Sevenoaks & District League

Premier Division

Wednesday 26th April 2023

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.27

Hawkenbury 4 Penshurst Park 0, attendance 25

4’ 1-0

40’ 2-0

47’ 3-0

57’ 4-0

@ Cadogan Recreation Ground

St. John’s Road

Tunbridge Wells

TN4 9XD

No Admission or Programme.

I had seen Hawkenbury play home games at two previous venues. Last April I saw them at Hawkenbury Recreation Ground (their regular home ground) and then a month later at Bayham Road Playing Field, but tonight was an opportunity to tick them off at a third venue, as they were unable to use their normal home ground tonight, presumably as it is shared with cricket. The entrance to Cadogan Recreation Ground is on the left hand side of theA26, when heading south into Tunbridge Wells. The entrance leads into the car park that is shared with Tunbridge Wells Masonic Centre and the local tennis club. There are two pitches here, running parallel, with tonight’s game being played on the one nearest to the changing rooms. The second pitch is slightly narrower.

The match was a basement battle, as third bottom hosted bottom (already relegated) in the league table, although Hawkenbury still have enough games in hand to finish fourth. Despite Penshurst Park only picking up three points this season (3 draws) they have only lost narrowly in the majority of games, although Hawkenbury did beat them 6-1 in the reverse fixture and have also beaten them 6-2 at home in a cup match.

Hawkenbury were ahead after just four minutes, but never managed to add their second goal until five minutes before halftime, with a cracking finish into the top corner from the edge of the box. The game was made safe when they added a third goal two minutes into the second half, with goal number four coming ten minutes later, when a cross from the left was finished with a cushioned volley from 6 yards. Penshurst Park battled to the end and on this performance it is hard to believe that they haven’t managed to win a game this season.