City added the British Energy Kent County League Division II (East) championship title to promotion at Bishopsbourne with a performance that was remarkable for the seven goals that Royston Gough scored, which is a club record that is unlikely ever to be beaten.

 

Gough’s pace, awareness and finishing was not only decisive after City found themselves a goal behind in only two minutes, but allowed him to achieve a personal ambition. Earlier in the week he had attended his grandfather’s funeral. “I wanted to score some goals in his memory” he said after City celebrated on the pitch with a huge banner simply saying “Champions”.

 

It was City’s pace throughout the team that allowed them to win so comfortably, but Gough also said that in no previous match had he received such service. A lot of it was provided by Scott Lawford who set up attacks with accuracy and calm confidence.

 

Overall, this was a curious City performance. Even to suggest that they did not play as well as they can seems absurd in view of the margin of victory, yet there were times when having only two in midfield acted as an invitation for Saga to grab the initiative in that area. In the event they were unable to take that opportunity and were rarely a serious threat.

 

Manager Dave Fairclough decided to give Lee Austin a full match because he had been away from the club for a while. Austin worked well with Gough, taking on defenders and adding a lot of power to the attack.

 

Having already won promotion, the pressure on the team had eased, but determination to add the league title to that triumph brought its own edge of nervousness. That showed in the second minute when Justin Hodge was unable to control the ball in the penalty area. It offered itself to Saga’s Herve Fuchey, who drove his shot past Danny Black. For a few minutes there was some apprehension amongst the City ranks. But it was soon clear that Saga were going to be broken by the speed at which City burst through their midfield and defence. And they had no answer to Gough.

 

After eight minutes he scored his first with a well executed cross-shot. Saga’s strikers became more and more annoyed that they were not being seen quickly enough when they found space. Their team’s organisation was not the best that City had faced this season, although individually some of them performed more that adequately.

 

In the twentieth minute Gough took City ahead, sliding into the Saga goalmouth area, looking hungry. His appetite was more than satisfied. Five minutes later he headed in after a corner but he had to wait a while before continuing his feast.

 

There can have been few better goals in this league this season than the one Lee Heales achieved to bring the slightest flicker of hope back to Saga. He received the ball some thirty yards out and sent a stunning shot straight in. Who was more surprised: Danny Black or the scorer? Gough then reminded Saga that there was no chance of a recovery. He swept in from the right side and easily beat the Saga goalkeeper, who was looking hopefully but helplessly for help from his out-run defenders.

 

Not for the first time, or the last, Lawford provided the groundwork for another City goal, which was well driven in by Dave Reed to give City a reassuring 5-2 half-time lead.

 

Fairclough brought on Dan Bonneywell, Calum McGeehan and Adam Solly for the second half but nothing changed in the direction of the game. Austin slipped the ball past the Saga ‘keeper to take City further ahead and from then on it was a stroll to the championship and a well deserved celebration at the Plough. Reed’s low cross allowed Gough to plant in another.

 

Gough’s bravery at chasing down the ball when confronted by an oncoming goalkeeper was rewarded when he scored City’s final two goals. On both occasions he did well to control the ball before lifting it over the ‘keeper.

 

City can now face their last few league matches without pressure, but they still have a cup final and perhaps the target of 100 league goals, which is a reminder that without those that were scored by Wayne Fittall in earlier matches they would not be where they are now.

 

CITY: Black; Baker, Maxted (Bonneywell), Brooke (McGeehan), Hodge, Lockhart (Solly), Reed, Lawford, Gough, Seager, Austin.