I came, for the first time ever, to watch a Kent Sunday Football League fixture, between two Division 1 sides, Pembury FC and Sedlescombe Rangers. Pembury play at Woodside Fields ground in Pembury, (on the outskirts of Tunbridge Wells) and there was a big crowd for a junior football fixture which was being played out as I arrived. The ground has two sports pitches and decent sized changing facilities, as well as substantial parking facilities.

Pembury FC came into the fixture in third place in the league table, with Sedlescombe just two places, although eight points, further back.

From the kick off it was Pembury FC who went on the attack. Sedlescombe Rangers were limited more to counter attacking, as they went downhill on the heavily sloping Woodside Field pitch,

Eventually after 25 minutes, Pembury FC took the lead, with a cross from the right, resulting in the ball being bundled over the line, having looped over the keeper and defenders. At half time, despite efforts from both sides, the score remained 1-0 to Pembury.

Much of the second half was cat and mouse, with both sides fighting to score the crucial second goal of the game. When it came it was the home side who extended their lead. Sedlescombe FC then seemed to lose their drive and grit, which had kept Pembury FC at bay. Pembury’s forward line converted chance after chance to make it 4-0 running into the end of normal time. There was still time for the home side to earn a penalty in additional time, after a poor challenge, which Pembury converted, to make the final score 5-0.

At the final whistle it was Pembury FC who closed the gap on the top two, while the away side knew they had fought well with a strong Pembury side, before falling in the final third of the game.