The race for the SCEFL 1 title took as many twists on Easter Saturday than an Agatha Christie masterpiece with, at the centre of it all, Faversham Strike Force and Croydon playing out an enthralling 1-1 draw at the Aquatherm.
The day began with the Forest Hill Park top by a point from Strike Force with Soul Tower Hamlets a further two behind and Croydon another four behind in fourth.
Its ended after Tower Hamlets won 3-0 against Rochester’s ten men a single point clear of Strike Force who stay in second but are now ahead of Forest Hill with an eight better goal difference.
Crucially now though, the new leaders have just one game left (at Bridon Ropes on Saturday) whilst their pursuers both have two (Strike Force go to Canterbury on Monday and the welcome Thamesmead on the final day whilst Forest Hill host Greenways on Monday before going to Clapton to end the regular season).
Back to the weekend and this could prove to be a massive opportunity missed by both sides after a hugely enjoyable ninety minutes in the Faversham sunshine, all be it in a chilly breeze.
Croydon started on the front foot knowing that a win would bring them level on points with their hosts and they started well with Kieran Rufus thumping header just over the bar before tempers boiled over following a challenge by Dylan Richies on Aaron Reber and referee Bone did well not to send anyone off.
The visitors start was then rewarded as from Reber’s free kick – which was on the goal line but about five yards in from the corner flag – bounced through the box for Alfie Clark to prod home at the back post.
The home side responded and were unlucky to be ahead at the break – Beau Landau’s cross deceived keeper Alex Nika but there wasn’t a blue shirt to convert; Alex Willis then nipped in between two defenders to flash and effort across the face before the best chance came just before the break as Harry Alexander’s free kick was headed against the base of the post by Willis.
The lead could have been doubled just after the break when Kameiko Pope-Campbell looped a header over keeper Harry Earls only for Bailey Sinnock to head the ball off the line. Following up Teddy Dwyer dragged the rebound wide.
The home side took full advantage and deservedly leveled when sub-Marshall Wratten powered home a back post header after Tom Carter’s long bullet throw was missed by Nika.
The home sensed blood and a place at the top of the table, but couldn’t convert chances that they had – the best being when Alexander’s corner ricocheted off Sinnock and rebounded a yard wide before as in the first half, a cross flew across the face of the Croydon goal needed just a touch from anyone to win the game… but there wasn’t and the points were shared, and Soul Tower Hamlets went top, but surely Strike Force must now be the title favourites, but…
FAVERSHAM STRIKE FORCE – Earls, Sinnock, Alexander, Bleu Landau, Beau Landau, McCormack, Kane Taylor (Wratten), Richies, Willis, Catherick (Carter), Harry Taylor
Subs – Tiernan, Smith
CROYDON – Nika, Lewis, Friend, Rufus, Clark, Reber (Fitton), Dwyer, Clark (Spellward), Asafu-Adjaye (MacMillian), Cowin (Walters), White, Pope-Campbell (Deakin)
REFEREE – Mr. Bone
Images courtesy of Chloe Green