The season’s end brought me to Potyn’s Field to watch Snodland Town play their final home game of the season against VCD Athletic. Snodland Town have had a disappointing final third of the season, seeing their play-off hopes fade away, due to dropped points in February and March, which have left them 12 points off Erith Town in the final play off place, with only four games remaining.

However as Chairman, Dave Jeal’s programme notes reveal, Snodland Town should be pleased with an effective first season in the Premier Division this season, with a consistent and vocal support and performances which really threatened the play off places until the final weeks of the season.

VCD Athletic also came into the tie with little to play for. Managers Danny Joy and Ross Baker have seen their side consolidate this season, after relegation from the Isthmian League South East Division in 2023. Goals have flowed both for and against VCD Athletic this season, with Richard Jimoh leading the way with 8 goals.

Snodland Town have scored an impressive 71 goals from their 36 league games under manager Luke Wallond this season. Goals have been scored by Francis Babalola (11 goals), Rob Bissett (9 goals) and Taylor Fisher (9 goals).

It was cold as the teams came out but with the hills behind the main stand and the sun briefly shining it reminded me what a nice vista the ground at Potyn’s Field has.

The game flew into life in the fourth minute when VCD Athletic were awarded a penalty, after a bad challenge. Protests from the home team bench were turned away as the referee pointed to the spot. The kick was swiftly despatched by George Whitelock, to make it 0-1.

In the 19th minute an identical badly timed challenge to the first spot-kick resulted in a penalty at the other end, which Snodland Town’s Taylor Fisher put away to level the scores at one-all.

With just three minutes of the first half remaining a well struck poacher’s finish by VCD Athletic’s Charlie Heatley made it 1-2 to VCD Athletic.

At half time the teams went in with VCD Athletic holding a narrow 1-2 lead. Snodland Town’s manager Luke Wallond would have known his team needed to find some forward creativity if they were to close in on the three points.

The second half saw chances at both ends. Frustratingly for the home side their midfield seemed to be repeatedly forced to play backwards, whenever they had shaped to create something.

Nathaniel Olawole and Taylor Fisher looked to be the most likely to find a spark for creating a goal but without being able to locate the final ingredient today. VCD Athletic played hard and fair to grind out the victory, and their defensive play, with Ben Fitchett and Michael Fenn shepherding them through, was rock solid.

At full time it was VCD Athletic who walked away with all three points, in front of a decent crowd of 154. Snodland Town made it an entertaining game today but it was the away side who gave the masterclass in how to close out a win.