Bearsted climbed two places in the league with this hard fought victory over their Medway rivals whilst also avenging their defeat in August.The game started with Rochester taking control and in the 6^th minute Tony Whittaker received the ball in the area but unfortunately for him his shot from 10 yards went over the bar. Bearsted had their first half chance two minutes later when Andy Hart tried his luck from 25 yards but Michael Elder saved it.

Bearsted could have taken the lead against the run of play when in the 18^th minute Greame Andrews sent Andy Irvine through, he ran on towards goal and his shot from 30 yards was punched away by Elder. Three minutes later another chance came Bearsted’s way when a Keelan Mooney cross to the back post was missed by Elder and was cleared to Hart 10 yards out but his shot went high and wide.

The home side were now getting more possession and creating more chances as in the 23^rd minute a long ball forward was headed on by Irvine to Mooney, his shot from 25 yards was saved by Elder, then in the 29^th minute they should have taken the lead when a Luke Hughes throw went to Sam Flisher who beat the defender and crossed into the 6 yard box where Irvine was but he headed over the bar when if he had hit the target the Bears would have been in front.

Rochester suddenly got back into the game and in the 38^th minute Dan Nash received the ball from Alex Kendall a d from 12 yards he smashed his shot goal wards but Ben Donnelly made a great save and the defenders cleared it.  In the 42^nd minute Rochester took the lead when Sam Parrish found himself in the area with room and he shot home. Right on half time Bearsted nearly got an equaliser when Mooney’s cross into the area was headed on by Reece Collins but it came back of the crossbar.

The second half saw Bearsted come out and take the game to Rochester who relied on breakaways for chances. In the 55^th minute Hart received the ball on the left wing from Rob Lyall, he cut inside and shot but it went into the side netting. In the 60^th minute Collins latched onto a long ball and went into the area and from an acute angle his shot was blocked by Elder’s Leg.

In one of their few breakaways Kendall on the right wing cut inside into the area and shot but Donnelly saved it conceding a corner. In the 64^th minute a great raking pass by Andrews found Flisher in the area on the right but Elder rushed out, and again blocked the shot with his legs.

Two minutes later Bearsted were level when Mooney on the left wing dinked across into the 6 yard box and Flisher reacted the quicker and eventually from 1 yard he stabbed home, a minute later a ball into the area found Collins but his shot was blocked by a defender conceding a corner.

In the 72^nd minute Irvine 25 yards out control it and his volley went just over the bar. Three minutes later a ball into the Bearsted area came out to Rob Alderman and his shot went just wide of the post. In the 77^th minute Bearsted could and maybe should have taken the lead when Irvine was put through and as he ran forward Elder rushed out and saved the shot conceding a corner and from that Lyall rose and saw his header come back of the crossbar.

A minute later they did take the lead and what a goal worthy of winning any game, Mooney received the ball 40 yards out ran forward and let fly leaving Elder grasping at thin air. Another chance came Irvine’s way in the 82^nd minute but his shot hit the side netting, this would not keep him out of the game as in the 89^th minute he picked up a stupid booking when he put his foot up whilst Elder was kicking and then he got a second booking in the second minute of added on time when he made a rash challenge on Chris Izokusa and received his second yellow and was sent off but luckily for Bearsted it did not cause them any problems as the referee blew up three minutes later.

Bearsted:

1. Donnelly 2. L.Hughes  3. A.Hart  4. A.Foster  5. R.Lyall  6. G.Andrews  7. S.Flisher  8. N.Perkins (75)
2. A.Irvine 10. K.Mooney (90) 11. R.Collins (83)

Subs Used:  12. M.Garner (75)  14. J.Hayes (83)  17. C.Carcary (90)

Subs Not Used:   15. S.Grant  16. C.Lawrence

Bookings: 9. A.Irvine (89 & 90+2)

Sent Off:  9. A.Irvine ( 90+2)

Rochester United:

1. Elder 2. R.Mcfarlne (68)   3. S.Rothery  4. T.Whittaker (83)  5. A.Pierce   6. R.Holes (68)  7. R.Alderman
2. S.Parrish 9. N.Hurcme  10.  D.Nash  11. A.Kendall

Subs Used:  12. D.Gonzalez-Bello (68)  16. E.Izokusa (68)  15. J.Alderman (83)

Subs Not Used: 14. M.Heddom  17. C.Mcdermott

Bookings: None

Referee: Mr W.James

Assistants: Mr D.Swannell &  Mr R.Andrew

Att 71