Men show winning mentality

Canterbury 4 Brooklands MU 2

CANTERBURY men’s 1st team marked their return to the EHL Premier Division with a 4-2 victory over fellow newlypromoted Brooklands MU on Saturday.

Having already played 12 matches in an intense preseason schedule, Canterbury were well prepared for whatever Brooklands could throw at them.

However, the visitors looked dangerous in the opening minutes and could have taken the lead with a shot that went inches wide.

This seemed to spur Canterbury into action and they started to create chances of their own which led to Liam Foster converting with five minutes played.

Canterbury then dominated the rest of the first half.

The constant pressure led to numerous penalty corners and dangerous balls flashing past the post but it wasn’t until the 31st minute that Kwan Browne converted a drag flick to give Canterbury a two-goal cushion heading into the break.

Brooklands MU came out in more determined mood for the second half and they rocked Canterbury by scoring twice in five minutes through Samuel French and Nick Giles.

Canterbury, however, regrouped and began playing to their strengths, playing the ball out wide and using the pace of Stuart Goodman and new signing Harwinder Chima to put Brooklands MU on the back foot again.

A mistrapped penalty corner resulted in an unorthodox manoeuvre which led to Devohn Teixeira volleying home from the penalty spot to restore Canterbury’s lead.

Then, a minute later, Isaac O’Connor, celebrating both his 17th birthday and 1st XI debut, showed maturity beyond his years when he rounded the Brooklands MU goalkeeper only to be fouled and earn a penalty stroke.

David Mathews came off the bench to score and wrap up the three points for the home side.

Canterbury travel to Nottingham on Sunday to meet Beeston (2pm). Canterbury: Stubbings, Balsdon, Hudson, Laslett, Dunn, Richford, Goodman, Browne, Farrer, Stevens, Chima, Mathews, Foster, Joy, Teixeira, O’Connor.

RESULTS

ON TARGET: Playercoach Kwan Browne