Southern Counties East Premier Division opening-day round-up as Faversham Town, Lordswood, Punjab United, Tunbridge Wells, Larkfield & New Hythe and VCD Athletic are victorious
Published: 23:30, 27 July 2024
Updated: 09:00, 28 July 2024
Faversham started their Southern Counties East Premier Division promotion push with a comfortable home win over Glebe on Saturday.
Goals from winger Kieron Campbell and summer signing Tashi-Jay Kwayie had them two goals to the good in 20 minutes before they rounded things off at Salters Lane in second-half stoppage time. James Fitchett put through his own net and then substitute Stefan Payne scored in the Lilywhites’ 4-0 victory.
Elias Ahmed bagged a stoppage-time brace as Sutton Athletic came from behind to draw at home to promotion-chasing team Whitstable.
Danny Powell put Ryan Huckle’s side ahead but a goal by summer signing Jerson Dos Santos and a second-half double by fellow forward Harvey Smith - the second a penalty - had the Oystermen 3-1 up.
But Sutton Athletic weren’t done and Ahmed ensured they claimed a share of the spoils from the 3-3 draw.
Managerless Lydd - who parted ways with Scott Porter as manager just days before the start of the campaign - were edged out 1-0 at VCD.
Charlie Heatley got the only goal of the game midway through the second period.
Stansfeld battled back to snatch a late point from a 1-1 draw at Bearsted.
Having had defender Mo Buhari sent off for Stansfeld before half-time, Eniola Hassan then gave the hosts the lead, only for away substitute Jack Mahon to hit back in the 96th minute.
Lordswood were 2-1 victors at last season’s play-off finalists Corinthian in an eventful affair.
Bradley Schafer put Nicky Southall’s side in front on nine minutes and striker Jake Embery doubled their lead just four minutes later.
Only 10 minutes into the second half, Frederick Aikon pulled one back and then Lordswood playmaker Callum Peck was dismissed in the 65th minute to give Michael Golding’s team further hope.
But numerical parity was restored seven minutes from time when Hugo Taylor was given his marching orders.
Midfielder Jack Hopkins claimed the only goal during Punjab United’s 1-0 win at Fisher.
It was honours even from the four-goal game between Hollands & Blair and Holmesdale, Lewis Heywood-Oriogun breaking the deadlock in the seventh minute before defender Chris Edwards’ penalty and striker Dean Grant’s goal had Blair 2-1 up by half-time.
But Heywood-Oriogun got his second midway through the second period to earn a share of the spoils.
Goals from Jacob Feasey and Siji Akinlusi saw Tunbridge Wells triumph 2-0 at Kennington as Adam Phillips was sent off - only five minutes after coming on.
All the goals in the game between Rusthall and newly-promoted Larkfield & New Hythe came in the first period, the latter 2-1 winners.
Ben Davisson and Chibueze Innocent made it 2-0 inside 26 minutes and, although Jack Kirby pulled one back for the home side, it wasn’t enough.
It finished 2-2 between Snodland and Erith & Belvedere.
Tommy Whitnell netted for the Deres to cancel out Todd Brand’s 11th-minute opening goal before a tale of two penalties.
Stanley Oldfield struck from the spot for Snodland in the 72nd minute, only for Ernie Cheeseman to do likewise 12 minutes later.
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Thomas Reeves