v Bowdon, (Home), 3/11/07.

Won2 - 0

Canterbury’s first points of the season elevated them from the foot of the table and disseminated a feeling of relief through the squad and spectators alike.

In an even match which saw neither side take many risks, Canterbury held their nerve to score twice late in the game and seal an important victory.

Anything other than a draw in the game would see the Kent side either six points adrift of Bowdon at the foot of the table or move them level on points but with the potential to go above their rivals by virtue of a superior goal difference.

The game saw few chances for either side, notably so in the first period.Canterbury’s best chances came at penalty corners, however Chris Bassano-Harper failed to hit the target with his effort and Brian Garcia was unlucky when the ball was scrambled off the line by a defender following his shot.Bowdon could have led at the break had it not been for a fine diving stick save by Adrian Kimber, the big ‘keeper dropping athletically low to his right.

Having looked solid and not conceded, at half-time Canterbury realised that the game was up for grabs.The second half followed a similar pattern to that of the first until Rob Pryce was enigmatically sent off, much to the bemusement of those present.Concern gripped many that as in previous weeks Canterbury would not react well to this adversity, but despite a nervy few minutes the home side did not allow Bowdon to capitalise on their numerical advantage.

With the game approaching its final ten minutes, Matt Harper perspicaciously opted not to shoot when the opportunity presented itself and took his time in slotting the ball past the Bowdon ‘keeper.Knowing that the onus was now on the visitors to find an equaliser, Canterbury became compact in defence and weathered the next five minutes, consolidating their lead.Then with four minutes remaining a Canterbury counter-attack resulted in the acquitted Pryce tangling with ‘keeper and defender in the Bowdon ‘D’ before the ball broke kindly to Andrew Dunn who had the easy task of firing into an open goal.

Just needing to see out the final few minutes to record their first win of the season it was fitting that Canterbury’s two stand out players, Brian Garcia and Ed Butcher, should control the ball, running the clock down for a significant portion of this period.

Squad: Barratt, Bassano-Harper, Butcher, Cowling, Dowsing, Dunn, Farrer, Garcia, Hare S, Harper, Keir, Kimber, Pedersen, Pryce C, Pryce R, Richford.