Weekend of the 24th/25th September
Cliftonville Men’s 1st Xi vs. Tunbridge Wells 1st Xi
2-2
Tunbridge Win 4-2 on Penalty Flicks
First competitive game back and Ville were faced with a tough game against Tunbridge from the league above in this 1st round Kent Cup fixture. On a spectacular September Sunday afternoon, Ville’s club supporters were out in mass to cheer on the top men’s side under new captained James Provins.
The game started well for Ville, dominating the play with some slick passing around the back three forcing Well’s to sit deep and soak up the pressure. Punishing a defensive error, Ville pounced and won a penalty corner. A coolly taken strike from Dan McGrath opened the scoring for Ville. This riled Tunbridge who, through a combination of more attacking play and Ville sitting deep, got a stranglehold on the game. An equally well taken penalty corner and a close range deflection meant the score line was quickly reversed and gave the away team the lead. With barely two minutes on the clock before half time, Ville won another penalty corner and up stepped McGrath once more to maintain his 100% success record to make it 2-2 going in to half time.
Prov’s words were simple; keep up the intensity and pressure. Ville took the game to Tunbridge, excellent midfield play from Westby and Potter produced opportunities to take the lead, but were halted by a Well’s keeper in good form. In a rare Tunbridge attack some poor defensive play allowed the centre forward to dribble through and secure a penalty flick after a crunching tackle from Woodward in goal. To Ville’s advantage, Tunbridge failed to convert the flick, in the following attack, Ville won a penalty corner that Dave Potter nestled in the bottom corner before being called back for an offence only seen by one umpire which left the game at two a piece at the close of normal play.
Heading straight in to penalty flicks Ville missed their first two flicks while Tunbridge scored, Ville then took their next two but so did Wells meaning they completed the flick off 4-2 and go through to the next round of the Cup.
Captain’s Comments: “Considering the level of opposition we were up against and the incredible heat I am proud of the team’s efforts today. The team played very well and we should take our on pitch success in to the weekend for our first league game.”
Burnt Ash Ladies vs. Cliftonville Ladies 1st XI
2-4 WIN
The ladies 1st XI wanted to carry on the great start to their season and add further points to their tally in the Kent Premier division, but Burnt Ash were going to be a tough opposition. They proved this with a great start to the game and within 5 minutes they had already taken the lead, with a well worked short corner.
Ville countered extremely well, and within a few minutes Ville had equalised, with Rachael Ruocco-Buchanan finishing a well worked team move.
Ville kept up the pressure on the opposition and countered again with great vision from Julie Cobb, taking a self pass and driving into the D, passing to striker Chris Russell who finished cleanly in the bottom left hand corner.
Burnt Ash kept up a fast passed game, and put Ville under constant pressure, but some determined work from the midfield broke through again attacking the D and Russell was able to take the rebound from the keepers pads, and give the away team a 3-1 lead.
Burnt Ash continued to apply pressure on the Ville defence and a loose ball from the defence allowed Burnt Ash to press through and get another goal, taking the score line a little bit close for new skippers Bella Castles liking. Calling on more determination from the team the ladies stepped up to the challenge. Some great attacking play from Jen Chapman created the opportunity for Ruocco-Buchanan to get another goal, this time on the reverse. This allowed Ville to take a 4-2 lead into the break.
Captain Bella Castle told the girls to control the game at our pace, and stay strong. The 2nd half was a slower half due to warm conditions; Ville soaked up a lot of pressure form the opposition, but held out for a 4-2 win.
Player of the match was Jen Chapman
Burnt Ash Ladies vs. Cliftonville Ladies 3rd XI
1-5 WIN
The second game of the day for Cliftonville’s Ladies section away to Burnt Ash and much like the first game, it would prove equally as successful.
Under the able direction of Vice Captain Connie Bigwood, Ville fielded a mix bag of youth and experience against a strong Burnt Ash side. Newbie Katie Knight played well in a great first half for Ville that some them three nil up, with goals from Lilly Studd, Hannah Miles and Sally Maiden.
In the second half Ville extended their lead with another goal from Lilly and one for Captain Bigwood before a slight lapse allowed Ash to grab a consolation goal to make the score 5-1 overall. A comfortable result for the Ladies 3rd XI who look to have an established team forming with an excellent balance of youth and maturity.