Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division floodlight football takes place in Eltham when Stansfeld host Kennington on Wednesday evening.

Neither side has had the best of starts to the season. Both are on seven points, Stansfeld from nine games whilst Kennington have played one match fewer. Only Rusthall are below them with five points from eight.

Hosts, Stansfeld are playing their first season in new surroundings having moved from Glebe’s Foxbury to Cray Valley PM’s stadium in Eltham. Their first three games there ended in defeat however, in their most recent home game they beat Hollands and Blair three-two, having been two down early in the game. 

They did not have a game on Saturday so their last outing was last Tuesday at Erith and Belvedere where they were defeated two-one. After a goal-less first half they went behind early in the second period before levelling four minutes later through Chris Alhasson. They then missed several good chances and paid the price when conceding in the final minute.

Away from home, Kennington have played three times. They won their last game on the road at Hollands and Blair, and have drawn one and lost one. They were also without a game on Saturday and they also ended a run of two consecutive victories in their last match when losing one-nil at home to Whitstable Town. It was late heartbreak for them, too, when they conceded in the second minute of stoppage time.

In the league matches between the two teams last season, each team won their home game. The first meeting in October 2023 was at Kennington and the hosts won three-nil. Ryan Philpott opened the scoring in the thirteenth and Mo Cham added a second on the half hour mark. They had to wait until the final minute of the match before scoring their third goal through Fin Dent.

When they met in the return game in February, Mayo Olufeko put Stansfeld ahead in the fourteenth minute and Tommy Whitnell’s goal, with ten minutes remaining, ensured that they claimed all three points.

Although still early in the season, both teams will want all three points to start climbing up the table.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.