Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Greenwood grabs glory
Roller hockey
Herne Bay United under- 17s are celebrating another trophy after winning the National Cup final on Saturday.
The event was originally scheduled for the Bay Arena but the switch to Middlesbrough did not put United off their stride.
Having completed a regional league and cup double, HBU opened the scoring through Josh Branchett with a longrange effort that flew past the unsighted keeper.
Two minutes later, a retaken direct free hit from Lewis Greenwood doubled the lead and saw HBU dominate the first half without adding to the goal tally.
After a sending-off, keeper Rhys Young saved the resulting penalty but in the last five minutes Letchworth scored twice to level.
However, with less than two minutes left, Greenwood added to his tally to complete a 3-2 victory.
The under-15s were out of luck after letting a 2-0 half-time lead slip against Letchworth.
Goals from Ollie Hudson and George Daly helped HBU go 3-1 ahead in the second half but two late Letchworth goals took the game into golden-goal extra-time.
Letchworth’s strong play had built up a 10 team-foul count and HBU were awarded a direct free-hit.
The hit was not converted and when Letchworh regained possession, a shot was deflected past HBU’s keeper, leaving HBU to rue their missed chances.
During the medal ceremony, HBU’s Lewis Greenwood and George Daly were named the best players in their respective age groups. Under-17s: Rhys Young, Jack Thomas (gk), Lewis Greenwood (c), Josh Branchett, David Martindale, Josh Butcher, Will Parkinson Wellard, Matt Lawrie, Jamie McVey, Ollie Hudson. Under-15s: Rhys Young, Jack Thomas (gk), Jamie McVey (c), Ollie Hudson, George Daly, Luke Huckstepp, Noah Latham, Harry Slack, Cameron Lawrie.
Six HBU played have been selected for England this season: Lewis Greenwood and Eddie Mount ( world senior championships), Jocie Greenwood ( England Ladies), Josh Branchett (England under-20), Jamie McVey and Rhys Young ( England Schoolboys team).