Men's 2nd XI vs Folkestone Optimist M4

After a poor result and performance last week, Ville were determined to put in a much better performance.

Folkestone won a penalty corner in the first five minutes. The initial drag flick was going wide but unfortunately it hit the Ville Goalies stick and deflected back into play and our own net to make it 1-0 Folkestone.

Ville came out looking strong and then started to take the game to Fokestone. After a few attacks that didn't bring anything, Dave Hooper broke free from just inside their half and drove at the Folkestone defence beating a few and unleashing a shot into the far corner which their keeper couldn't get near. A great solo run and finish! 1-1.

Another Folkestone penalty corner resulted in another goal from a well taken routine. 2-1.

They managed to score another before half time, this time from open play. The scoreline wasn't a true reflection on the game but that is hockey and at the break we were 3-1 down despite edging the first half.  

The half team talk was a positive one from 1st XI captain Alex Cowell, who had come to support. 

Ville came out of the blocks quickly in the 2nd half. Ville's 2nd goal came again from Dave Hooper an almost carbon copy of his 1st, with another solo run bursting through from midfield into the D and tucking it away to make it 3-2.

Not long after Cliftonville had levelled it up. A long ball forward found Perks up top by himself with his back to goal, he managed to beat the defender, drive into the D and slipped it across to an oncoming Mr Hooper, not Dave but Simon this time, who slotted it home to make it 3-3. Another great run and finish from our Iniesta!

Folkestone were awarded another penalty and again managed to make it count. Hughes in the Ville goal managed to save well from the 1st attempt and cleared his lines only to find the centre forward who at his 2nd attempt made no mistake and found the net to make it 4-3.

There was still time for Folkestone to get another, it finished 5-3.

A spirited performance from Cliftonville despite the defeat and a marked improvement on last week. Even the Folkestone lads afterwards who came back to the clubhouse were surprised they came away with the win. Plenty of positives to take away from today and a few things to work on ready for next weeks late away game.