Lordswood managed to grind out a victory in the opening fixture of the new campaign. The opening exchanges were pretty even until Josh Brewer struck a wonderful free kick which cannoned off the bar straight into the path of Aaron Sutcliffe who gratefully slotted home the first goal of the season. The visitors held on to the lead until half-time thanks to some timely interventions from Tom Light and two wonderful saves by keeper Jason Marsdon. Crockenhill stunned Lordswood by scoring in the opening minute of the restart and the tone was set for the oncoming battle. Andre Marques showed his quality with two superb strikes - the second thanks to some sterling work by Danny Delaney. Despite hitting the bar and scoring a late second goal the home side couldn't get the result they battled so hard for.
Jimmy Greaves famously said "Football's a funny old game" - how true! Having taken very complementary plaudits from the referee, Corinthian Manager, players,parents and supporters about the superb football played by the visiting side Lordswood still came away pointless against early League leaders Corinthians. Christmas came early for the home side as they scored within 9 seconds of kick-off! Lordswood were stunned and inspired Corinthians could have been 3 or 4 goals up in the opening ten minutes if they had taken their chances. Lordswood finally came to life when a rasping shot from Dale Kitchener set the tone for the rest of the half. The visiters laid seige to the home goal with Andre Marques a constant threat linking up with Dale causing the home defence all sorts of problems. Andre hit the post, the keeper produced a wonderful save to deny Eman Abe. Ben White had efforts blocked. Jim Coulson went close and Lewis Taylors free-kicks went agonisingly close. The second half continued in the same vein with Lordswood pounding the Corinthian goal. Ben White was foiled once more, Andre hit the bar and finally Eman Abe smashed a volley in to reduce the arrears. The home goal led a charmed life,however, and when Rikki Sceats shaved the bar with a header you knew it was not to be Lordswood's day. The football played by both sides was a credit to both managers and to the league, so much so the referee - the Referee's Secretary to the Kent FA - felt compelled to E- mail both clubs congratulating them on their play and to say how much he enjoyed refereeing the game. Well done lads!
For the second week running Lordswood were left to rue missed chances as they let some more points slip. Again they gave the opponents the initative by gifting the opening goal within minutes of the start. But for Sam Leadsham they could have been two down and struggling against their more illustrious opponents. Having finally awoken Lordswood clicked into gear and took the game to the visitors and were rewarded when a deliberate handball prevented a goal. A penalty was awarded and the player sent off - a decision which seemed harsh but was to the letter of the law. Andre Marques penalty kick was saved but he followed up his effort to level the scores. Ben White then curled in a marvellous shot to put the home side in front and moments later tried to repeat the feat but his shot flew agonisingly close. Andre Marques was foiled with a one-on-one and then glanced a header which shaved the bar with the keeper well beaten. Jim Coulson had done all the hardwork to get into a goalscoring position but then missed with the goal at his mercy. Dale Kitchener then scored with a fine header only for it to be ruled offside. Josh Brewer was then millimetres away from connecting to cross which flashed across the face of the goal. Ebbsfleet were on the ropes but Lordswood failed to deliver the knock out punch. Ten men Ebbsfleet rung the changes at the interval and then showed why they are one of the favourites to win the league with a gritty, battling display. Having hit the woodwork they were finally rewarded when a goalmouth scramble ended in a deserved equaliser. Both sides had chances to win the game and in the dying seconds Sean Fassom just failed to connect with the goal gaping. To steal the points then would have hard justice on an Ebbsfleet side who had worked so hard to keep in the game. This local derby proved that both sides are capable of challenging for honours this season
Lordswood debut in the FA Youth Cup ended in tears as a very strong and very well organised Whytleafe side proved too strong and swept their opponents aside. Having gifted Whyteafe an early opening goal it could have been so different if first Josh Brewers shot had not hit the post and second Dan Finan's downward header had not bounced up and over the bar. Whytleafe rode their luck and came out in the second half and dominated proceedings and quickly doubled their advantage. A third soon followed after Jason Marsdon had brilliantly saved only to fumble the resulting corner and the contest was over. Lordswood continued to battle and were rewarded when Lewis Taylor scored a late consolation goal. The goal seemed to offend the visitors and they went straight up the other end and scored the fourth and final goal of the evening.
Second placed VCD came into this game confident they could extend their excellant run but Lordswood had other ideas. Lordswood have recently been guilty of creating many chances and not killing teams off and when Lewis Taylor hit the post and a follow-up shot from Eman Abe hit the same post you wondered if their luck would ever change. Change it did when Dale Kitchener slotted home and then Eman Abe smashed in a shot from 25 yards. Lordswood looked like they were going to run riot but just as in recent games they failed to kill the opposition off and gave them a life-line when conceding a goal on the stroke of half time. VCD were back in the game and game out in the second half with a vengence. As VCD came forward Lordswood started to counter attack and Jim Coulson twice went close with rasping drives. VCD's determination was finally rewarded when they equalised with five minutes remaining. Both sides had chances to win it and Lewis Taylors brilliant run deserved a goal but his shot went agonisingly wide in the dying seconds. At the final whistle VCD were elated and you thought they had won the game but the looks on the home players faces showed a different picture - another two points thrown away!
Going into this game with no recognised strikers meant Lordswood would be looking for goals from other areas. Ben White was first to try his luck put his drive flew just over. Jim Coulson went close as did Aaron Sutcliffe. Josh Brewer showed the way with a stunning strike which gave the home keeper no chance. Lordswood were then indebted to their own keeper Sam Leadsham who's brilliant reflex save denied Deal Town an equaliser. Into the second half and Lordswood contined to dominate and it wasn't long before Josh Brewer doubled the advantage after fine work by Ben White. As in previous weeks Lordswood then decide to press the destruction button and try to throw away another two goal lead - this time Ben Ashdown's thumping header into his own net giving the opposition the incentative they needed. Tom Light's last ditch tackle prevented an equaliser but credit where credit is due Lordswood dug in and ground out a result which might just kick start their season.
In a dour and scrappy game football was never going to be the winner. It was the type of game where despite the players total committment it was never to be a classic and niether goalkeeper was ever really tested. The game was to be won by either a piece of individual brilliance or a mistake and unfortunately for Lordswood the latter applied when a Sam Leadsham howler gifted the points to Maidstone.
This was always going to be a tough fixture against a high flying Thamesmead side who have only conceded three goals all season. In a very even first half Lordswood shocked their hosts by taking the lead. A beautifully worked goal was finished by Josh Brewer after fine work by Dale Kitchener. This spurred Thamesmead into action and it was no surprise when they equalised - a fine header from a well taken free kick. The second half continued in the same vein in a very even contest. However Lordswood have tended to shoot themselves in the foot of late with defensive blunders and this game was no exception - this time a Tom Light error gifting the opposition the lead. Lordswood had to chase the game and started to become vunerable to the counter attack and eventually succumbed and Thamesmead scored a third and finished the contest. Ben White twice went close and Dale Kitchener was denied by a brilliant save from the home goalkeeper but it was all to no avail and Thamesmead finished worthy victors.
VCD stormed to the top of the table with what looks like a resounding win. A cracking game of football with full commitment from both sides had everything for entertainment : brilliant goals , superb goalkeeping from both sides, chances galore, goal line clearances and a sending off! Although the 3 - 0 scoreline flattered the home side the quality of their goals could not be questioned. Jim Coulson twice went close with rasping drives as did Lewis Taylor and Ben White before VCD scored against the run of play. The second half saw Ashley Royle foiled three times - one effort cleared off the line after he thought he had scored and Aaron Sutcliffe twice saw efforts fly agonisingly close. Lordswood had no answer to VCD's superb counter attacking play and the home side were rewarded with two magnificantly taken goals and now sit proudly at the top of the table.
Lordswood's disappointing start to the season continued as their injury ravaged squad took on in-form Crockenhill. Down to the bare bones with just a starting eleven and no substitutes it was always going to be a tough encounter. The corresponding fixture was a close affair with Lordswood edging it 3 -2 - this time Crockenhill avenged the result with the same scoreline. Lordswood started brightly enough and took the game to their opponents and Carl Lund was rewarded when his beautifully weighted chip beat the visiting keeper and Lords went one up. Chances were few and far between but just before the interval Crockenhill equalised with their first meaningful move of the game. This seemed to inspire them and they came into the second half with more conviction. Two more headed gals followed and Lords were chasing the game. Josh Brewer produced some superb wingplay and was correctly rewarded with a penalty when hauled down once again. Carl Lund kept his composure and reduced the deficet. Lordswood battled and deserved an equaliser but when Ashley Royle missed a quilt-edged chance you knew it was not to be their day.
An enthralling local derby finished with the home side coming out on top after twice coming from behind to win the tie. In an even contest it took a free kick to break the deadlock and Maidstone took the lead. The home side responded and but for a brilliant save from a Ben White free kick the home would have equalised. Ben proved to be a constant thorn in the side to the visitors and his superb cross field pass put Josh Brewer in for a one on one with the goal keeper and Josh made no mistake. The second half saw Lordswood take the initiative and but for a brilliant save by the visiting goal keeper would have taken the lead. The referee then astounded everybody by giving the away side a penalty which was dispatched accordingly and just to prove he wasn't biased he repeated the act and allowed Ben White to equalise. The visiting keeper then produced his third and best goal saving save fom Ashley Royle. It took a brilliant piece of wing play from Dale Kitchener to outfox Maidstone's superb central defender Chris Smalling and his pin point cross found substitute Dan Finan who's exquisite touch desided the tie.
A magnificent all round team performance saw Lordswood U/18's overcome Erith Town U/18's and progress to round 3 of the John Ullmann Memorial Cup. Buoyed by last weeks impressive Kent Cup victory over local rivals Maidstone Utd the self-belief seemed to return and confidence oozed from the side - a side who so far has under achieved this season. A cracking cup tie ensued with both sides fully committed. Lordswood's midfield was back to its best and but for Jack Bradshaw - the Erith keeper - Lordswood would have won at a canter. He produced save after save to deny Josh Brewer, Dale Kitchener, Carl Lund,Ben White and Jim Coulfield but he couldn't prevent defender Tom Light from scoring after his defence failed to clear an inswinging corner and Lordswood went into the interval a goal to the good. The second half saw Lordswood take the initiative again, and again Jack was in top form denying Josh and Dale time and time again. Eager to score a second goal and kill the game Lordswood pushed forward and fell vulnerable to two counter attacks and the cup tie was turned on its head - Erith led 2 - 1 ! Both sides went for the jugular - both sides hitting the woodwork - both keepers pulling off great saves - the next goal was crucial ! It took substitute Dan Finan to level the scores and take the game into extra time. It was fitting that captain Jim Coulson - playing his best ever game in a Lordswood shirt - should score a wonderful solo goal, cultimating in rounding Jack before slotting home and restoring Lordswood's lead. Ryan scored a fourth and Lordswood looked to be running riot and in truth Erith had no answer to the visitors magnificent forward play and can have no complaints nor deny the boys a victory they fully deserved.
On a sub-standard pitch Lordswood U/18's made hard work of beating Folkestone U/18's who are currently bottom of the league. It was a fairly even contest until Lordswood descided to press their defensive self destruct button once again -this time Sam Leadsham and Ben Ashdown colliding with each other allowing the Folkstone centre forward to roll the ball into an unguarded net. Lordswood rallied and a brilliant cross from Jim Coulson found the home keeper wanting, he fumbled and dropped the ball into the path of Dan Delaney who gleefully smashed home from all of one yard! The awful playing surface didn't allow for a flowing game of football but it didn't stop Lewis Taylor scoring a wonderful headed goal from a well taken free-kick - the only trouble for Lewis it was into his own net and Lordswood were behind again! Again the away side rallied - Dan Finan hit the bar when it looked easier to score and Jim Coulson smashed a glorious shot which also cannoned off the bar. The half time roasting the boys received obviously worked as their second half performance was so much better. Jim showed the way when he climbed at the far post and thumped in a header for a deserved equaliser. Ashley Royle started to shine and his persistance paid off when a hesitant defence allowed him to nip in and put Lordswood ahead for the first time in the game. It was all one way traffic until Folkestone sprung a counter attack and but for an outstanding save from keeper Sam Leadsham would have levelled. It was obvious Lordswood needed another goal to kill the game and captain, and man-of-the-match, Jim Coulson duely obliged when he finished off a tremendous piece of wing play from Dale Kitchener and completed the scoring.
Credit must be given to both sides for producing a superb game of football in appalling conditions. A howling wind and a pitch that cut up and got stickier and stickier as the game unfurled was not the ideal playing condition. Maidstone took advantage with the wind behind them and controlled the opening half an hour, cruising into a two goal lead, indeed if it wasn't for Stefan Wilcock - the home keeper - the deficet could have been greater. Stefan was certainly the busier of the two keepers, the visiting keeper only really troubled once from a thunderous effort from Jim Coulson. That was until a superb through ball put in Dale Kitchener who cut back in and unleashed a magnificent shot to reduce the arrears just before half time. The home side, with conditions favouring them, took control going into the second half and produced some great football culminating in a brilliant equaliser, Dale Kitchener again the architect with an outstanding run from his own half. Having done all the hard work, leaving the Maidstone defence for dead and drawing the keeper, he unselfishly passed back to Ben White who gleefully smashed home. Minutes later Jim Coulson struck a free-kick which cannoned back off the bar but Maidstone rode their luck and started to counter attack in devilish style. Their pacey attack started to produce dividends and with one swift move they regained the lead. Lordswood were now chasing the game and again fell victim to the counter attack. The home sides heads seem to drop and Maidstone went on to score a fith. Perhaps the 5-2 scoreline flattered the visitors but no one could deny them the points for producing such a good game of football.
This excillerating cup tie had everything in the way of excitement and entertainment with both sides fully committed to progress in the competition. Thamesmead, already in one cup semi-final , flew out of the blocks and scored with their first meaningful attack of the game. Lordswood were stunned and reacted by throwing everything at the the visiting goal. Dan Finan's effort was cleared off the line having chipped the advancing goalkeeper but Lordswood struck a deserved equaliser just before half-time when Sam Leadsham headed home. The game ebbed and flowed in the second half with both keepers keeping their sides in the game and just when Lordswood were starting to dominate Thamesmead struck with just five minutes to play. Game over? - no chance! In the final minute Lordswood were awarded a free-kick just outside the area and Jim Coulson delightfully chipped the wall for Dale Kitchener to run in and head home. This magnificant game continued to entertain with Sam Leadsham smashing in his second of the game only for Thamesmead to equalise straight away. In fairness Thamesmead pounded the home goal but it was Lordswood who took their chances first with a Ben Ashdown flick at the near post and then a scrambled effort at the final whistle. No side deserved to loose and Thamesmead are wished all the best in their other semi-final date.
Buoyed by their John Ullmann cup win a few days earlier underdogs Lordswood went into this game confident they could pull off a cup shock against their more illustrious opponents Ryman League Tonbridge Angels. Indeed the visitors thought they only had to turn up to win but they got the shock of their lives. Lordswood chased and harried and never let Tonbridge settle and an enthralling game ensued. Ashley Royle ran his socks off and was rewarded when he slotted home the opening goal no less than the home side deserved. The second half opened up a bit as both midfields started to tire and chances were created at both ends both keepers having plenty to do. Tonbridge failed to deal with an inswinging corner and the ball fell to Sam Leadsham who smashed home the second goal. Lordswood's tails were up and if Ben White had converted a glorious chance to make it 3-0 the tie would have been over. To their credit though Tonbridge never gave up and when they scored direct from a corner with only seven minutes left the game was back on. Indeed you sense the nervousness in the home defence and indecision cost them dear and the visitors equalised with minutes remaining. Neither side could break the deadlock in extra time and the game went to penalties. Ben White held his nerve to score but both Dan Delaney and Josh Brewer hit the woodwork and Lordswood were out.
With both sides desperate for a win a lively game was always on the cards. Indeed the visitors showed the early intent and were rewarded when their persistance paid off and took a deserved lead. Lordswood were stung into action and started to bombard the visitors goal. It was left to Tom Light to show his strikers how to finish when he scored from a corner and doubled his tally for the season in the process. Denied a previous appeal for a penalty Sam Leadsham battled on and was rewarded when he charged down an attempted clearance from the keeper and levelled the scores. A brilliant goal line clearance denied Dan Finan from extending Lordswood's lead and they went into the interval a goal to the good. The second half was all one way traffic as Lordswood pounded the Deal goal. Carl Lund was desperately unlucky with his 35-yard effort and on another day Ashley Royle would have had a hat-trick. A brilliant run from captain Jim Coulson was unceromoniously ended when he was brought down for a penalty and Sam Leadsham scored from the spot kick. In truth Lordswood had plenty of chances to increase their lead but gladly settled for the three points.
League leaders Ebbsfleet proved too hot for Lordswood and ran out comfortable winners. They took the lead early on but Lordswood rallied and produced a beautiful piece of football cultimating with Josh Brewer crossing for Sam Leadsham to unleash a stunning finish. This seemed to rattle the home side into action and they scored three times before the interval - two superb goals and one fluke. Much as Lordswood tried to get back into the match in the second half Ebbsfleet proved to be too strong physically and scored a fifth goal to wrap up a comfortable win.
This fixture seems to bring the best out of these two sides producing another exciting and free-flowing game. With chances galore at both ends it was always going to be a high scoring game. Twice Dale Kitchener shaved the woodwork and Jim Coulson's drive was not far away before Ashley Royle followed up another effort from Dale and opened the scoring. Thamesmead hit back and it wasn't long before they equalised and in truth should have taken the lead when rewarded a penalty but the kick was smashed against the bar and Lordswood breathed a sigh of relief. Having scored his first goal you could see the confidence in Ashley's play and it wasn't long before he bagged his second giving the home side the lead at the interval. Ashley completed his first hat-trick for the team but Thamesmead refused to lay down and reduced the arrears. However, Ashley was on fire and saved his best till last and scored his fourth goal of the game . Ben Ashdown had a great chance to finish off a determined Thamesmead side but he failed with the goal at his mercy. Back came Thamesmead and it was no surprise when they scored again leaving a tense and exciting finale and if they had converted one of their three great chances they would have left with a share of the spoils but Lordswood held their nerve and came away with the three points.
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