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PSF - Bearsted 4 Kennington 4

PSF - Bearsted 4 Kennington 4

Simon Jasinski27 Jul 2019 - 22:09
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https://www.kenningtonfc.co.uk

Kennington boss Dan Scorer feels his side came through their toughest pre-season test at Bearsted, with the League campaign just a week away.

Front man, Gary Lockyer (pictured, no. 9), hit a 38-minute first-half 'perfect' hat-trick on a wet afternoon at Honey Lane - right and left-footed efforts alongside a header - before adding his fourth just two minutes later from Sam Conlon's supply, to give 'Ton a 3-4 lead going into the interval of this, their final warm-up fixture.

Ton's fifth pre-season outing against SCEFL Premier Division opponents would see a welcome return to the starting line-up for play-maker Tommy Scorer - who had recovered from a tight hamstring sustained at Welling Town - while defender Luke Hughes was unavailable through holiday.

Lockyer struck the opener after just two minutes - and in some style - flighting a delightful lob over the back-peddling 'keeper from distance, following an interception by Sam Brown - ironically in a similar mould to Brown's audacious goal from half-way at K Sports in midweek.

Twice Kennington were unable to hold leads however - James Bessey-Saldanha finding the bottom corner to equalise with seven minutes on the clock; and were level again just two minutes after Lockyer had turned his man to fire 'Ton 2-1 up - Emmanuel Oluwasemo the beneficiary. This all inside the quarter-hour.

Bessey-Saldanha stroked home a penalty ten minute before the break, but there was still time for Lockyer to combine twice with Conlon - whose endeavour and service from the right received it's reward via Lockyer's ruthless eye for goal.

Kennington continued to look a threat going forward - particularly from wide areas - while defensively, kept the middle compact with Gary Clarke and Sam Brown giving their opponents little time on the ball.

However, following a spate of substitutions for both sides, it was Bearsted who levelled for a third and final time in the closing stages - Oluwasemo getting the final touch to bundle home from close range.

"It was certainly the toughest test we've had during pre-season", Scorer said. "It was an enjoyable game to watch as both sides set out to play with a similar style and they posed a serious threat going forward.

"I was really impressed with the how we maintained our standards from the win in midweek (at K Sports), although there are still lessons to be learned as a group, but the players have taken on the feedback and we're looking forward to Saturday's first League game at Elmstead (3pm k.o).

"The squad's pretty much where I want it to be, with the potential for maybe another one or two to come in over the next few weeks, but the most important thing now is carrying on these performances - especially the likes of Gary Clarke, Sam Brown and Gary Lockyer, who have all been exceptional in pre-season."

Of Lockyer, Scorer added: "I don't think people realise how good Gary actually is - he's taken huge responsibility of leading the line for us this season and has shown he is ready to that with some outstanding performances. I'm looking forward to seeking him push on now and challenge for the golden boot."

TON: Barnes, Stow, Tomsett, Phillips, Penfold, Clarke, Brown, Calvert, Scorer, Lockyer, Conlon. Subs: Greenfield, Owen, Philpott, Negus, Horton.

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