Men’s 3s Match reports

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