Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Work to do in the new year
Canterbury men
Canterbury will finish the first half of the season in the bottom two of Division 1 South after losing 5-0 at home to Havant in their last league game before the winter break.
The first quarter was dominated by Havant who scored through Manuel Silvetti from a turnover after seven minutes.
A more even contest in the second quarter was undone by two quick goals from Atiq Arshad and Michael DellerMerricks to give the visitors a 3-0 lead at half-time.
Canterbury created chances through Louis Ridge on the wing but were unable to convert their opportunities. Havant wrapped up the scoring with further goals from Silvetti and Miguel Rodrigues to seal a well deserved victory. The defeat – Canterbury’s seventh of the season – left them on seven points from their opening 10 games . Bottom club Fareham have five, with Oxford just ahead of Canterbury on goal difference
Canterbury 2nds won 4-1 away at bottom side Horsham.
Captain Andrew Dunn opened the scoring before Richard Keir scored his seventh of the season from a short corner.
A well worked counter attack was finished off by Ollie Weston before halftime. Tom Oberg scored the fourth goal to send Canterbury 2nds fourth in the standings.
Matt Lea was the star of the show for Canterbury 3rds scoring all six goals in their 6-0 win at Holcombe 4ths.
Lea converted two penalty corners before Ed Matthews found him un-marked to complete a 10-minute hat-trick.
Captain Lea then converted two penalty flicks and another penalty corner to push his side nine points clear at the top of the league table.
The Millers were impressive in a 4-2 victory at home against Deal.
A fast paced start saw four goals in the first 20 minutes with the away side taking the lead.
Millers were back in front through Ollie Neal and a short corner from Thomas. Neal’s second of the game and a goal from Hurlow sealed the win. Squires had to settle for a 1-1 draw against bottom of the league Holcombe 6ths.
Edward Lampard levelled the score for the Squires after they had fallen behind. Clever play between James Curtis, Max Sherhod and Lampard led to the goal and a share of the points.
Friars lost a friendly match 5-3 at Old Bordenian 5ths.
John Aikin produced a brilliant hattrick with some clever assists from John Ratcliffe but the defensive performance was below par.