Lost 3-1
Scorers: Prebble
MoM: Sampo
DoD: Harmer
With thanks to team sponsor M1 http://www.canterburyhockeyclub.co.uk/patrons
Canterbury 1 – 3 Havant
Another tough day at the office as the men’s 1s had 14 on the day due to multiple injuries and illnesses, however this did not dampen the spirit of those on the pitch as they came out guns blazing and leading by example, the Maltese skipper won a corner within the first minute of the game after winning the ball back and a strong carry down the baseline. Still building on their game plan, creating a number of chances and winning corners but a similar pattern followed where the opposition managed to capitalise on our mistakes as they slotted a corner low into the goal making it 1-0 before the break.
Knowing that we were well in the contest a strong half time team talk re-energised the group and came out firing in the second half as we won a stroke within the first minutes thanks to some lovely skill from our Aussie Mr Sampson. Unfortunately we weren’t able to capitalise on the opportunity but the green and white saw it as an opening and put further pressure on the Havant defence winning a number of other corners but yet again failing to capitalise on this.
Against the run of play Havant scored another corner again low and hard into the goal making it 2-0.
Feeling disheartened but still knowing that there was still plenty of time left to go. Canterbury set back into their game plan and started building some real pressure on the opposition with some high transfer and created some great opportunities.
A moment of quick thinking saw Harmer capitalise on a free hit just outside the D as he carried onto his backhand and played it across the goal where Prebble deflected the ball into the net making it 2-1, which felt like a moment of relief.
The green and white continued pushing for an equaliser to the end but were caught on the break and Havant put the game to bed as they scored a third in the dying moments of the game.
Thanks to all those that came up and supported, we go again next week during presidents day.