Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Defeat of rivals lifts hopes
Canterbury Men
Canterbury kept alive their hopes of beating the drop in the National Premier Division with a 4-2 win at fellow strugglers Cannock on Sunday.
Craig Boyne put the city club ahead inside seven minutes and although Thomas Morris levelled just two minutes later, Tom Butt made it 2-1 to the visitors on 14 minutes.
Boyne’s fellow Aussie Josh Pollard converted a penalty corner just before the half-hour to give Canterbury breathing space and Ross GilhamJones added a fourth midway through the second half, before Peter Jackson’s penalty corner consolation in the dying seconds.
The 2nds remain on course for the London Premier Division title – edging a 3-2 win against Surbiton 2nds, while the rock-bottom Pilgrims ran out 12- 0 winners against Sevenoaks 2nds in South League Kent/ Sussex Regional 1.
A depleted Canterbury 3rds were pipped 3-2 at Brighton & Hove 2nds in Regional 2.
They went ahead when Max Shilling fired the ball into the D for Rich Wade to deflect the opening goal and thought they had doubled their lead only for Oli Kent’s reverse stick shot to be ruled out.
The scores were level just before the break when a Paul Crane aerial pass was intercepted.
A short corner after half-time and a deflection off Wade made it 3-1, although Shilling slotted a late consolation.
The 4ths wasted several chances and had to settle for a 5-5 draw against Maidstone
2nds in Kent Area Division 1.
There was a hat-trick for Hare with singles from Hammond and Mathews.
The Millers went down 2-1 at Blackheath 3rds in Division 2.
After a goalless first-half, which Canterbury began strongly, they conceded two quick goals meaning Dave Sharp’s close-range finish was in vain.
The 5ths’ six-game unbeaten run ended as they went down by the only goal at New Beccehamian 2nds in Kent Open Premier B, while the Griffins were beaten 5-1 at home to title-chasing Tunbridge Wells Vets in Premier C.
Stephen Ratcliff fired the only Canterbury goal, between the keeper’s legs but it was a mere consolation.
The Squires beat BBHC 3rds 5- 0 in Division 1, while the Friars drew 2-2 at Maidstone 5ths in Division 3.
James Cox broke the deadlock after 20 minutes and although the hosts soon levelled, Dave Upton snatched the lead back after Dan Jakeman’s fine run down the right.
However, the Maidstone equaliser arrived deep into added time at the end of the game from a disputed short corner.