MEN’S 1ST XI
Words: Dan Mees
Oppo: Old Williamsonian 2, Home
Final Score: W 5-1
Goalscorers: Harry Harrison, Dan Vinson, Isaac Dilkes.
It had arrived. The final game of the season. A home fixture against Old Williamsonians HC, with everything on the line. A win would crown Cliftonville Men’s 1s as league champions and secure promotion back to the regional league, a level the squad firmly believed they belonged in. There was also a side mission running quietly in the background: reach 100 goals for the season. Four more were needed.
As they have done so often this season, Ville started on the front foot. There was a clear eagerness to score early and set the tempo. Chances came quickly and frequently, with balls fired across the D at pace and deflections forcing the Old Wills goalkeeper into a string of impressive saves. He seemed to be having a De Gea against Arsenal type of afternoon, blocking everything that came his way. Old Wills carried a threat of their own, with several technically gifted players who could punish any overcommitment, so Cliftonville had to stay alert.
The breakthrough finally came from a short corner earned through relentless pressure in the opposition 23. Isaac Dilkes got the final touch, guiding the ball past the keeper to make it 1–0. A strong start, although Ville felt they should have added at least one more before halftime.
The second half did not begin the way Cliftonville had imagined. It felt as though the pitch had tilted, with Old Wills suddenly full of energy and momentum. They dominated possession and put Cliftonville under real pressure. If Ville wanted the win and the league title, they were going to have to work for it.
Eventually, Cliftonville weathered the storm long enough to launch a counterattack down the right. The ball was crossed to Dan Vinson in front of goal. He shifted it to his left, forcing the keeper to dive, and then reversed it into the almost empty net. Somehow the ball went not only past the keeper but straight through the net as well, causing a moment of confusion before the goal was confirmed.
Any sense of calm was short lived. Old Wills responded almost immediately, cutting the lead back to one and keeping the pressure on. A chaotic scramble in the D followed soon after, but strong defensive work and sharp reactions from Jamie kept Cliftonville ahead.
Ville eventually restored their cushion through a moment of individual brilliance from Harry. After battling through several defenders, he produced a reverse sweep into the top corner, a finish full of skill and determination.
As the game opened up, more space appeared, and Cliftonville took full advantage. Dan Vinson struck again from a tight angle, sealing the result and bringing up the long awaited 100th goal of the season. A fitting accomplishment on the 100th year of Cliftonville Hockey Club. It was not quite the end, as Old Wills attempted a pushback that went all the way to their own keeper. Under pressure, the centre back scrambled, Jack intercepted and fired home for the fifth and final goal.
Cliftonville Men’s 1s had done it. League champions, 101 goals scored and a superb season completed. It was a remarkable response to last year’s disappointment and a performance that will inspire real confidence as the team steps back into the regional league.
WOMEN’S 1ST XI
Words: Harriet Westby
Oppo: Edenbridge 1, Away
Final Score: W 3-2
Goalscorers: Harriet Westby, Lucie Fish, Vicky Bates.
What a way to finish the season. For the first time since Christmas, we had a full team and two subs. Despite the hour and a half drive we were full of energy and excitement keen to finish with a win. After a short warm and the last team talk of the season the whistle went. Edenbridge put us under pressure for the first ten minutes unfortunately after a good defensive effort Edenbridge scored just inside the post.
We kept the energy high and refused to let them dictate our game so we kept putting the ball wide and into space for wingers and forwards to run into. Harriet found herself in space just inside the oppositions D and put the ball inside the right-hand post to bring the score to 1-1. It was a tit-for-tat game and having just scored we were back in our own 23 defending again. With lots of defensive work and distribution we were in the opposition D again. Jen passed a brilliant square pass to Lucie who was calm under pressure and put the ball across the goal and just inside the far post. Giving us a 2-1 lead.
Half time was quickly upon us and after discussing keeping possession and staying calm on the ball we were back at it. We put Edenbridge under pressure and after some quick midfield work Vicky had a battle with the keeper and scored giving us a 3-1 lead. Edenbridge were quick to come back at us and despite our best efforts they scored. The rest of the game was tense and hard work.
In the glorious sunshine we were all exhausted but battling hard. With 2 minutes to go the opposition were given a short corner. The stress was high and we were desperate to hold onto our lead. The ball was put to the top of the D and hunted down by Bella who managed to tackle and clear the ball wide. The whistle went and that was the end of the season. We finished with a 3-2 win which was hard fought and well deserved. Man of the match went to Bella, Jen and Lucie for such great defensive and midfield work. A great season which was all due to a fantastic bunch of women who are both fantastic players and lovely people. See you next year!
MEN’S 2ND XI
Words: Simon Hooper
Oppo: Canterbury 7, Away
Final Score: W 5-1
Goalscorers: Seb Cox, Simon Hooper, Adam Sidders (2), Dave Hooper.
As the 2025/26 season drew to a close, the final match for the Cliftonville 2’s was an away fixture with Canterbury – a clash of age versus experience. It was a bright cool day – good conditions for a final stretch of the legs and to round things off with a strong performance.
Canterbury, fielding a very youthful team, started strong with good individual skill on the ball, probing into the Ville D several times but the defence stayed strong, repelling the attacks. Then it was Cliftonville’s time to turn up the heat. With a quick break and strength in numbers, Ville drove into the Canterbury D and after an initial save from the keeper, Seb struck home a mid-air cricket style shot into the roof of the net. 1-0. Barely 5 minutes later, Ville we back in the opposition red zone, this time Simon found himself in space and promptly flicked the ball pass the keeper with the accuracy of a professional darts player to make it 2 – 0. Ville were on a roll.
As half time approached, Max made a break down the right-hand wing, leaving multiple players in his wake. With perfectly weighted pass to Simon at the top of the D, Simon found Sidders on the post who tucked it passed the keeper to make it 3-0 at half time.
The second half lacked the energy and fizz and the first, but it wasn’t without its moments. Canterbury kept applying the pressure, desperate to pull back the scoreline, but the Ville mid field and defence stood their ground. this resulted in a number of breakaway opportunities that presented themselves. Seb found himself in open space and wound up to send the ball through the back of the net and into lower earth orbit, but unfortunately it was his stick that went further than the ball, ending up 10 metres behind him. Sidders soon made up for this with a neat little strike that slide passed the keeper – 4-0.
Dave Hooper tucked away the final goal for Ville making it 5-0 and although Canterbury did pull one back from a short corner, it was too little, too late. Cliftonville were victorious.
Many thanks to all the players and coaches that have dedicated time and effort to making this season so successful and to JB for his outstanding leadership as captain.
A strong end to strong season. Let’s do it all again next year!
WOMEN’S 2ND XI
Words: Kerry Adams
Oppo: Gravesend 2, Home
Final Score: W 1-0
Goalscorers: Julie Cobb.
Cliftonville Women’s 2s went into the final game of the season determined to win after losing 3-1 in the away fixture. Although some regular players were out due to injury Ville had a strong team of 14. Our goal keeper Elizabeth harbouring an injury, Vicki bravely stepped into goal.
Ville started strong with their first attack on goal after just a few minutes. There were lots of attacks on goal from Cat, Chloe, Sara and Tracy but Gravesend defence denied them all.
The Oppo only penetrated Ville’s D a few times but solid defending from Julie, Olga, Sally, Ineta and keeper Vicki kept the ball out of the goal.
During a short corner routine, the ball pinged up, Julie attempted an overhead shot which was stopped from crossing the line by a Gravesend body. Ville were awarded a penalty flick which Julie confidently slotted onto the bottom corner. Just before half time Cat went on a steaming run up the pitch and into the D, but was unfortunately met by Gravesend’s defence.
Half time 1-0 to Ville.
The second half saw Gravesend come out strong keeping Donna, Tracy, Kerry and Olga in midfield in their toes. With subs being managed from the sideline, we had seamless movement of players into different positions.
There were some great runs up the wings from Sara, Ineta and Freiya which resulted in some more chances for a goal. Gravesend counter-attacked hard but Ville stayed strong, with Kryssi (usually up-front) providing some vital tackles to deny the oppo any goals.
Joint woman-of-the-match went to Julie and Kerry.
The game ended in a well earnt 1-0 win which saw Cliftonville 2’s finishing 4th in the league.
Thank you to captains Cheryl and Julie for weekly organisation and inspiring half time talks.
A final word from Captain Cheryl “well done and thank you everyone for turning up week in week out.”
MEN’S 3RD XI
Words: Noah & Andy Soames
Oppo: Gravesham & Wellcome Unicorns Development, Away
Final Score: W 5-1
Goalscorers: Rob Macer (4), Dylan Walker.
Cliftonville hosted Gravesham and Wellcome in the final match of the season, a game that would be played in sunny, yet cold and windy conditions. Both teams were looking to finish the season on a high, however, would the home advantage make the difference?
Ville started like a force of nature, homing a goal within the first 20 seconds! A back post pass from skipper Aron to find Macer at the other post to put Ville in front. A huge roar from the home crowd who were loving the bright start. It was a high intensity start to the game as chances flew Ville’s way however, there was no second cushion. Counter attacking chances came to Gravesham though these fizzled out. Ville settled into their groove and opportunities came with it. Sustaining this pressure is something that had been worked on through the campaign and this time it came from a chance when Elliot drove down putting a tasty ball into the ‘D’ for Macer who needed no second invitation to tuck it away for his second; 2-0. To their credit, Gravesham were not taking this lying down and following their own press, lured the home side in giving away a short corner. A rocket of a shot was tapped in at the far post, beating and to be fair, surprising the guard on the line making it 2-1. The home side switched off for a matter of seconds and the game was back on.
Unsure how many jelly babies Macer had consumed, but following some clever link up play form Aron and Ollie winning the ball back, he stumbled round a defender and past the keeper to put Cliftonville up to 3-1 and a hat trick for Mace before the break, setting the home crowd off once more. A team talk to inspire the final half of the season the skipper didn’t give the team an inch to get comfy. ‘More work’, ‘greater intensity’, ‘show the senior players what we’re made of’, ‘make the passes count’ and ‘don’t slack off’ rang out in the break. This team knows how to play hockey and how to work hard for each other and costing home is not in the plan.
After the break, The Ville pushed on with chance after chance for Asa, Dylan, Ollie, Aron, Macer (again) but no joy. Apart from the back three, it seemed as though this goal would repel even the simplest of chances. Andy’s vocal presence with Ed, Fin and Paddy stayed strong in defence and with Archie desperate to shift the ball upfront to gift the forwards, the structure was holding strong and beginning to frustrate the visitors.
The home side were once more beating the players with the ball and connecting passes with greater fluidity and here comes their fourth. A send into the ‘D’ found Dylan who seemed to tackle Dylan, spin round Dylan and then slot the ball into the net by Dylan to make it 4-1. He dug in which broke the mini-drought and the goal tally was off again. There were moments where the youth development team held the visitors without the experienced players, who subbed themselves off, and the work which the youngsters had displayed through the season was clearly on display.
Macer, still buzzing, went back on to capitalise on this effort and once again found himself in the right place at the right time to belt one past the keeper to end it. 5-1 for a solid win and a solid season. Sights are now set on promotion and a new adventure awaits. Huge thanks for all the support and all who cry: ‘Up the Ville!!’
