Fixture

Sevenoaks Mens 8^th team lost a keenly contested match 1 nil at Gillingham Anchorians. Again disrupted by changes Oaks opened up playing into the dazzling low sun with dazzling play by nippy Nick Clark and artistic Andy Hix in midfield. Up front Ed Gore, Oliver Rice and Martin O'Neill threatened mayhem but were kept at bay. Bulldozing Pieter Booyse forged forward from right back and Rob House and John Blackmore patrolled the flanks with flair. But the home team kept probing, and after several fine saves from spring-heeled keeper Peter Gray, squeezed the ball between the defenders to open the scoring just before half time.

After the break terpsichorean skipper Tim Gore brought himself into the fray combining cannily with his son Ed down the left. Clark threw himself into attack and also over the recumbent keeper but then retired to the sidelines with a damaged hand. The play swept from end to end. Composed Chris Sykes was a rock in central defence and Chris Hix intervened effectively on the left. O'Neill and Gore hurtled down the wings and rangy Rice looked set to score but Oaks could not find the final shot. As they pressed the way opened up for the opposition and only more heroics by Gray kept them out, as the match finished in a narrow defeat