Lost 5-1
Scorers: Bean
MoM: Richford
DoD: Griffiths
The second Saturday 18:30 Polo Farm push back in a row served up what promised to be an intense counter between the men’s first team and a former player/coach in Kwan Browne’s Southgate.
The fast start was evident and Southgate took the lead from a quick counter attack and cross. Southgate’s high press disrupted the flowing Hockey Canterbury are used to and we struggled to get into the game. The game ebbed and flowed to the end of the first quarter and allowed the teams to get some much needed oxygen and the supportive crowd to get another pint of Polo lager.
Early in the second quarter Southgate took their chance to extend their lead after Chris Rea parried away a short corner and was unable to make the double save from the rebound with Southgate being the quickest to react. Canterbury reacted well and grew into the game and seemed to dominate the remainder of the quarter with plenty of ‘D’ entries and short corners, of which one was converted by the tall, lanky, engine room of midfield Tom Bean.
The second half team talk was positive, the team were growing into the game and felt it was there for the taking. Sadly, if VAR was available, the penalty flick given for a foot at a short corner after an on the line save would not have been given, however, VAR is unavailable and we have accepted the apology from the umpires after a post match video review. This incident ended the third quarter and left Canterbury an all or nothing approach to the final quarter to get something from the game.
Another ex Canterbury player, Teague, decided he would pick our midfields pocket and run a fair distance and score a fairly tidy goal, at this point Canterbury, ex-Canterbury players and with VAR, the men’s first team were winning, sadly the score line reflected was 1-4 against. Cards and apologetic umpires continued to the final whistle and Southgate scored another to end the match 1-5. Southgate deserved the victory, by 4 goals seems harsh but the first team are keen to work hard at training and get back to winning ways at home, 18:30 on Saturday 15th October under the lights at Polo Farm against Essex based Old Loughtonians Hockey Club.
Thank you as always for the support before and after the game, it genuinely means the everything for the team and there is a lot of optimism regarding the squads potential. This Saturday sees the annual Octoberfest social after, so please plan your journeys accordingly and stay for some celebrations and fund raising for the club.