Gore Court 1 - 0 Folkestone

Following last weeks excellent performance against the University of Kent, Gore Court went into Saturday game looking to consolidate their position in the top five. 

The preparations for the game did not go well as one of the cars got lost on route, meaning we we had to contract in a couple of players from the 6's in order for the game to start.  For the first fifteen minutes the ball was firmly in the Gore Court end with wave after wave of Folkestone attacks, but the defence held firm....  when the missing players arrived, the side was finally able to take its proper shape, but, we continued to fight a rear guard action until half time. 

After half time though the game was a different story, following some inspiration words from the older members of the side, Gore Court looked a much better side.  With eleven minutes left on the clock, following some fantastic work from Will Dixon, Alex Nicholls was able to slot the ball home for a well earned 1-0 win.

Next up for the 2's is a home game against second placed Maidstone, starting at 1.30pm at Westlands astro

Gore Court 2 - 1 Maidstone

Following last weeks fantastic win at Folkstone with a weakend team, Gore Court welcomed back a number of regulars into the side for a game against second placed Maidstone.  In what turned out to be a brilliant game of hockey, Gore Court are begining to look every bit the potential league contenders they are hoping to be.  In a keenly contested first half, Gore Court took the lead through top scorer Alex Nicholls, and then settled into controlling the game, creating a number of chances to extend the lead which all went begging.  Maidstone were unlucky not to go in level at half-time, with goalkeeper Nellies clearing the ball from the goalline when what appeared to be a certain goal for visiting side.  The second half contained much the same end to end action until Will Dixon struck a bullet short corner shot to take Gore Court into a 2-0 lead.  The second goal seemed to have settled affairs, only for momentary elapse in consentration to allow a Maidstone forward to nip at the back post to grab a late consolation goal.  The win sees Gore Court remain in fourth, although only goal difference separates the teams in second to fourth.  Next up for the 2's is an away trip to strongly fancied Sutton Valence.

SUTTON VALENCE 1 - 2 GORE COURT

Gore Court carried on their impressive run of results with a hard fought victory against Sutton Valence.  A fantastic strike from Simon Shobrook took Gore Court into the lead after only a few minutes.  Then moments later an unusual defensive lapse saw the scores back level.  This was to remain the same until top scorer Alex Nicholls slotted another effort half way through the second period to wrap up the points.

The win sees Gore Court remain in fourth only one point behind leaders Cliftonville.  Next up is a home game at Westlands on Saturday at 1.30pm against Sevenoaks.

GORE COURT 2 -1 HOLCMOBE

On Saturday, third placed Gore Court welcomed Holcombe to the Westlands Astro expecting another tough game. Despite a decent warm-up Holcombe looked in fine form and took the lead after only five minutes.  Going behind for only the second time this season, Gore Court looked clearly rattled until Captain Andy Nellies in goal pulled off an amazing one handled stick save flying across the goal to his right, to deny Holcombe what would have been a deserved second goal.  The save seemed to spark the side into life and it was not long before a brilliant team passing move finished off by youngster James Kennedy brought the sides level.  Despite some fantastic play from both side the scores were to remain level until ten minutes to go when Ian Jennings made an inspired run across the D to deflect the ball in past the on-rushing Holcombe keeper.  Despite some poor umpiring in the final ten minutes Gore Court held on comfortably to record their sixth league win in a row and move up to second in the league.  This was a great performance and showed off Gore Court's team spirit and battling qualities this season.  

Next week will see Gore Court travel to Cliftonville for a top of the table clash.

GORE COURT 5 - 1 CANTERBURY

On Saturday fourth placed Gore Court welcomed Canterbury to the Westlands Astro expecting another tough game from a side littered with ex National League players.   Gore Court started brightly, but Canterbury got the better of the early exchanges but they failed to convert any of their chances.  Despite being under extreme pressure some fantastic play from Shobrook and Pogson, saw Gore Court awarded a penalty stroke which was duly dispatched by Simon Shobrook.  Unfortunately for Canterbury the goal inspired Gore Court on and goals two and three followed from Alex Nicholls (although Canterbury's keeper must be thinking he should have done better).  Following the break Canterbury got back in the game with a hotly disputed goal, with only one person on the pitch thinking the ball had crossed the line, which to Canterbury's benefit was their own umpire.  Although momentarily Gore Court got rattled by the goal, normal service was soon restored with two further goals from Jack Pogson and third for Nicholls. 

This was a great win for Gore Court and sees them return to second spot and level on points with Ashford.  A special mention should go to Nick Wilcher playing his final game for the side.  We wish you the best in your continuing recovery with your knee injury.

BBHC 2 - 5 GORE COURT

With a very different team that demolished Canterbury in their previous fixture, Gore Court travelled away to Bexley hoping to consolidate their spot in the top two of the league.  Despite illnesses to a number of key players, the team coped remarkably well.  Flying out of the blocks Gore Court were 1-0 up after only 30 seconds with Alex Nicholls blasting in a fine short corner.  Due to some uncharactisticly bad defending BBHC pulled level and sharked them a period of sustained pressure and exposing a weakend Gore Court defence on a number of occasions.  Despite the pressure Gore Court managed to keep the scorers level before some fantastic team play brought goals for Ian Jennings and Ed Bishop.  At 3-1 Gore Court looked in total control, until Captain and Goalkeeper Andy Nellies (who was very much under the weather through illness) went from villian to saviour in the space of a minute making a howler to allow BBHC back into the game and then saving from point black range to prevent a certain goal.  Some reassuring words from the elder members of the side brought some well needed assurity to the team at half time and the second half was a much easier affair for Gore Court.  Goals from James Kennedy and Will Dixon settled the affair.  

The win sees Gore Court remain in second on goal difference from Ashford.

GORE COURT 3 - 0 MARDEN RUSSETS

Gore Court welcomed Marden to the Westlands astro, both sides on an impressive run of form and flying high in the league.  Although Marden had the better of the early exchanges, stout defending from standouts Chris White and Olly Williams, saw Gore Court stamp out any danger in the first 10 minutes.  

After the initial period of pressure the midfield line took total control of the game, and it was not long before Marden buckled from the attacking prowess of Alex Nicholls and Ian Jennings.  These two goals effectively killed of the game before half time.  

Marden tried valiantly in the second half to muster a goal to no avail, and with a goal from Simon Shobrook half way through the second half wrapped up the points.  

The solid win sees Gore Court consolidate their second position in the league, with the all important top of the table clash with leaders Ashford first game after Christmas.