Kerly back with a bang but win remains elusive Canterbury Ladies

Canterbury Ladies missed the chance to bridge the gap on fellow strugglers University of Birmingham after being held to a draw at Polo Farm on Saturday. Sarah Kerly marked her return to the first team with a secondhalf equaliser but Canterbury remain bottom of the Investec Women’s National League Premier Division. Without a win after 12 matches, the city club are three points adrift nearest rivals Slough and four behind the University of Birmingham. Saturday’s game got off to a fast paced start. Good play up front from Lizzie Jenkins and Agustina Alvarez earned Canterbury early short corners but unfortunately it was Birmingham who went ahead in the ninth minute courtesy of Catherine Ledesma’s with a break away goal. Canterbury grew a little into the game helped by playmaker Eugenia Bianchi, but were unable to force an equaliser before half-time. The second half saw Canterbury start to press together and attacking with more purpose. This pressure paid off when Kerly picked up a loose ball high on the right, sailed past the defender before unleashing a trademark reverse stick shot over the advancing keeper. Canterbury continued to press forward for the winner. Aimee Plumb and Alisa Naylor were both excellent going forward but a disallowed effort from Mary Flint and another great reverse stick attempt from Alvarez that went just over the bar in the final seconds meant Canterbury had to settle for a point. Canterbury, who have now racked up five draws, are at home to Bowdon Hightown on Saturday. Start at Polo Farm is 2pm. n Canterbury 2nds failed to land a killer blow while they were on top against Spencer 2nds and had to settle for a 2-2 draw in the Higgins Group London League Premier Division.

The teams went in all-square at the break, after Hugo Creaney-birch had cancelled out Spencer’s corner opener.

Good inter-play between Adam LeeBrowne and Jamie Tritton led to Canterbury’s second, scored by LeeBrowne but hero turned villain when he was adjudged to have rabbit-punched an opponent and the visitors scored from the corner. Chris Laslett was man-ofthe-match.

Pilgrims lost to a dubious goal after they had twice led away to Kent/sussex Regional 2 leaders Ashford 1sts. Tom Hill put them ahead from a Ben Young cross, but it was level by half-time.

Zac Williams then made it 2-1 but Ashford equalised and then, after Pilgrims had been shown two yellows, grabbed the winner with an effort the visitors felt had been kicked into the net. Tom Laslett was man-of-the-match. Canterbury 3rds threw away an early 2-0 lead as they were held to a home draw by Maidstone 2nds in Kent Area Division 1.

Ed Laslett’s well-taken goal and a Morten Pedersen corner put the hosts two-up inside 15 minutes but Maidstone replied with two goals from short corners and held on despite finishing with 10.

Man- of- the- match Glenn Prebble scored four times to lead the 4ths to a 7-1 win over Deal 1sts in Kent Area Division 2. Hurst, Wacher, and Mitchell were the other marksmen.

Tyler Aitken grabbed a last-gasp winner as the Millers edged Gore Court 3rds 3-2 in Kent Area Division 2.

Aitken’s goal, his second, came with just 30 seconds remaining and rescued the home side after they had surrendered a 2-0 lead. Barry Thomas was Canterbury’s other scorer.

Squires were 3-2 victors over Old Bordenians 4ths in Kent Open Division 1, the goals coming from skipper Adam Watkins, Liam Durrant and Ethan Aitken. The 5ths were beaten 5-1 by Maidstone 3rds in Kent Open Premier B, the Griffins lost 3-2 to Sevenoaks 6ths in the same division, and the Friars went down 8-0 to New Beccehamian 2nds in Kent Open Division 3.