Rochester United were defeated by a clinical FC Elmstead in a sunny SCEFL encounter at the Yeomans Community Stadium.

Elmstead came into the game winless and bottom while Rochester sat top after a good start to the season.

In the opening stages of the game Elmstead tested the Rochester keeper with an effort from Jamie Fearn. Rochester had  a couple of long range attempts by Harvey Brown.

You could say against the run of play after sixteen minutes, FC Elmstead took the lead. A long throw into the box, its flicked on towards the back post and Jamie Fearn is there unmarked to rally hope a left footed shot past Chris Swift in the Rochester goal.

Rochester look to get the equaliser with an effort from Aston Freeman, his shot goes over the bar. The closest Rochester come to an equaliser was when the ball fell to Dan Lott and he hits a powerful shot from 25 yards and rattles the crossbar, probably still rattling now.

After more midfield possession from both teams and a deflected effort from Elmstead playmaker Jamie Fearn, the half ended at One nil to the home side.

The Spartans started the second half the brighter with Aston Freeman played in by Connor Watson and Freeman’s strike was blocked by the on rushing Goalkeeper Cleary.

With twenty minutes to go with Rochester trying to grab the leveler, Elmstead doubled their lead. Elmstead get a corner and is swung in with a very inviting ball and there was Frankie Driscoll with a free header to nod past Chris Swift in goal.

Despite the advantage of the two goal lead, Rochester still had plenty of the ball and still try to create chances. Efforts from Luis Dos Santos and a late effort from Liam Wilkins all went wide of the target. The game ends two nil to the home side.

The defeat leaves Rochester second in the table behind local rivals Lordswood and the win for FC Elmstead moves them up the table and off the bottom.

FC ELMSTEAD: Cleary, Green, Harris, Croucher (C), Welsh, Faithorn, Fearn, Waul, Fitton, Driscoll, Fill

SUBS: Fincham, Williams, Alliband, Myles, Pope- Campbell

ROCHESTER UNITED: Swift, Wyness, Lott, Payne (C), Whitaker, Bray, Wilkins, Watson, Freeman, Reilly, Brown

SUBS: Loynes, Akhazzan, Dos Santos, Roberts, Dance
Att: 103

Images courtesy by Sophie Barnes & Jason Stanley.