K Sports finished their 2017-18 campaign with a two-nil win at Stansfeld FC to top the table promoted as champions albeit provisionally pending a league investigation into playing an ineligible player earlier in the campaign.

In a statement c/o Derek Peck, League Secretary, “K Sports were charged by the Kent FA for fielding a player Caine Smith whilst under suspension in the fixture K Sports v FC Elmstead played on 20th March 2018. The case has now been dealt with by the Kent FA and following their judgement K Sports have been charged under league rule 6.9 for the same offence. The case will be dealt with at a disciplinary commission soon to be arranged.”

Despite the cloud hanging over the club the visitors dominated possession and chances in the opening period as Matt Gething’s physical presence was proving a handful for Stansfeld’s back line however the hosts stood firm growing into the game as the half developed.

The visitors took the lead with the first chance either side, and ‘keeper, saw on goal, as Bailey Pearce crossed low on the left hand side of the penalty area with Gething there to side-foot home from close range.

Pearce and Gething linked up well again but the latter was unable to double his tally and his sides lead blazing over from the edge of the penalty area.

As the hosts grew in confidence they sought to exploit the space behind K Sports’ back line but Jake Williams was unable to capitalise as Jack Rankin was aware and quick off his line to clear the danger.

And the hosts were unlucky not to equalise in a flurry of action in and around K Sports’ penalty area with Sam Ryan at the centre of the action but Rankin stood firm to deny the home side’s captain twice in quick succession – Both chances coming from long searching free kicks deep into the box.

Gething continued to cause the home side difficulties getting the better of his man but in advancing into the penalty area the home side recovered well to clear the danger.

A flashpoint close to half time saw Gething at the centre of controversy as the K Sports front-man, already on a yellow card, clearly kicked out tripping an opponent in the centre circle, but the referee somewhat inexplicably chose to only tick off the visitors’ goal-scorer.

As it stood at the interval the visitors were top of the table and would be champions bar the investigation by the league.

The second half failed to live up to the opening period as both sides generated plenty of bluster but neither was able to stamp their authority as both goalkeepers were relative spectators.

With that it was a defensive error that proved critical as Lewis Collier was left stranded and K Sports’ Pearce nipped in to intercept a short back-pass and in lobbing it past the home side’s ‘keeper tapped home from close range to double his sides lead.

Upon the blowing of the final whistle K Sports players initially contained themselves in their celebrations but buoyed on by the clubs management the players registered the fact, as it stands, they top the table.

For Stansfeld their season is yet to finish with an away game at bottom side Crockenhill on Saturday and the curtain closes at home next Monday.

 

Stansfeld: Collier, Holly (Hammond, 77), Wincott, Killilea, Wise, Clark, Holland, Ryan ©, Williams, McKenna, Jolly

Sub not used: Lusk (GK), Beale, Summerby, Hamlin

 

K Sports: Rankin, West, Butterworth, Cooper, Dawson ©, Snelling, Botterill, Butler (R. Alderman, 34), Gething (Brown, 83), J. Alderman (Di Fede, 71), Pearce

Subs not used: Coates (GK), Winch

 

Goals: Gething (6), Pearce (67)

 

Att: 62