The season kicks off here are the match reports for Division 3 and the Combination

The Aviator Division Three

Teynham started with only 4 players from last season so this first game of the season was always going to be a big test. For a while The Gunners looked comfortable but within a short time they were dealt a blow as Captain Alex Jurgens pulled up with a strain, and although Louis Cox took over from him Teynham looked out of sorts and Murston took advantage, when Teynham did not close down, with a great strike from outside the box by Ryan Coyle to beat Keeper Rob Foord. The first half was a battle for midfield with Murston creating more of the chances. However The Gunners were handed the chance of a life line with a penalty just before half time as Michael Quinn was brought down in the box. Unfortunately the opportunity to get even was not taken and the Gunners went into the break a goal down.

On the resumption The Gunners changed shape and looked good going forward keeping the ball better and it was they who started asking questions of the Murston defence, and creating opportunities and pressuring to gain corners. With about 15 minutes left after a quick break Nathan Harbour collected a rebound on the edge of the box and drove the strike hard into the far end of the net. It looked like it would go to a draw but Murston capitalised on some loose defending to get the lead back with a goal from Ben Deakin. Trying to get the equaliser The Gunners pushed forward but could not quite get the opportunity they needed and they were finished off with the goal of the game by Ryan Coyle with a right footed strike curling the ball round Foord in from D of the penalty box. To leave a final score of Murston 3 Gunners 1.



It was a very impressive start to the season for Little Sharsted who took on Park Tavern and came away with the spoils with a 7-1 win. This season Sharsted have a new manager Graham Byott and their Little Sharsted débuts, the game started with Little Sharsted pressing hard right from the whistle. Simon Dejong assisted by Perry Sharpe opened the scoring for Sharsted. The pressure was on the Park Tavern team but Josh Rook was playing well for the home team and made sure the defence of Richard Wood, Chris White, Perry Sharpe and Tyrone Shaw had to keep on their toes. Rook was trying hard to break up Sean Byott, Ben Lawson, Daniel Williams and Ryan Dyer having complete control in the middle but all four where playing well. Twenty minutes in and Kyle Shaw slotted in his first for Sharsted to make it 2-0 at half time. The second half saw Richard Wood headed home and early corner from Shaw to make it 3-0, Shaw then got himself another to make it 4 and to completely finish the game off Sean Byott opened his account with an excellent free kick straight into the net 5-0. Park Tavern still kept fighting and got a goal back after a little mix up at the back saw Chris Toms score an excellent penalty that even Matt Byott in the Sharsted goal could do nothing about. Shaun Bygrave and Shaw finished the game off with a goal apiece making the final score 7-1.

Sittingbourne Lions and the Heights of Alma shared 4 goals to draw 2-2, Connor Simpson and Adam Hughes netting for the Lions with Ollie Bennett and Ryan Soper for the Heights.

In a very tight affair Cheema edged a thrilling 3-2 away win to AFC Sittingbourne. A Tommy McMullen brace and a strike from Jordan Knight secured the points for Cheema. Ed Panting and Mike Yates scoring for AFC.

Havills Services Combination Division

The new youngsters that graduated from youth football Sheerness East never got off to the best of starts with a 4-1 loss to Park Regis Reds. The experienced Reds side made comfortable work of the victory with goals from a Chris Anderson hat trick and a goal from Micky Growns. Jordan Pearce got the East goal. The East had half the squad missing due to holidays so Jon Lelliott at the youthful age of 45 had to play a full game and Manager ‘Wils’ Wilson having to play the last 30 mins when he had just got back from scooter rally in Mersea Island, Essex, was not the best preparation for their debut to the League but they are sure to improve.

Sheppey Tigers got off to a roaring start with goals from Salah Rahman, Andrew Marsh and Enam Ali taking the points against the experienced Inter Milton, Aaron Blackbourne scoring for Milton.

The Napier got off to a good start thanks to a Dan Bradshaw hat trick and a Nathan Pope goal to beat The Beach 4-0.

The League Secretary Mark Rogers commented “It was great to get back up and running, it has been non-stop during the summer so it will be nice to sit back a bit now and let the season take care of itself. We are piloting the new FA Substitution scheme that allows our Clubs to use up to 5 substitutes which should increase participation levels. It was pleasing to get reports back that from Clubs and Referees who said that it worked well and although early days it should be good for the local game.”

Top Goalscorers after Week 1 - Download / Open