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Well here we go moving into the penultimate Sunday of the season and what a scorcher. 7 weeks ago I went to Norman Park on my daughter’s birthday and said to Miles Cadwallader of Lombard Phoenix, “you are having a laugh !” By that I meant that in the short trip from Shortlands to Norman Park the temperature on my car outside temp gauge had dropped from -0.5 C to -3.5C and a blizzard was starting up. Furthermore as my car had not had a chance to “warm up” the snow was freezing on the windscreen. I reffed that game in gloves and tracksuit bottoms tucked into my socks with my shorts over the top of my tracksuit bottoms. We got the game done and dusted……………………. And today well it couldn’t have been different – a “double banker” between Cudham United Res and Eltham Progress Res of the Fifth Division– clear blue skies and temperatures in the upper 20’s C – ouch – incredible.

In the first game Cudham had a lot of the play initially but Eltham playing down the hill always looked dangerous. Barry was holding it up upfront and with deft flicks and turns was causing the Cudham defence problems. Likewise, Keyesy up front for Cudham was using his height and weight to keep momentum going – this looked to be building up to a great Div 5 game. The Eltham Progress keeper was definitely suspect giving his defenders a few heart attacks as he dropped the ball. Phil Sansom and Wayne Pearson defying the years as they tidied up and busied themselves at the back and right attacking midfield. And then disaster for Cudham. Having failed to capitalise on some goalkeeping fumbles a punt down the field caught them flat footed and the Eltham striker slipped it past the advancing Deano for 1-0. And that’s the way it stayed until halftime – no worries for Cudham as they had the hill in the second half – all to do for Eltham though. Or so we thought. In the second half Cudham seemed bereft of ideas and no one wanted to have a pop so consequently they didn’t score and Eltham always looked dangerous if they broke on the odd occasion. To add insult to injury a Cudham player was sent off for an ill judged comment to the referee/Asst referee – we had 3 officials today. So that’s how the first game ended – 0-1 to Eltham Progress Reserves and they clinched 3rd spot.

In the second game, Eltham fell to only 10 fit players at kick off as one of their lads fell foul of an injury sustained in the first game. He subsequently limped from the field and shortly after another player was injured which left Eltham with 9 fit players and a changed lime up with the goalie now in midfield and someone else between the posts. Phil Sansom had gone off to find the Cudham “iron lung” and left Wayne to marshal things at the heart of the Cudham defence. Against inferior numbers Cudham were soon 2-0 then 3-0 up. All credit to the nine men from Eltham, they kept on plugging away and we ended up as the game fizzled out to a tired spectacle at 4-2 to Cudham, but with 2 extra players Eltham could have made it different.

And so to the Senior Division. Eltham Town completed their season as they won 2-1 against Goldsmiths United. Centaurs lost 1-2 against Lessa Albion in the relegation clash which still leaves both clubs with everything to play for going into the final week. Centresports lost to Catford CC 3-4 as Catford put the disappointment of last weeks Charity Cup defeat behind them and cap a pleasing first season in the top flight runners-up. A midweek game saw Goldsmiths United beat FOBG 4-2. Midfield were unable to hold champions Vista as the latter waltzed home 2-3 in the end.

In the Premier Division, FC Bickley finished their season with a close 4-3 win over EPR to end up second. Paul Birch lost out to AFC Albatross 0-1 and Centresports res and Midway had a touch of sun as their game was postponed !!

Division One had some surprises as Masters and Cudham drew 1-1 on their last game played at Bromley FC on Bank Holiday Monday. Eltham Progress beat Otford Colts to nick the last promotion spot 2-0. Lessa Albion Res found it tough going and lost out 2-4 to Coney Hall as Coney also nick top spot from Hatcham.

Division Two’s solitary game saw Dave Jonas’ The Buff lose 2-5 to The Wood as Mr. CloughieTraer’s side won promotion for sure.

Division Three next and Ex Blues beat The Flames 3-0 to close in on that leading spot. The Flames are relegated.

To Division Four and Ex Blues Res said goodbye as Orchard ran rampant and won 0-5 and clinched that vital 3rd promotion spot and a promotion and cup double. Orpington Rovers held Euro United 3-3 thus depriving United of the points they needed to push Orchard to the wire even more.

In the other game in Division Five Starks Park Rovers lost out to Shortlands Athletic 1-4 after being 1-0 up at half time. Shortlands end up champions and sadly SPR end up with the “Wooden Spoon”.

That’s all folks.