completing the scoring. Neil Shirreff, Nick Warren and Lyle Jackson replied for Saints.

The match of the day in Division 2 featured leaders Kingsdown Racers Reserves and Otford United III. In a well-contested encounter, the match was goalless when the final whistle sounded, but Otford are to be congratulated on a good all-round performance.

In another drawn encounter a goal by Josh Slatterley helped Dunton Green Reserves gain a point from a 1-1 draw against high flying Westerham while Tonbridge Saracens languishing at the foot of the section, collected their second success of the season defeating Hadlow Rovers 2-1.

A consolation goal by Chris Wood was all Kemsing United Reserves had to show for their efforts against visiting Chipstdead B who went on to win the match 5-1, a result which moves them up the table and into sixth spot. Westerham 4th, leaders of Division Three, went down 3-0 to Swanley Oaks whose goals came by courtesy of Wes Himsworth, Ian Ransom and Sam Smedley. Despite this reverse the Hammers still have a four points lead over second placed Potters FC although having played two more matches.

Mike Beverley put Potters FC ahead on 15 minutes when he headed the ball back into the back of the Radius FC net after the goalkeeper had punched the ball off his goal line. Thereafter, Potters dominated the first half without adding to the score line.Into the second half Radius came out with all guns blazing and equalised in the 50th minute. As the game progressed it looked as though the two teams would share the points until Beverley got the winner after a fine solo run to record a 2-1 victory. Third placed Wilderpark Reserves kept in the running for promotion with a comfortable 8-2 away win against Borough Green. Chris Gubbins netted four times and there were individual strikes for Howard Atkinson, his first for the club, Tim Champkins and Barry Andrews.

James Webb opened the scoring for AW London Reserves against Ightham Reserves who then went on to beat the Mid-Kent side 2-1. A Paul Abbott strike brought the scores level in the second half but when Webb was brought down inside the area, Dane Bulled successfully scored from the spot. Seal 3rd recorded a narrow 1-0 win over the bottom team Nomads Reserves while Tonbridge Baptist Church Reserves defeated another struggling team Ide Hill Reserves 4-2. Luke Roberts and Baz Pennells scored the Hill's consolation goal. In a much-delayed Sevenoaks Charity Cup-tie Hildenborough Athletic recorded a worthy 3-1 quarter-final victory over Kent County League opponents Chipstead. Darren Yeung put Hildenborough ahead, a lead increased through Ant Goodwin. Chipstead reduced the arrears into the second half, but Matt Newman put the result beyond doubt.

Hildenborough Athletic, last season's losing Junior Cup finalists are now one step away from a Senior final spot, but have now to face the might of Otford United.

There was even better news for Hildenborough Athletic Reserves, who defeated Chipstead Reserves 6-4 after extra time to reach the Sevenoaks Charity Junior Cup Final. Among Hildenborough's scorers were John Loveday, who scored his side's first goal after they trailed 2-0, Matt Reeves and Roger Comben, who brought the scores level at three apiece to force extra time.