Keeper Cox excels as Forwood double secures victory

Herne Bay HC GOLF – PAGE 50

Herne Bay ladies 1sts ran out 4-1 winners at home to Blackheath & Old Elthamians 2nds on Saturday. Sophy Forwood’s opener was quickly followed by Lisa Watson’s strike. Blackheath pulled one back and only some great goalkeeping from playerof-the-match Jo Cox preserved the lead. Rachel Gentry scored the third from a short corner, followed by another goal from Forwood. Bay: Rachel Gentry, Jemma Edmunds, Sophy Forwood, Lucy Marks, Sharon Godden, Jo Cox, Amy Mason, Sarah Dengate, Christina Nash, Amy Coffey, Abbie Burton, Lisa Watson, Sophie Buchanan. The 2nds went down 4-0 at leaders Tunbridge Wells 4ths. Despite some good play down the wing from Lucy Barton and Amber Potter in the centre, Bay were caught out when Wells went ahead. Mary Hyland and Libby Fielder went close to an equaliser but Wells broke again to double their lead. Bay put Wells under pressure early in the second half but the hosts proved decisive on the break to score twice more. Potter and Nicola Holmes were players-of-the-match. The 3rds also struggled against leaders in their division, going down 5-0 at Blackheath & OES 3rds. The hosts raced to a five-goal lead by the break, although Bay showed their resolve and came out fighting in a goalless second half. Herne Bay men 1sts slumped to their third straight defeat, 3-2 at home to Canterbury 3rds to remain bottom. After only five minutes, Matt Lea put the visitors ahead. Bay grew into the game and were rewarded when Sam Thompson neatly finished a good move. However, just before half-time, Canterbury restored their lead. Another Lea strike made it 3-1 in the second half. Bay looked beaten but Simon NewmanCollins pulled one back. Despite missing several key players, the 2nds are top, winning 5-0 at Sevenoaks 4ths. Paul Mcvey injected a short corner cleanly to Lee Gardiner, whose goalbound effort was then turned in at close range by Mcvey. Mcvey netted again with other goals coming from Gardiner, man-of-the-match Tom Salvatori and Stuart Hume. The 3rds won 4-2 against Maidstone 3rds. After 20 minutes, James Nash’s first attempt was well saved before he poked home the rebound to put Bay ahead. Maidstone equalised five minutes later after a lapse in concentration. Five minutes into the second half, Nash’s goalbound effort was turned in by Jay Newell. Man-of-the-match Oliver Bartlett netted and Aaron Cathcart’s drag flick added the fourth before Maidstone scored a late consolation. The 4ths coasted to a 6-1 win at home to Holcombe 6ths. Bay took an early lead through Jim Wigg and Ada Hawkes doubled it with a shot from the top of the D. Man-of-the-match Steve Port was impressive in midfield and Matt Young and Chris Wood both scored twice. Jamie Newman put the 5ths ahead at Ashford 6ths from a short corner. Another short corner produced Bay’s second for Alfie Forbes before half-time. Stand-in keeper Peter Newman excelled for Bay in the second half, earning his man-of-thematch award with a string of stops. Ashford did claw one back but Bay held on to secure their first points of the season. Bay: P Newman, Wright, Pout, West, J Newman, Freeman, Collins, Hicks, Reed, Meek, Forbes, Cripps.