Southern Counties East Football League Challenge Cup action takes place at Princes Park, Dartford on Wednesday evening when division one Halls AFC host premier division Stansfeld.
Currently in eleventh place in the first division, Halls started the season with a win, but then suffered seven consecutive league and cup defeats. Since that run they have turned their form around, and have won their last four matches.
Their most recent outing was on Sunday when they hosted Lydd Town and won three-one. Sam Bayford put Halls ahead in the fourth minute but Charlie Gill equalised eight minutes later. Official records will show that the hosts scored twice more in stoppage time, however, an injury to the referee caused a nine minute break. Bayford restored their lead with his fifth goal in three games and Gergo Petrovics scored for the second game in a row to give them breathing space. There was no further scoring in the second period and they now have a buffer between them and the bottom three.
One day earlier Stansfeld were hosting promotion chasing Rusthall. There was no scoring until Louie Clark put the Rustics ahead one minute before half time. It appeared that it would finish that way until there was an explosion of goals in the closing minutes. Charlie Cover put the visitors two up in the final minute of normal time then substitute Frankie Maciocia pulled one back two minutes later. Ayodeji Owoeye added a third for Rusthall to ensure that they claimed all three points.
That left Stansfeld at the foot of the table for the time being, but with only one point between the bottom four, they have plenty of time to put together a run to pull themselves clear of the two who will be relegated.
In the first round of the Challenge Cup, Halls hosted another premier division club. Sutton Athletic, and played out a goalless draw before winning four-three on penalties. Stansfeld were given a bye so start their campaign in round two.
Despite the one division difference between the two clubs, this will not be their first meeting this season. They played each other at Stansfeld’s home in Eltham in the Kent Senior Trophy one month ago. Muraino Banjoko gave Halls the lead with a goal in the twentieth minute but parity was restored just after the hour mark when Sam Plant converted from the spot. Zack Manning put the visitors back ahead eight minutes later and Joe Freeman ensured an away win when scoring in time added on, despite his team being down to ten men.
While Stansfeld will be looking to avenge that defeat, Halls will be hoping to complete a cup double.