The Sevenoaks and District Football League returned at the start of September, and defending Premier Division Champions Hawkenbury set their sights on a first day upset at Kemsing United.
Kemsing, who play their matches at Wrotham School, and have just finished celebrating their centenary year, hosted last year’s treble winners Hawkenbury for undoubtedly the match of the opening day. And supporters were not disappointed with a thrilling 3-2 victory to the home side. Goals from Sam Boyden, Connor Goodwin, and Ross Nowers saw off a late resurgence from Hawkenbury after Kemsing’s Aaron Shead was sent off for dissent. Ben Ailes and Baldi Maher scored for the visitors.
Kemsing then follwed up that victory with another win, this time over FC Hertz – a new team to the league, made up of Ukrainians living in the Tonbridge area – who are playing at Tonbridge Angels Halcyon Wealth Longmead Ground, albeit with special dispensation from the league to kick off at 7.30pm on a Saturday evening. Kemsing’s goals again came from Sam Boyden and Connor Goodwin. Not a bad start to their season!
Newcomers Tunbridge Wells Foresters 2nd had also started the season well, with an impressive 9-1 over St Lawrence. Piers Fautley (3), Jack Pepper (20, Tristan Azavedo (2), and brothers Sam and Joe Greenall with a goal apiece.
Elsewhere, newly formed Sevenoaks Town Reserves (formerly Ide Hill 3rd) were back in the league where they finished last season, although the results have yet to materialise with a draw against Westerham and a loss at home to Chelsfield.
Into Division One and Horsmonden have taken an early lead alongside four other teams; Cudham United, AFC Green Court, Halls AFC 3rd, and Penshurst Park. The top five all sit on four points after a win and a draw each.
Division Two is set up nicely, with The Oaks being promoted into the division at the start of the season, they are two from two after wins against Hawkenbury Res. (3-0) and a ten-goal thriller away at Rusthall Development (4-6). Ightham, Ide Hill 3rd, and Chipstead are yet to get a point from their opening matches.
In Division Three, where Borough Green are the only team name not starting with a T or W, they are also without points and sit at the bottom of the table having shipped in seven goals. Wateringbury, Tonbridge Invicta, and Weald Wolves still maintain a 100% record.
Sevenoaks Senior Charity Cup draw
Meanwhile, the draw for the Sevenoaks Senior Charity Cup has been made and the following fixtures will take place during October:
Chelsfield v Horsmonden
Crockenhill v Orpington
Cudham United v Dartford Celtic
Cuxton 1991 Reserves v Tunbridge Wells Reserves
Farnborough OBG v AFC Green Court
FC Hertz v St Lawrence
FC Revo v Eynsford
Five Oak Green v Penshurst Park
Halls AFC Reserves v Larkfield & New Hythe Reserves
Ide Hill Reserves v Hawkenbury
Kemsing United v Tonbridge Junior Seniors
Otford United v Westerham
Roselands v West Farleigh
Southborough v Kings Hill Reserves
Sevenoaks Town Reserves v Aylesford
Tunbridge Wells Foresters v Green Street Green Rovers