This week I headed into Medway, to watch a top of the table clash, in the Southern Counties East Football League Division 1. This is one of my favourite leagues, usually awash with goals and some brave and honest football.

Rede Court Road, home of Rochester United, is a well positioned ground, with good parking, a fine grass surface and a welcoming clubhouse. An appreciative and noisy crowd of 84, had gathered today, clearly attracted by the fine early season form, shown by both sides.

Rochester United, managed by Matt Hume, have had a very positive first third of the season. They sit, currently, in sixth place, just five points behind opponents today, Snodland Town, but with a game in hand. Levi Gold has top scored for Rochester United this season, with five goals, to date.

Snodland Town, who regular readers will know I recently watched play, at home against fellow high flyers, Faversham Strike Force, in the SCEFL Challenge cup, are also enjoying a hugely successful season. Manager Luke Wallond has seen his side cement a lead of two points at the top of the Division 1 table, fourteen games into the season. Rob Denness has top scored for the away side with ten goals already, ably supported by John Jackson with five goals.

The game opened up with Rochester playing some bold attacking football. They created chances and actually looked comfortable. That all changed, when, in the tenth minute Snodland Town broke, against the run of play, when Dan Ashton took the ball past the keeper, to put the away side 0-1 ahead.

In the 15th minute, Snodland Town found themselves two ahead. There was a strong challenge from Rob Denness on Ben Nourse in the Rochester goal before Josh Froggat finished to make it 0-2. The referee bravely overruled the assistant’s flag, after a consultation, to uphold the goal.

Rob Denness claimed his first goal of the game, in the 19th minute, after a fine run and cross by Regan Corke, to secure a three goal lead, for the away side.

In the 20th minute it was 0-4. Dan Ashton making space, on the edge of the six yard box, to slot home his second of the game and to send the home fans into shock.

The goal spree continued, when in the 31st minute, Rossetti, the Snodlan captain scored with a beautifully curled shot, to make it Rochester United 0, Snodland Town 5.

At half time, the sides went in with the score an unlikely nil to five in favour of the away side. Rochester United players’ heads were down as they came to terms with a result which left them humbled by the league leaders.

In the 48th minute it was 0-6 to Snodland Town, when Rob Denness drilled the ball home, from the left hand side of the box, to claim a brace for himself.

The remainder of the second half saw the manager make four changes for Rochester United. they then began to play with some vigour and passion. They created chances but also defended well against an ever present threat from the Snodland Town forward line. At the final whistle, the three points went comfortably to Snodland Town. Rochester United’s players and fans were left knowing that, although only a small gap in the table at the start of the day, the gap on the pitch had been significant today.