Another day of heavy rain had led to mass postponements and thankfully the match I had chosen to attend was on a new 3G surface so was not at the mercy of the rain. I came to the Homelands Stadium, home of Ashford United and today’s hosts, Kennington FC for their Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division (SCEFL) tie with Corinthian FC.

The Homelands Stadium boasts a new artificial surface as well as an extensive covered grandstand and a modern clubhouse. There are two covered standing areas behind each goal, as well as toilets, club shop and refreshment stand.

Today’s match saw second placed Corinthian, having just celebrated manager Michael Golding’s 400th match in charge, arrive to play a Kennington FC side who have struggled to avoid the relegation places this season, currently sitting just above the drop zone, in eighteenth place.

Goals for Corinthian this season have come from Charlie Clover (15 goals), Sam Bewick (13 goals) Oscar Housego (8 goals) and Michael Hagan (6 goals).

Kennington FC have found goals harder to come by this season, manager Dan Scorer has relied on goals from Ryan Philpott (15 goals) and Finlay Dent (6 goals).

As kick off approached the weather eased and the sun came out. There was a decent crowd, with loyal Corinthian FC fans singing loudly behind the goal and Kennington FC fans resplendent in amber and black scarfs at pitchside.

As early as the eighth minute, Corinthian were 0-1 ahead when Michael Hagan scored after fine build up play on the right hand side. This reflected the balance of play in the early exchanges.

The remainder of the first half saw some tough challenges from both teams, with the referee having to work hard to retain calm. The challenges disrupted the forward momentum Corinthian had built, and allowed Kennington to forge their own way back into the match. However at half time it was still 0-1 to Corinthian FC.

In the 58th minute, Corinthian’s Charlie Clover finally broke the deadlock that had held since the opening goal, to make it 0-2, with a well placed headed finish from Michael Hagan’s cross.

After a wave of Corinthian FC pressure, in the 81st minute Conor Driscoll put the away side 0-3 ahead, with a firm finish from close range.

At full time it was Corinthian who clawed back the gap between themselves and leaders Glebe FC. Kennington FC didn’t stop battling throughout and this was in no way an east match for a strong Corinthian FC team, but Kennington FC need to find a way to threaten in attack, more convincingly. Michael Golding’s team look to be on a mission and I wouldn’t bet against a return to the Isthmian League at the first attempt this season, come the start of May.