Leaders hold sway in top-of-the-table clash
Marden
Marden men’s 1sts lost 3-2 at Ashford in a top-of-the-table Kent/Sussex Regional 2 game. Russets trailed from a short corner on Saturday but a swift counter-attack led to the equaliser with Ben Errington finishing Ben Bardsley’s cross. Leaders Ashford opened up a 3-1 advantage before Bardsley converted a short corner with a clever deflection. The men’s 2nds marked their first appearance on the new pitches at Maidstone Road with a 4-1 win over Gravesham & Wellcome in Kent Open Premier A. Russets, now three points clear at the top, absorbed early pressure and led 2- 0 at the break with Ian Tipples and Dom Barber scoring from penalty corners. Tipples extended the lead following excellent build-up by Zak Osborn and Max Moen, and Osborn sealed victory after following up a penalty corner. The dominant men’s 3rds won 6-3 at Gillingham Anchorians in Kent Division 1. Russets trailed early on but soon equalised and were well on top playing their new formation. Alex Newman’s speed and the skills of Ali Newman proved too much for Anchorians, while Tom Brandreth, Andrew Hues, Nick Burdge and Callum Roberts defended well. The men’s 4ths played the firstever match at Marden’s new pitches. They started well but lost 6-2 to Kent Division 2 leaders Gravesham & Wellcome. Russets were two down when Clive Baxter scored the first Marden goal at the new ground, converting after good work from Lindsay Hancox and Julian Haswell. Man-of-thematch Baxter doubled his tally following a determined run by Grant Rousseau. It’s six defeats in seven games for Marden ladies’ 1sts in the Kent Premier Division. They lost 3-1 to King’s & Alleyn’s back at the old pitches. Ewan Hendry scored a hat-trick as K Sports men’s 1sts beat Canterbury 7-3 in Kent Open Premier B on Saturday. James Clarkely’s deflection and two good finishes from Hendry made it 3-1 at half-time. Matt Sharp’s sublime finish and a Ben Newmarch goal extended the lead before Hendry smashed home his third. Mike Nock completed the scoring with a powerful back-hand shot from the top of the D. The ladies’ 1sts drew 2-2 with University of Kent in Kent Division 3. Kobs trailed but debutant Kayleigh Smith finished Jo Fowler’s cross and Sharon McAllan gave them a 2-1 lead on the rebound from Karen Swinson’s free hit, only for the students to level. Kerry Jacks’ flick put Russets ahead but they conceded on the break and were 3-1 down early in the second half from a penalty stroke and a short corner. Marden ladies’ 2nds dropped to fourth in Kent Division 4 following a 5-3 defeat at Gravesend. Two goals from Sian Price and another from Thara Brunt saw Russets hit back from two down to lead but Gravesend levelled before half-time. Russets took control in the second half but couldn’t take their chances with Gravesend scoring twice on the break. Amanda Payne Cook was playerof-the-match. The ladies’ 3rds drew 3-3 with Gillingham Anchorians in Kent Division 5 and were unlucky not to win. Maisie Mileham scored two good goals and the third was a fine reverse hit with her back to goal by newcomer Sara Sharp. Novice Sally Streeten did well in defence and was voted player-ofthe-match.