The opening game of the post-lockdown tournament for Lordswood and Sheppey United’s second in some ways showed as their fitness looked better than Lordswood although they did battle hard, but Jack Midson’s hat trick was probably the difference.

The game started slowly with both sides looking to play football & the first proper chance of the game came in the 16^th minute when Dave Botterill’s free kick from 25 yards went just over the bar.

In the 29^th minute Hicham Akhazzan on the left cut inside & his curling shot was tipped over the bar. In the 35^th minute Sheppey were in on goal & the shot was tipped over by Oliver Stell & then in the next minute Lordswood opened the scoring & what a goal, the ball was played long & the keeper hacked it clear but straight to Jordan Sandiford who from 40 yards half volleyed the ball into the empty net.

Lordswood just needed to hang on till half time but in the 42^nd minute Midson headed in from 5 yards.

Sheppey took the lead in the 52^nd minute when a corner saw a header saved but Midson reacted first &on the far post knocked it in. Sheppey then started to enjoy the majority of possession & in the 73^rd minute Billy Bennett saw his free kick go just past the post.

In the 82^nd minute Sheppey were awarded a penalty & up stepped Midson for his hat trick, his shot went high into the left hand corner. In the 90^th minute Lordswood were awarded a penalty & up stepped Bill Lewins & his low effort to the right was saved by Adam Molloy who had only been on for a minute but the penalty had to be taken again & this time Lewins sent it low to the left but Molloy guessed right & saved it.

Two minutes later & Lordswood did get their second when a corner to the back post was bundled in by Harley Gorse. Two minutes later & Warren Mfula in the area scored the fourth to put the result beyond doubt.

LORDSWOOD SQUAD:

O.STELL, H.GLOCK, S.ADGIE, H.AKHAZZAN, D.BOTTERILL, J.CREED, J.GILBERT, H.GORSE, J.HUSTON, C.KASAI, B.LEWINS, T.LINDSEY, K.McDOWALL, L.PETROPOULAS, C.PLUMMER,  C.ROLLINGS, J.SANDIFORD, K.SHARP, S.STACE & C.WESTNEY.

SHEPPEY UNITED SQUAD:

A.MOLLOY, J.AIKHIONBARE, L.ALLEN, B.BENNETT, D. BURCH, H.CARNEGIE, G,CRIMMEN, D.DEVINE, R.HAMILL,C.HOLDER, J.HOWLETT-MUNDLE, D.LEONARD, W.MFULA, J.MIDSON, T.OGUNRINDE, H.OROME, D.SMITH, R.TENYUE, C.WILKINS & B.WILSON.

REFEREE: Mr P. ZACHWEIJA

ASSISTANTS: Mr. M.JONES & Mr H.LOUIE

Attendance: 185

Picture supplied by Allen Hollands.