Men’s 1st Team secure promotion with excellent win over 3rd placed Barnes
HC Knole Park’s Men’s 1st team have secured promotion to London League Division Five for next season after seeing off third placed Barnes HC! Three goals from Duncan Parnis and single strikes from Maarten de Widt & Lars Hansen were enough to win the crucial match 5-3.
In a very open first half Knole Park took the lead through a superb individual effort from Duncan Parnis. The lead was doubled when junior star Lars Hansen scored his first senior goal for the club. Rounding the last defender, he coolly slotted the ball past the GK.
Unfortunately the positive start didn’t last, and Barnes came into the match more, scoring two well taken goals. Indeed it was Barnes who took the lead into half time was they scored on the stroke of half time.
With promotion on the cards for both teams, the second half belonged to Knole Park. Another excellent individual goal from Duncan was backed up by Maarten de Widt’s first goal for Knole Park. Adam Ward latched onto a great through ball from Indy Morris. Beating three defenders he rolled the ball to Maarten to flicked the call high into the Barnes net. Duncan then secured the win with a trademark drag flick into the bottom corner.
The full time whistle blew, and Knole Park had done it! Promoted in their first season in the men’s league! An amazing achievement from all those that have played this season. Congratulations to Rob Harrison on his first season of hockey to have played every match so far, alongside Duncan. To Jago Ongley-Dellar and Indy Morris who have been largely ever present too from a junior perspective. Finally to Adam Ward who has played through injuries to make nine appearances and score ten goals. Congratulations to Duncan who has top scored for the team so far with 52 goals. Knole Park still have three league matches to play. Next week they host HAC Sutlers, before an away and a home set of matches against second placed London Edwardians.
Willemijn Faulstich-Halsema, HC Knole Park Chair, said: “The Men’s 1st team have been a great example of what you can achieve with committed players, enthusiastic returners to hockey or new players, talented juniors and great coaching! We are so proud of what the Men’s 1st team have achieved this season and so soon into our journey as a new hockey club! Congratulation to Duncan on leading the team so positively and with so much drive, quality and passion. We look forward to supporting the team in their final few matches of the season!”