Third placed AFC Greenwich Borough took on tenth placed Staplehurst Monarchs in the SCEFL Division One at Holmesdale FC’s ground in Oakley Road, Bromley Common on Saturday afternoon and they served up a really entertaining game.
On the excellent pitch there were a few early half chances at either end, but nothing of real note. Greenwhich passed the ball round really well and looked dangerous when they got the ball out wide, but Staplehurst defending really well and kept them at bay.
The most impressive thing for me was the first touch of Borough’s striker Oghosa Williams who on a few occasions brought down a goal kick and turned to set off with impressive ease. Borough’s first chance of note came when Sam Oguntayo had a shot cleared off the line by Sam Sharp.
Late in the half though it was The Monarchs who took the lead, when sub-Jerome Lee broke clear on the left, cut into the box and smashed the ball past Javarn Pitterson to give the visitors the lead.
The second half saw Staplehurst press again, Sam Harris hit the bar, Kieran Pallet had a volley saved and Morgan Davidge had a shot blocked by Veron Nzinga after a good run. Davidge went close again from range, before Borough started to get going again with a spell of pressure. Sharp, Jones and Wheeler all making vital blocks as Greenwich pressed hard for a leveller.
The home sides pressure finally paid off om 80 minutes, with The Monarchs briefly down to ten men, when a low dangerous cross from the right saw Jones’ attempted diving header clearance skid just inside the near post for a cruel own goal. After Borough had been reduced to ten men for a sin bin offence, both sides had chances late on, Pitterson denied Beau Landau, while Abel Vendrells went close with a free kick for the home side.
A draw was a probably fair result over the piece, Staplehurst gave everything to preserve their point, moving up one place, while Borough remain third.
Greenwich – Pitterson, Panyi, Evans, Nzinga, Nokoe, Miles, Obilana (Komas 62), Vendrells, Payne (Godziemski 61), Williams, Oguntayo. Subs Not Used: McNamee, Elliott, Carey.
Staplehurst – Lawrence, Wheeler, Harris, Kray (Landau 88), Sharp, Jones, Sargeant, Webb, Pallet (Ogazi 88), Lankshear (Lee 43). Sub Not Used: B Landau, Porter.
Goals: GBFC – Jones OG 80mins. SMFC – Lee 45+4mins