MEN’S 1ST XI
Oppo: Canterbury 4, Home
Final Score: Match Abandoned. Frozen Pitch
WOMEN’S 1ST XI
Words: Kat O’Hara
Oppo: Blackheath & Elthamians W3, Home
Final Score: W 3-0
Goalscorers: Lucie Fish, Kat O’Hara, Vicki Bates
This week was a chilly return from a long Christmas break and the ladies were pleased to see the return of resident woodchopper, Anna.
Despite the freezing air, the girls took to the pitch with determination, ready to take on the first game of 2026. We put pressure on early and were threatening in the attacking D yet a goal was just out of reach.
At last, a short corner was won and Jen lethally attacked the goal which was saved by the keeper but Lucie wasn’t having any of this nonsense – she took a fierce deflection and smashed the ball into the goal. 1-0. Now, Cliftonville was fired up and ready for more. Despite multiple intense attacks, opportunities were missed and the half time whistle was called.
The second half began and the girls upped their intensity even further. With great crosses and drives up the pitch, we finally achieved our second goal from an unusually calm and collected hit from Kat. The threat continued through the second half and despite two defensive shorts being awarded against us, our keeper Emmelia was yet to touch the ball. Before long, Vicki added another goal to the scoreboard, leaving Cliftonville 3-0 up.
A great game in the January weather saw freezing hands, chattering teeth and a ball snap in half, but the team were pleased to leave the pitch with a well-deserved win.
Player of the match: Bella
MEN’S 2ND XI
Words: James Perks
Oppo: Gillingham Anchorians 2, Away
Final Score: D 1-1
Goalscorers: James Perks
Time to blow away the cobwebs after 35 days since our last outing. After 5 wins on the trot before Xmas, Cliftonville were in good form but faced a tough game against Anchorians who were hot on our heels. Despite beating them 3-0 in the first game of the season they too have had a good run up until the break.
In freezing conditions and an unfavourable fixture away in Gillingham at 3.30pm, 13 of us made the trip there. What had worked very well for Ville pre-Xmas was a fast, high tempo start and that was demanded again.
Ville started the game well and found themselves one goal to the good just after ten minutes when Simon drove down the left flank and drilled a ball across the D and found Perks who tucked it away. 1-0 Ville. A few minutes later Perks found himself in the book and was forced to sit out for two minutes.
Anchorians were awarded a number of short corners but the Ville defence dealt with them all with brilliantly with clearances off the line by defenders and Hughes making some good saves.
Ville went into the break 1-0 ahead and despite a decent half from us, Anchorians were more than up for it.
Halfway through the 2nd half after what must have been their 12th short corner of the afternoon, Anchorians eventually made one count, taking advantage of Cliftonville going down to 3 defenders following an early break, with a deflected effort to make it 1-1.
Ville dug in deep to close out the game and played the last few with ten men after the skipper was shown a yellow following an exchange of colourful words with the opposing forward.
A decent point in the end having not created much to shout about in the 2nd half. Ville’s defence stood firm and Dave W in particular was outstanding at the back and a worthy winner of MOTM. Our downfall last season was the post Xmas break when we didn’t pick up a point in the whole of January, so to come away from a hard-fought game with a point was an improvement from last year.
DOD went to Archie, not only did he turn up in a rival tracksuit he also kicked the ball more than he hit it .
Next week another tough game, this time against Maidstone who are just a point ahead of us.
WOMEN’S 2ND XI
Oppo: Dartford 2, Away
Final Score: Match Postponed – Weather Warning in place
MEN’S 3RD XI
Oppo: Canterbury 10 Development, Away
Final Score: L 4-6
Goalscorers: Asa Foster-Troy, Alex Austerberry, Aron Walker (2)
