v Cannock, (Home), 25/11/07.
Lost 2 – 3
A poor quality affair equitably swung the way of the visitors and left Canterbury languishing 4 points adrift at the foot of the table.
The first period produced only a solitary score. A goalmouth scramble saw Matt Harper apply the final touch to give the home side the lead at the interval. However, this strike purely served to mask what had been a lacklustre encounter between two sides both apparently struggling to get out of second gear.
Cannock lacked their usual edge and their unexpected recent defeats suggest that this hasn't been the first time this season that it has been absent. While Canterbury repeatedly made basic errors, Cannock failed to capitalise and spurned chance after chance in front of goal. The visitors weren't wholly to blame for their blank score-sheet, as Canterbury 'keeper Adrian Kimber continued his recent form in making two or three exceptional saves that were the icing on top of a solid all round performance.
Cannock’s equaliser arrived in the 42nd minute when Michael Johnson put away a rebound at a penalty corner.Almost instantly the visitors found themselves in the lead as Gareth Andrew beat Kimber in open play and Cannock had finally appeared to have found their goal-scoring touch.
Canterbury, who had improved as the match went on, were thrown a life-line in the 58th minute when Chris Bassano-Harper made the score 2-2, but Simon Ramsden finally produced at a penalty corner, to leave the home side trailing once more.
This time there was to be no way back for Canterbury and Cannock took the three points.Although Canterbury will feel they could have snatched a draw, Cannock would justifiably have felt aggrieved not to have left with the spoils.
Canterbury’s final game before the Christmas break sees them travel to Havant next week.
Squad: Barratt, Bassano-Harper, Butcher, Cowling, Dowsing, Dunn, Farrer, Goninon, Hare S, Harper, Hudson, Keir, Kimber, Pedersen, Pryce C, Pryce R.