Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Lesser lights need attention
Canterbury men
Craig Boyne says Canterbury need to perform against the National Premier Division’s lesser teams as they do against the top clubs to secure their future in the top flight.
Canterbury came from behind four times to earn a creditable point against title-chasing Surbiton at Polo Farm on Sunday afternoon.
It made up in some way for a 2-1 defeat to Reading at Polo Farm the previous evening in a game the city club had targeted for victory in an attempt to pull clear of the bottom two and secure their survival.
Boyne said: “We’ve not lost to Surbiton at home for a few years. We showed we have got what it takes, we just now have to play to that level when we play against the lesser teams in the division.
“Surbiton are a quality side and not many teams get anything from them. It is constant building. We were coming off the second game of a double-header so it is a decent result. We looked fit and robust.” A l an Forsyth put the visitors ahead on five minutes, only for Boyne to equalise 10 minutes later. Luk e Noblett conver ted a penalty corner on 23 minutes to put the Surrey side ahead again but it was just six minutes later that Josh Pollard drew Canterbury level. Forsyth grabbed his second six minutes into the second half to make it 3-2 but Tom Bean made it 3-3 12 minutes later with a penalty corner conversion.
Forsyth completed his hat-trick just before the hour with his 19th of the season but the lead lasted just two minutes as Bean turned in his second to ensure a battling point.
Boyne added: “We showed a bit of character to come back each time.both teams could probably say they could have won it and that is testament to our boys that they could say that against a side like Surbiton.”
The previous day, Canterbury’s hopes of catching seventh-placed Reading were all but ended by a 2-1 home defeat against the Berkshire side at Polo Farm. Tom Carson put the visitors ahead just before half-time and Ben Boon made it 2- 0 on 44 minutes, leaving Pollard’s goal 10 minutes later as a mere consolation.
Boyne said: “They have quality players and took their opportunities when they came along whereas we didn’t.
“Catching Reading is now out of our hands, although it is still possible. We are only focusing on catching (third-bottom) Brooklands for now.”
Canterbury host playoff chasing Hampstead & Westminster on Saturday (6pm) and Boyne added: “They have had some mixed results. They got through the first half of the season largely on their drag flicking and defence. Maybe they have got a bit complacent.
“We are five points behind with five to play and Brooklands will be feeling the heat. If we beat Loughborough and beat them, then we’ll go ahead of them.
“They know they will need to pick up points elsewhere so if we can get something on Saturday, it puts a little extra pressure on them before they play on Sunday.”
Canterbury 2nds kept up the pace at the top of London Premier Division with a 3-1 win over Spencer at Polo Farm.
James Meakin put the hosts ahead and Richard Keir made it 2- 0 before Joe Elgar was beaten on the break before half-time but Sam Barrett made the points safe after the break.
The Pilgrims won 2-1 at Old Williamsonians in South League, Kent/sussex Regional 2. Ed Marsh hit the opener just before half-time and Thomas Degiovanni made it 2- 0 after the turnaround before the hosts pulled back a late consolation.
The 3rds went down 4-1 at Burnt Ash 2nds in South League, Kent Area Division 1, despite taking an early lead through Hugo Creaney-birch.
The 4ths won 3-2 at Blackheath 2nds in the same division, while Tim Launois scored twice and Connor Laslett got the other as the Millers beat Ashford 3rds 3- 0 in Division 2.
The 5ths were 5- 0 winners at Gore Court 4ths in Kent Open Premier B and the Griffins had a 4- 0 success against Tunbridge Wells Vets to move away from the foot of Premier C.
Matt Carey opened the scoring and debutant Ben Young made it 2- 0 before the break with Carey getting his second after half-time and completing a hat-trick late on.
The Squires lost 4-1 at Sevenoaks 6ths in Division 1, while the Friars were beaten 2-1 by Blackheath 4ths in Division 3 despite Kevin Goulden’s goal.