Second half proves tough for Mens 1st XI

Saxons remained unchanged from the previous week but were caught cold in this one, with Canterbury taking an early lead after a long ball from the back. In the early stages, the visitors struggled to cope with the direct style of play the Kent side were adopting and soon found themselves 2 behind as another long ball found a home striker in the D who made no mistake.

A shell shocked Saxons then began to find their way back into the game, with Jon Meredith and Paddy Cornish gaining control of the midfield and bringing others into play. Full backs Danny Burnett and Chris Meredith began pushing on as Saxons pushed for a goal of their own, which came when Olli Beale found Andrew Acott from a short corner, and the latter deflected the ball home expertly.

The midfield trio of Acott, Jon Meredith and Cornish were finding gaps in the Canterbury side and the pressure told as Saxons grabbed the equaliser through an Oli Beale short corner.

The score was 2-2 at half time and momentum with Saxons, but they were stung as Canterbury took the lead once again through a short corner. Saxons frustrations grew as tough chances were missed by Acott, Beale and Coombs, and they were dealt a hammer blow when the home side broke and made it 4-2.

In an effort to claw themselves back into the game, Saxons again left themselves vulnerable as Canterbury made it 5-2 with a strike from a tight angle beating Brock Smith in goal. Jon Meredith was awarded Man of the Match. The defeat makes Saturdays home fixture against Mid Sussex a hugely important one for Saxons season.