Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Fightback proves to be in vain
CANTERBURY skipper Michael Farrer was philosophical after his side saw their top-four chances in National Premier Division dented by a 6-5 defeat at Loughborough Students on Sunday. The hosts raced 3-0 up inside 25 minutes and although Farrer pulled one back within a minute, it was 5-1 to Loughborough two minutes after half-time. A Liam Foster deflection and a Farrer penalty corner reduced the deficit but the hosts added a sixth on the break six minutes from time. Canterbury responded by replacing their keeper with kicking-back Andrew Dunn and two goals in three minutes from Nat Joy and Foster set up a grandstand finale, although the visitors could not find an unlikely equaliser in the dying seconds. Farrer said: “It was a disappointing start. You can’t afford to give away three goals and that is what ultimately cost us. Our preparations were disrupted a bit by the weather and we were a bit rusty. “The second half was a lot more encouraging and we did come good, which bodes well for the next game.” Canterbury stayed second but are 10 points behind leaders Beeston and only five ahead of fifth-placed Surbiton, who they host on Sunday (12.45pm). Farrer said: “We had a close game earlier in the season and we won 2-1, although we deserved to lose. We’ll be going all-out to win and hopefully (third and fourth-placed) Cannock and Loughborough will draw in their game.” Canterbury: Allberry, Balsdon, Browne, Dunn, Farrer, Foster, Gilham-Jones, Goodman, Hudson, Joy, Laslett, Mathews, Richford, Stevens, Stubbings, Teixeira.