Having watched an early kick off at Orpington today, I decided to come next to watch the Kent County League Division 1 West fixture between first placed Sporting Club Thamesmead Reserves and Metrogas FC. The Metrogas ground is based near Eltham and Lee, an area I knew well having lived here for two years, prior to settling in Kent.

The Metrogas Amateur Sports Association ground is situated near the Avery Hill campus in New Eltham. The ground boasts a decent grass pitch and a nice clubhouse. As this was a table topping clash there was a decent crowd for the match, of around 50 fans.

The league table shows how strong both sides had been this season, with Metrogas sitting in second place with eleven wins, one draw and three defeats from their opening fifteen matches. Sporting Club Thamesmead Reserves have played fourteen matches, one less than Metrogas, but have the same number of points with eleven wins and a draw, alongside just two defeats, to their name.

Goals have flowed for Metrogas this season, with 43 coming in their 15 games. Their top scorers this far have been,Tadiwanashe Nago (13 goals from 15 games), Harvey Mead (9 goals in 15 games) and Antonto Matano (7 goals in 10 games).

The goals have also been easy to find for Sporting Club Thamesmead Reserves in 2023/24. Anthony Fenech (17 goals in 16 appearances), Tony Hill (9 goals in 19 games) and Ryan Solan (8 goals in 14 games) have all helped ensure their side has sustained top of the table form.

The first half was tightly and evenly fought. Both sides were clearly feeling the tension of the first versus second importance of this match and the referee had to work hard to keep in control early on, issuing yellow cards for heavy tackles and warning anyone who offered dissent, with a sin bin.

The first 25 minutes was slightly shaded by Sporting Club Thamesmead, for whom Ryan Solan caused problems for the home side on the left wing, while the tall central striker, Anthony Fenech, always posed a threat in the air.

Late in the half Metrogas seemed to find their flow going forward and a chance from the left narrowly curled over the Sporting Club Thamesmead Reserves’ crossbar. At the break however, the teams went in with the game all square and goalless.

In the 54th minute Metrogas went 1-0 ahead, when a mazy run by Mohammed Mansaray was followed by a neat shot into the corner, completely mis-directing Alex Warren in the Thamesmead goal.

For the remainder of the match Metrogas played out the game in a measured and purposeful way. Their opponents tried everything to force an equaliser but at full time, it was the home team who took the points and moved to top the league. They can thank the heroics of Daryl Fishenden in goal today for their victory, as well as the constant effort and refusal to give up, demonstrated by their number eight, Edmund Neizer.