MAIDSTONE: penalty SaVe CRUCIal

Maidstone produced a high intensity display to beat Norwich Dragons 1- 0 in the East Women’s League, Premier Division. They created many chances putting Norwich under a lot of pressure and were unlucky to not score early on. In the second half, the visitors had an opportunity on goal when Maidstone goalkeeper Georgia Wishart kicked the ball into a Norwich player. Norwich were given a penalty stroke which was saved by Wishart. They were made to pay for that miss within seconds as the ball was played down the line and forward Claire Weddle slotted past the goalkeeper. The 2nds were beaten 4-1 by Canterbury 3rds. Despite a strong start by Maidstone, Canterbury went ahead before Maddy Coffey levelled. Player-of-the-match Vic O’Reilly did well up front for Maidstone but they were unable to capitalise and Canterbury led 3-1 at the break before scoring again in the second half. The 3rds draw 0- 0 at Anchorians 2nds. Both teams had chances but good work from goalkeeper Laura Gregory kept Anchs at bay, Helena Scott was named player-of-the-match. The men’s 1sts won their Kent/ Sussex Regional 1 opener 5-1 at Sevenoaks 2nds. New captain Jimmy Christmas led a strong team against youthful opposition. Maidstone’s opener came from a penalty corner, man-of-thematch Steve Marks was twice denied before Mike Smith volleyed into the top corner. Two counter attacks led to goals as Joe Martin set up Marks to score into an open net. The second led to a penalty corner which player-coach Richard Turner converted. After the break, Sevenoaks pulled one back when Martin was dispossessed on the top of his own circle. But Andy Turner ensured the momentum went back to Maidstone, converting after good work by Will Ostler and Richard Turner. Joe Broadbent rounded off the scoring as Maidstone made a bright start with Chris Howson and Zach Quinn both impressing at 1st XI level. Maidstone host Marden Russets on Sunday (1.30pm) in the first round of the new England Hockey Championship Second Tier. Maidstone: Darren Marchant, Mike Smith, Matt Emery, Jamie Graham, Phil Morrison, Jimmy Christmas, Steve Marks, Joe Martin, Will Ostler, Chris Howson, Joe Broadbent, Andy Turner, Zach Quinn, Richard Turner.

EAST WOMEN’S LEAGUE Results: Premier Division: Maidstone 1 Norwich Dragons 0, Old Loughts 1 West Herts 2, Sevenoaks 2nds 1 Wapping 2, Canterbury 2nds 3 St Albans 2nds 1, Cambridge Uni 0 Ipswich 2, Cambridge City 2nds 2 City of Peterborough 1. Division 1 South: Brom & Becks 5 Bishop’s Stortford 1, Broxbourne 7 Folkestone 0, Burnt Ash 3 Holcombe A 1, Chelmsford 2nds 1 Tunbridge Wells 3, Crostyx 5 Upminster 2, East London 2 Old Loughts 2nds 0. Fixtures: Premier Division: West Herts v Sevenoaks 2nds, Wapping v Canterbury 2nds, St Albans 2nds v Cambridge Uni, Ipswich v Cambridge City 2nds, City of Peterborough v Norwich Dragons, Maidstone v Old Loughts. Division 1 South: Folkestone v Burnt Ash, Holcombe A v Chelmsford 2nds, Tunbridge Wells v Crostyx, Upminster v East London, Old Loughts 2nds v Bishop’s Stortford, Brom & Becks v Broxbourne.

KENT WOMEN’S LEAGUE Results: Premier Division: Old Bordenian 1 Cliftonville 1, Sevenoaks 4ths 0 Old Williamsonians 1, Bromley & Beckenham 3rds 2 Marden Russets 6, Maidstone 2nds 1 Canterbury 3rds 4, BBHC 4 Kings Alleyns 3, Blackheath & Elthamians 4 Folkestone Optimist 0. Division 3: GoreCourt 2nds 1 K Sports 0, Univ of Kent 6 Bromley and Beckenham 5ths 1, Tunbridge Wells 4ths 4 Burnt Ash 4ths 2, Gillingham Anchorians 2nds 0 Maidstone 3rds 0, Folkestone Optimist 3rds 1 Herne Bay 2nds 1, New Beccehamian 2nds 1 Sevenoaks 6ths 1. Fixtures: Premier Division: Cliftonville v Bromley and Beckenham 3rds, Kings Alleyns Ladies v Sevenoaks 4ths, Folkestone Optimist 2nds v BBHC, Marden Russets v Blackheath & Elthamians, Canterbury 3rds v Old Bordenian, Old Williamsonians v Maidstone 2nds. Division 3: Maidstone 3rds v Gore Court 2nds, Burnt Ash 4ths v Gillingham Anchorians 2nds, Bromley and Beckenham 5ths v Tunbridge Wells 4ths, Sevenoaks 6ths v Folkestone Optimist 3rds, K Sports v New Beccehamian 2nds, Herne Bay 2nds v University of Kent.

MEN’S SOUTH LEAGUE REGIONAL Results: Kent/Sussex 1: Eastbourne 8 Lewes 4, Folkestone 1 Burnt Ash 3, Gore Court 0 Old Bordenians 2, Holcombe A 6 Worthing 0, Sevenoaks 2nds 1 Maidstone 5. Kent Open Premier B: Burnt Ash 4ths 1 Burnt Ash 3rds 0, K Sports 7 Gore Court 4ths 0, Sevenoaks 6ths 2 Old Williamsonians 3rds 1, Canterbury 5ths 2 Tunbridge Wells 3rds 2, Old Bordenian 3rds 3 Holcombe 4ths 2, Tunbridge Wells Vets 2 Blackheath & Elthamians Heathens 1. Fixtures: Kent/Sussex 1: Burnt Ash v Sevenoaks 2nds, Lewes v Folkestone, Maidstone v Holcombe 2nds, Old Bordenians v Eastbourne, Sutton Valence v Gore Court, Worthing v Brighton & Hove 2nds. Kent Open Premier B: Burnt Ash 3rds v Tunbridge Wells Vets, Tunbridge Wells 3rds v Burnt Ash 4ths, Holcombe 4ths v Canterbury 5ths, Old Williamsonians 3rds v K Sports, Blackheath & Elthamians Heathens v Sevenoaks 6ths, Gore Court 4ths v Old Bordenian 3rds.