After a week of travelling for work, I came to the Star Meadow Sports club, in Gillingham, to watch a Southern Counties East Football League (SCEFL) Premier Division fixture between Hollands & Blair FC and the team who have put themselves clearly in the driving seat in the battle to win the league, VCD Athletic.

This was my first visit to Star Meadow Sports Club since the club put down the 3G pitch. The ground has a welcoming feel, with its modern facilities and has attracted crowds ranging from the 301 who saw Faversham Town play here, to the 67 who made it for the visit of Glebe.

VCD Athletic, managed by Danny Joy and Ross Baker, have scored goals at will this season, as they put league favourites, Faversham Town, into the play-off places with an incredible run which has seen 19 wins and only 2 defeats in 27 games. Goals have come from Ollie Freeman (18 goals), Bethel Gboda (13 goals), Francis Babalola and Charlie Heatley (both 8 goals).

Hollands & Blair’s season is trickling into nothingness, seeing them nine points above the relegation spots and yet sitting fifteen points off the last play off spot. Manager Darren Blackburn will know that his side have lost their way in defence this season, conceding at a rate of almost two a game, despite scoring 47 goals in 29 matches. Top scorers for “Blair” have been Harvey Welford (6 goals), Charlie Weston (5 goals), Sam Bailey, Murisuku Batula and Devonte West (all 4 goals).

The game opened in bright sunshine but being stood in the shade made me aware of how cold it was today, outside of the sun’s rays! The game was hard fought in the opening 40 minutes with few chances.

On the run upto half time in the 41st minute, Lee Bird, for the visitors, found space on the left hand side to fire VCD Athletic 0-1 ahead, presenting the league leaders with a real chance to stamp their authority.

At half time the sides went in with the two teams separated by a single goal. The home side were fired up and keen to turn around recent fortunes, despite VCD Athletic taking the lead just before the break.

The second half opened with both teams pushing for a breakthrough. On 71 minutes Ollie Freeman took an inch perfect cross from Harry Lawrence to make it 0-2.

The 110 strong crowd saw more VCD Athletic goals when in the 86th minute a mix up between Hollands & Blair’s keeper and captain, Dan Ellis and one of his defenders led to a scrambled finish by Charlie Heatley, making it 0-3.

In the 90th minute it was 0-4 when a headed finish by Ben Fitchett, from a free kick found the corner of the net.

In added time it was 0-5 as Hollands & Blair’s defence capitulated, when Francis Babalola broke free and chipped his finish in beautifully to round off a fine win for the league leaders.