Lenham Wanderers v West Kingsdown

Kent County League

Division 3 Central & East

Tuesday 26th April 2022

Kick Off 18.30 On Time !

Lenham Wanderers 1 West Kingsdown 2, attendance 43

22’ 0-1

52’ 1-1

77’ 1-2

@ The William Pitt Field

Old Ham Lane

Lenham

ME17 2LR

No Admission or Programme.

This match should have been played earlier in the season, but was called off at short notice by Lenham, for which they received a deduction of one point as punishment for failing to fulfil the fixture. They came into this in ninth place in the league table, so had nothing to play for, but West Kingsdown certainly did, as they required seven points from their remaining four matches, to guarantee finishing ahead of second placed A.F.C. Rangers for the title, with both clubs having already secured promotion. On top of this, they were hoping to go undefeated for the season, having won 16 and drawn 2 from their opening 18 games.

Lenham certainly didn’t make it easy for West Kingsdown, especially in the opening 15 minutes or so. The visitors finally went ahead after twenty two minutes, having already had two goals disallowed for offside, when their lightning quick right winger crossed for an easy tap in at the far post. Lenham never looked like drawing level, but seven minutes into the second half, out of nothing, a ball was played forward and volleyed in on the turn, from the angle of the 18 yard box, to make it 1-1.

West Kingsdown pushed for a winner and when Lenham lost their ’keeper to injury with twenty minutes left, replaced by an outfield player, it looked like their job might be easier. It wasn’t, as the stand in did well and pulled off a cracking save, but minutes later he was beaten, when another rapid breakaway down the right saw the ball played across the six yard box and it was bundled across the line to give the visitors a 1-2 win.