Men’s 3s Match reports

A pleasant 16:00 pushback (which actually turned into a 16:15 start) saw the 3s take on Burnt Ash at Avery Hill. With a very short warm-up and a pitch resembling more of a slip-and-slide than a hockey surface, the game began with plenty of end-to-end action.

Burnt Ash earned an early short corner, but a big save kept them out and inspired a quick attacking response from us. After some good passing around the D, the ball found Jacob—back for his first game—and he finished nicely to put us 1–0 up.

Burnt Ash responded strongly and soon equalised on the break, with Dixie unfortunately unable to clear the ball off the line. They continued to push hard and added two more goals before half time, along with several other chances, to make it 3–1 at the break.

The half-time team talk focused on keeping our heads, increasing the pace of play and tightening up our marking going into the second half.

Burnt Ash continued in much the same fashion after the restart, applying pressure with overloads and long passes to try and create more chances. Some excellent saves and defensive blocks helped keep them at bay for a while. DJ put in some outstanding defensive work, throwing his body on the line several times to stop their number 48—whose stick clearly didn’t seem to have a “pass mode”—from unleashing his powerful shot.

Matt also deserves a mention, seemingly playing in almost every position on the pitch at some point during the game.

Unfortunately, Burnt Ash continued to dominate possession and eventually added four more goals to make the final score 7–1. We did create a few chances of our own, but Ash were simply too strong on the day and always seemed to have an extra man available.

Thanks to Dixie for stepping up and to Jacob for his first game back.

Player of the Match: Darren for some excellent saves, just edging out Matt and DJ.

Trying to take the positives from this one — we managed to get a team out despite lots being unavailable, so a big thank you to Wookie for stepping in at the last minute.

Folkestone started strongly, moving the ball well and putting us under pressure early on. The early pushback seemed to take us a little time to adjust to, and while we created a few opportunities of our own, Folkestone were clinical — scoring from the top of the D before adding another well-taken finish to send us into half time 2–0 down.

There was plenty of chatter at the break, lots of views shared and clear improvements identified. The second half began with us facing an uphill battle — both on the scoreboard and on the pitch.

Both sides won short corners, but good saves and clearances kept the scoreline from stretching too quickly. Folkestone added a third from a rebound off a short corner. They thought they had another in controversial fashion while the umpire hadn’t initially noticed their keeper without a helmet — but after a review it was ruled out (I’ll take special mention for my reaction to the lack of an earlier whistle).

Despite sustained pressure, including a flying save across goal followed by three saves in quick succession, we couldn’t keep them out forever. Folkestone eventually made it 4–0 with a powerful finish, before adding a fifth through an individual run down the line that was squeezed in at the near post.

I took Player of the Match — it didn’t make me much happier — but overall, it simply wasn’t our day.

We have a week off now before a late trip to Burnt Ash on 7th March.

We reset and go again.

A Valentine’s trip to K Sports hoping for three points as a gift.

K Sports started strong and won a flick. Sensing no confidence from the taker, I didn’t move — he rolled it straight to my feet. Plan executed perfectly.

DJ went off injured, Oli pushed up, and Robin’s passing from the back created Ben’s opener. Jamie added another.

Second half began well with a well-worked short for 3–0. A wobble saw K Sports pull one back.

Matt smashed one from the top of the D for 4–1. K Sports grabbed another after a turnover, but we held on for 4–2.

A bloody lovely win — with a few wobbles.

Player: Robin

Special: Me (for the flick save)

On to Folkestone next week.

Happy Valentine’s ❤️

Final score 4–0, but it doesn’t tell the full story.

With illness and unavailability, Dixie stepped into the backline and James Z returned to the bench.

Holcs applied early pressure and eventually won a short corner. A diving save kept it out initially, but after several more shorts they mixed it up and slipped it to the back post to make it 1–0.

There followed:

• A big reaction save

• A save before being run over

• Four saves in a row

Half-time came at 1–0.

A reshuffle saw versatile Matt drop into centre mid and Roger move up top. We created chances, but Holcs added a second from a short and a third from a tidy finish.

James Z looked like he’d never been away, and Ben forced a strong save from their keeper.

Holcs rounded things off with a deflected fourth.

Plenty of positives to take into K Sports next week.

Player: Darren (for numerous saves), narrowly beating Matt.

The 3s travelled to Old Wills on the back of a win last week, and the game started with good end-to-end play. Old Wills took the lead from a short corner, finishing an overload just over the shoulder.

This didn’t disrupt our flow, and we continued to push, creating a chance for Jamie to level the score. The game remained end to end, but just before the half-time whistle Old Wills scored again after an initial save left two attackers free to pass into an empty net.

The second half began with Old Wills on top, but some positional changes helped to slow their momentum. However, continued pressure led to a mistimed challenge, a yellow card, and a penalty flick. Despite going the right way, I couldn’t get enough on it and the score moved to 3–1. Old Wills then added another goal via an unfortunate deflection.

We earned several short corners but couldn’t find the net. Old Wills were awarded another penalty flick after a coming together — had the player not already been on a yellow, it may have only been a short corner. Same outcome again: right way, but not enough on it.

The game ended 5–1. Frustration all round, but there were positives to take. Player of the match went to Braedon, just ahead of Jamie and Mason. We go again next week at home to Holcombe.

An early afternoon start against Sutton Valence, looking to avenge the 6–1 loss at their place. We welcomed Roger Knight back into the side to add some experience, but the game didn’t start as we’d hoped, with Valence scoring twice while we found our feet.

We didn’t crumble. We reset and went again, with a great break down the wing from Mason, who played the ball into the D for Sam to convert. There were several more runs and chances, followed by a great break from the back finished superbly by Matt to level the game.

We pushed on, and Ben finished at the near post to give us a 3–2 lead at half-time. Valence came back strongly in the second half and scored twice to regain the lead, but once again we didn’t give up. Roger finished from a well-worked short-corner routine to level things up.

We continued to press, and Lucky produced a great finish. There was plenty of drama and chances at both ends, but we grabbed the final goal through Ben with another excellent finish. We then held on for a 6–5 win.

A great performance and a huge team effort. Player of the match went to Robin, but it could easily have gone to anyone — everyone played their part. We go to Old Wills next week.

Our first game of 2026 for the Men’s 3s came after last week’s cancellation — and a slightly chaotic start, with Blackheath turning up in white and a quick save from Nigel providing bibs, as they didn’t like the idea of shirts and skins.

The game started at a fast pace, with Blackheath attacking in numbers. They maintained this pressure throughout the first half, scoring four goals, which could have been more without some good saves and last-ditch defending.

After a team talk, we added an extra defender, which worked well for about 15 minutes. Sadly, Blackheath scored on the break and continued to apply pressure. With rust showing after the long Christmas break and tired legs creeping in, they continued to overload and, despite more saves and defensive blocks, added several more goals.

In the second half we did create a couple of chances and earned a few short corners, but it wasn’t to be. The game ended 9–0.

Player of the match went to me for some good saves — although I feel I could have done more, and both Oli and Robin also played really well. We knew it would be a tough season, and while it’s easy to feel sorry for ourselves, we need to focus on the positives and push on. We go again next week against Sutton Valence.

A short hop to Holcombe for a late start in our final game of the year. The game began with end-to-end play. Holcombe made some strong runs to earn the first short corner, which was well defended. We weathered the storm and made runs of our own through Matt and Robin, but sadly couldn’t find the net.

Holcombe scored first with a pass across goal that slipped through the legs. We responded well and won a short corner, which Jamie expertly converted to level the score at 1–1 going into the break.

Unfortunately, the second half didn’t start well, with Holcombe breaking down the wing. Although the initial attack was defended, they reacted quickest to the rebound and scored through a crowd of players. Once again, the game became end to end, with several short corners for both sides. We applied plenty of pressure and created good chances.

Sadly, we received a yellow card and Holcombe came again. Despite the pressure, we couldn’t find an equaliser. The match ended in a 2–1 loss, but there were plenty of positives to take.

Player of the match went to Robin for an excellent defensive performance, making some great challenges and runs. Cheyne gets a special mention for his yellow card. We head to K Sports in the new year — results not quite where we want them, but lots of positives to build on.

The 3s welcomed top-of-the-table Canterbury today. Preparation during the week was a bit like the hokey-cokey, with players changing all week, but we started with 11 thanks to Roger stepping in.

The game began at a fast pace, with Canterbury creating a few chances — although they made me look good by shooting straight at me when clear. We also had chances but narrowly missed the target on a few occasions.

Canterbury earned a short corner and, after an initial save, thought they had scored, but a foot in the build-up was spotted by the eagle-eyed umpires. Half-time arrived after a really positive first half and a good team talk.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with chances at both ends. Unfortunately, Canterbury scored from a deflection at the back post. We didn’t give up and created opportunities, with Sam and Toddler unable to finish. As we pushed higher, gaps appeared and this led to two more Canterbury goals.

We continued to press but couldn’t convert. Canterbury finished the game with a couple of chances from a late short corner, but thanks to a block and a stick save they couldn’t add a fourth.

Despite the scoreline, the effort and performance from everyone should be something to be proud of. Each week we are improving. Player of the match went to Robin, who is growing in confidence and settling well into the 3s.

We go to Holcombe next week, hoping to end the year with a win. Thanks to Matt and Paul for umpiring today.

So, what can I say about our away game at Marden for the 3s? With Roger Knight making a comeback as a sub — and a good off-pitch warm-up after being given only three minutes on the pitch — the game started well, with chances at both ends.

A diving save prevented an early goal for Marden, and we grew from that moment, moving the ball excellently with crisp passing. This led to a short corner, with the pull going around in the D for Jamie to finish well. We had a few more shorts and breakaways, and Sam then took advantage of a break to slot the ball past the keeper.

The second half started with what felt like a different Marden side, pressing hard and creating chances. They took one to make it 2–1. We had opportunities to put the game to bed but couldn’t convert, and with tired legs Marden created more chances. They won a short corner, Oli received a debatable green card, which disrupted our defensive setup, and Marden equalised late to make it 2–2.

You’d think this would feel like a disappointing end, but there were so many positives from this game — the best we’ve played so far — that it feels like a win. Next week we welcome top-of-the-league Canterbury; if we play like this, who knows what could happen?

Player of the match went to Robin for some great defensive work.

Jamie gets a special mention… for forgetting (or not forgetting) his socks.

The Men’s 3s hosted Burnt Ash today, and Burnt Ash were definitely more fire than Ash — a very strong side who put us under real pressure.

In the first half, both teams had chances, but Ash took the lead from a short corner. We earned a short of our own, which then turned into a penalty flick. Jamie stepped up, but sadly it didn’t go in (no idea what happened — couldn’t watch!).

Ash used that as a boost and broke through our defence twice more to make it 3–0 at half-time.

A positive team talk got us going again, but chasing the game is always tough and leaves gaps. Ash exploited these well, forcing several diving saves and dealing with multiple 1-on-0 situations. They found the net a few more times — two good finishes and a couple of overload goals — making it 7–0 by the end.

There were positives: Tony’s debut went well, Oli commanded the back line, and plenty of others stood out. We need to remember we’re only one league below the 2s — it was never going to be easy. Mistakes will be punished, and they happen.

Special: Callum (for forgotten clothing)

Player of the Match: Darren (with Oli just missing out)

We go again next week away to Marden.

The 3s welcomed Folkestone for the last game of the day on a very wintery afternoon at Anchorians.

The game started well with some end-to-end play, but Folkestone began to push on and earned a few short corners, which Rich dealt with brilliantly on the near post. They continued to create chances, but some strong saves and clearances kept them out. We carved out a few opportunities of our own but were blocked by their defence.

A chance at the near post forced a good save, but Folkestone then attacked the D again and managed to slip the ball in to take the lead.

After a positive team talk, we went again and had the better of the play, but the final touch just wouldn’t come. A big hit into the D deflected off Chey and went wide. Folkestone then doubled their lead with a deflection.

We pressed well, and Mason finished nicely to bring it back to 2–1. We pushed on, which left a few gaps at the back, but strong defending prevented further chances. However, Folkestone grabbed a third against the run of play from a short corner — one that really should have been saved.

We had a few more chances, but the game ended 3–1 to Folkestone.

Lots of positives to take — shame there’s a week off now.

Player of the Match: Mason

Special: Sam (get well soon!)

A short trip to Holcombe, and onto the posh pitch, with Robin and Dan stepping up to support the 3s. The game started at a good pace, and although we struggled to find our feet early on, both teams largely cancelled each other out.

Holcs had the majority of possession, and from that pressure they scored with a cross-goal pass and a neat tip-in. We went again with a few chances and short corners, but got a bit too excited and left a player high — who managed to slot it past our diving keeper to make it 2–0.

After a strong team talk, the second half was much better. We created chances and saw very little action in our own end. We had a few shots and forced some good saves from their keeper, but Holcs came again and scored from a short corner which Matt was unable to keep out.

Holcs had a few more chances, but thanks to some solid saves, they couldn’t find another way through.

Special mention went to Callum for his small aerials, and Players of the Match were Matt K and Robin.

A 3–0 loss, but plenty of positives to take — with a few minor tweaks, the results will surely come. A week off now, then we welcome Folkestone!

Well, the saying “a game of two halves” would sadly be the best way to start this report. The 3s started so well with fast-flowing play, quick ball movement, and all the magic triangles Sam had spoken about in the team talk. It was great to watch — but sadly, it was all Swedish and no Finnish.

Old Wills put some pressure on at the end of the half, but up until then it was all Anchorians.

A positive team talk followed, along with a warning that we needed to stay careful. It turned out to be a true warning, as Old Wills started the second half strongly with a few chances. They then earned a short corner, which seemed to take forever — once, twice, three times they tried to take it, but each time there was encroachment or a pre-whistle. Sadly, on the fourth attempt, after an initial save, they managed to score.

We pushed on, but the wind was out of our sails after that goal. Old Wills had a few more chances — some good saves kept us in it — but they eventually found another way through to make it 2–0.

We went again and had a few chances, but it just wasn’t our day. Lots of positives though — the best hockey we’ve played in the first half this season. Matt K got player of the match for doing a great job as a makeshift right-back. Callum got “special mention” for forgetting his socks.

We go again at Holcombe next week.

3s travelled to a windy Sutton Valence looking to recover from last week's result.

With lots of early exchanges, Sutton took the lead from a short which Nigel almost stopped.

We had a few opportunities on their goal before Sutton scored 2 more to make it 3-0 at half time.

The half started well but Sutton pushed on and over loaded in the D to score a couple before we could get any opportunities. They would go on to grab another after a few deflections and clearances in the D. We managed to get a goal back from James Twigg after a short corner that he put away. We might have got a second, but the umpire and his whistle was just before the ball went over. No VAR unfortunately, so 6-1 is was.

Oli got player and Sam special for not having the balls but having the balls...

We move on to home to Old Wills next week.

Well, the 3s travelled to Blackheath today with the “hockey cokey” squad as, all week, players have been in and out so the squad was shaken all about.

The team started with a bare 11 and people playing out of position, but held the score at 0-0 for 20 minutes, before going into half time 2-0 down.

A half time team talk and a welcome break for the 11 before the second half started.

With tired legs and one reinforcement arriving on the bench, we battled hard but ended the game losing 6-0.

We go again next week away to Sutton Valence.

Well, 1st game of the real season and back to a 442. Matt Knowler slotting in at right back, Mason back in the middle, dual Twiggs upfront.

The game started well with a few opportunities for us but not quite enough to get a goal. Against the run of play, K Sports scored which served as a wake up call.

Enter the play, Dave from the bench to create a few chances then a finish to make it 1-1 , then he set up Braedon for 2-1 then he finished a in close deflection for 3-1.

After a very positive team talk, K Sports came out hard - lots of end to end plays with a lob over the top and a first time finish gave K Sports some hope at 3-2 but then we went again with James scoring to make it 4-1, Dave got another - 5-1, hard work from Mason and DJ created a chance for for Braedon which he finished with the 2nd attempt 6-1. Before, of course, Dave got his 4th to make it 7-2.

Mason got player and Callum special for forgetting his mask.

Well a new season, a new formation and a good away team sadly ended with a 2 goal half time we had a few opportunities and a few good saves and clearances were made .

A half time chat and the 2nd half started well , unfortunately against the run of play they scored and as legs tired they got 2 more . Some good performances with Matt getting player of the game. We move onto the 1st game of the season next week and k sports