EK Week 11 Round-up
KINGFISHER (17) v BEC (25) – Referee: Toby Parsons
Last seasons runners-up, Kingfisher hosted title contenders Bec in the opening match of the day at Aylesford Sports Centre, Kent. Bec had to put a performance in today to secure the two points for the win. England international and Bec captain Davesh Patel said: “it wasn’t a very fluid game from us today,
Kingfisher at times caused us some issues. But despite the lack of fluidity we still got the result”. Bec head coach, Dave Buckland said after the match “It was a good game today, we scored 25 goals against a full strength Kingfishers team”
TROJANS (22) v BEARSTED (8) – Referee: Paul Jeanes
Current league champions, Trojans brushed aside Bearsted at Trinity Sports Centre, Croydon in the mid-morning fixture, running out winners by 22 goals to 8. Trojans captain, David Brooks who recently passed 500 first-team goals for club top scored in the match with seven goals (including two penalties).
Trojans remain in 2nd place in the league table, equal on points with Bec. Bearsted remain in 10th place.
TORNADOES (35) v CROYDON (17) – Referee: Gary Cole
Tornadoes won the prize for most goals scored in the Premier League this weekend with an impressive haul of 35. England Under-19 International Owen Bailey top scored for the Kent side with thirteen goals, including five penalties.
Tornadoes coach, Corinne Buckland said “A very good one just what we needed, we’ve had some disappointing results in last couple of games. We made some tactical changes at half time and with some excellent shooting made the end result. It will give a lift for our upcoming games.”
Croydon’s Toby Clarke said “We started strongly and put in a good first half performance (11-14 at half-time), but we lost our composure in the second half and some good Tornadoes shooting meant we were chasing the game to a point we couldn’t recover from” Croydon’s Luke James and Toby Clarke top scored for the home side with five goals apiece.
The win for Tornadoes moves them into 6th place in the league at the expense of Kingfishers.
BIRMINGHAM CITY (12) v NOMADS (29) – Referee: Steve Jones
“We started the match with 16 year old Carensa knights making her debut in the starting lineup for the first time and Joe Olds returned after missing last weeks match with Tornadoes. We started very strongly scoring the first nine goals without reply in the first 15 mins, before Birmingham City got into the match with a couple of free passes and a penalty. Throughout the match we were disciplined in defence and scored the simple chances that were created. I was particularly impressed with our girls who between them scored 14 field goals. We’re now building towards our next two matches against Trojans and Bec”
Dave Butters, Nomads head coach.
NORWICH KNIGHTS (18) v KV (19) – Referee: Peter Allan
The final match of the day was a thriller at the University of East Anglia’s Sportspark arena between Norwich Knights and KV from Kent. Knight’s coach, Joe Stirling said “It was a very tense game where nerves took the better of both teams in the opening exchanges. We pushed ahead just before halftime and extended the lead to after the break. KV stepped up their shooting and gained momentum at a key time. A close finale left us one short despite more top shooting from stand in captain Vogwill with another 9 goals”.
Player/Coach of KV, James McDonald knew that this was a massive game for his side if they wanted to remain in contention for the league playoffs: “Both teams started nervously with the score on 4-2 to Norwich nearly 15 mins in, however we were still rusty after the Christmas break – it was Norwich who went into halftime 10-7 up.
“Despite this we were still positive at half time and felt that a few changes could swing it. Yet it was Norwich again who managed to score a few in quick succession to pull out a 6 goal lead with 15 mins to play but we were not done yet and everything clicked into place going on a 7-1 scoring spree to finish the match and take the points home with us. It was an intense game and there were some good battles on the pitch but all played in great spirit.
“We are still firmly in the race for a playoff spot but one game at a time. Now it’s on to Tornadoes next week for us.”
The win for KV keeps the side in 5th place in the league, just one place and two points outside of the league playoff places. KV’s next match is a local derby match against Tornadoes on Friday evening (17 January).
I wish Trojans and Kingfishers lots of success in the coming weeks at the Europa cup and Europa Shield”
Dave Buckland