MAIDSTONE:

Maidstone maintained their perfect start to the Kent/ Sussex Regional 1 season with a 5- 0 defeat of Gore Court.

They broke the deadlock with a Matt Emery strike from a short corner before debutant Will Elgar set up Joe Martin to double the lead by half-time.

Phil King’s shot was then turned in by Elgar, Andy Turner scored the fourth and Martin grabbed his second by striking the ball on his reverse.

The ladies’ 1sts fielded a new 3- 4-3 formation but were well beaten by Canterbury 2nds in the East League Premier Division.

Maidstone held their own early on, with Catherine Broadbent and Lizzie Daniels controlling the midfield. Becky Ward – in the Maidstone goal for the first time this season – made several fine saves.

It wasn’t long, however, until Canterbury got on the scoresheet, breaking the deadlock with a short corner routine – the first of four first-half goals.

In the second half, breaks into the Canterbury D allowed forwards Katie Gibbons and Laura Jackson opportunities on goal, culminating in Gibbons netting with a first-time strike. Rachael Ferguson’s shot from a short corner at the top of the D took a huge deflection to make it 5-2 but Canterbury scored twice more to round off their victory.

In the Kent Premier Division, the ladies’ 2nds took advantage of a cross that was deflected by the keeper and secured on the rebound by Emily Bush to lead against Bromley and Beckenham.

Victoria O’Reilly scored a second after the break with a tap-in following a dribble into the D from player-of-the-match Rehannah Houghton-Judge.

Maidstone’s Jen Duggan then crossed from the right for Brogan Cummins to convert and Claire Daniels’ perfectlyplaced finish rounded off a 4- 0 victory.

The ladies’ 4ths met Herne Bay 3rds for the first time since both were promoted last season.

It was Maidstone who dominated the Kent Division 4 game, with some well-worked attacks rewarded with a debut goal for Belinda Wienrich.

Maidstone maintained the pressure in the second half, making victory safe when Nicky Bourne met Nicky Coomansingh’s cross.

In a strong team performance, goalkeeper Nic Davies was named player-of-the-match. Ashford ........... 6 4 2 0 24 10 14