Sevenoaks welcomed Canterbury on a very sunny and mild October day at Hollybush Lane on Saturday, for the local derby between two sides who know each other well. It was also the Against Breast Cancer charity fundraiser and the team played in pink scrunchies to support a fantastic charity and help to raise funds.
It was Sevenoaks who gave the crowd something to cheer about very early in the game and the home side were 1-0 up within just two minutes of play. On the first corner of the day, a Lily Elliott strike was too much for the Canterbury post player to cope with. This was closely followed by a second goal thanks to a very calm finish from Sophie Maunder who received a pass just yards from the goal and with just the keeper to beat flicked the ball high into the net.
Just five minutes into the game, the home side were 2-0 up and Sevenoaks continued their dominance throughout the first and second quarters thanks to outstanding execution of the press, meaning Canterbury spent limited time in the Sevenoaks’ defensive half.
Canterbury came out in the third quarter and managed to claw a goal back from a short corner strike. However, an attempted comeback was short lived as Sevenoaks responded with a mazy run by Tash Brennan who then smashed an absolute rocket into the back of the goal.
Canterbury did have a couple of chances but Jo Westwood made an incredible defensive save off the line as did goalkeeper Meg James with one of the saves of the season diving to the right to make a superb stick save. Sevenoaks went on to seal the match with a fourth goal which was another powerful Lily Elliott short corner strike which the Canterbury side found difficult to manage.
Despite several late Canterbury corners, some brilliant number 1 PCD running from Sophie Crosley kept them out, and the score finished 4-1.
Overall, it was a pleasing performance in both defence and attack and Sevenoaks look forward to a trip away to Cambridge this weekend.
Player of the Match: Susie Wilson-Rowe
