Rochester United kept their discipline to comeback from a half-time deficit, and returned to the top of the Southern Counties Division One table after an entertaining victory away to Staplehurst Monarchs on Tuesday evening at Jubilee Fields.

Spartans, still smarting from their two red cards and defeat at Eastbourne United in the F.A. Vase the previous Saturday, knew they were in for a tough examination against a Monarchs side unbeaten in their last four.

For the home side, lurking just outside the play-offs, a win would have seen them jump up to 5th in the table.

Rochester started the brighter of the sides, and early on from a right-sided Liam Wilkins corner, Tom Loynes rose above the home defence to power a near-post header just over.

However, on 9 minutes it was Staplehurst who struck the early blow to gain the lead. From a central free-kick, the ball was floated into the penalty area. Bradley Webb outpaced the Rochester defence to just get a boot to the ball before the on-rushing Chris Swift in the Spartan’s goal, to chip over the keeper and into the net.

Despite this setback, Rochester was still dominating possession, and Connor Watson twice went close with efforts from the edge of the penalty box.

Staplehurst continued to threaten on the break, with Toby Sargeant especially finding room on the right wing. It was from his ball in from the right that Sammy Ajayi, arriving late at the far post, just missed out connecting with a shot from a couple of yards out that could easily have made it two.

At the other end, Mack Reilly saw his shot clear both Staplehurst custodian Edgar Rees and the crossbar after a through ball from Watson.

Watson then came to Spartans rescue soon after. From a Timmy Babington left sided free-kick, the ball was headed back into the danger zone, and seemed to be heading in, but for a goal-line clearance from the aforementioned Watson to deny the hosts a second goal.

The first-half ended with a flurry of chances at either end. Ajayi went close for Staplehurst, flicking a cross from Sargeant just wide. Then from a Webb corner, Monarchs skipper Freeman Rogers powered a header straight at Swift.

Straight up the other end, Watson then saw his shot blocked. From the resulting corner, Staplehurst quickly countered with Babington seeming to have broken free of the defence, however he was stopped in his tracks by a great last-ditch tackle right on the referees’ half-time whistle.

The second-half saw both sides create a couple of early half chances, before Hicham Akhazzan had a glorious opportunity to double the host’s lead. Running clear of the defence from a long ball forward, and one-on-one with Swift, the Rochester keeper managed to stick out a leg to deflect the incoming shot wide for a corner.

This scare seemed to spark the Spartans into life as they upped their game in the final half-hour.

The equaliser came soon after, with Pat Ward slotting home from close range following a great run and cross from the right from Reilly.
Monarchs briefly rallied from this setback with a Sargeant run and shot that was saved well by Swift at his near post. Then from the follow up corner Rogers headed over.

Soon after, at the mid-way point of the second period, Rochester took the lead. Watson seeing his low shot nestle into the bottom corner of the net beating Rees to his left following some good set-up play by Wilkins.

With the Spartans now controller the match, it was no surprise when they added a third on 83 minutes. From a Watson free-kick, the ball came to skipper Lucas Payne, who reacted quickest to slot home from inside the penalty area.

This proved too much for the Home bench, as the referee saw fit to administer a red card to one of their coaches for something said to the official.

Staplehurst never gave up the fight though, with Babington especially out on the left flank seeing a lot of the ball. But his prompting from the wing yielded no rewards as the Rochester defence dealt comfortably with his crosses into the penalty area.

The industrious Reilly then added a fourth a minute from time, drilling a low shot into the bottom left corner of the net from a Wilkins delivery into the box.

With the match up, and the referee ready to blow for time, Staplehurst did at least get a deserved late consolation. Substitute Manny Cuttress netting from a corner with what turned out to be the last kick of the game.

The win ensures Rochester return to the top of the table; 3 points clear of Lordswood having played two games more than their Medway rivals. They move onto Kent Senior Cup action on Saturday with a home tie against Premier division outfit Petts Wood & Holmesdale.

Staplehurst stay in 9th place in the league, and next up are also in cup action at home to one of the SCEFL Premier early pace setters Bearsted.
 

Staplehurst Monarchs – Rees, Wheeler, Sharp, Kray, Rogers (c), Akhazzan, Sargeant (Jones), Ajayi (Cuttress), Lankshear (Bradshaw), Webb (Burden), Babington

Sub Unused – Jones

Rochester United – Swift, Wyness (Lott), Loynes (Dos Santos), Payne (C), Currie, Bray, Wilkins, Watson, Ward (Goumou), Reilly, Thomas

Sub Unused – Whitaker

Attendance – 97

Referee – Mr. Diminieux

Pictures supplied by Sophie Barnes.