Win takes side into top two
Marden
Marden Russets are up to second in Kent/ Sussex Regional 2 after a 3-2 win over Kings & Alleyns – a fitting result for their first game on the club’s new pitches.
After a frantic opening spell, Russets took the lead with a textbook snap finish by Ben Bardsley on the reverse. Kings pressed hard, though, and were clinical from their short corner routines which gave them a 2-1 lead in the second half.
It took a moment of brilliance from Sam Kemp, driving in from left-back, to find the perfectly-angled stick of Tom Edwards for the Russets equaliser.
Marden’s front runners continued to press the Kings backline into making errors, which paid dividends when a loose ball was pounced upon by Toby Savage and Sam Russell-Vick reacted quickest to bundle home.
The 2nds dropped their first points after a 4- 4 draw at Sevenoaks 5ths, although they remain top of Kent Open Premier A.
Despite taking a 2- 0 lead through James Kanzig’s superb individual goal and Max Moen’s narrow-angle flick, Russets trailed 4-2 by half-time.
They dominated the second half and John Boydell clawed a goal back at the far post before Zak Osborn scored a penalty corner equaliser against his dad’s club.
The 3rds started strongly against Gravesham & Wellcome 2nds in Kent Open Division 1, leading through a well-taken goal by Ollie Kemp.
The second half saw solid defending from Russets with Calum Roberts to the fore. Russets 4ths could not cope with an early onslaught from an experienced Maidstone 4ths side in Kent Open Division 2.
They were 4- 0 down at half-time after a first half included eight consecutive penalty corners which were well defended without conceding by keeper Ian Insley, Darrell Barber, Peter Ashenden, Matt Mitchell and Paul Hope.
The ladies’ 1sts were unfortunate to lose 2-1 at Folkestone 2nds in the Kent Premier Division.
They were caught on the break midway through the first half but equalised through Kerry Jacks after a goalmouth scramble just before half-time.
Folkestone took control after the break and went ahead with soft goal that Marden failed to clear off the line.
Rain failed to stop the ladies’ 2nds winning their first match on their new pitches 11- 0 against Kings & Alleyns 3rds in Kent Open Division 4.
Lily Locke, one of the club’s promising under-14 juniors, made her debut in goal and made two critical saves.
Sian Price scored four goals, with another junior, Maisie Mileham, claiming a hat-trick.
After too many draws, there was a deserved 4-2 home win for the ladies’ 3rds against Meopham 2nds in Kent Open Division 5.
Emma Longley, Mel Russell Vick, Sara Sharp and Lara Morrison scored while under-16 Emilia Scobbie was voted player-of-the-match.
PWD L F A Ps Eastbourne ..... 6 5 1 0 27 9 16 Lewes............. 6 5 0 1 29 14 15 Maidstone....... 5 5 0 0 17 3 15 Old Bordens .... 6 4 0 2 11 7 12 Burnt Ash........ 6 4 0 2 15 13 12 Holcombe 1A .. 6 3 0 3 20 18 9 Sevenoaks 2 ... 6 1 2 3 9 17 5 Folkestone ...... 6 1 1 4 11 19 4 Worthing ......... 6 1 1 4 11 22 4 Brighton 2....... 5 1 0 4 9 12 3 Gore Court ...... 6 1 0 5 13 28 3 Sutton Val ....... 4 0 1 3 7 17 -2 Results: Burnt Ash 2 Worthing 0, Eastbourne 5 Holcombe 1A 3, Folkestone 2 Sevenoaks 2nds 2, Lewes 6 Sutton Valence 0, Maidstone 5 Gore Court 0, Old Bordenians 1 Brighton & Hove 2nds 0. Fixtures: Brighton & Hove 2nds v Eastbourne, Gore Court v Sevenoaks 2nds, Holcombe 1A v Folkestone, Maidstone v Burnt Ash, Sutton Valence v Old Bordenians, Worthing v Lewes. Marden Russ .. 6 4 0 2 19 12 12 Kings Alleyns .. 6 4 0 2 15 8 12 Old Williams.... 6 3 1 2 12 8 10 outh Saxons .... 6 3 1 2 22 20 10 Holcombe 2 .... 6 3 0 3 11 12 9 Southwick....... 6 2 2 2 13 14 8 Folkestone 2 ... 6 2 1 3 12 18 7 Crawley .......... 6 1 3 2 18 20 6 Canterbury 3 ... 6 2 0 4 10 15 6 BBHC .............. 6 1 2 3 11 21 5 Horsham 2 ...... 6 0 2 4 8 17 2 Results: BBHC 1 Old Williamsonians 3, Canterbury Pilgrims 3 South Saxons 6, Crawley 4 Ashford 4, Holcombe 2nds 1 Folkestone 2nds 2, Horsham 2nds 2 Southwick 4, Marden Russets 3 Kings & Alleyns 2. Fixtures: Ashford v Canterbury Pilgrims, Folkestone 2nds v BBHC, Horsham 2nds v Holcombe 2nds, Kings & Alleyns v Crawley, Old Williamsonians v Marden Russets, Southwick v South Saxons. Old Borden 3... 6 6 0 0 24 11 18 T Wells Vets .... 6 4 1 1 23 14 13 Tun Wells 3..... 6 3 1 2 23 15 10