A return to warm typical summer weather and I came down to Staplehurst, south of Maidstone, to see a Southern Counties East Development League fixture between Staplehurst Monarchs U23’s and Lordswood FC U23’s.

The league season hadn’t really got underway properly for either side prior to tonight’s game. This added a sense of openness and intensity to the fixture, as it presented a chance for either team to really kick start the 2024-25 season.

Staplehurst Monarchs U23 lost their opening fixture to Chatham town away, 3-1, with their only goal coming from Jed Johnson. Manager, Chris Price would not have been too disheartened by a loss at the highly resources Chatham Town and would have drilled his side in the importance of securing the first win of the season tonight at the Jubilee Ground.

Lordswood had played two matches thus far, losing one away at Margate 2-0 before coming up with a point in a hard fought 2-2 draw with Whitstable Town, at home, with both goals coming from Bradley Jeffrey. Manager Dave Yearwood would have clearly expected his side tonight to come ready to fight to walk away with a crucial three away points.

After an opening 15 minutes where Staplehurst Monarchs U23 looked to be most likely to take the lead, the game changed in the 18th minute, when Lordswood went ahead, against the run of play. Lordswood FC’s Duran Searle broke free, after an error by a Staplehurst defender and fired home, leaving the home team’s keeper with no chance, to make it 0-1.

Despite both teams having the chance to add to the score, at half time it was Lordswood FC U23 who went into the break with a slender lead.

The second half started with save after wave of Staplehurst Monarch pressure. In the 69th minute the Staplehurst Monarchs’ pressing game finally paid off when their number 12 finished from close range.

With 79 minutes gone the game swung about turn again, when Lordswood were back in front. Thomas Mitchell took the ball around the keeper and slotted home from a narrow angle, to seal the goal of the game, making the score 1-2 to Lordswood.

Lordswood FC U23 played out the final ten minutes well to ensure that at fulltime they were the side that walked away with all three points. Staplehurst Monarchs U23 ended the game regretting their lack of chances in the final third, which belied the amount of possession they had.