Men’s 1st XI v Gillingham Anchorians 1
Words: Dan Mees
Oppo:Gillingham Anchorians 1, Away
Final Score: W 8-0
Goalscorers: Isaac Dilkes (4), Dan Vinson (2), Harry Harrison, Ned Naisbitt
Cliftonville Men’s 1s travelled to Gillingham — a side long considered a bogey team for Ville away from home — determined to put that record straight. Coming off a draw against the team Gillingham had beaten, the visitors knew they had a point to prove.
The first half followed a familiar pattern: Ville applying all the pressure but unable to find the finishing touch for the opening 20 minutes. Oscar picked up a green card for persistent hassle of the Gillingham left-back, but even with a man down Cliftonville continued to dominate. The breakthrough finally came via Isaac Dilkes, rifling home from a short corner. Soon after, disciplined pressing forced a Gillingham mistake, and a slick one-two between Dan Vinson and Oscar took the ball around the last defender and keeper to double the lead. 2–0 at the break.
Then the floodgates opened. Dilkes struck again from another short corner — a set piece that had troubled Ville in previous visits but now looked clinical. From a broken Gillingham short corner, Ned recovered the ball deep in his own half, beat three pressing players with dazzling skill, making the Gillingham players dizzy, switched play, and continued his run to be rewarded with a textbook goal. Any coach would have been proud.
Dilkes wasn’t done, adding his third from yet another short corner. Ville then produced a goal straight out of a Barcelona tiki-taka highlight reel: pass after pass, move after move, eventually finished by Harry at the back post. The visitors were in full control, playing some of their best hockey of the season.
The pace didn’t drop. Isaac worked the baseline, Harry’s dummy sent the keeper low, and Vinson lifted home his second of the game. At 7–0, the job looked complete — but there was still time for one more. Captain Mees fired a shot from the edge of the D that was destined for goal, but Dilkes got the final touch to claim his fourth of the night.
Final score: 8–0. Cliftonville’s biggest win of the season, and a statement performance against a side that had so often caused them trouble away from home.
Men’s 2nd XI v Sevenoaks 6
Words: James Perks
Oppo: Sevenoaks 6, Home
Final Score: W 6-1
Goalscorers: James Perks (3), Adam Sidders (2), David Hooper
Photo: Centenary flag presented to Sevenoaks Captain by David Hooper.
Two wins in our last two games, another win was required today to stay in touch with the three teams ahead of us in the league.
Despite a really positive start to the game from Cliftonville, out of nowhere 10 minutes in, we happened to find ourselves 1-0 down against Sevenoaks. Not ideal but we had been playing some great stuff so no need to panic. Within 5 minutes we were back level, Simon picked the ball up on the left wing drove into the D and fizzed the ball towards the p spot and Perks deflected it into the far corner past the keeper. 1-1. Wasn’t long before Ville took the lead. This time it was Will who whipped a ball in from just outside the D and on his reverse Perks deflected it into the same corner past the keeper. 2-1.
Ville continued to press and looked dangerous.
Hoops picked up the ball outside the 23 and drove with it, suddenly we had a 3 on 1. He slipped it to Perks at the top of the D bypassing the defender, Perks then found Sidders on the post who tucked it away to make it 3-1 at the break.
More of the same was demanded in the half time team talk, let’s take it to them again and put this game to bed.
Ville continued to dominate proceedings and 10 minutes into the 2nd half went 4-1 up. Simon again from the left fizzed the ball in, Perks with his back to goal let it go past him and then managed to drag it back and divert it past the keeper for his hat trick. This was followed up with Sidders getting on the scoresheet again, keeper made a save which found Sidders who made no mistake with a well taken finish with a reverse stick shot past the keeper. 5-1 Ville. Ville weren’t done yet! Westie played a long corner sideways to JB who found an open Hoops in the D who calmly slotted it past the keeper on the diagonal to make it 6-1. A great TEAM performance, every single person played their part today. Hughes – sorry don’t remember you having to do anything – which is a good thing! The back 3 of Dave W, Seb/Max and Matt were solid – transferring the ball well round the back and whenever a Sevenoaks attacking player managed to receive the ball, they didnt have it for very long!The defensive midfield duo of JB and Westie controlled the game brilliantly, intercepting when needed and then forming the attacks well. The attacking midfield trio of Will, Hoops and Simon were relentless all afternoon, bags of energy and creativity. All either scoring or getting an assist.
5 goals between the front two of Perks and Sidders who made it a very uncomfortable afternoon for the Sevenoaks back line, hustling them from start to finish.
Two games left before the Xmas break and 6 points up for grabs.
MOTM – Perks – hat trick hero
DOD – Definitely not Sidders.
WOMEN’S 2nd XI vs Marden Russets 5
Words: Cheryl Macer
Oppo: Marden Russets 5, Away
Final Score: L 1-4
Goalscorers: Cat Doherty
Cliftonville Women’s 2s hit the road early for an away fixture at league leaders Marden 5s, facing a bitterly cold winter morning and an opposition boasting a formidable record: eight wins from eight, with zero goals conceded all season.
Despite the odds, Cliftonville opened brightly, pressing high and unsettling Marden’s usually composed back line. Marden hit their first goal on the 8th minute, against the run of play. Ville’s early intensity showed promise, but frustration began to creep in as a series of umpiring decisions went against them; most notably when Tracy had to duck a dangerous ball and nothing was called. Marden capitalised, finding the net twice more before the break and demonstrating why they sit comfortably at the top of the table.
A constructive and motivating half-time talk from Julie reset Cliftonville’s mindset. The team came out with renewed energy, sharper connections, and belief. Just three minutes into the second half, a brilliant passage of teamwork carved out an opportunity for Cat, who finished with a clinical reverse strike to finally breach Marden’s season-long clean sheet—an achievement in itself.
The remainder of the match was fast-paced and end-to-end, with Cliftonville fighting for every ball. In the final minute, the Russets found a fourth goal, sealing a 4–1 win, but Cliftonville walked off proud of their resilience, their improved second-half performance, and the fact they were the first team to score against the league leaders.
Woman of the Match: Kerry – outstanding work rate and impact.
Donkey of the Day: Julie – for the small matter of losing her car keys!
A tough result, but a performance full of spirit, teamwork, and character.
MEN’S 3RD XI v Herne Bay 5 Development
Words: Aron Walker
Oppo: Herne Bay 5 Development, Away
Final Score: W4-3
Goalscorers: Rob Macer (2), Alex Austerberry, Aron Walker
Cliftonville 3s produced a spirited performance to claim a dramatic 4–3 victory away at Herne Bay in a match that had everything: goals, comebacks, and a nail-biting finish.
The visitors started brightly, dominating possession and creating a flurry of chances in the opening exchanges. Cliftonville’s first goal came from a well-drilled short corner routine. Rob Macer stepped up and executed perfectly, firing home from a left slip to give the visitors an early advantage. But Herne Bay’s resilience showed as they equalised and then snatched the lead, 2–1 before the break, leaving Cliftonville with work to do in the second half.
After the restart, Cliftonville came out with renewed energy and intent with some great team play that Herne Bay could not match. Their pressure paid off quickly when Rob Macer grabbed his second of the day, latching onto a neat assist from Kit Perdeaux and smashing a strike from the top of the D to level the scores. The momentum swung firmly in Cliftonville’s favour as Alex Austerberry made it 3–2, cleverly deflecting a well-struck ball from the right-hand edge of the circle past the keeper. The goal was a testament to sharp reactions and excellent team play.
Cliftonville still were not done and got a 4th thanks to Aron Walker, who picked up the ball in midfield, drove forward, beating two defenders before calmly slotting low into the bottom-right corner beyond the advancing keeper. At 4–2, Cliftonville looked in control, but Herne Bay weren’t finished yet. A late strike made it 4–3 and set up a tense finale, with the home side throwing everything forward in search of an equaliser.
Cliftonville’s defence stood tall under immense pressure in the closing stages. Ed and Jude were immense at the back, making crucial tackles and interceptions to preserve the lead. This was a game that showcased Cliftonville’s attacking flair and resilience. Despite early frustrations, they found a way to win and demonstrated real character on the road. A fantastic team effort and a statement victory, Cliftonville 3s march on!
FIXTURES – 29th November 2025
Home – Water Pitch
12:15 W2 v Holcombe 5
16:00 M1 v Blackheath & Elthamian 2
Home – Sand Pitch
16:00 M3 v Gore Court 6 Development
Away
11:15 W1 v Canterbury 4
16:00 M2 v Bexleyheath & Belvedere 2
