Scott Lawford scored twice as Canterbury City installed themselves as early season pacesetters in the Vandanel Kent County League Division 1 East table at Bridge Recreation Ground on Saturday.

Boss Dave Fairclough was forced to reshuffle his side with several forwards missing, so debutant Harry Gower partnered Dave Read upfront with Jamie Maxted and John Salter included in the starting 11, together with the returning Rob Gutsell.

City went ahead on 20 minutes as goalkeeper Danny Black's long clearance bounced over the visiting defenders, allowing Dave Read to lob the ball over ‘keeper James Hayden.

Kennington surprisingly pulled level on the half hour courtesy of Steve Harris but City regained the lead around the hour mark, when Read cut the ball back from the by-line, to find Lawford whose first-time shot gave Hayden no chance.

Luke Lockhart headed home the third three minutes later, but Kennington weren’t finished and Black had to save well from Sam Cridland’s glancing header, before Liam Whiting added their second

City’s second successive home win was confirmed soon afterwards. A defensive mix up gifted Gower a clear run on goal and he calmly beat Hayden.

Gower and Read then set-up Lawford to add the fifth close to time.