Match Report (8th/9th Oct)
All of HC Knole Park’s teams were in fine form this weekend as the Women’s 1st team won 9-0, the Women’s 2nd team won 5-0 and the Men’s 1st team drew 3-3 and all five of HC Knole Park’s junior teams progressed in the England Hockey Cup, including a first-time entry for the U16 Boys!
The Women’s 1st team were once again in scintillating form as they hit nine unanswered goals against Sevenoaks 4s to stay top of the league. Biba opened the scoring with a cracking backhand strike. Aurelia made it two after a superb run by Alessia. Lottie then scored twice either side of Phoebe’s strike after good work from Alessia once again. The second half was more of the same as Knole Park peppered the Sevenoaks goalkeeper. Annabel scored after Lottie dribbled through, before Phoebe scored her second after an excellent run by Jess. Annabel completed her hat-trick from the spot, whilst Lottie’s hat-trick came from another sublime solo effort to round off a brilliant 9-0 win. The Women's 1st team stay top of the league.
The Men’s 1st team travelled down to Dover to play early front runners in the league, Deal 1st team. Deal were on it from the first whistle and caught Knole Park napping. Two very early goals spelt danger for Knole Park. However, the game settled, and Duncan pulled one back with a backhand strike into the roof of the netting. Michel then drew Knole Park level from close range just before half-time. Isaac put Knole Park into the lead after converting one of his mazy runs, but as the game ended, Deal managed to sneak a soft equaliser much to the frustration of the travelling side, and 3-3 it finished.
The Women’s 2nd team received a 5-0 walkover from K Sports 2s.
The U18A Girls were absolutely brilliant in their very tough first round encounter with Wimbledon. With both sides feature numerous England players it was a game to savour. The start was very tense as both sides had opportunities. The sublime skills and finishing from Annabel opened the scoring for Knole Park, and it remained 1-0 at the break.
The second half was one of the finest U18 Girls performances ever! Josefina scored two quick goals after two outstanding runs, before two penalty corner strikes from Lottie and Charlotte gave the girls a 5-0 lead. Two more from Annabel meant that Annabel had completed her second hat-trick of the weekend after good work from Amelie and Lottie respectively for each goal. Lottie, Phoebe, and Jess then combined for the goal of the game as Aurelia netted from close range to seal the match and an 8-0 win.
The U16A Girls were drawn against Canterbury. The girls got off to an excellent start and were 2-0 up at the break with goals from Isla & Summer. A goal immediately after half-time from Summer gave the girls a comfortable 3-0 lead, before Isla made it 4-0. Bella finished off the scoring and capped an excellent 5-0 win.
The U16B Girls travelled to Blackheath where they were simply awesome! Captain Kammy was superb as she led by example throughout. Goals from Amie G (2), Elsa (2), Annie, Isabel, Jasmine and Kammy.
The U14A Girls also travelled to Canterbury and experienced a much closer match. Captain Evie W was however on great form as she assisted both Knole Park goals in a 2-1 win. Georgie and Erin were the scorers.
The U16A Boys beat Sevenoaks 4-1 in the EH Cup too. This was the first time Knole Park have entered the U16 Boys competition, so this was always going to be a very tough assignment. But the boys were brilliant from start to finish as they created chances, defended well, and scored goals! Two goals from Oscar, one from James, and one from Isaac gave the boys from Knole Park a historic win!
Which means that all the Knole Park junior teams have qualified for the Cup competitions! The U14A and U16A Girls will have an opportunity to defend the titles they won last season too.
Next weekend, the Men’s 1s travel to Sevenoaks, whilst the Women’s 1s host Gore Court in a top of the table clash. The Women’s 2s host Holcombe 5s. In the junior section the U18A Girls have received a walkover from Sevenoaks, whilst the U16B Girls host Epsom. The U14A Girls travel to Woking, the U14B girls to Ashford, and the U16A Boys host Folkestone looking to build on last weekend’s successes!