Surrey South Eastern Combination League

Intermediate Division 1

Saturday 17th May 2025

Kick Off 14.00 Actual 14.07

Kew Park Rangers 1 London Hibernian 3, attendance 20

16’ 0-1

45’ + 1, 1-1

60’ 1-2

84’ 1-3

@ Richmond Athletic Ground (outer pitch)

Twickenham Road (A316)

Richmond upon Thames

TW9 2SF

No Admission or Programme.

I’m not a great fan of this league and haven’t done a game in it for years, due so was surprised when checking the venues of this division to find that this completed the current grounds. Richmond Athletic Ground is home to the rugby union clubs of Richmond and London Scottish, who play on the main stadium here. Today’s game was played on an outer pitch, the most northerly on the site, which was Pitch 6 if the board advertising pitch allocations was to be believed. The rugby posts remained in place, with portable football goals placed in front. There was a bit of a drama shortly before kick off, as the goals had been chained together and the padlock code that is normally used, had been changed. Luckily, they contacted someone by phone and we got underway seven minutes later than scheduled.

The match was 2nd versus 4th in the league table, with both clubs still able to win the league. KPR were very much outsiders in the race though, as this was their final game and they’d then be relying current leaders Selhurst and today’s visitors London Hibernian, who still have to play each other again, to lose their last few games. Unlikely, but you never know. Hibernian took an early lead, when a cross in from the left was left by a defender and put in unmarked at the far post. KPR levelled in first half stoppage time, when a corner from the right was finished with a shot into the bottom corner of the net. On the hour mark Hibernian we’re back in front, when a long ball over the top saw the striker beat a defender to the ball, nod it forward, then run on to finish one on one with the ‘keeper. They finally killed the game off with six minutes left, breaking quickly and finishing emphatically through the ‘keepers legs.

Leaders Selhurst also won this afternoon, so the title race is now between them and London Hibernian. Selhurst have a better goal difference by 20, as well as a six point lead, although Hibernian do still have a game in hand and host the leaders next Saturday.