Bearsted FC (H) Match Preview

Punjab United vs Bearsted FC, Kent Senior Trophy Quarter-Final, The Steve Cook Stadium, Saturday 24th January 2026, 3:00pm Kick-Off

From playing our last home game of 2025 against Bearsted, our first home game of 2026 is also against Bearsted as this time it's not for three points, but a place in the Kent Senior Trophy Semi-Final. Punjab knows how to win this competition with beating Deal Town 6-0 in the final in 2023 so the team will be looking to be successful again.

Since our last home game of 2025 we've had two away games to begin 2026. A dissapointing 3-3 draw against Hythe Town despite being 3-1 up until the 83rd minute was followed by the biggest game in Punjab's history. A trip to Essex, more specifically Benfleet was followed by two first half goals from Jack Hopkins and Will Johnson-Cole and kept a clean sheet as they progressed 2-0 winners and now will take on Windsor and Eton or Fisher FC at The Steve Cook Stadium. We will hopefully find out who we are playing as both sides battle it out tomorrow afternoon.

This will be the third time this season Punjab have played Bearsted this season with winning 3-1 away earlier in the season and a late Will Johnson-Cole goal earned a deserved point at home last time out.

The programme for this afternoon's game can be seen below.

Punjab United Matchday Programme 2025_26 vs Bearsted FC (Kent Senior Trophy).pdf

Download PDF • 15.80MB

Our Opponents:

Bearsted have a very strong start to the season as they find themselves with 38 points and sitting in 3rd place.

This is a stark difference in performance compared to their 24/25 season where they finished the season with just 48 points, they are now projected to beat that with a final tally of up to 65 points.

In terms of recent results, Bearsted's last game was against Tunbridge Wells and a late goal from Billy Lewins rescued a point for The Bears. A 1-1 draw against Kennington was before their last game against Tunbridge with despite being ahead from Billy Lewins again, a late goal from Rajan Sahni rescued a point for Kennington.

In terms of standout players recently on form, Billy Lewins has scored two in his last two games securing points for Bearsted.

History:

Bearsted Football Club played its first competitive match in 1895, a 0–2 defeat against Bower F.C., and was based on Bearsted Green for over 100 years. After the First World War, the Club reached the Maidstone Hospital Cup Final on three occasions, winning once, and enjoyed further success in the late 1920s and early 1930s, winning Division Two three times.

Despite on-field success, inadequate facilities at Bearsted Green restricted progress, leading to relocation in 1998 to Honey Lane, Otham. Shortly after, the Club achieved Senior status and reached the Kent Senior Cup semi-final in 1999/2000, followed by another final appearance in 2006/07.

Bearsted has operated a thriving youth and junior section since 1978, now running teams from Under 7 to Under 18, alongside a development school for ages 5–8. The Club achieved FA Charter Standard status in 2006, receiving the National Award at Old Trafford.

The Club was a founding member of the Kent Invicta League in 2011/12 and, following promotion in 2016, entered the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division, finishing 12th in its first season. Bearsted made its FA Cup debut in 2017, recording its first FA Cup win in 2018/19, and reaching the last 32 of the FA Vase.

In April 2024, Bearsted welcomed back former player Alessia Russo, now of Arsenal and England, who supported the Club’s future facility development plans. The Club finished 7th in the SCEFL Premier Division in 2023/24, followed by 12th in 2024/25.

Getting There:

The nearest train station to Punjab United is Gravesend. You can then either get the bus which takes 30 minutes or get a taxi from the station which takes 11 minutes.

The Steve Cook Stadium

Dunkirk Close

Gravesend

Kent

DA12 5ND

Extra Information:

The Steve Cook Stadium will be opening at 1:30pm, with many products on offer from simple soft drinks to beers. The Punjab Cafe will also be open and offer food and drink.

In terms of disabled parking, it is crucial that anybody who requires it, contacts the Punjab team via email (punjabutdfc@gmail.com). Parking may be busy and can fill quickly, if you do decide to park around residential areas, please be mindful and respectful of residents.

Adults £8

Concessions £5

U16's Free

How to follow the game:

There will be live updates during the game on Punjab's’ Twitter / X page.

A post-match interview with the gaffer will also be posted on our YouTube channel and other social media platforms after the game.

Written by Ben Brown