A Tale of Two Towns - Sevenoaks Town vs. Erith Town

The grass bank behind one of the goals.

I hadn't intended to go a game this Wednesday but as it was a sunny day and as there is only a month or so left of the season I travelled to Kent for Sevenoaks home match with Erith Town. Around a month ago I'd seen Erith demolish Herne Bay to reach the top of league. Since then they'd lost their place at the summit and they needed a win to have a serious chance of winning the title. Sevenoaks were comfortable in mid table but were hungry to show that they could compete with the top sides in the league.

Kick off at Greatness Park

The first half was largely uneventful. Both sides were trying to play football, but neither could find the final ball. The number 10 for Sevenoaks stood out during this period and looked a class act. In the first half two Sevenoaks players were booked for dissent with the referee clamping down straight away on any anger directed to towards the officials. He also booked a Sevenoaks player when he appeared to be tripped when clean through. It looked like a foul from where I was stood but I could well be wrong! Around the 40th minute the Erith striker is put clean through and despite the keeper getting a good hand on the ball, the away side take the lead and that is how it stayed until half time.

First half action with the changing rooms and tea bar in the background.

Erith dominate the start of the second half as they look for the vital second goal but Sevenoaks begin to get in to the game as the second half progresses. They pull level when the striker guides the ball home following a good run from the winger. Things get worse for Erith when they fail to properly clear a corner and the Sevenoaks player smashes the ball home on the half volley. The visitors push on for an equaliser and come close when they hit the post. They fail to find an equaliser and their hopes of a league title are surely over.

The seating and covered standing.

Bat and Ball station is the closest to the ground but the service is quite infrequent and if you get the train direct from here it is quite slow. The quickest way back is to change at Sevenoaks. Alternatively you can walk from Sevenoaks station and the walk is around thirty minutes. The train from London Bridge takes around half an hour. On the walk to the ground I stopped off at the New Inn. The clubhouse is quite small but has a good selection of drinks and I'd defiantly recommend the burgers.

The fog begins to roll in.