Breaking sports news from Gillingham, Charlton Athletic, Kent Cricket and more in Kent Sportsday on Thursday, March 27
Published: 00:00, 27 March 2014
Updated: 07:53, 27 March 2014
Refresh this page regularly for live sports updates during the day. Leave comments below or get in touch with us via Twitter and Facebook.
5.30PM - CLOSE OF PLAY
Thanks for joining us for what has been an exciting day of sport. Keep an eye on twitter and kentonline for more breaking stories and we will be back tomorrow with another Kent Sportsday.
5.25PM - BREAKING NEWS
Late loan deals involving Gillingham that have beaten the 5pm deadline. Sam Muggleton has joined Martin Allen at Barnet, while Joe Carter heads to Canvey Island.
5.20PM - CRICKET
England have done it! They have beaten Sri Lanka by six wickets with just four balls remaining as they chased down 189-4. Kent's James Tredwell played his part with the ball with figures of 0-36 from his four overs, but the real hero was Alex Hales who smashed 116 not out from 64 balls.
5.15PM - CRICKET
England are closing in on a fantastic win. They need just seven runs from six balls.
Hales is now 110 not out.
5.10PM - CRICKET
It's getting very tense for James Tredwell and England. England need 23 from 12 balls. England's Alex Hales is 95 not out. We will stay with you until the conclusion of this match.
5PM - CRICKET
England need 34 runs from 18 balls against Sri Lanka. They are currently 156-4.
4.40PM - CRICKET
England are having a right good go at this! An Alex Hales inspired over just racked up 25 runs. They need 48 runs from 30 balls. James Tredwell's decent spell with the ball is looking even more valuable now as they chase Sri Lanka's target.
4.20PM - CRICKET
England don't need Kent's James Tredwell just yet. They are 72-2 after 10 overs, chasing 189-4 set by Sri Lanka.
4.10PM - FOOTBALL
Chatham are at home to VCD tonight with Chats chasing an eighth-straight win while VCD are chasing the Ryman League Division 1 North title.
Chats boss Kevin Watson said: "It's a difficult game. They're top of the league for a reason but it was a good game when we played them at their place. We felt a bit aggrieved because we felt we should have come away with the points. It's a chance to put that right. It's a local game and they've got bundles to play for. We've got less to play for, as such, but it's a good test for us. It's always a good measure when you play the team at the top."
Brad Potter is unavailable, the only absentee, while striker Alfie May is set to make a return to Maidstone Road with his new side.
Also Whitstable are at Merstham and Faversham host Redhill in Division 1 South tonight.
3.50PM - CRICKET
Looks like James Tredwell will need to get pads on, and quickly! After Sri Lanka made 189-4, England are now 20-2 after three overs after they had slumped to 0-2.
3.35PM - FOOTBALL
Here's the full story of Callum Davies leaving Gills to join Dover on loan.
3.30PM - FOOTBALL
Will he? Won't he? Gillingham striker Adebayo Akinfenwa expected to stay at Priestfield after Northampton sign John Marquis on loan from Millwall. At ease, everyone.
3.05PM - FOOTBALL
Skrill South play-off hopefuls Dover have signed Gills defender Callum Davies on loan until the end of the season.
2.50PM - FOOTBALL
Our reporter Steve Tervet is suggesting that former Ebbsfleet (and Welling caretaker) manager Liam Daish should be a candidate for the now-vacant Portsmouth job. Good shout, Steve.
2.35PM - CRICKET
James Tredwell finishes with 0-36 off his four overs. Mahela Jayawardene hits a six off the final ball of the Kent spinner's spell. Latest score Sri Lanka 104-1 off 13 overs.
2.25PM - FOOTBALL
You'll be hearing a lot more about Maidstone United on Kentonline.co.uk tomorrow including two major stories - but for now here's a little teaser for you.
Jay Saunders has been told he will leave Maidstone United - but it's nothing to worry about.
He's been reflecting on three years in charge after news of his contract extension and recalled a conversation with chief executive Bill Williams when he first took over.
The Stones boss said: "Bill said to me that one day I'll be leaving the club, either off my own back or because I've been sacked, and to enjoy the job. It was one of the best bits of advice I've had.
"Bosses come and go so often these days. I don't know if I expected to still be here when I was given the job three years ago.
"I've given it my all, just as I did when I was a player. I've not thought about being anywhere else. I'd like to think I'll be here until I'm told otherwise."
2.20PM - CRICKET
Kent's James Tredwell justifying his place as England's top spinner. His second over goes for just three runs. Sri Lanka 61-1 in nine overs.
2.10PM - CRICKET
James Tredwell bowls the seventh over of the innings conceding six runs. Sri Lanka 48-1 after seven overs.
1.50PM -CRICKET
James Tredwell in the England side for the second game in the World T20 against Sri Lanka in Chittagong. England skipper Stuart Broad won the toss and chose to bowl. Sri Lanka 23-1 after four overs.
12.50PM - BREAKING NEWS
Courtesy of my colleague Craig Tucker, something to cheer fans of Sittingbourne after last night's drubbing.
Craig tells us: Sittingbourne have reacted to last night's 7-1 thrashing at Burgess Hill by signing two new players - and a third is set to follow.
Goalscoring midfielder Sam Spencer has joined from Guildford, while versatile Reece Gallagher is in from Bromley.
Joint-boss Matt Wyatt is hopeful of concluding one more deal today but revealed he will be letting players go.
He said: "We just felt we needed to do something after last night and the run we've been on.
"If we'd lost 2-1 or 3-1 it might have been different but when you lose 7-1 you have to shake things up.
"There will be a few players who won't be involved now and we won't stand in their way if they can find another club."
12.30PM - BREAKING NEWS
Gillingham striker Adebayo Akinfenwa is the subject of interest from former club Northampton Town, according to reports.
12.25PM - BREAKING NEWS
One in, one out for the Addicks. Charlton have signed Manchester United midfielder Davide Petrucci on loan until the end of the season.
LUNCHBREAK
Thursday morning quiet for sports news? As if. We've already had Peter Taylor talking about loan deals on deadline day, Jimmy Adams previewing the Kent pre-season games and a former Arsenal and Southend keeper heading to Dartford on loan.
Stick with us throughout the afternoon for news of England's crucial t20 with Sri Lanka, underway at 1.30pm and a look ahead to some super-special-bonus Thursday night football (not Europa League, don't worry!).
11.45 - BREAKING NEWS
Charlton Athletic have confirmed Marcus Tudgay has returned to Nottingham Forest, cutting short a loan deal which was due to run until the end of the season.
Tudgay only arrived at the Valley last month, making his debut in the win over QPR on February 22.
He made one further appearances as a sub at Leicester, and played 90 minutes in the FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Sheffield United but was yet to feature under new Head Coach José Riga.
11.30 - VIDEO
You know what never gets old? Peter Pan. Anything else? Watching goalkeepers scoring goals.
We showed you this video earlier in the week of Folkestone stopper Tim Roberts popping one in against Horsham from 80-odd yards on Saturday, but here's a different view which really makes you feel like you were there.
11.30 - HOCKEY
So, finished top of the national Premier League, qualified for Europe, know the pressure is off for end of season play-offs... life must be pretty good for Canterbury Ladies Hockey Club right now.
Saturday sees the club host a celebration barbecue to mark their historic achievement, with player-coach Jen Wilson reflecting on a 'phenomenal achievement.'
11:25 - FOOTBALL
You've probably heard plenty of football reporters mention a wall of defence... well let me be the first to coin the phrase 'Wall of attack.'
Dartford's on loan Luton Town striker Alex Wall has scored six important goals since his arrival and boss Tony Burman hopes he keeps scoring the goals which help the Darts beat the drop in Skrill Premier.
11:05 - FOOTBALL
Lots of comings and goings at Herne Bay this season, on and off the field.
Chairman Trevor Kennett stepped down two weeks ago but the club will not rush into naming a replacement, acting chairman Bill Dordoy says.
Meanwhile striker Danny Walder has signed for Skrill South strugglers Tonbridge Angels, though former Bay man Calum McGeehan is back in the fold after leaving Southern Counties East League Premier Division side Lordswood.
10:50 - FOOTBALL
Believe it or not, there was a time when Dover Athletic was a tough place to go and Crabble was a fortress.
That has not been the case for the past few seasons however and one point and no goals in two home games this week has led to noises of dissent on the terraces.
Boss Chris Kinnear says Whites need to be a bit more streetwise when they face their third home game in a week against Boreham Wood on Saturday.
10:30 - POLL
10:20 - BREAKING NEWS
Joint-managers Matt Wyatt and Nick Davis offered to resign during a dressing-room meeting with players after Sittingbourne were humiliated 7-1 at Burgess Hill on Wednesday night (see 09:00).
Wyatt even described the performance as a sackable offence as Bourne suffered their heaviest defeat since November 1999.
Wyatt said: "We offered to step down and walk away if they didn't want to play for us any more but they said they were fully behind us and apologised.
"That performance was a sackable offence. I couldn't have any excuses if Maurice Dunk (chairman) picked up the phone and got rid of us."
10.10 - RUGBY
Miss the Six Nations? There's only 11 months to wait until the next one. But if you can't wait that long for your hit of high-class rugby then you could do much worse than join the hordes heading to Canterbury RFC on Saturday.
Hopes are high for a crowd of 1,000 plus at Merton Lane as National 2 South leaders Hartpury visit second-placed Canterbury.
Head coach Andy Pratt gives his view on the fight for the title and the sole promotion-play-off place here.
10:00 - FOOTBALL
It's coming up for three-and-a-half years since Ashley Miller made his debut for Gillingham. Remember where you were that day in November 2010?
He was released by the club last month and after a trial at Crystal Palace, signed for Ryman League Division 1 South side Whitstable, led by former Gills assistant boss Nicky Southall, on Wednesday.
Southall has backed the 19-year-old to light up the division between now and the end of the season.
Town are in action tonight. A full round-up and preview of the Thursday night fixtures is coming up this afternoon on Sportsday.
09:45 - FOOTBALL
West's injury is another blow to Fleet's promotion push in Skrill South, but Brown has urged fans not to lose the faith yet, backing them to bounce back from a run of just one point from three games.
09:25 - FOOTBALL
Such a shame for Fleet midfielder Michael West, who has been ruled out for six months with a knee injury and will miss the start of the 2014/15 season as a result.
Manager Steve Brown revealed his disappointment here.
09:05 - GILLINGHAM
Peter Taylor is happy with his Gills squad for the rest of the season and won't risk rocking the Priestfield boat for just anyone on loan deadline day.
Here's what Taylor had to say about the potential for comings and goings on one of the most eagerly anticipated Thursdays of the week.
09:00 - NON-LEAGUE ROUND-UP
Never let it be said that Ryman League Division 1 South football is dull.
Three games in the division last night produced 23 goals. Champions elect Peacehaven & Telscombe (just one team and only 11 players) beat Crawley Down Gatwick 10-0, Leatherhead brushed-aside Eastbourne 5-0 while our boys Sittingbourne suffered a 7-1 drubbing at Burgess Hill Town.
It was 2-0 inside nine minutes and the third came on 44 minutes, but even though Tom Brunt pulled one back seconds before the break, the hosts ran-riot with four more after the interval to close on the play-off places, while the Brickies are 18th.
08:35 - BREAKING NEWS
Craig Holloway has joined Dartford on loan until the end of the season from Margate.
The one-time Arsenal keeper joined Gate in the summer of 2012 and was named caretaker manager at Hartsdown Park after the departure of Chris Kinnear to Dover last season and was later appointed joint manager with Simon Osborn before stepping down in November.
The former Bromley, Ebbsfleet and Southend stopper actually played against Dartford for Welling in the 2011/12 Blue Square Bet South play-off final which saw Darts promoted.
He told fans on twitter: "I'll be on bench but it's a good opportunity to be involved in some big games... and show (Dartford) what I can do."
08:30 - FOOTBALL
On a morning where a lot of water-cooler talk seems to be about West Ham getting booed off after WINNING against Johan ter Horst's new friends at Hull City last night, Dartford boss Tony Burman is hoping for better backing on Saturday.
Darts face a crucial clash with Macclesfield Town on Saturday as they battle to avoid the drop in Skrill Premier and Burman wants supporters to get behind their side and raise the Princes Park roof.
Click here to see what he had to say.
08:25 - ENGLAND
Nope, it's not more football chat. Kent spinner James Tredwell is on England duty at the ICC World t20 in Bangladesh.
They (we?) face a must-win group stage game against Sri Lanka in Chittagong this evening, but in one of the many benefits of international time zones, we get to enjoy the action here from 1.30pm. We'll keep you up to date with all the news you need to know.
08:15 - GILLINGHAM
Now I know the date is probably circled on your calendar anyway, but it's the Football League loan deadline today.
Our Gills man Luke Cawdell reliably informs me the club have received offers for a couple of unnamed players from Conference clubs but apparently Peter Taylor isn't desperate for any new signings.
We'll bring you any updates as soon as we get them right here. In the meantime drop us a line to let us know who you wouldn't mind seeing the back of today, or whom could benefit from a run of games in different surroundings.
08:10 - KENT CRICKET
Now I know you've probably had to scrape ice off your windscreen this morning, but it's just over two weeks until Kent play their opening Championship game of the season.
The thwack of leather on willow will be back at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence on Monday morning when Kent face Durham in their first friendly action of 2014.
To see what Jimmy Adams has to say about a return to action click here.
08:00 - WELCOME
Good morning and welcome to another Kent Sportsday. Thursday has long been known as the dullest day of the sporting week - unless you like the Europa League of course - but there's plenty to look forward to in the next nine hours.
We'll bring you all the breaking news throughout the day, plus look back at Wednesday night's football action, look ahead to the sporting weekend and bring you up to date on Kent cricket's pre-season preparations.
Keep checking back regularly, or keep a tab open for us and hit refresh once in a while to ensure you get all the news you want right here in one place, thoughout the Kent Sportsday.
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Alex Hoad