The rain finally broke to reveal some Autumn sunshine, after a week of flooding and torrential rain, which had made driving and playing football really difficult! I decided to come down the Kent County Leagues to see an intriguing tie in Division Two East, between Len Valley FC and Skippers FC.

Len Valley FC play at the Woodstock Park Stadium, home to Sittingbourne FC, but were based on the North pitch adjacent to the main ground, when fixtures, as today, coincide with the Matchday of their hosts. Len Valley have enjoyed a good start to their season having won three and drawn one of their opening four games. This left them at kick off, in second place in the league, trailing leaders Bocca Juniors, by their goal difference margins.

Goals for Len Valley have come so far at a rate of 2.5 a game, with Jason Parsons and Brandon Holdsworth (both 3 goals) leading the way. Defensively Len Valley have started really well and would have been really positive abou their back line coming into today’s game against the side sitting just below them with a 100% record from just three matches.

Skippers FC have made a huge leap forward this season starting with three wins on the bounce and scoring at a rate of almost five a game. Defensively the Skippers FC manager would have wanted to see them tighten up a little in terms of goals conceded, especially against today’s opponents who were also undefeated and riding high on growing confidence. Goals this season had flowed from the boots of Lewis O’Leary (5 goals), Josh Brown (3 goals) as well as Ben Pilcher (2 goals).

The game started with both sides playing with an attacking style. Len Valley FC had two or three chances that they should have put away, while Skippers FC once they had made a crucial tactical substitution, started to find gaps behind the last line of the Len Valley defence.

In the 44th minute the deadlock was broken when Ben Pilcher scored for Skippers FC, creating space in the Len Valley penalty area before firing home past the approaching Tom Highway in goal.

At halftime the teams went in with the visitors holding a narrow lead, as they attempted to extend their 100% record.

Within five minutes of the restart Skippers FC were two ahead, with Pilcher grabbing his second of the game, after a poorly defended corner.

In the 60th minute Skippers FC were awarded a penalty, after a rash challenge in the home penalty area. Ben Pilcher finished easily to make it 0-3 and complete his hat trick.

The final half hour saw the visitors make changes to protect their lead. Len Valley FC made half hearted efforts to break through but lacked any decisiveness in the final third.

At the full time whistle the Len Valley team were left to really rue the missed early chances. The majority of the game had seen Skippers FC assert their dominance and the scoreline reflected this at the final whistle, as they extended their 100% lead with a 0-3 win.