Throughout most of the match Bearsted were generally the better side, playing some attractive football and controlling the midfield with the clever passing of inspirational skipper Steve Smith and the unsung work of Steve Benton alongside. As early as the third minute the visitors could have gone in front when Smith slid in Lee Radford to round the keeper only to see his tight angled effort cleared off of the line by Matt Turner. At the other end Emanuel Prince should have done better firing over from a good position 12 yards out. However, this was to be one of few Milton efforts of the half, followed on two occasions when Steve West did not make the most of opportunities, both as a result of his speed and agility, first shooting wide and then being denied by goalkeeper Darren Nokes, who was to be the home side’ saviour throughout the afternoon producing some great saves when more goals seemed a certainty. Although Lee Bravery might have opened the scoring just before, forcing a slick save from Lewis, the breakthrough did come after 40 minutes when Ricky Stevens delivered a long free kick over the top for Gary East to run on and steer the ball over the shoulder of the advancing Nokes and into the net. Things got worst for Milton immediately after, following some over vigorous tackles, one of which saw them being reduced to ten men and striker Russell Mcleash having to leave the field with a cut shin.

After the second half resumption Mcleash did appear only long enough to stab the ball home for the second goal, after attempts from West and Broadway were both cleared off of the line by the unlucky John Tarling. With Smith being pushed forward it allowed the introduction of youngster Lee Fincham, who immediately showed some fine touches and vision taking up his place in the heart of midfield. Although the scoreline might have been more had it not been for two point blank save by Nokes from West and Lee Radford together with a miss from close range by East, things remained the same and the run up to the final whistle become a little anxious as Milton suddenly produced chances of their own, notably when Lee Bravery found himself clear only to shoot high and wide and then when Steve Collar scooped a great opportunity over the bar from 12 yards, following a right wing corner which was not properly dealt with by the Bear’s defence, allowing them to escape and hopefully  signal a long awaited rise up in the league table.

Team:

P.Lewis, D.Dyal A.Budden, S.Broadway, R.Stevens, ,S.Smith, S.Benton,    G.East, R.Mcleash, (L. Fincham) S.West. L.Radford 

Subs: A.Swift