Double hat-trick tonic
Ryan Robinson, plus some unorthodox goalkeeping from man-of-the-match Stewart Young before pulling a goal back from a penalty flick.
Comeback hopes were ended by four goals in 14 minutes with Mitchell first to complete his hat-trick, quickly followed by Kirkham.
Mitchell might have added a fourth but hurtled into the onrushing keeper and fell to the ground.
Sutton Valence 2nds are once again outright leaders in Kent Open Premier B after securing a 2-1 victory at title rivals Blackheath & Elthamians Heathens.
Valence weathered an early storm before taking the lead when a well-worked move was finished by Chris Sheldon. Both teams had chances although man-of-the-match Finlay Wishart was the busier of the two goalies, keeping the lead intact at half-time. Blackheath punished a defensive error 10 minutes into the second half but vital saves from Wishart denied them a second, while Valence also defended numerous short corners before scoring a late winner with a goal-of-the-season contender.
Chris Stille kept the ball in play, finding Sheldon who dribbled towards the D and set up Tom Willson, whose stick wizardry gave Valence a 2-1 victory.
Sutton Valence 3rds drew 1-1 with in-form Old Williamsonians in Kent Open Division 3. Valence started well and opened the scoring from a short corner with Rob Cockayne finishing from close range.
Old Wills levelled from a short corner in the second half after a powerful strike evaded the runners, the goalkeeper and the man on the post.
Valence continued to press, showing glimpses of the good form they’ve enjoyed this season, but couldn’t find a winner.
Sutton Valence veterans produced a disappointing performance in a 3-2 defeat by Wallington in the Southern Counties Conference.
They dominated the first quarter but lacked firepower and conceded twice.
Valence continued to press and on 30 minutes, Stephen Wickham picked up a cross from Nigel Bardsley, ran into the D and clipped the ball past the keeper.
Charlie Worsfold had a goal ruled out from John Dinnis’ hit, the ball striking his foot, and Wallington looked to have sealed the game when confusion in the box led to an easy third. Valence didn’t give up and scored their second when Dinnis’ hard strike from outside the D was turned in by a fine deflection, at full stretch, from man-of-the-match Stephen Wickham.
Injury-hit Maidstone ladies lost 3-2 at St Albans 2nds in the East Premier Division on Saturday.
The hosts made a lucky breakthrough when a short corner took a deflection off a Maidstone player.
A great solo run by Susie
Rowe saw her run the length of the pitch and equalise on the reverse.
But St Albans continued to pile on the pressure and, despite a number of brave saves by Becky Ward, they took a 3-1 lead.
A striding run up the left by Steph Lurshay took her into the D where some clever ball work resulted in Maidstone’s second goal
The ladies’ 3rds drew 1-1 with K Sports in Kent Division 3. K Sports converted a short corner at the start of the second half.
Maidstone levelled from their own short corner, Kathryn Goodwin pouncing on the rebound after the keeper saved Sarah Day’s strike.
Olivia Reeves was named player-of-the-match.
Nicky Bourne scored the only goal as Maidstone ladies’ 5ths won their Kent Division 5 game at Faversham. Player-of-the-match Freya Brown, usually in goal, played her part in the winner with a break from defence to the circle before passing to Tracy Murphy, who set up Bourne to sweep home.
K Sports men’s 1sts showed grit and determination in a 4-2 away win over Sevenoaks 4ths on Saturday.
Oaks led but Ben Newmarch drove forwards and found Neil Smith, who slipped in Matt Sharp for the equaliser.
Kobs had several chances before Brook Fowler’s double secured a 3-1 half-time lead in the Kent Area Division 2 game. K Sports worked the ball effectively in the second half and a quick free hit by Mike Nock forced a short corner and the chance for Fowler to complete his hat-trick.
A young Sevenoaks side pulled one back but it was Kobs’ day, with Nock pipping James Marshall, Fowler and Paul Cook to the man-of-the-match award.
K Sports men’s 5ths came from 4-2 down to draw with highflying hosts Old Bordenians. Luke Boniface slammed home the opener from Nick Shread’s pass as Kobs took an early lead but the Old Boys were 2-1 up by half-time.
Shread set up Boniface again after the break only for Bords, second in Kent Division 3, to respond with a quickfire double.
It was harsh on Kobs’ hardworking defence, including Jamie Ker, but the visitors didn’t give up and took a point with goals from James Bryer and man-of-the-match Ethan Stubley.