South Saxons 2 - 5 Maidstone

Hastings has not been a venue where the Men's 1s have enjoyed a lot of success in the recent past. Last year's encounter was a scrappy affair that ended 3-3 with the home side leading for significant periods of the game. A warm October sun blessed the South Coast for the 13.30 pushback. Maidstone arrived completely focused, understanding that this was to be a battle in which the hosts would try and disrupt the rhythm of the game throughout.

With recent fixtures in mind, Maidstone's first five minutes were understandable nervy - some taking time to adjust the speed of a slow and, at times, inconsistent pitch. This said, possession was enjoyed for the majority of the opening stages. The first real chance of the game saw Maidstone take the lead - a really well worked goal where the ball was maneuvered around the back well before Rob Lamb exchanged with Rob Clarkson who found the baseline and space. Clarkson passed vertically to Will Day who shot towards the back post and onto a charging Chris Howson who drove home nicely. 1-0.

Maidstone then doubled their lead through Rob Clarkson's first of the season. Receiving the ball at the top of the D and with his back to goal, Clarkson protected the ball well before moving it onto his reverse and slamming it near post. A classy finish from nothing. 2-0.

2-0 is what the score remained at for the rest of the first half. Maidstone spent a few periods down to 10-men as a consequence of some stick tackles in the midfield. However, through periods where Saxons had the man advantage the visitors defended resolutely. Ben Stott, in only his second league fixture, numbed Saxons' main attacking threat on the left hand side. So much so, the home side's main man dropped further and further back on the pitch in an attempt to have an influence on the game.

The Men's 1s were acutely aware of the need for discipline in the second half. Keeping 11 players on the pitch was key to nullifying any chance Saxons had of getting back in with a sniff.

Maidstone pressed with patience in the second half - allowing Saxons to move the ball around the back but pouncing when the opportunity arose. A lazy ball into the midfield from Saxons was seized upon by Cam Knight. Knight played a nicely disguised pass to Will Day who collected the ball just inside the opposition's half. Running to his right, Day then split the Saxons defence ajar with a perfect through ball to a leading Chris Howson. 1-on-1 and in on goal, Howson played an ingenious one-two with the keeper through his first effort - receiving the ball again Howson had an empty net to push calmly into. 3-0, game wrapped up?

Alas no, within minutes of celebrating their third Maidstone found themselves defending a rotation of Saxons short-corners. Unsuccessful with their first few efforts, Saxons found their first of the game following a deflection at the left hand-post.

At 3-1 Saxons played some of their best hockey. However, Maidstone marked their men well and allowed few chances. The real killer goal came with around 15 minutes remaining. Rob Lamb stepped in front of his man to intercept on around the halfway line. Lamb then scored a goal to rival Clarkson's in the first half. Running at the Saxons back line and beating players comfortably the right back found himself with a shooting opportunity on the top of the D - a convincing sweep found the bottom left of the backboard. Maidstone were 4-1 up and on the hunt for more goals against a home side who were tiring - evidenced by some of the passes being distributed from their backline.

Against the run of play Saxons did score a second. They entered the top of the D and finished nicely from around the P-spot following a brief lapse in defensive concentration. Nonetheless, Maidstone continued to attack throughout the final stages. Hunting for his hat-trick Howson hounded the Saxons backline with vigour. His tenacity was rewarded following a wayward pass from centre-half to centre-half. Again he had another 1-on-1 with the keeper - this time, perhaps due to increased confidence, he finished without the need for a second attempt. A hat-trick which sees him take the spot of top-score for the side, despite having an unusually slow start to the season.

5-2 is how it finished. A professional performance and a comprehensive victory on their travels! Burnt Ash visit ME14 next week.