In a hard-fought Kent Senior Trophy first round encounter at The Arena, it was Lewisham Borough who came out on top in this all SCEFL Division One match up on Saturday afternoon. 

The game got off to a flying start with Lewisham doing the early pressing, Nfonkeu Noel curling an effort just over from 20 yards out. Borough took the lead on 8minutes when a corner was cleared out to Nicholas Harvey who unleashed an unstoppable driven effort from the edge of the area that gave Cemal Osman no chance in the home goal.

The lead only lasted two minutes though at The Trams levelled up on the next attack. A swift move down the right came to Edward Dwyer who drove the ball into the roof of the net from just inside the box to make it 1-1 on 11 minutes.

Four minutes later though Lewisham were back in front, when a long ball caused a mix up between Osman and Alfie Clark on the edge of the penalty area allowing Jefferey Oredein to lob the loose ball into the net putting the visitors 1-2 up.

Croydon rallied from there and had a strong spell of pressure, Clark going the close, but Borough held strong. The half was full of honest endeavour, but there were few chances from there and when one did come for The Trams, Barker was on hand to make a brave save late in the half to preserve the Borough lead.

The second half saw Lewisham start well, Oredein crossing for Toby Corner who shot wide when well placed. Croydon then pressed again for an equaliser, Barker making great saves from Liam Cormack and Ore Allen.

With the game opening up Borough’s Corner was denied by Osman after good work by Noel, while at the other end Allen crossed for Tom Barton who missed a good chance, side footing wide at the near post. Barton then had a shot saved by Barker and the Borough keeper followed that up with a save at the feet of Allen.

With The Trams doing all the pressing late on with a series of crosses and long throws, Cormack headed over at the far post, but Lewisham held out to secure their place in the next round.             

CFC – Osman, Walters (Lewis 72), Elliott, Allen, Freeman, Clark, Jenkins (Spellward 78), Dwyer (Cormack 81), Mampono, Macmillan, Barton. Subs Not Used: Fofahan, White.

LBFC – Barker, Thwaytes-Tylee, Nwobani-Akano, Williams, Harvey, Corner, Noel, Bunclark, Anderson, Oredein, Vochyan (Thomas 70). Subs Not Used: Oduntan, Kasai, Duhaney-Barton, Pinder.   

Goals: Croydon: Dwyer 11mins. Lewisham: Harvey 9mins, Oredein 15mins.

HT 1-2 FT