Kentish Express Ashford & District
Palmer treble helps set up perfect start
Hockey
Meopham 2 Ashford 2nds 0, Gillingham Anchorians 2 Blackheath & Elthamians 2nds 2, Herne Bay 11 Gravesend 2, Holcombe 2nds 2 Burnt Ash (Bexley) 2nds 2, Sevenoaks 5ths 0 Sevenoaks Acorns 6.
Dartford 0 New Beccehamians 7, Ashford 3rds 6 Deal 0, Cliftonville 2nds 0 Old Williamsonians 2nds 8, Bexleyheath & Belvedere 2nds 1 Tunbridge Wells 3rds 5, Burnt Ash (Bexley) 3rds 0 Holcombe 3rds 0. Ashford v Basildon, Gore Court v Redbridge & Ilford, Canterbury 2nds A v Havering, Sevenoaks 3rds v Tunbridge Wells 2nds, Brentwood v Southend & Benfleet, Brom & Becks 2nds v Waltham Forest .
Ashford 2nds v Herne Bay, Bromley and Beckenham 4ths v Holcombe 2nds, Gravesend v Sevenoaks 5ths, Kings Alleyns 2nds v Blackheath & Elthamians 2nds, Sevenoaks Acorns v Gillingham Anchorians, Burnt Ash (Bexley) 2nds v Meopham.
New Beccehamian v Cliftonville 2nds, Deal v Burnt Ash (Bexley) 3rds, Edenbridge v Bexleyheath & Belvedere 2nds, Tunbridge Wells 3rds v Ashford 3rds, Old Williamsonians 2nds v Canterbury 3rds A, Holcombe 3rds v Dartford. Ashford Ladies 3rds made an impressive start to their Kent Women’s League, Division 2 season with a 6-0 home win over Deal 1sts at Ball Lane on Saturday.
Ashford fielded a balanced side with a strong blend of senior players mixed with a great bunch of juniors.
Only two goals separated the teams at half-time but it was the superior fitness of Ashford’s youngsters which took its toll in the second 35 minutes.
Debs Gurr had an excellent game in goal but player-of-the-match was Tess Palmer, who scored a hat trick.
Lucy Grayson scored twice, with Amelia Wright adding the other. The 3rds are away to Tunbridge 3rds on Saturday. Ashford 1sts launch their East League, Division 2 South East campaign at home to Basildon on Saturday.