FA Vase and Southern Counties East League round-up: Deal Town, Erith Town and Holmesdale all progress, Whitstable Town up to third in Premier Division
Published: 22:27, 02 December 2023
All three Southern Counties East League sides remaining in the FA Vase progressed during Saturday’s Third Round.
The 2000 winners Deal Town scored in either half at Lingfield to triumph 2-0. Rory Smith put the visitors ahead with Aaron Millbank continuing his rich vein of form by scoring the second.
Erith Town won by the same scoreline at Athletic Newham. James Dyer scored the opener after Henry Arnold’s initial header was saved.
The Dockers added to their tally in the second half through Ladic Malconian’s shot which went in via the upright.
Holmesdale won a penalty shoot-out 5-4 at Eastbourne United to progress following a 1-1 draw.
Sam Bayford’s penalty put Holmesdale ahead in the first half before the hosts levelled quickly after the break.
In league action Whitstable are up to third following a 4-0 success at managerless Lordswood.
Harvey Smith’s third-minute goal put them on their way with second-half strikes by Josh Oliver and Josh Williams (2) wrapping up the points.
Harvey Welford’s goal six minutes from time saw Hollands & Blair hold Snodland to a 1-1 draw at Star Meadow, Francis Babalola had put the visitors ahead before half-time.
Bearsted are up to ninth following a 2-1 win at Lydd. Ollie Freeman and Will Johnson-Cole put Bears in charge with player/boss James Rogers scoring what proved a late consolation for Lydd.
Glebe’s hopes of regaining top spot after Faversham’s Friday night win at Kennington were thwarted by fog at Rusthall.
Glebe were in charge as they led 3-1 late on before the referee called time on the game early.
VCD twice let their lead slip as they were held 2-2 at home by Punjab United, Alfie Bloomfield and Lea Dawson netting for the visitors.
Goals from Maxx Manktelow and Seb Rowland helped improving Welling Town defeat Fisher 2-1.
The top two met in Division 1 with AFC Whyteleafe winning 2-1 at Lewisham thanks to a 90th-minute goal from James Teodorescu.
Elsewhere, Rochester won 8-0 at K Sports – Max Morgan bagging a hat-trick – and Faversham Strike Force beat Greenways 5-1 at Salters Lane.
More by this author
Matthew Panting