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Breaking sports news from Gillingham, Charlton Athletic, Kent Cricket and more in Kent Sportsday on Friday, March 28

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4.30PM - CLOSE OF PLAY

And that, as they say, is a wrap. It's been a great first week on Kent Sportsday and the 'fun' continues tomorrow with Kent Football Match Centre.

Don't forget to join me at 2.30pm tomorrow for all the action. Until then folks, cheerio.

4.20PM - RUGBY

Big weekend ahead on the rugby fields up and down the county too, for those that are in action.

Here's our preview of Canterbury's game.

4.15PM - CRICKET

Go on, say you like Bob 'the Cat' Bevan...well that went quiet didn't it. Anyway, enough of my one-liners, it appears the former Kent Cricket president has been busy doing them himself today...

4.10PM - WEEKEND PREVIEW

As well as the Fleet's match with Tonbridge, Dover host Boreham Wood in Skrill South and Bromley visit Eastbourne.

In the Ryman League Premier Division, Maidstone host East Thurrock, relegation-threatened Thamesmead meet Lewes at Bayliss Avenue and Cray visit Billericay.

Chatham, who lost 2-1 to VCD last night, return to Division 1 North action at home to Soham, VCD travel to Harlow and Erith & Belvedere will remain in the relegation zone regardless of how they get on at Dereham.

All eyes in Division 1 South will be on Sittingbourne, who conceded seven in midweek. This time they travel to Walton Casuals. Hythe host Peacehaven, Herne Bay visit Horsham, Faversham are at home to Three Bridges and Whitstable also have home advantage when they meet Burgess Hill. Folkestone make the trip round the M25 to Leatherhead and Ramsgate meet Eastbourne.

4.00PM - KENT FOOTBALL MATCH CENTRE

Can't help but think you need somewhere to keep in touch with all the day's action tomorrow. Why don't we go for our brilliant Kent Football Match Centre service, from 2.30pm, where you can see every goal as it comes in, interact with other viewers and generally enjoy my good charm and humour....well 2 out of 3 isn't bad is it? I'm in the chair again so I look forward to it...

3.55PM - FOOTBALL

So Dartford's long attempt at the Great Escape is heading towards the final few chapters. The latest one comes tomorrow at Princes Park against Macclesfield.

Elsewhere Welling, boosted by the loan extensions (see 12.45PM), are also at home just up the road at Park View Road. They host Chester - who are just outside the relegation zone so the Darts will be hoping the Wings can do them a favour as well.

Here's Darts boss Tony Burman's thoughts ahead of the weekend

3.40PM - FOOTBALL

Where better to start than a big North Kent derby with equal importance at both ends of the league table. Peter Varney. Tommy Warrilow. Stonebridge Road. Steve Tervet sets the scene for you.

Ebbsfleet v Tonbridge match preview

3.25PM - FOOTBALL

Big weekend of football ahead for everyone but Gillingham, who of course are not playing. Their scheduled opponents Peterborough are, of course, in JPT action at Wembley. Sounds like a Posh affair, that...see what we did there...Posh, Wembley, Peterborough...I'll get my coat. We'll bring you some previews in the next hour or so.

1.45PM - FOOTBALL

In case you missed it earlier, here's one of our top stories of the day.

Why Maidstone are going to the FA to see if they take part in the Ryman League play-offs.

1PM - CRICKET

If you do one thing on twitter today, then follow our all-new Kent Cricket pictures account. Lovely pictures of bat and ball doing battle on lush green grass, bathed in sunshine, ice-cream, cold drinks, working in shorts and t-shirt....well, maybe not the last bit this year. In the meantime check out @kmcricketpix

12.55PM - FOOTBALL

The Southern Counties East League Macron Challenge Cup final, try saying that after a bitter shandy, final between Beckenham and Corinthian now has a date and a venue. The pair will lock horns at Bromley's Hayes Lane on Monday, May 5...all we need now is a kick-off time...can't wait...

12.50PM - MOTORSPORT

Something for the weekend? What better way to catch the sun rays while watching touring cars go round and round...and round and round...only joking, seriously, a great couple of days entertainment for all those heading to Brands Hatch - and look at that weather...

12.45PM - FOOTBALL

Skrill Premier Welling announce that Charlton striker Tobi-Sho-Silva and Bouremouth midfielder Josh Wakefield have extended their loan deals to the end of the season at Park View Road.

LUNCHBREAK

Well time has once again made fools of us all and your tummy has turned its attention to lunch.

Give your brain something to do while your mouth is engaged by catching up on the day’s big news so far.

Gills fans, do you think Peter Taylor deserves an extended stay in the Priestfield hot-seat? Craig Fagan certainly does.

Remember when you were young and talented, with the world at your feet? No, me neither, so let’s all live vicariously through Josh Woolley, England Schoolboys star seeking to follow in the footsteps of England and Man Utd man Chris Smalling. Here's his story.

Anyone have any favourite memories about clashes between Maidstone United and Gillingham in the Football League?

Feel free to share them via comments, twitter or Facebook, while Bill Williams plots a Stones return to the big time.

11:20 - MATCHDAY LIVE

Just a quick reminder that just because Gills are having a day-off tomorrow, doesn't mean the rest of us will be.

Join me from 2.30pm for all the team news, build-up and live action from a host of top non-league games as the season nears its business end.

Some intriguing games on the menu to look forward to, plus we'll round-up all the day's results and reaction from 5pm.

10:50 - FOOTBALL

Fish and chips, Ant and Dec, Maidstone United and Jay Saunders. Three pairings which seem destined to be together for a good while yet.

Craig Tucker continues his prolific streak, putting the rest of us to shame, with this interview with Stones boss Saunders, who spoke of his pride at having his contract extended at the Gallagher Stadium.

10:20 - GILLINGHAM

I do like a good column. What better way to let your mind wander and allow yourself to feel like you really are part of the dressing room of your favourite club.

Here's Gills assistant boss John Schofield's latest update from behind the closed doors of the Priestfield dressing room.

The only thing missing is the click-clack of studs on stone floors, the noisy rip of sticky-tape and the smell of deep heat.

John Schofield
John Schofield

10:05 - FOOTBALL

May 2, 1992. That date mean anything to you? Couple of weeks after John Major won the General Election, Leeds United were the best team in the land and Chris Smalling was two years old.

It was also the day that Maidstone United played their last game in the Football League.

Stones chief executive Bill Williams remembers that day well, and has targeted the resurgent club returning to those lofty heights once again.

Click here to read Craig Tucker's story.

09:45 - INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

It's not every day a Kent side snaps up an international footballer, but Tonbridge Angels have done just that.

Evan James, a 23-year-old striker, made his international debut for Canada in a friendly against Denmark last year and has most recently been plying his trade for Canadian side K-W United.

His former clubs include the Charlotte 49ers, Oakville SC, Hamilton Rage and the Montreal Impact, by whom he was selected first overall in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft.

He looks set to go straight into the Skrill South strugglers' squad for Saturday's clash with Ebbsfleet.

09:35 - NON-LEAGUE ROUND-UP

Seems that 11 games in 28 days eventually proved a step too far for Whitstable Town in Division 1 South.

They suffered a 5-0 defeat at red-hot Merstham last night and are now just seven points clear of the relegation places with 10 games to go.

Three goals in the 10 minutes either side of half-time did the damage while debutant and former Gill Ashley Miller played the full 90 minutes and did hit the woodwork while Scott Heard also played the full game after returning from a trial at Chesterfield.

Faversham couldn’t do their neighbours a favour, or help their own dwindling play-off chances, last night as they went down 2-0 at home to third-bottom Redhill, who scored eight minutes from either end of the game.

Town are now four places and eight points adrift of the all-important fifth spot, held by Hastings, who also have a game in hand.

09:25 - NON-LEAGUE ROUND-UP

The big game in Ryman League Division 1 North saw leaders VCD Athletic record a 2-1 win at Chatham, who were seeking an incredible eighth straight win.

No goal for the returning Alfie May, but Michael Power’s strike on the half-hour and Lea Dawson’s second on 83 minutes ensured the points and meant in-form Ade Yusuff’s late goal was a mere consolation.

VCD are five points clear of Witham, who do have three games in hand, while Chats slipped back down to 14th.

09:20 - NON-LEAGUE ROUND-UP

We've already seen Ebbsfleet claimed a useful three points with a 2-0 win at Gosport Borough in Skrill South last night (08:05), but as promised, here comes the rest of the Thursday night action.

Two injury-time goals from Grays gave the scoreline a flattering look as Margate suffered a 5-2 home defeat in Ryman League Premier Division.

The Essex side took a first-half lead, and though George Artemi levelled on 36 minutes, the visitors turned around 2-1 up at the break and added a third just after the hour.

Gate battled on and Charlie Wassmer gave them hope nine minutes from time, however despite the hosts pressing for a leveller, they were picked off twice in the dying seconds and Grays ran-out 5-2 winners.

Margate are 16th, still 14 points clear of the drop-zone, though having played a game more than some of the sides chasing them.

09:10 - FOOTBALL

Our Stones man Craig Tucker has been a busy boy this week.

He's got a story here about Maidstone United's appeal to the FA to be allowed to contest the Ryman League play-offs this season... assuming of course they can secure enough points in their final six games to seal a top-five place.

08:55 - FOOTBALL

Remember that gangly kid who used to play centre-back for Maidstone United a few years back. Teenager. Think he went to a London team beginning with an F. Chris something... Smith, no, Small... Smalling? That's it. Whatever happened to him?

Oh. Yeah. Well while that particular former Stones youth player is splitting his time admiring his Premier League winners' medal, preparing for a Champions League quarter-final and doing his best to get on the plane to Brazil with England this summer, a current United youngster is plotting his own path to the top.

Click here to read all about striker Josh Woolley, oh, and remember the name. You heard it here first.

England Schoolboys striker Josh Woolley Picture: Martin Apps
England Schoolboys striker Josh Woolley Picture: Martin Apps

08:35 - GILLINGHAM

Any nice plans for the weekend? Good to have a bit of time off isn't it? Recharge your batteries, enjoy some 'me' time. Well it certainly will be if you happen to be a Gillingham player.

Maybe Peter Taylor has seen the early weather forecast or maybe it's just that Gills had a gruelling midweek game and have earned a rest, but Taylor revealed he's given his men a mid-season break.

Click here to read all about it.

08:25 - GILLINGHAM

More Thursday night football reaction to come shortly, and also some news about Maidstone United's aim for a return to the big-time, but how about your morning fix of Gills news?

Tuesday night's goalscoring hero Craig Fagan knows boss Peter Taylor better than most, having played under him for the first time at Hull nine years ago.

Here he explains why he thinks Taylor has done enough to earn an extended stay in the Priestfield dugout beyond the end of the season.

08:20 - FOOTBALL

Not sure if Fleet boss Steve Brown has voted in our poll yet, but he may still be in bed. Late night down in Hampshire.

He was giving this post-game interview to Steve at about 10.30pm last night, where he does mention the 'nice gap' that his side have built in the quest for a play-off campaign.

08:10 - POLL

Three of the four spots in the Skrill South play-offs are currently occupied by Kent sides. Cast your vote and tell us which club you think has the best chance of stepping up to Skrill Premier and why using the comments below, twitter or Facebook.

08:05 - FOOTBALL

Thursday night's are quiet nights eh? No. News of five big games involving senior Kent sides last night to bring you this morning, the first of which saw Ebbsfleet United restore some impetus to their play-off push in Skrill South.

My colleague Steve Tervet made the trip down to Hampshire to see how Steve Brown's side fared at Gosport Borough and saw a much-improved display secure a 2-0 win and three crucial points.

Here's Steve's report from Privett Park.

08:00 - KICK-OFF

Welcome to a brand new Kent Sportsday, your one-stop-shop for all the day's breaking Kent sports stories, reaction to midweek games and previews of the weekend action.

Hope you like the new look KentOnline this morning, just a few subtle changes but all designed to make the website better for you, and our one million-plus other monthly visitors, whether you're at your desk, on your sofa or on the move.

Lots coming up today, we'll be hearing from Priestfield players and Gills manager Peter Taylor himself, as well as previewing the weekend's non-league schedule, with promotion and relegation issues really hotting up.

So stick with us today and keep hitting refresh to ensure you get all the news you need first, during Friday's Sportsday.

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