Sheerness East’s new year began with a whimper as they suffered a 4-1 defeat to Staplehurst & Monarchs in Vandanel Kent County League Division 1 East.

After winning five of six games before the Christmas break, fifth-placed East lost ground on third-placed Monarchs after their second 4-1 reverse to their opponents this season.

Manager Dave Down said: "It was disappointing. We were on a fantastic run before Christmas but then we had a game called off on December 12 and then no game on the 19th and we weren’t able to train at all because of the weather.

"When we played on Saturday we were just so far off the pace. I know it was probably the same for both sides. We got done by three goals from set-pieces in the first 10 minutes.

"It wasn’t good, our passing was off, the only positive I can take is that it gave everyone the chance to get some football and get a bit of match-fitness
back."

East are due to travel to Crockenhill this Saturday in the quarter-final of the Kent Intermediate Challenge Shield.

With one eye on the weather forecast, Down added: "If it is on, then we’ll have to perform a lot better than we did on Saturday to have any chance."