Won 3-1
Scorers: Miles Boydell x2, Simon Buckingham
MoM: Miles Boydell
DoD: Christian Kortlang
With thanks to team sponsor MPil http://www.ideaworks.co.uk
A trip up the coast to Herne Bay, where the wind is brisk, the tackles are agricultural, and their goalkeeper Brad still knows all our secrets from his former life as a Pilgrim. Having already lost to them 3–2 at home earlier in the season, revenge was firmly on the menu.
Canterbury started like a team possessed. Slick passing, high tempo, and actual composure — all of which culminated in Miles Boydell opening the scoring. 1–0 to the good guys, and Brad looked mildly offended.
Herne Bay eventually dragged themselves back with an equaliser from a short corner with nine minutes later. But Canterbury responded in the only acceptable way: by scoring again. Captain Simon Buckingham, leading from the front, restored our lead in the 25th minute. 2–1 at half time.
The second half saw a noticeable shift in Herne Bay’s tactics — away from hockey and towards competitive shouting. As frustration crept in, so did the hacking, chopping, and lumberjack impersonations. Canterbury calmly won short corner after short corner… and politely declined to score from most of them.
No matter. Enter young Miles Boydell, again, popping up with our third and effectively ending the contest. 3–1 Canterbury. Cue even more Herne Bay outrage.
Tempers boiled over, Goody was shoved, a yellow card appeared… then vanished after complaints from the opposition — proof that volume is a tactic.
Final whistle: 3–1 Canterbury Pilgrims. A valuable three points from a spicy encounter, and further evidence that Canterbury are on the march.
Man of the Match: Miles Boydell for his brace of goals.
DOD: Christian Kortlang, for forgetting his shoes before a night out in Canterbury.
Thanks to Mrs Beatty, aka “The Gaffer”, for running the bench.
Next up: Gore Court at home, 12.00 start.