MEN’S 1ST XI
Words: Dan Mees
Sutton Valence1, Away
Final Score: W 6-2
Goalscorers: Isaac Dilkes (2), Josh Tutton, Dan Vinson, Harry Harrison.
Cliftonville Men’s 1s were back on the road, this time to the picturesque Sutton Valence – and they wasted no time making their mark.
Despite Sutton having the pushback, Harry won a short corner within the first minute, setting the tone. Isaac Dilkes stepped up and whipped a straight strike past the keeper to open the scoring. Minutes later, another short corner and another goal – this time Josh slotting home. The dream start continued when Dan Vinson popped up at the back post to finish off a pinpoint ball from Ned. Three goals in the blink of an eye.
Sutton Valence, to their credit, clawed one back and the game tightened up. The midfield battle intensified, but Ville broke through again with Harry calmly flicking the ball past the keeper after a slick assist from brother Tom, pure sibling chemistry. 4–1 at the break.
The second half began just like the first, with Ned popping up in the D to extend the lead. Sutton earned a short corner up the other end, which led to a yellow card and a penalty flick. It was a golden chance, and Jamie’s big glove nearly made the save but the effort squeezed past. Ville weathered the pressure and went back to full strength and responded with one final goal – Dilkes grabbing his second of the game to seal a 6–1 win.
A statement away performance from Cliftonville against a solid Sutton Valence side.
WOMEN’S 1ST XI
Words: Kat O’Hara
Gillingham Anchorians 1, Home
Final Score D 0-0
Another 4pm pushback saw the Ladies 1s take on Gillingham under the floodlights at home. This was our most anticipated game of the season with Gillingham sitting top of the table, separated from us by a mere three goals.
Without captain Haz to keep us in check and multiple players out of position, it fell to Kat to hype up the team. Cliftonville put up a good fight, holding Gillingham 0-0 despite their multiple short corner chances. Goalie Emmelia and the defensive team were not letting anything in that goal. The centre of the field was strong and the power of CDM Lucie was a significant threat. Some great drives from Bella up the wing put Gillingham under pressure and several second-half short corners really had them sweating but sadly nothing came to fruition. As the end of the game neared, tension built and saw Leanne get particularly feisty.
The final whistle blew, an end to our toughest game yet, but a 0-0 draw was enough for us this dark November night. We look forward to meeting Gillingham again later in the season and this time introducing ourselves to their scoreboard.
MEN’S 2ND XI
Words: James Perks
Gravesham & Wellcome 2, Home
Final Score W 4-1
Goalscorers: James Perks, Dave Walkom, Jonathan Kay, Jack Sweeney-MacQueen
Three games without a win and a tough fixture awaited us against Gravesham & Wellcome, who sit top of the table and undefeated this season.
Following on from last week’s post-match analysis and a recap of that pre match, you could see Ville were up for the fight.
Ville came flying out of the blocks and were playing some sublime hockey, on the odd occasion the opposition did get the ball a Ville player was on him like a flash forcing them into errors.
10 minutes in and we took the lead, a well worked move saw Hooper on the baseline fizz it across to Perks who neatly finished 1st time into the far corner.
Wasn’t long before we scored again, Hoops with another little mazy run managed to reverse flick it past the keeper to make it 2-0.
A third came soon after too, this time Hoops found Jack at the far post who slotted home.
We weren’t done yet. Johnathan made it 4 nil at the break.
A phenomenal 1st half against the league leaders who had been completely played off the park. The message was clear, if we can score 4 in one half so could they! Nothing silly, keep the work rate up and let’s get the job done!!
2nd half Ville dug in, stuck to the game plan and despite conceding one goal ran out comfortable winners 4-1.
The best hockey we have played as a team, even the opposition said we were by far the best team they had played against. Every single person played their part today, going forward we looked dangerous, defensively we looked solid and when we didn’t have the ball we didn’t make it easy for them. Lovely to have Mr Taylor back too after a year out, not that you would have known it!
A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon spent with friends in the November sunshine.
WOMEN’S 2ND XI
Words: Cheryl Macer
Photo: Cat Doherty
Burnt Ash (Bexley) 5, Away
Final Score D 1-1
Goalscorers: Cat Doherty
A slow start saw Cliftonville go 1–0 down early on, and that’s how it stayed going into half-time. After the break, the team came out fighting – piling on the pressure and winning a string of short corners. The hard work finally paid off when Cat slotted home after some great build-up play to make it 1–1!
Ville kept pushing right to the final whistle, but despite plenty of chances, the score stayed level.
Woman of the Match: Sara – for her nonstop running and great play down the right wing!
Final score: 1–1 draw – a solid team effort and lots of positives to take forward!
MEN’S 3RD XI
Words: Noah Soames
Burnt Ash (Bexley) 7 Development, Away
Final Score W 4-1
Goalscorers: Dylan Walker (2), Alex Austerberry, Noah Soames
After a long travel up the line towards the big smoke, Ville were looking to continue their brilliant run of form. The long travel didn’t help with the preparation, neither did a surface which was not common to the travelling side. With a shortened warm up and a minute’s silence, Ville felt a bit out-of-sorts getting the game going.
That’s all the excuses out of the way, let’s play hockey. A cagey, unsettled start, and the away team were finding it difficult to get into their groove. The first twenty minutes were about learning the pitch and Ville needed to get this sloppy play out of their system. Ville’s captain showed a change of confidence, driving forward to the edge of the ‘D’, Aron then played a peach of a pass to find Dylan at the back post, who tapped it home for 1-0. A goal out of nothing, which is generous for their stodgy play. Quickly after a series of attacking threats, Burnt Ash quickly responded with a goal. A frustrating goal to concede was not what the visitors needed. Despite this, there were still minutes left in the first half to get back on top. Ville utilised these minutes well as a chance fell for Dylan who found himself 1 on 1 with the keeper, dribbled past the padded player and placed it in the net. Ville led once again.
With some tactical changes after an unsettled first-half, Ville were ready to put it beyond the home side. A quick start for the visitors gave many of the Cliftonville players chances early in the half. Alex found a pocket of space right of the ‘D’s centre and took a reverse slice shot into the bottom right corner. A brilliant goal, and a brilliant start of the second half. Some great midfield pressing from Ollie, Elliot and Alex spelled danger for the home team. Not long after the goal, Ville were getting into their stride and looking for more. Aron drilled a sweet pass to Noah inside the left of the ‘D’ who pushed it first time, through the keeper’s legs. Ville were now 4 goals to1 up. Burnt Ash got their heads together and created a series of chances. Some strong tracking from Ville’s wingbacks and defence made it difficult for the home team to cross the line. A bunch of good saves from Villes’ keeper Martin, kept Burnt Ash from getting back into the match. Villes midfield held the ball well and pressed again. The chances came but the travelling side couldn’t squeeze any more to add to the tally. Ville eventually managed to see out the game with their heads held high. A tough ground to play at but they got the job done and took home another 3 points. ‘Up The Ville’.
THIS WEEK:
Home Matches
12:15 W2 v Canterbury 5
13:00 M3 v K-Sports Cobdown 3 Development (Sand Pitch)
16:00 M1 v Sittingbourne 2
Away Matches
12:00 M2 v Old Williamsonian 4
13:15 W1 v Gravesend 1
