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The firsts carried on where they left off last week in the first half against Division Two side Abbey Rangers, coming in 0-2 down after the worst 45 minutes of football they'd played this century. Totally lacking in any kind of cohesion, even the consistent players were making elementary mistakes and we fully deserved to be behind, even if there was an element of bad luck with both Abbey's goals. The first, after 8 minutes, was a defensive clearance thrashed into our own goal from point blank range, while the second was scored after Michelle was hit full in the face by the ball and many refs would have stopped play. Unfortunately today's ref waved play on, and the player Michelle would have been marking raced through one-on-one with Tracey Naden to score. After a rousing half time talk and the introduction of Cha in midfield, we took the game to Abbey and pulled a goal back through Nat after ten minutes. Midway through the half we were level, Nat again getting the final touch after some penalty box pinball. Just before the end of regulation time, Sam thought she'd hit the winner as her long shot sailed over the keeper but the linesman had flagged for an offside player interfering with play. We had our own bit of luck ten minutes into extra time as we won an admittedly soft penalty as Nat had her shirt held, and Cha made no mistake to put us ahead. With a few minutes left in the second added period we got another break which mirrored their second goal, as an Abbey defender went down with a badly twisted ankle, but the ref allowed play to continue and Ellie raced clear to put the result beyond doubt.

In contrast to the first team, the 2nds put in their best 45 minutes of the season to hold second placed Woking Reserves to 0-0 at half time. Unfortunately they were unable to hold the visitors and eventually went down 1-3, Nat Waller getting our consolation goal.

The firsts produced by far their worst performance of the season against strugglers Woodstock in difficult conditions at Jarvis Brook.With a strong gusty wind adding unpredictability to the hard sloping pitch, the visitors coped better in the first half and outbattled us throughout, deservedly going ahead on 15 minutes via a 20 yard free kick, although that was their first goal attempt of the match. We continued to look disinterested and second best to loose balls, although Woodstock did little to trouble us with their possession. With the game going nowhere, suddenly Nat equalised five minutes before half time, bundling in Sam's right wing corner, and within a minute we were ahead, Fran getting on the end of a deep cross and her shot cannoning in off the inside of the post. Despite the introduction of Ellie at half time, we were unable to add to the lead and Tracey Naden had to be quick off her line to block two dangerous runs early in the half. With twenty minutes to go, a high ball into the box caught the wind and, under pressure from a Woodstock striker, Kerry unfortunately headed into her own net. Belatedly we put some pressure on them for the last fifteen minutes, but despite creating a number of chances their defence held firm.

2nd team match report to follow.

The 2nds tasted Cup success as early as Friday night as their hosts Dover called off the game, being unable to raise a side. Ironically after last week's seven-player debacle the 2nds actually had a full side available!

The first team overcame the shock of going behind at Division One side Hastings after only ten seconds to record what was ultimately a comfortable win. Straight from the kick off, Kirsty Spice was allowed to run through unchallenged to beat Terri with a low shot. Within three minutes we were level, a superb flowing move finding Sam charging in at the far post to volley home from close range. Shortly afterwards we were denied a free kick as Ellie pressured their keeper into picking up a back pass, but the ref just waved play on. However, only a minute later Ellie was played in to give us the lead as she outpaced the defence and shot low into the far corner, thus celebrating her 150th first team appearance with her 150th goal. We then had a scare as Terri pulled off a superb point blank save to deny the hosts an equaliser, but as the half progressed we took more control, and should have gone further ahead as both Nat and Ellie had reasonable chances miss the target. Just before half time, we scored the goal our pressure deserved as Liz headed in one of her trademark goals from Sam's corner. Cha replaced Ellie at half time, and she made an immediate impact as the Hastings defence sat off and allowed her time to hammer in a 25-yard curler with only a couple of minutes played. Hastings' heads were well and truly down and we dominated the remainder of the match with a number of chances going begging and Terri a virtual spectator. A moment of controversy midway through the half as Nat was sure that she'd scored after a goalmouth scramble only for the home linesman to inexplicably not flag for the ball over the line. She made sure of her place on the scoresheet ten minutes later as she raced clear and fired an excellent low shot under the keeper. With the game won, Sam was withdrawn for Kim to make her first appearance since last October when she suffered an horrific knee injury. The draw for the next round takes place on November 3rd.

A bit late, but our 02/03 Presentation Night was held at the Alderbrook and winners were:

1st Team: Player of the Year - Ellie Scott, Most Improved - Liz Power, Oustanding Achievement - Tracey Naden.
2nd Team: Player of the year - Lisa Price, Most Improved - Tania Ramsden, Outstanding Achievement - Roby Watters.

Well done to all, and to everyone involved last year where we overcame our lack of players, vanishing coach, underwater training facility and catalogue of injuries to equal our best-ever League finish with the 1sts and avoid relegation despite only fielding a full XI five times all season with the 2nds.

Playing downhill in the first half, the Whitehawk midfield took advantage of the slope on the Jarvis Brook pitch right from the kick off running the game and forcing us to defend in numbers. The back four of Kerry, Michelle, Tina and Laura contained most of the pressure, and anything that did get though found Terri in fine form. In the 32nd minute, against the run of play, we put a our best passing movement together which put TC away on the left who beat the keeper with a great shot. The goal gave us confidence and our passes started to find our front two. Ellie's speed and Nat's hard work started to cause Whitehawk's defence some concern. The second half started well for us with our midfield of Liz, Sam, TC and Rachael showing what they could do. A fine through ball from Sam after 65 minutes put Ellie in with just the keeper to beat, which she duly did to make it 2-0. This prompted Whitehawk into using their subs, and Fran came on for us replacing Laura. After a move up the right hand side the visitors breached our defence to reduce the deficit. We went forward looking for a third, but on 83 minutes Whitehawk struck to equalise. Ellie came close just before time but the game ended honours even. (thanks to Paul Bradford for match report)

The 2nds travelled to bottom team Redhill Reserves with the bare minimum seven players after a spate of illnesses and dropouts, but can hold their heads high as they battled throughout, with nthe final score greatly flattering the home side. After a goalless first twenty minutes we actually took the lead, Nat lobbing their keeper from fully 45 yards as she got caught right out of goal. Unfortunately the lead only lasted 3 minutes before Redhill equalised, and they took the lead in the softest way via Sarah's handling error. Their third, shortly afterwards, was a cracker and would have graced any game but we conceded a soft fourth just before the break to leave us much to do in the second half. However, we came out fighting, and Nat reduced the arrears after excellent work by Tania, and it wasn't until 10 minutes from time that Redhill scored again. As tired legs refused to chase any more the floodgates opened in the final five minutes and they netted three more times to make the final score 8-2. The result means the 2nds replace Redhill at the bottom of the table.