Lost 6-3
Scorers: Ben Young, Thomas Degiovanni, Mack Crawford
MoM: Harrison Patching-Scott
DoD: Dom Curtiss
With thanks to team sponsor M1 http://www.canterburyhockeyclub.co.uk/patrons
It was a long away day for Canterbury as we travelled down to Exeter to face a strong university side. Despite the 6–3 scoreline, the game was far more competitive than it suggests, with both teams creating plenty of chances throughout. We started quickly, matching Exeter’s intensity and moving the ball well across the pitch. Our efforts were rewarded in the 29th minute when Will Upton ran through the middle of the pitch winning a penalty stroke. Ben Young calmly converted to bring us level. Confidence was building, and shortly before halftime, Thomas Degiovanni found the back of the net in the 32nd minute, giving us real momentum going into the break. The first half ended 2-2 with all to play for in the second half.
The second half was an open affair, with Exeter beginning to take control in spells. We kept fighting, but a yellow card in the 53rd minute made things harder as Exeter capitalised on the extra space. Still, we kept pushing forward, and in the 60th minute, Mack Crawford scored a well-deserved goal to keep us in touch.
In the end, Exeter’s attacking power proved too much as they added to their tally late on, sealing a 6–3 victory. Despite the loss, there were plenty of positives to take — strong attacking play, solid teamwork, and the determination to keep fighting right to the final whistle.