Kent County League

Division 1 Central & East

Saturday 15th April 2023

Kick Off 14.45 Actual 14.48

Rochester City 3 Cuxton ‘91 6, attendance 23

13’ 1-0 (pen)

22’ 1-1

32’ 2-1

39’ 2-2

62’ 2-3

69’ 3-3

74’ 3-4

82’ 3-5

86’ 3-6

@ The Victory Academy, 3G Pitch

Magpie Hall Road

Chatham

ME4 5JB

No Admission or Programme.

The 33 mile drive from Dulwich to Chatham took 1 hour 4 minutes, not helped by roadworks on the A205 South Circular. Once on the A2 and M2 it was plain sailing. I hadn’t got much choice for an afternoon game, especially at higher levels and wasn’t exactly enthused by two visits to synthetic pitches (this was the standard three quarters of one side spectator viewing area and the annoying overhead pitch dividing wire that was hit endless times during the match) but I really fancied this game, as it had a lot riding on it. If Rochester lost, then they were relegated (a draw or win could see them stay up, depending on what Guru Nanak and K. Sports Reserves did in their last games) whereas Cuxton were third in the table, twelve points behind leaders Ashford, but with four games in hand and four points behind second placed Snodland Town Reserves, who they have three games in hand on. Only the top two are promoted.

Rochester went ahead, scoring from a rebound after a penalty was saved, but Cuxton soon levelled. Rochester edged back in front, scoring at the second attempt after a cross from the right. It was soon 2-2 as Cuxton volleyed in from close range. The second half saw Cuxton have a man sin binned, during which time they scrambled one in, after a shot had rebounded off the post, to make it 2-3. Rochester levelled it up at 3-3 seven minutes later, when the ‘keeper punched the ball into his own net when trying to defend a near post corner. Within five minutes Cuxton headed in from a corner to lead 3-4 and this seemed to finally break the resistance of the hosts. The final two goals came on the last eight minutes and Cuxton also headed an easy chance against the crossbar in stoppage time.

So, the defeat sees Rochester relegated. Cuxton remain very much in the promotion race and are still in the running for the title.

Midway through the second half there was an unusual occurrence, when the Referee told the home club linesman to put the flag down and that he would continue without him, following yet another ridiculous attempt to flag for an ‘offside’ that was nothing of the sort!

A look back at my records shows that I have seen a 3-6 score line eleven times before today, but certainly never in back to back games.