Ollie Freeman was at the double to help Southern Counties East Premier Division leaders VCD maintain their unbeaten league start with a win over Larkfield & New Hythe on Saturday.

Both sides were reduced to 10 men before half-time, Ross Ibbertson sent off for Larkfield & New Hythe on the half-hour mark, before Bethel Gboda was given his marching orders.

Forward Freeman then netted twice, one in first-half stoppage time and a second on 58 minutes, only for away substitute Temi Alaka to make it 2-1 with 16 minutes left to play.

But that was the way it stayed and Larkfield & New Hythe ended the game with nine players as defender Nathan Gordon was dismissed in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Punjab United are second - seven points behind VCD but with a game in hand - after winning 2-1 at Whitstable.

Experienced striker Dean Grant put the Oystermen ahead at The Belmont but defender Jack Barry levelled things up in the 20th minute and midfielder Cruis Nyadzayo netted what turned out to be the winner just after the half-hour mark.

Faversham came from behind to see off Fisher 3-1 on the road to maintain their unbeaten start to the league season.

After forward Courtney Barrington gave Fisher the lead inside 15 minutes, in-form Town forward Tashi-Jay Kwayie made it 1-1 before half-time.

Defender Matt Newman put Tommy Warrilow’s team ahead with 15 minutes to play and Kwayie added his eighth goal in seven games at the death.

Glebe were 3-1 winners at home to Lordswood.

Defender Paul Lee gave them a first-half lead and, although striker Jake Embery got the Medway outfit level, substitute Alfie Kitt and captain Jamie Philpot netted after the restart for Glebe.

Recently-signed Michael Hagan proved the hat-trick hero for Bearsted in a 5-2 home victory over Hollands & Blair.

Midfielders Adam Turton and Robbie Roberts also got on the scoresheet for Kevin Stevens’ side to leave efforts by Charlie Weston and Harvey Welford as mere consolations.

Premier Division basement boys Kennington shared the spoils from a four-goal game at Holmesdale.

Both sides netted in the first 10 minutes - Jack Church cancelling out Ed Miller’s goal - and Deandre Williams completed the scoring for the home team early in the second half after Rajan Sahni had put Dan Scorer’s side in front.

Lydd lost 2-0 at home to Stansfeld while Rusthall had been 3-0 winners at Snodland on Friday night.

Kalani Barton gave them a dream start in the sixth minute, Robbie Bissett and Charlie Clover adding to their tally after the restart.

Faversham Strike Force dropped back down to second in Division 1 as they lost 2-1 at home to Rochester United.

Mack Reilly gave the visitors the perfect start at Salters Lane but Strike Force striker Alex Willis - on his 25th birthday - made it 1-1 with 20 minutes on the clock.

But one-time Faversham Town winger Tom Loynes got what proved the winner just before half-time.

Strike Force were overtaken for now at the summit by Croydon, who eased to a 4-1 home win against Sheppey Sports despite substitute David Latunde’s second-half strike.

Canterbury City drew 1-1 at home to Bridon Ropes, Rob Lawrence equalising in the second half.

All the goals came in the first 20 minutes as Staplehurst won 3-1 at Greenways.

Goals from Luke Adams and skipper Edward Rosetti, alongside an own goal, left Logan Thomson’s first-half effort as a mere consolation.

Ayodeji Owoeye’s brace helped Welling Town to a 2-1 victory at Halls AFC.