Lordswood finally got their first League win of the season with a superb victory over Beckenham Town.

The game started slowly as both sides got used to the conditions but Lordswood got into their stride first, and in the 14th minute, a Darren Bridges cross to the far post was half cleared to Anthony Sharpe. Sharpe on the edge of the area saw his snapshot saved by the keeper. Two minutes later a throw into the area saw Kevin Skinner challenge for it. The ball went to Sharpe, who passed to Darren Bridges, whose first time shot went just over the bar. Lordswood were now in control of possession but were not causing any problems, but in the 28th minute, Adam Whitnall went down the right and his cross was missed by Sharpe but came out to Bridges on the far side. His chip to the far post saw Sharpe rise with the defender and his header was deflected for a corner. Beckenham suddenly woke up and in the 35th minute a free kick into the area ricocheted around the area and fell at Jermott’s feet, but his shot was saved by Rowan. In the 39th minute Adam Whitnall, on the edge of the area, cut across and slid the ball into the path of Alec Osborne whose shot on the run forced the keeper to save at the bottom of the post. Beckenham then had a chance in the 42nd minute, when Chris Hubbard ran into the area and passed to Joe Healy whose his shot on the turn went just past the post. Lordswood finally took a deserved lead in the 45th minute when Whitnall on halfway collected the ball, went forward and slid the ball between the central defenders for David Taylor to latch onto. Taylor went into the area and his shot was parried away by Michael Holder. The ball was half cleared to Darren Bridges on the left and his cross was headed in by Sharpe.
The second half took a long time to get going but in the 66th minute Dave Taylor, on the left, went past two defenders and into the area. He pushed the ball too far and the keeper came out to collect. Taylor went for it and slid in causing the keeper to be injured. Fireworks followed as both sets of players went head to head to argue about the challenge. The Referee booked four players involved in the melee. A minute later, a ball into the area saw Rowan come out and save at Healey’s feet. Lordswood increased their lead in the 70th minute when Darren Bridges free kick into the area was half cleared to Dave Taylor. His volley was parried out by the keeper only for Nathan Nelson to react the quickest and smash the ball home from 2 yards. The rest of the game saw Beckenham trying to get back into the match, but Lordswood’s defence held firm with ease. On the counter attack, the scoreline could have been increased further, but as the final whistle went you could see the joy of everyone on the pitch, and on Martin and Kevin’s faces.