Off the back of a tricky fixture to Burnt Ash the GW2s welcomed a Canterbury team to Gravesend who had been pushing themselves up the league table in recent weeks. On top of that a couple of their teams above Invicta 5 level had a week off so there was opportunity for them to call on help if they needed it – and GWs were very aware of the potential threat.

The game started with both teams vying for control of the ball with Canterbury no. 5 standing out in the middle of the pitch but the midfield trio of Boothy, Si Bradley and Jordan Jenkins, with Chip Bradley swapping in later, enforcing things from the Gravesham side.

Chances would fall to GW with Ollie Simpson going close from top D, Jesse Bradley spreading the play after some cutting runs down the left and Jay Chima and Zak Rowland taking turns to slice through them on the right.

A beautiful passing move going through several players back and forth into the D culminated with Ollie passing the ball onto the backboard after Andy Simmo Simpson had squared it taking out the goalkeeper. 1-0.

Minutes later a passing move down the right saw Zak Rowland beat a defender and pull it back for Chip arriving at the P-spot who had time to pause and lift the ball above the towering goalkeeper high into the net. 2-0.

Another move down the left saw a fantastic run and reverse cross by Chima deflected by Aaron Elliott goalwards but cracking the upright of the far post.

In between the attacking moves Eren Basch, Rich Atwood and Nav Tung from the Gravesham side enjoyed great possession passing the ball around from the back as they sought to bring it forward into spaces.
With the game under some control with Gravesham half time arrived.

On the sideline were stood Cheesy cheering the team on and Steve Caulfield whose wife had let him out. The palace bathroom must be finished.

GWs knew that Canterbury were likely to try something different in the second half and they expressed a need to adapt where needed and maintain focus throughout the game.

The second half started with Canterbury seeming to have changed shape just enough to disrupt the ability for GW to pass the ball around so smoothly around the back.

Some tricky play in the middle ended with Chip seeing a green card following an innocuous challenge where he was judged by the umpire, in the moment, to be at fault.

Pressure however was still going mostly one way with one or two short corners awarded against the home side. More great work from J Bradley and Chima brought half chances that the team were unable to convert.

Then a short corner that was cleared allowed Chima to find Elliott who reverse hit it towards the bottom corner from where it was cleared again but only so far as Chima who lifted it from a tight angle and J Bradley helping to force it in the air over the line. 3-0.
Moments later Tung coming forward managed to pass several players before nailing a cross to Simmo on the far-left post - but the goal wasn’t to be.

More pressure saw Elliott receive the ball and reverse it into the path of a JJ bursting forwards who was able to squeeze between two defenders and T-up Simmo who buried it into the goal. 4-0 and plain sailing.

As the clock was ticking down a short corner was awarded to Canterbury who were happy to have some play going their way. At a second attempt they managed to hit the backboard with a rocket – but an unhappy GK Dan Stapley feeling it had been taken with him not ready.

It was a shame to end the game in that way after what had been a mostly dominant performance showcasing some beautiful passing hockey and some nice goals.

GWHC2s had for the first time this season managed 4 wins in a row at a time of the season where the final run in is coming. Holcombe are up next and they will be demanding 5 from 5 to put themselves securely in prime position for a league promotion and still within touching distance of the league title.