KENT YOUTH LEAGUE WEEKEND ROUNDUP

ASPIRE Academy Under 18’s strengthen league lead with win, whilst Under 16s move top with a hard-fought draw.

With none of their title rivals in action at the weekend, Bromley A and Greenwich Borough facing each other in the semi-final of the Under 18 KitToFit Challenge Cup whilst Welling and Meridian VP had a blank weekend, the ASPIRE Academy Dulwich Hamlet Under 18 took advantage to reinforce their lead at the head of the Kent Youth League. Sporting Club Thamesmead provided the opposition at Rutland Walk but the bottom provided little resistance as Dulwich Hamlet romped to their fifth straight win in the Kent Youth League, emerging victorious by 5 goals to one. Lekan Osideko led the way with a hat trick to take his goals tally in the competition past the 20 mark. Also on target with Axel Garcia and Arthur Curtis McKenzie. The win opens up Dulwich’s lead at the top of the North Division to 8 points though they have played a number of games more than all their rivals. Indeed, fifth placed Bromley A, who beat Greenwich Borough 2-1 at the weekend to reach the Challenge Cup final, have played just half the number of games Dulwich have played!

Meanwhile the Under 16s kept up their unbeaten run as they stepped to the top of their division in the Kent Youth League with a 2-2 draw away to Erith & Belvedere. Ephraim Adanemhen and Jamie Splatt were the scorers in an even-matched affair as Dulwich Hamlet moved level on points with Phoenix Sports at the head of the pack, Dulwich have 2 games in hand of the Sports with a superior goal difference, plus 6 to minus 2. One point adrift is Greenwich Borough, waiting to pounce, in an enthralling title chase.

The Under 18s are without a game but the Under 16 are in action this coming weekend, Sunday 12th March, when they travel to take on Bromley at Bellingham Leisure Centre, kicking off at 2.00 pm. The Lilywhites currently sit down in 6th spot in the table but have played just five games this season, meaning should they pick up the points in their games in hand they too will join the race for the title. As always Dulwich Hamlet fans are welcome to cheer on the players, with your support much appreciated.