Sevenoaks and District Football League report
In the Senior Cup AW London's home quarter-final tie was switched to their opponents ground Kemsing United and a closely contested affair ensued with the villagers winning 2-1. Recent signing Dave Wood scored both goals for the victors with Calvin Headley replying for AW London.
Kemsing United will now face current holders Westerham who were forced to seek extra time before seeing off the challenge of newcomers AFC Sevenoaks.
In the other half of the draw the twice postponed tie between Chipstead and Hildenborough Athletic will take place on Saturday, February 28, the winners will then face a home quarter-final encounter against Otford United. The successful team will then entertain Sevenoaks Town Reserves who were forced to work extremely hard before finally gaining a narrow 3-2 success over Orpington III on Saturday.
There was also some good news for the Junior Cup holders Sevenoaks Town A who cruised to a 6-0 victory over hosts Seal. Ace marksmen Joe Creasey grabbed four goals and in addition there were individual strikes for Steve Cosby and Sean Blythe. The A team will now meet either past holders Otford United Reserves or Old Boars in a semi-final tie.
Outsiders Hildenborough Athletic Reserves eased through to within one match of the final with a convincing 4-1 success over Kingsdown Racers. The result was never in doubt with Hildenborough's goals coming through Roger Comben, Ben Large and Charlie Ottoway including one from the spot. Darren Coumbe scored Racers consolation goal. Hildenborough Athletic Reserves now face an arduous semi-final against Kent County League opponents Chipstead Reserves.
Chipstead Reserves finally came good in extra time to record a 4-2 advantage over Ide Hill. The Hill raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to strikes from Nick Capon and Baz Pennells but Chipstead clawed their way back into the match with the hint of a few controversial refereeing decisions to score twice before the end of the full 90 minutes play.
Chipstead took the upper hand during extra time to add to their score and possibly had the better fitness as the tie evolved.
The Hill were not disgraced and had "lady luck" been on their side the destiny of the result may have been different.
In the league, only two matches were played in the top two sections. The basement Premier Division clash between Dunton Green and Sevenoaks Weald ended all square with neither side being able to score and so their fight for survival in the top flight continues.
Tonbridge Baptist Church, the unbeaten leaders of Division One, got back to winning ways with a comfortable 3-0 win over hosts Fleetdown United A. Having lost their one hundred per cent record the previous week, normal service was resumed although Fleetdown put up some resolute defending to restrict the Baptist Church to a solitary first half goal scored by Rob Smith.
The Baptist Church continued their assault on the Fleetdown goal during the second half and a lapse in concentration by their goalkeeper allowed Scott Lock to drill the ball through a crowd of players. More chances followed and two goals were disallowed for offside before 16-year-old John Spring rounded off a fine performance with a technically brilliant angled header when he met Dave Halfacre's cross in the closing minutes.
The top of the table clash in Division Two between leaders Kingsdown Racers Reserves and second placed Orpington IV somewhat predictably ended all square at three apiece. Racers held the early advantage with two goals by Russell Searle, the first being a 30-yard shot on 10 minutes followed by a free kick. Orpington IV reduced the deficit but a strike through Joe Willis restored the hosts two goal advantage. However, as the game progressed Orpington gradually fought their way back and finally got the all important equaliser.
Third placed Westerham III were forced to work hard by the bottom club Tonbridge Saracens before gaining a 4-3 winning margin. Luke Allum, Jack Murphy, Lee Harding and Andy Windsor scored for the Hammers.
Chipstead B entertained Dunton Green Reserves at Sundridge Recreation Ground and despite creating a number of scoring chances went down 3-1. The hosts went ahead through Dean Taylor but then as the match progressed conceded goals to Mark Collins, Josh Satterly and finally a cheeky chip by courtesy of Sam Goode.
A goal by substitute Mark Perrin helped Kemsing United Reserves to a 2-0 win over Hadlow Rovers whilst a brace of goals by Martin Cooley gave Otford United III a 2-1 success over visiting Seal Reserves.
Division Three leaders Westerham IV were held to a 2-2 draw by AW London Reserves who always had to come from behind. Jed Smith scored both goals for the Hammers who remain the most prolific goal scorers in the League with 70 goals while Robert Enoch and Daniel Reid replied for the visitors.
Second placed Potters FC got back to winning ways by defeating Tonbridge Baptist Church Reserves 6-0 at Tonbridge Farm. Mike Beverley set the scene by scoring the opening goal slotting home after a one-to-one with the opposing goalkeeper. Beverley then went on to become the scourge of the home defence by scoring four more goals. Sean Smart added to the score line.
Wilderpark Reserves kept on the edge of the promotion stakes with a comfortable 7-0 win over the bottom team Nomads Reserves at Raleys Field. Chris Morris, who sustained a suspected broken nose, and his strike partner, Chris Gubbins, both netted a brace of goals. Brian Carter, Will Porter-Bean and Perry Wright also scored.
Matt Bunn joined the growing list of prolific goal scorers by netting five times as Borough Green saw off the challenge of a spirited Ide Hill Reserves team to win 6-4 while Radius FC netted the only goal of the game against Ightham Reserves to gain three valuable points in their quest to move away from the lower end of the table.
Swanley Oaks who have been showing improved form since the turn of the year dropped two points in a 1-1 draw against Seal III. Jimmy Moore scored Swanley's goal.
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