Gore Court 4 - 1 Old Williamsonians

Gore Court opened their League season with a win on a lovely afternoon at Westlands.  The side was a little older than in recent years but the value of experience soon became apparent.  From the start, both sides played good open hockey and play went from end to end.  Gore Court dominated the attack but Old Williamsonians were dangerous on the break.  It was from a counter attack that old Williamsonians took the lead with Andrew Nellies in goal having no chance.  Gore Court did not panic and slowly began to play more intelligently, passing the ball with more precision and penning Old Williamsonians back.  The pressure led to a short corner from which Jim Giffard forced the ball home.  A flowing move left Ashley Simmons in the D and his shot also found the back of the net.  Gore Court continued to push forward with good work from Andy Pittard and Andy Perriam supported by Conrad Chamberlain.  In the second half Mario demonstrated the wisdom of playing to the whistle and slammed the ball home as some players expected a shot corner.  The scoring was finished by peter Hyams with a well taken shot from the top of the D.  An excellent game and a good result for Gore Court.  A quick poll of spectators after the game awarded the man of the match to Andy Pittard, although everyone played well.  Next week there is a gap before taking on Maidstone on 8th October at 3pm at Westlands.

Gore Court 0 - 4 Maidstone

After a week's break, Gore Court resumed the League with a game against Maidstone. Owing to a variety of circumstances the goal keeper had only played once before and was caught in the first few minutes when a clearance kick went to a Maidstone forward who sent it quickly into the net. Gore Court had started brightly but this set them back a bit. Gradually they fought back through the midfield and soon Maidstone were under pressure. Mario ran on to a through ball and had just the keeper to beat, but the Maidstone keeper had a really good game and the ball was cleared. A series of short corners were also missed and then from a breakaway Maidstone scored their second. The second half was similar to the first, a lot of Gore Court pressure and Maidstone scoring two more goals from breakaways after a Gore Court error. Gore Court did get the ball in the net, but it was disallowed. Andrew Perriam had a really good game. He never stopped running and was able to pass and link with other players a man of the match performance. Josh Wakelen also impressed on the left wing and Nick Orr made a promising debut appearance for the last ten minutes. Jordan Osborn in goal also made some good stops. Maidstone made the most of their opportunities, but Gore Court can be pleased with the way that they played. They will win more games than they lose if they can maintain this performance. Next week the side are away to Folkestone.

Folkestone 4 - 1 Gore Court

The weather could not have been better for this game and the hockey was also bright.  Both sides were fairly evenly matched, with a lot of experienced players on both sides.  Gore Court began well and had Folkestone penned in their half, but as last week could not take their opportunities.  Folkestone began to come into the game more and only some fine saves from Tim Simmons kept them at bay.  Despite earning several short corners, the Gore Court forwards were frustrated by a mixture of good goal keeping and desperate defending.  Folketsone broke away and the ball found its way to a Folkestone forward and so they took the lead.  A second goal followed although the game was still fairly even.  At half time Gore Court felt they could still win.  A rearrangement of formation led to continued Gore Court pressure, but still no goals.  Folkestone added a third goal and Gore Court were saved by some magnificent goal line clearances by Neil Brookson and Tim Simmons.  Another Gore Court short Corner and Paul Mabbett rolled back the years with a well contrived offbreak, his shot spun past the keeper and into the net.  Gore Court had more pressure but could not get any more goals.  Folkestone however added one more making the final score 4 - 1.  It was still a good performance and both sides enjoyed the game.  While not man of the match Nick Orr had a very good game and shows a lot of promise.

GORE COURT 3 - 1 BURNT ASH

Gore Court came out with a team of all ages, keen to play well for each other. They soon settled to dominate most of the first half, with Rob Moore scoring the first goal for Gore Court and settled the team. Burnt Ash fort back hard in the last ten minutes of the first half but Gore Court's defence and midfield held them back. Gore Court's second goal came from Bob Worley leaving it 2-0 at half time.

Second half Burnt Ash came out hungry for goals, but Gore Court held their positions to take control of the game. Bob Worley scored his second goal of the match from a precise cross from Nick Orr, who soon after was forced to retire from the pitch with an injury. Burnt Ash came back with a late goal but it was too little too late.

Well played everybody, excellent team spirit, a well deserved win.

GORE COURT 2 - 0 COBDOWN

This game had plenty of highlights.  Gore Court took control from the start.  Good intelligent play in midfield penned Cobdown into their own half.  When the lights came on Gore Court's players responded by stringing together whole sequences of passes, leaving goal keeper Tim Simmons to admire the many firework displays.  Coming up to half time and a slick move from a short corner ended with Dale Burdon sliding the ball home, the task being made by the Jermaine Defoe-like Rob Moore.  Despite a lot of pressure no more goals came in the half.  The second half continued as the first had ended.  Cobdown exerted more pressure and Tim Simmons was alert and made a couple of good saves.  Gore Court continued to practice Tottenham Hotspur impressions.  Andrew Perriam flying down the wing would have run Gareth Bale close.  The goal scoring machine that is Bob Worley scored his third in two games.  His first shot kindly being returned to him by the goal keeper, Bob decided to go for placement and the pace (lack of) his shot deceived everyone and rested gently in the back of the net, much to the delight of the Ladies waiting to play their game. Joshua Wakelen (Aaron Lennon) was unlucky not to score, when through on goal their own defender clattered their goal keeper sufficiently to daze him and halt play.  Nathan Underdown (Pavluychenko) stormed into the D and was really unluck to see a cheeky back flick just miss the post.  This was an excellent all round performance.  Passing was good and the defence solid.  Next week we hope to do it all again against Holcombe.

GORE COURT 2 -1 HOLCOMBE

Gore Court were looking to continue their good run when they entertained Holcombe on Saturday.  Holcombe were bottom and Gore Court's confidence was high.  From the start Dale Burdon picked up the ball, dribbled through the defence and sent in a shot which was turned home by Andy Perriam.  The goal was timed at 47 seconds by Bob Worley.  All thoughts of an easy game however disappeared as Holcombe fought back strongly.  Tim Simmons had to keep alert as a number of good attacks had to be repelled.  The first half was fast and furious end to end play.  For a time it seemed that no goals were going to be added when a breakaway by Holcombe ended with a goal mouth scramble and finally the ball was forced home for the equaliser.  The second half was more controlled and Holcombe had the better passing.  Ashley Simmons made some good tackles and surging runs but the Holcombe defence remained strong.  Eventually another Burdon mazy run and a good pass resulted in Ashley Simmons scoring what turned out to be the winning goal.  It would be difficult to pick out a man of the match but Perriam, Simmons, and Burdon made match winning contributions in a fine all round performance and Tim Simmons made a superb save at great personal risk to maintain the slender lead.

OLD BORDENIANS 4 - 0 GORE COURT

This local derby saw the coming together of two teams in the top half of the League.  Old Bordenians started brightly and quickly put the Gore Court defence under pressure.  They were rewarded with a well struck goal from the top of the D.  Gore Court fought back and by flooding the midfield gained a breathing space and also contained the game.  Unfortunately it meant that their attack was  weakened, so although they gained a lot of possession they were not able to threaten the Old Bordenians goal.  At half time both teams were probably quite happy.  The second half too was quite even. Old Bordenians scored a second from a good run and cross but play continued to flow from end to end.  Gore Court still found it difficult to put pressure on the Old Bordenians goal but Ashley Simmons went close and Nick Orr was also unlucky.  Just before the end Old Bordenians scored with a shot just inside the near post and another cross was well slotted home.  Old Bordenians deserved the win but both sides should take credit from a hard fought game but despite the close rivalry this game was played in an excellent spirit.

NEW BECCEHAMIANS 1 - 0 GORE COURT

Despite fielding a weaker than usual team, Gore Court were optimistic about their chances.  Two players were a little late but the game had started on time. Gore Court were still trying to organise themselves when from a good move the ball was swept past keeper Tim Simmons.  This helped the focus of the team and for the rest of the game, play was end to end with good play from both sides.  In fact both teams were quite equal and although chances were created, both goal keepers were able to prevent any score.  Gore Court's main threat came from Andrew Perriam, who linked well with Ashley Simmons.  These two combined to put in a good shot which beat the keeper but was kicked off the line, resulting in a penalty flick.  It was not Gore Court's day.  The flick was missed and the result stayed 1 - 0 to New Beccs.  This was a good team performance.  All played well with Marcus Childs doing some sterling work in defence and Paul Mabbett rolling back the years at centre half.  Next week Ashford Antiques.

OLD WILLIAMSONIANS 3 - 0 GORE COURT

Straight back after the Christmas break with a good tight first half.  Both sides had chances but were denied by good goal keeping or desperate defence.  The Old Williamsoninas mid field were a bit quicker and this put more pressure on the Gore Court defence.  Five minutes into the second half a break saw them produce a good cross and the ball was driven home.  Gore Court immediately fought back with their own sustatined pressure but were unable to score.  A second break from midfield provided the shot for the second goal.  Gore Court continued to push forwards and some of the tackling became rather robust.  One unfair tackle resulted in one of the Gore Court youngsters being unable to continue and the game petered out, with Old Williamsonians scoring a third.  A disappointing start on more than one level to the New Year.

MAIDSTONE 2 - 0 GORE COURT