v Beeston, (Home)
Lost 2 – 5
Canterbury suffered their second defeat in as many games to leave them without a point after their first two outings of the season.
Despite dominating for substantial periods of the game, including most of the second half, Canterbury found the Beeston rear guard too tough to break down.This in tandem with the visitors taking their chances resulted in a heavy defeat for the home side.
The first five minutes saw Canterbury touch on the sort of form that if consistently produced would see them dictate most opposition.Jess Dowsing’s neat deflection was the reward for this opening salvo, the ball flying high into the net to leave George Pinner in the Beeston goal no chance of preventing the opener.
Perhaps unaccustomed to the position they were in, Canterbury became reticent and their initial impetus faded. As a result, the equalising strike came just a few minutes later, when Olly Cooper found just enough space to release a well directed reverse stick strike.With the visitors finding their feet and beginning to play with a fluent style, it became a mere matter of time before they took the lead, midfield playmaker Adam Dixon converting from a penalty corner in the 22nd minute.
Canterbury grew increasingly ragged, perhaps frustrated at their inability to recapture their initial shape.Attempting to force the issue, Canterbury turned over possession on a regular basis and Beeston perspicaciously waited for the mistakes to arrive.With just 5 minutes to go until the break, Beeston scored a crucial third through captain David Griffiths.
Deflated at the interval, Canterbury were asked to respond and the beginning of the second period saw the home side start strongly.Crucially though it was Beeston that struck within 5 minutes of the restart, again Griffiths the marksman, leaving the midlander’s in raptures and Canterbury with a mountain to climb.
Canterbury could well have rolled over at this stage, but what ensued was a belligerent performance that saw the home side mount wave after wave of pressure.Chris Bassano-Harper’s penalty corner conversion in the 42nd minute gave his side hope, but Canterbury were unable to breach the Beeston defence again.
The result was put beyond doubt in the dying minutes when James McBlane followed up at a penalty corner to give Beeston a deserved, but flattering victory.
An improved performance on that of the previous week was not enough for Canterbury to take any points from this fixture, but it can be said that Beeston warranted the spoils for their precision and ability to take their chances.
As a side, Canterbury’s discipline was greatly improved and the effects of this disseminated into their general play.Morten Pedersen continued his good early season form for the home side, whilst Adam Dixon produced a controlled display for the visitors.
Canterbury now travel to Surbiton, who have achieved maximum points from their first two outings and will look to kick-start their campaign at a venue which has been fruitful in previous years.
Squad: Bassano-Harper, Cowling, Dowsing, Dunn, Farrar, Garcia, Hare S, Harper, Hayward, Keir, Kimber, Pedersen, Pryce C, Pryce R, Richford, Stevens.