Travelled back from a visit to a friend in Suffolk and surprisingly made it home in time to catch the first ever FA Cup match (Extra Preliminary Round) in Larkfield & New Hythe’s 63 year history, against fellow Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division rivals, Kennington FC.

The home team are really feeling a sense of positivity, having won promotion from Division 1 via the play offs against Staplehurst Monarchs last season, to reach Step 5 for the first time. The club also has plans for a ground move to a new sports hub at Birling, with the draft plans displayed in the clubhouse. Manager Danny Lye has built upon the squad he worked so successfully with last season, and opening the SCEFL season last weekend with a fine 2-1 away victory against much fancied Rusthall, demonstrates what potential exists within this club.

Kennington FC, managed by Dan Scorer, enjoyed a late surge which preserved their status in the SCEFL Premier Division last season. They lost their opening game 2-0 to Tunbridge Wells last weekend so would have been relishing a cup battle, as a chance to show what they are truly capable of, away from the league.

The game kicked off with humid and overcast weather, although a slight cooling breeze could be felt as the teams came out. There was a decent crowd at the Eden Estates Stadium, of 251, for this FA Cup tie.

The opening twenty five minutes saw the home side with the majority of pressure. Kennington relying on the long ball, did create some openings but nothing that came to fruition. As Larkfield & New Hythe’s Frazer Walker, Temi Alaka and Alvin Turyatemba started to connect with their link play up front it seemed inevitable that the home team would score.

In the 29th minute the deadlock was finally broken when Larkfield & New Hythe’s Jay Wade half volleyed home after a series of attempts by Kennington’s defenders to clear the ball, had failed to find success.

Two minutes later it was 2-0 when Alvin Turyatemba curled a shot home after a jinking run. Larkfield & New Hythe’s players then continued to press right up until the half time break, which saw the teams go in with two goals separating the sides.

With eleven minutes of the second half gone, Kennington scored a goal from nowhere when Kyron Lightfoot lobbed Jordan Carey in the Larkfield & New Hythe goal, from 35 yards, to score, beating my filming skills as well as the keeper, to make it 2-1. This went completely against the run of play but immediately caused heads in the home side to drop, showing once again, the unpredictability of football.

Kennington still relied on the long ball but a strong wind helped their long ball style and that, combined with a short period of panic in the Larkfield & New Hythe defence, helped them create some clear opportunities.

However as the game wore on, Larkfield & New Hythe’s substitutes, Tyler Ibe, Clark Woodcock and Chibueze Innocent added some steel and energy that ensured if anything it was the home team who came closest to adding to their tally before the final whistle.

Kennington FC had given everything at full time, with Max Sutton and Tom Scorer standing out, but it was Larkfield & New Hythe who progress into the draw for the FA Cup first qualifying round. The home fans had been entertained and no one could doubt the fight and commitment of Danny Lye’s team.