Lordswood made it 11 unbeaten as they toppled AFC Croydon Athletic from the top of the SECFL Premier Division.
Goals from Jack Mahon (or Adam Hooper) and Tom Woodridge put the home side in front before Athletic got an unlikely foothold on the stroke of half time when a shot ricocheted through the defence and into the net – despite the raising of an assistants flag after a long discussion the goal was given.

Full credit to the home side though as Mahon’s tenth goal of the season after a wonderful flowing move involving his strike partner
Wells sealed the win and a disappointing afternoon for the visitors ended with the dismissal of Ibrahim Kallon for a second yellow card – one of six shown to the visitors in an ever frustrating second period.

In what was an entertaining contest under ever gloomy Medway skies, only the bar stopped Wooldridge giving the home side the early lead before Luis Vieria Medina fizzed a half volley across the face of the Lordswood goal.

The opening goal came from Hooper’s brilliant free-kick into the box which eluded everyone and went straight into the net although Mahon was claiming the final touch.  It was two shortly afterwards after a super move.  Heige Orome and Jordan Wells combined brilliantly and when Wells found himself in the box and unselfishly found Wooldridge who blasted the ball high into the net.

Only a magnificent double save denied Lordswood a third when Wooldridge was twice brilliantly denied by Athletic keeper Francis
Ameyaw, before the rebound fell to Wells who blazed over the top.

On the stroke of half time Taylor Maddock deflected the ball into the Lordswood net through a crowd of players.  The ball definitely hit
something on the way into the net and the Assistants flag seemed to be against Maddock, but after lengthy consultation between referee and assistant the goal was given!

Whatever Lords boss Richard Styles said to raise he charged seemed to work as they allowed the visitors little space in the early stages of
the second half and on 52 minutes Mahon definitely found the net finishing off a fantastic home break which had Wells at its heart.

Emmanuel Oloyede then almost pulled one back for the visitors with an incredible run and was only denied by a brilliant clearance from Carl Harrold at the far post.  Then came the sending off of Kallon and with him seemed to go the visitors hopes and Lordswood could have won by more as both Hooper and Mahon went close in the final minutes.

This was a well deserved home win with Hooper bossing most of midfield and the home central partnership of Gary Cook and Peter Huggens absolutely outstanding as the Medway side continue their amazing run in all competitions with eight wins in their last unbeaten eleven  games.

The win keeps Lordswood side level at the top of the table with Sevenoaks and Croydon on 22 points whilst Athletic drop to sixth two
points behind the leaders but level with Sheppey and Crowborough.

LORDSWOOD – Chandler, Griffin, Harrold, Hooper, Cook, Huggens, Orome (Carter), Huggins (McIlheron), Mahon, Wells, Wooldridge (Newton)

Subs – Healy & Plummer

AFC CROYDON ATHLETIC – Ameyaw, Wise, Penson, Kallon, Kaffu, Higgins, Maddock (Murray-Price), Kaffu (Fowler), Jenden, Medina (Wallen), Oloyede, Green

Sub – Bolaji