League Cup Competition Kicks Off with the Preliminary Round

The second week of the SSL continued the rich goal vain of the previous week with 106 goals being scored in all games. Although, 23!! Yes 23!! were scored in one game it still left 83 goals to compare with the previous week of 86 so it shows that our sides are playing some good attacking football.

Taking the headlines today were matches played in the Preliminary Round of the Major Cup Competition - the League Cup sponsored by The Beach at Minster.

The unfortunate defeated sides fall by the way side whereas the losers in the first round proper are entered into the Rose Bowl.

Livingstone AFC playing only their second game in the Sheppey Sunday League were up against Division One Side Holm Sports and preparations were less than perfect with Livingstone only able to field EIGHT players. Lesser teams may have sighed a sighed and conceded the game and ambled off home. But No!

Livingstone are made of sterner stuff and the eight men rallied together in the vain hope that maybe they could get a shock victory or at least put up a good showing. With minutes remaining of the ninety and the 23rd goal hitting the back of the net Livingstone realised any comeback wasn't going to happen and there was going to be no big shock today.

They may have come away a heavily defeated side but they did come away with many plaudits for actually playing the game and seeing it to a conclusion. Anyhow, welcome to the Sheppey Sunday League Livingstone AFC.
Tony Hewitt must get a mention for his eight goal haul as must Craig Holland, Chris Fenn and Dale Bryant for claiming hat tricks.

Hilltop overcome another new side Milton Park Rangers by six goals to nil. The scorers were Luke Blanshard, Mark Hornsby, Alfie Dalton and Craig Penney. They now meet Park Regis A' in the first round.

Harps Inn fought out a close game and edged home by the odd goal in three against Sporting Sittingbourne. James Grigsby netting for Sittingbourne with Scott Bootes on the mark for Harps with an own goal completing the victory.

Park Regis Reserves also put up a good show netting twice against Division One side Ypres Tavern but it was not enough to surpass the three scored by Ypres with Bravery (2) and Wise hitting the back of the net.

Newly promoted Dore United took an early lead again Red Lion Reserves through Dan Barnard but were on the end of a minor shock as Red Lion Reserves fought back and won with goals from John Fisch and Craig Street.

The Beach hoping to make a big show of this seasons League Cup got off to a great start hammering seven past Queen Phillippa with Ross Studholme (1), Phil Jackson and Dan Bryant getting a brace each.

Red Lion seemed to be cruising to victory with goals from Nevin and Rowland but after the Regis side went down to 10 men this gave them the impetus they needed to get back into the game and ended up winning the match 3-2 with goals from Tommy Price, Andy Peters and Micky Grounds.
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In Division One Milton and Fulston United retain their top spot with a 3-1 win over Park Regis A and also their 100% record thanks to Pankhurst (2) and Akhurst.

Castle Tavern bounced back from last weeks defeat against Dore United with a 4-2 victory over Leysdown who have yet to pick up a point with goals from Ralph, Harrold, King and Stevens. Leysdown replied through Danny Calder and Thompson.

Division Two side The Goat opened their campaign with a 4-1 win over Lynten Athletic with Solari and Lind netting twice each and surprisingly catapulting them to top spot in the Division.

IOS Academy took an early lead through a Nathan Spocchia corner which sailed straight in but were pegged back by Towns Club who then went a couple of goals ahead 3-1 with goals from Humphreys, Winnard and Boorman. The Academy side fought back and made it 3-2 when James Hewitt despatched a penalty he earned only to allow Towns to extend the lead again through Boorman . The Academy never gave up and pulled a goal back but time was not on their side.

Spikestars and Swale Athletic shared a high scoring spectacular with Swale claiming the lions share of five and the three points. Swale scorers were Faulkner (2), Edwards, Branch and Powell. Spikestars replied through Bartlett (2), Damion and Kemsley.

In Division Three saw a double strike from Sam Adams to claim the three points for Park Tavern over New Sheppey Revolution and to keep them unbeaten. Kier replied for New Sheppey.
Sittingbourne Lions retained their top spot with a 4-2 victory over Classic Real who had Cole and Potter on the score sheet. Alex Hix (2), Olly Hix and Russell Kent were the Lions scorers.

Kings Head United remain unbeaten after they swept the Aviator aside 4-0 with Chris Toms claiming a hat trick.

The Combination?s B&W Athletic impressive start continued with yet another win thanks to a hat trick from Matt Gearing and a single strike from Paul Constable against Eastern Athletic.

The only other game in the Division saw Jolly Sailor and Aviator A have to settle for a point each in a tight 2-2 draw with Boosey and Cornford on the mark for the Aviator and goal machine Frankie Swaby and Jordan Groom netting for the Sailor.