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Roller Hockey News 1999-2000 Season
Farnham International tournament
The future of Herne Bay United continues to look bright following an outstanding performance by their youngsters in the Farnham international tournament over the weekend. Seven of United's nine-strong squad were members of United's schoolboy team which has just won the national title, and they won all five of their matches to emerge convincing winners.
Club captain Phil McVey was the sole experienced member of the team. They began well with a 5 - 2 success over National Premier League side Halifax, whose team included England senior due Danny Messenger and Emerson Montgomery. Two goals in the opening five minutes from Bryon Davis gave United and early lead and they were 5 - 1 in front before Halifax netted a late consolation. McVey and Alexis Zacharia, with two were the other United marksmen.
United staged a remarkable comeback against Herne Bay, at one stage trailing 5 - 1 before recovering to triumph 7 - 5, the decisive goals coming in the final three minutes. Zacharia hit a second-half hat-trick, with McVey, Davis and Ritchie (2) also on target.
Another early goal from Davis put United ahead against Herne United, but that was all that separated the sides until the second half when Herne tired. United first team keeper David Garlick guested for Herne, and did his best to stem the tide, but United were rampant, Ritchie (2), Joe Fidock (2), Zacharia and Davis all finding the net to seal a 7 - 2 success. Goulbourne and Taylor replied for Herne.
United began their programme on day two against host club Farnham, whose team featured England seniors Joe Wheatley and Stuart Docherty. Davis struck first blood, but Farnham led 2 - 1 at half time, and 3 - 2 midway in the second period before Bay rallied to sneak it 5 - 4, led by a Zacharia hat-trick. Ritchie completed the scoring. Dutch visitors Den Haag, the most experienced team in the competition, were always dangerous and they led 3 - 1 before Davis added to Ritchie's opener. Second-half strikes from Zacharia (2) and Ritchie (3) then eased United 7 - 3 in front before Den Haag grabbed their fourth late on. The United squad was competed by David Beeson, Michael Crocker and Stuart Almond.
Full Results: Farnham 9 Den Haag 3, Herne Bay United 5 Halifax 2, Farnham 7 Herne Bay 6, Herne United 5 Den Haag 3, Herne Bay United 7 Herne Bay 5, Halifax 2 Herne United 6, Herne Bay 5 Den Haag 3, Herne Bay United 7 Herne United 2, Farnham 2 Halifax 6, Herne United 1 Herne Bay 1, Halifax 2 Den Haag 6, Herne Bay United 5 Farnham 4, Halifax 1 Herne Bay 1, Farnham 7 Herne United 3, Den Haag 4 Herne Bay United 7
Posted 27 July 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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National Cup final: Under 17's 1 - 2 Letchworth
United's under-17s suffered their first failure in any competition this season when they were beaten 2 - 1 by Letchworth in the National Schoolboys' Cup final. The team bus carrying the United squad was delayed by traffic, meaning the boys had little time to prepare on their arrival at Manchester. Letchworth made the most of this by going 2 - 0 in front, their opening goal resulting from a marking mix-up and the second from a fumble in the goal-mouth. United struggled to come to terms with the playing surface and rink size before the break, but they changed their tactics in the second period. A decision to move to a full press led to increased opportunities but United's only success came five minutes from the end when Sam Jackson tapped in.
United under-17s: Paul Nelson, Stuart Almond, Michael Crocker, Stavros Zacharia, Keith Ritchie, Joe Fidock , Ben Jackson, Bryon Davis, Sam Jackson, David Beeson
Posted 6 July 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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National Cup final: Crown Herne Bay United 2 - 0 Letchworth
Crown Herne Bay United put the seal on an outstanding roller hockey campaign when they defeated Letchworth 2 - 0 to lift the National Knock-Out Cup. The match at Manchester University was more bruising than classic but United's victory was well deserved and gave them a national league and cup double. This season they have also won the Kent Premier League title and Roller Hockey 2000 International Tournament - a fine achievement given the problems caused by re-arranged fixtures and long term injuries to Simon Hosking and Kurt Holmes. Injuries also played their part in the final, with Nick Barton (shoulder) and Dendy Hudson (knee) both having to leave the floor for a short time for treatment. United, however, did not concede an inch and having given them the lead with a superbly-struck shot just before the break Brendan Barker then doubled the lead with a second three minutes after the restart. Keeper Dan Barton was kept busy throughout but produced a string of fine stops including one from a penalty.
United: Dan Barton, Phil McVey (captain), Neil Austin, Brendan Barker, Dendy Hudson, Karl Smith, Steve Clark, Alexis Zacharia, David Garlick
Posted: 6 July 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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National Cup semi final: Crown Herne Bay United 4 - 3 Maidstone (Played: Sunday 18 June)
Goals from Neil Austin, in the third minute, and Clive Franklin for Maidstone after nine, led to a stalemate in Sunday's cup tie. Good goalkeeping by United's David Garlick and his opposite number Paul Haynes kept the scores level. In the shoot-out it was 2 - 2 after five penalties each, Barker and McVey for United and Franklin and Doherty for Maidstone. Both sides then missed five more until Barker converted and Doherty missed.
Posted 22 June 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Premier League: Crown Herne Bay United 10 - 4 Letchworth (Played: Saturday 17 June)
A National title double remains in the grasp of Crown Herne Bay United after two superb victories at the Pier Pavilion. On Saturday night they crushed Letchworth 10 - 4 to take the National Premier League title away from their bitter rivals, the defending champions. And on Sunday morning they beat Maidstone 3 - 2 on penalties after a 1 - 1 draw in a National Cup semi-final controversially re-arranged by the sport's national association. They will now play Letchworth in the final at Manchester on July 1.
Despite the rival attraction of the England v Germany soccer match, a coachload of visiting supporters swelled the crowd at the Pier for a game surrounded by suspicion and tension. United had been ordered to play the match, instead of the cup semi-final previously scheduled, after Letchworth had failed to show for the original date. Captain Philip McVey gave them a dream started with two penalties in the opening seven minutes, Nigel Allen replying for Letchworth in between. A dispute over a minor incident cost Neil Austin a red card, and dismissal for the rest of the match, but replacement Karl Smith scored within a minute of coming on. Brendan Barker made it 4 - 1, Jason Walkenshaw quickly replied and soon afterwards the electronic scoreboard failed forcing the time keepers to revert to their stop watches.
After half-time Letchworth's Carlos Amaral converted two penalties, Barker scoring in between to leave the score 5 - 4. Then Simon Hosking, already recovering from a leg injury, was taken into the boards by a Letchworth player and there was some doubt about whether or not he would carry on. United were already without the unavailable Dendy Hudson and Nick Barton, and the inured Kurt Holmes but the Hosking incident only served to spur them on. They hit five of the best team goals of the season at almost one a minute, Hosking hitting three, one from a spectacular volley pass by Barker, Barker another and Smith another. With a minute to go the Letchworth keeper Ian Morrison had to leave the rink after taking a slap shot in the face guard from Barker.
United: Dan Barton, Phil McVey, Karl Smith, Brendan Barker, Steve Clarke, Simon Hosking, Neil Austin, Alexis Zacharia, David Garlick
Posted 22 June 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Premier League
Herne Bay United Roller Hockey Club are heading for a full-blooded showdown with Premier League title rivals Letchworth, who failed to arrive for a scheduled match at the Pier Pavilion on Saturday. United knew that there was a chance Letchworth would fail to show up, but had been instructed to attend by the sport's National Competitions Executive. Meanwhile, the Letchworth players were apparently attending an England training session organised by their own manager and coach. To United's even greater irritation, their own two England players, goalkeeper Dan Barton and Phil McVey, have now been dropped from the England squad by the Letchworth manager for failing to attend the session. And United have also been ordered to play the league match on Saturday, June 17, switching a National Cup match arranged for that date against Maidstone to the following morning.
United secretary Aileen Barker said: "We are surprised that they have not selected our team and phoned our work places and asked for time off as well. We have a number of players who work at the weekend which is why we wanted to arrange both games for Saturday evenings." United are hoping that a large crowd will turn out at the Pier on June 17 to show their support. The England squad left for the European Championships in Switzerland this week with no United Players picked.
Posted: 8 June 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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SECRHA Under 11's
Herne Bay United's Under-11s clinched the SECRHA League after the final tournament of the season at the Pier Pavilion on Sunday. United began the event a point behind Herne Bay, and had played one more game. However, the third local side, Herne United produced a shock win over Herne Bay to hand United the crown.
Herne Bay United opened with a 10 - 1 defeat of Herne United, with Dale Goodrum scoring the consolation goal for the losers. United then won their crucial game against Herne Bay 5 - 3, meaning that Bay needed to beat Herne United to take the title. But Herne United, who had already secured third place with a 7 - 2 win against Reading, (Joseph Singleton 3, Laura Singleton, Dale Goodrum, Alison Dudley and Evan Goodrum) turned the form book upside down. Herne led 2 - 0 at half time through Joseph Singleton and Dale Goodrum, while keeper Robert Dell made several fine saves. Bay pulled a goal back after the break, but further strikes from Dale Goodrum and Luke Bremner eased Herne to a 4 - 1 win. United then drew 6 - 6 against a Maidstone side that featured several over-age players.
Posted 1 June 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Premier League: Crown Herne Bay United 8 - 3 Manchester (Played: Saturday 6 May)
Crown Herne Bay United continued their challenge for the National Premier League title with a fine 8 - 3 win over Manchester at the weekend. The victory also demonstrated United's strength in depth, with several of their younger players filling in for unavailable senior members.
Manchester managed to resist United's efforts until midway through the first half when captain Phil McVey opened the scoring with a well taken penalty. Within a minute Dendy Hudson had increased their lead, but Manchester struck back immediately through Mark Inniss, and the score remained at 2 - 1 until a flurry of goals just before the interval. Karl Smith, two from Neil Austin and two more from Hudson to complete his hat-trick took United to seven, while John Jones claimed Manchester's second before the break.
United were quickly back on the goal trail after the interval with a cleverly-worked goal by Karl Smith, and Manchester claimed their third consolation when Mark Colton beat Dan Barton with 10 minutes left.
United now need to win all their three remaining games to take the title, beginning with a trip to Sheffield Wildcats on Sunday.
HBU: Dan Barton, Philip McVey, Karl Smith, Steve Clarke, Tony Austin, Neil Austin, Dendy Hudson, Alexis Zacharia, David Garlick.
Posted: 11 May 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Millennium Tournament
A thrilling penalty shoot-out climaxed three days of great roller hockey at the Hockey 2000 Easter International Tournament at the Pier Pavilion at the weekend. Herne Bay United eventually came out on top, defeating arch rivals Maidstone in the shoot-out after the final had ended 0 - 0. United captain Phil McVey scored the decisive penalty in the sudden death session. It was a happy ending after a traumatic start to the weekend for the McVey family. Phil's brother Paul, an ex-United player now competing for Dublin, broke his leg against Letchworth on Sunday. Dublin eventually finished bottom, with Herne Bay in ninth. Belgian sides Rolta and Kons Modern were seventh and eighth, with Letchworth finishing fifth and the Sheffield Wildcats sixth. Herne United clinched the bronze position from the Californians, Modesto Rebels. In pool matches, both Herne Bay United and Maidstone signalled their intentions by remaining unbeaten.
United opened on the Saturday with a 6 - 1 success over Herne Bay, while Maidstone trounced Herne United 10 - 3. Herne Bay gained their first point of the day with a 2 - 2 draw against Rolta, while Herne United got off the mark with a 9 - 3 success against the team from Dublin.
Maidstone and Herne Bay United continued in similar fashion on Sunday, United hitting 10 against the Modesto Rebels in the morning and Maidstone beating Kons Modern 5 - 2. Herne were also in excellent form with a 7 - 4 win over Letchworth. The afternoon session began badly with McVey's accident, and Dublin lost that match 7 - 1 against Letchworth. United cruised to a 9 - 0 win over Rolta, while Maidstone humbled Dublin 14 - 0. The Modesto Rebels were quickly becoming crowd favourites and they had their best result in the afternoon, with a 10 - 1 thrashing of Herne Bay. Herne United, meanwhile defeated Kons Modern 8 - 1.
The Monday play-offs began with Herne Bay avoiding bottom place by defeating Dublin 9 - 5, and then Rolta beat their countrymen Kons Modern by 6 - 4. Letchworth beat Sheffield Wildcats 6 - 3 and Herne United had a tremendous tussle against Modesto before easing home 4 - 2 after being 3 - 0 up at half time. In the final United and Maidstone, who had met the previous week to decide the destination of the Kent Premier title, were again set for another titanic clash. United had won the previous week's encounter, but this time Maidstone were determined to gain revenge. Both keepers, United's Dan Barton and Maidstone's Paul Haynes were in superb form and the match remained goalless at half time. The second period became more defensive with both sides anxious not to make the mistake that could have settled the tie. Once again the two goalkeepers were unbeatable and several shots also rang off the metal goal cages. After 50 minutes the sides still could not be separated, so the match went to sudden death penalties. Maidstone's first was saved, but United then missed their effort as well. Stones skipper Joe Wheatley was then denied by Barton, but Haynes matched that feat against Simon Hosking. Wheatley then missed his second attempt, but McVey's slap shot finally beat Haynes, and United were able to celebrate.
Group results, Saturday: Herne Bay 1 Herne Bay United 6; Herne United 3 Maidstone 10, Modesto Rebels 6 Sheffield Wildcats 4, Kons Modern 2 Letchworth 6, Herne Bay 2 Rolta 2, Herne United 9 Dublin 3, Herne Bay United 4 Sheffield 1, Maidstone 4 Letchworth 1, Modesto Rebels 4 Rolto 5, Kons Modern 9 Dublin 1
Group Results, Sunday: Herne United 7 Letchworth 4, Herne Bay 0 Sheffield 1, Maidstone 5 Kons Modern 2, Herne Bay United 10 Modesto Rebels 3, Dublin 1 Letchworth 7, Rolta 1 Sheffield 4, Herne United 8 Kons Modern 1, Herne Bay 1 Modesto Rebels 10, Maidstone 14 Dublin 0, Herne Bay United 9 Rolta 0
Play-off results, Monday: Final-Herne Bay United 1 Maidstone 0 (after penalties), 3/4- Modesto Rebels 2 Herne United 4, 5/6-Sheffield Wildcats 3 Letchworth 6, 7/8-Rolta 6 Kons Modern 4, 9/10-Herne Bay 9 Dublin 5
Posted: 27 April 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Kent Premier League: Herne Bay United 4 - 1 Maidstone (Played Saturday 15 April) and Premier League: Letchworth 6 - 2 Herne Bay United (Played: Sunday 16 April)
Crown Herne Bay United had a mixed weekend, clinching the Kent Premier League on Saturday, but suffering a blow to their National Premier League hopes the following day. Against Maidstone on Saturday, the battle for supremacy was tough with United keeper Dan Barton producing some fine saves. Dendy Hudson eventually broke the deadlock, and just before half time Simon Hosking struck two superb goals to make it 3 - 0 at the break. Maidstone had to chase the game and they fell further behind when United captain Philip McVey capped a brilliant solo dribble with a decisive finish. Maidstone's Clive Franklin was then sent off and United's Neil Austin had treatment to a cut lip. Joe Wheatley pulled one back, but he could not deny Bay the title.
At Letchworth on Sunday, Bay were missing all their regular strikers and suffered a 6 - 2 defeat, Philip McVey and Neil Austin scoring their goals. The result means that Crown, Letchworth and Manchester are all level on points with four games left to play. United's next home match is against Manchester on May 6.
Posted: 19 April 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Millennium Tournament
The town's three roller hockey clubs are to come together for the first time to stage an international tournament at the Pier over the Easter weekend. The event, which will run from April 22-24 is being funded by Herne Bay, Herne Bay United and Herne United with the assistance of Canterbury City Council and various local sponsors. Among those joining the three host clubs will be Maidstone, Sheffield Wildcats, Letchworth, Dublin, Kon Modern (Belgium), Rolto (Belgium) and Modesto Rebels (California). Matches will run from 9am to 7pm on Saturday, from 9am to 1pm and 5pm to 11 pm on Sunday and from 9am to 3pm on Monday.
Posted 13 April 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Kent Premier League: Farnham 2 - 22 Herne Bay United (Played: Saturday 8 April)
Crown Herne Bay United face Maidstone at the Pier Pavilion on Saturday night in a match which will decide the Kent Premier League. United trail their rivals by two points but boast a superior goal difference, having scored 46 goals in their last two matches against bottom club Farnham. Maidstone, the NRHA Cup holders, have yet to lose in the league this season and beat Crown, the defending champions, 2 - 1 in their first meeting.
Crown bolstered their goal difference after hammering Farnham 22 - 2 at the weekend. The previous week, at the Pier, they had beaten the same side 24 - 3. A Neil Austin hat-trick helped Crown into a 9 - 0 interval lead, and in the second period they continually broke up Farnham's attacks and punished them with swift counters. The home team did manage two replies, but otherwise found keeper David Garlick in fine form. Simon Hosking led the scoring charts at the end, with five goals, one more that Austin and there were hat-tricks for Steve Clark, Dendy Hudson and Kurt Holmes. Philip McVey struck twice with Tony Austin and Karl Smith netting one apiece.
Saturday's match starts at 9pm and forms part of a busy weekend for United, who are away to second-placed Letchworth in the National Premier League on Sunday. The bill at the Pier also include a support match between Corinthians and the South Eastern Counties at 7.30pm
Posted 13 April 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Kent Premier League: Crown Herne Bay United 24 - 3 Farnham (Played: Saturday 1 April)
Crown Herne Bay United bolstered their goal difference in the Kent Premier League with a crushing 24 - 3 victory over bottom club Farnham at the Pier Pavilion over the weekend. United now have 10 points from six games and trail leaders Maidstone by four points with a game in hand. The top two now have the same goal difference and the title could be decided when they meet at the Pier Pavilion on Saturday, April 15. That match will be Maidstone's last but before then United face a return fixture with Farnham this Saturday.
The breakthrough in the first meeting between the sides came from Tony Austin after just two minutes but United had to wait until midway though the opening period to double their lead. Kurt Holmes, returning after a three-week injury lay-off, smashed home the second and this prompted a period of sustained pressure which saw United ahead 9 - 0 by half time. Throughout the game the Farnham keeper Andy Mullis bravely tried to stem the flood of goals, but United know they needed a big win and pressed forward relentlessly. One of Farnham's three replies was an own goal by Simon Hosking, who also scored four times at the right end. Holmes finished the contest with six goals, while Brendan Barker and Neil Austin emulated Hosking's achievement in scoring four. Dendy Hudson hit a hat-trick with Tony Austin scoring twice. Philip McVey also netted. In the supporting game Herne United had a creditable 8 - 1 victory over local rivals Herne Bay
Crown Herne Bay United: Dan Barton, Philip McVey, Tony Austin, Brendan Barker, Kurt Holmes, Simon Hosking, Neil Austin, Dendy Hudson, Tristan Epps.
Positions: 1st Maidstone played 7, points 14; 2nd Crown Herne Bay United played 6, points 10; 3rd Herne United played 8, points 7; 4th Herne Bay played 8 points 5; 5th Farnham played 7 points 0
Posted: 6 April 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Kent Premier League: Crown Herne Bay United 4 - 1 Herne Bay (Played: Saturday 25 March)
Crown Herne Bay produced a solid performance to defeat a battling Herne Bay 4 - 1 in the Kent Premier Roller Hockey League at the Pier Pavilion. Bay's tight defence held Crown until 15 minutes had elapsed, when Phil McVey and Dendy Hudson each scored. And just before the interval, Crown got caught on the break, John Dalton scoring a well taken goal to make it 2 - 1. United continued to press but with the exception of two Simon Hosking goals they were defied by the goal cage or keeper Paul Hougham. In the supporting game Herne United were 4 - 2 winners over the All Stars. This Saturday Crown HBU take on Farnham and Herne Bay play Herne United.
Crown Herne Bay United: Philip McVey, Tony Austin, Nick Barton, Simon Hosking, Neil Austin, Dendy Hudson, Tristan Epps, David Garlick
Herne Bay: Paul Hougham, David White, Robin Cathcart, Kevin Hoare, Peter Halvarsen, John Chalk, John Dalton, Mick Harris, Nicky Sainsbury, Paul Dalton.
Posted 30 March 2000
Reported by Herne Bay Gazette
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Premier League: Crown Herne Bay United 7 - 2 Middlesbrough
Crown Herne Bay United were made to work hard to extend their National Premier League unbeaten record and were flattered by the final 7 - 2 margin of victory against a hard-working Middlesbrough side. United made the best possible start when Simon Hosking fired them ahead with a shot that flew past Borough keeper Graham Saurr and into the roof of the net after only 40 seconds play. The side from the north-east levelled after just two minutes when McCann picked up the ball from a re-bound off the backboards to slot past United keeper Dan Barton. Despite the fact that they never really found their true form, HBU restored their lead and went into the change round 3 - 1 ahead following further goals from Hosking and skipper Phil McVey. Borough cut the deficit to one soon after the restart and the game remained that way until the final five minutes of the game when United netted four times.
HBU return to action on Saturday when they entertain local rivals Herne Bay in a Kent Premier League derby at the Pier Pavilion, the programme will be completed with a game between Herne United and All Stars team.
United team: Dan Barton, Philip McVey (1), Alexis Zacharia, Nick Barton (1), Karl Smith, Simon Hosking (3), Neil Austin (2), Dendy Hudson, David Garlick
Posted: 23 March 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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SECRHA Schoolboys League
Despite travelling to Reading for their five-team tournament with the bare bones of a squad, Herne Bay United Roller hockey Club's junior side excelled themselves to beat all-comers. Although United were without their three schoolboy internationals, Joe Fidock, Bryon Davis and Keith Ritchie, they won all four of their games to remain on top of the SECRHA Schoolboy League table.
Main team: Stuart Almond, Byran Davis, Keith Ritchie, Joe Fidock, Michael Crocker, Ben Jackson, Dave Beeson, Zacharia, Paul Nelson and Sam Jackson.
Results: HBU 7 Reading Falcons 0; HBU 10 Banstead 5; HBU 16 Farnham 2; HBU 3 Reading Hawks 0.
Posted: 23 March 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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National Cup quarter final: Sheffield 2 - 12 Crown Herne Bay United
Crown Herne Bay United returned victorious from Barnsley on Sunday after beating Sheffield 12 - 2 in the National Cup quarter final. Neil Austin was in top form, showing terrific pace and control and was United's top scorer with seven well-taken goals. United got off to a flying start when, after only 20 seconds, the Sheffield keeper was unable to clear a Simon Hosking shot and Karl Smith pounced on the rebound and flicked it into the net. United's man-to-man marking stifled the Sheffield attack, but it was not until the latter part of the first half that they increased their lead. By half-time they were leading 7 - 0.
Neil Austin had completed a second half hat-trick before Sheffield scored twice, one being the result of a mistake while United changed players. Crown keeper Dan Barton was kept busy in the latter stages of the game, but further goals by Brendan Barker and Tony Austin settled matters.
Other quarter finals to be played are: Maidstone v Halifax, Grimsby v Middlesbrough and Colchester v Letchworth.
Crown team: Dan Barton, Phil McVey (1), Brendan Barker (2), Karl Smith (1), Simon Hosking, Neil Austin (7), Tony Austin (1), Steve Clark
Posted: 16 March 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Under 13s
Herne Bay United's minors won two of their three matches in a tournament at Farnham on Sunday. They opened with a defeat, 7 - 4 against Maidstone but responded by defeating the hosts 11 - 0. The closest match came against Reading with United squeezing home 2 - 1.
Team: Joe Andrews, Harry Arnold, Robert Carnell, Sean Carnell, Jono Fell, James Hoare, Joe King, Charlie Pughe
Posted: 16 March 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Kent Premier League: Herne Bay United 18 - 0 Herne United
Crown Herne Bay United scored a comprehensive 18 - 0 win over a weakened Herne United team in Saturday's one-sided Kent Premier League derby. Herne United's late replacement keeper Antony Roberts was kept busy throughout the game and did well to keep the score down to 6 - 0 by half time.
Crown raised the tempo after the interval, scoring a dozen more unanswered goals, while at the other end of the rink David Garlick completed a shut out. The win was in complete contrast to their earlier meeting this season when Crown edged a 4 - 3 victory over their local rivals.
Crown Herne Bay United: David Garlick, Jon Barton, Nick Barton, Karl Smith (2), Simon Hosking (5), Neil Austin (5), Tony Austin, Dendy Hudson (4), Kurt Holmes (2)
Herne United: Antony Roberts, Chris Johnson, Mark Shilling, Aaron Bowyer, Peter Taylor, Jamie Cooke, Dean Fagan, Robert Singleton
Posted 9 March 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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National Schoolboys League
Herne Bay United's under 17s maintained their position at the head of the National Schoolboys League with three more wins at Stavely, Chesterfield. The squad beat Sharley Park 8 - 5, Halifax 9 - 4 and Manchester 20 - 1, with Keith Ritchie scoring 11, Joe Fidock eight and Bryon Davis seven. Stuart Almond and Sam Jackson each scored four, with Ben Jackson netting three. The squad was completed by goalkeepers David Beeson and Paul Nelson.
Posted: 9 March 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Premier League: Manchester 6 - 17 Herne Bay United (Played: Saturday 19 February) and Halifax 2 - 6 Herne Bay United (Played: Sunday 20 February)
Crown Herne Bay United moved clear at the top of the National Roller Hockey League Premier Division with two wins from their weekend double header in Manchester and Halifax. They overwhelmed previously unbeaten Manchester 17 - 6 and followed that with Sunday's 6 - 2 win over a strong Halifax Stars.
HBU got off to a flying start at the Arcadia Rink in Manchester where they scored four goals in as many minutes through Brendan Barker. By half-time they extended their lead to 9 - 4 and then tightened up at the back with David Garlick in excellent form in goal to restrict Manchester to two more goals while extending their tally by eight.
Sunday's win over Halifax was a tighter affair. Halifax took the lead with six minutes of the first half remaining, but the goal sparked United into goal scoring action with Dendy Hudson, Nick Barton and Brendan Barker all netting prior to the interval. United's superior team-work was rewarded soon after the restart with two more from Brendan Barker and another from Nick Barton to extend the lead to 6 - 1 before Halifax finally beat Dan Barton in goal for a second consolation goal.
Herne Bay United: Dan Barton, Phil McVey, Brendan Barker, Nick Barton, Karl Smith, Simon Hosking, Dendy Hudson, Kurt Holmes, David Garlick
Posted: 24 February 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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SECRHA Senior League
Herne Bay United's mix of junior and schoolboy players won all four games in their third South Eastern Counties Senior League tournament of the season at the pier Pavilion on Sunday. Ben Jackson scored their opener against Reading, but by half-time the Berkshire side had drawn level. Joe Fidock and Stuart Almond both then found the net but each time Reading equalised before United seized control late on with further efforts from Fidock, James Nelson and Alexis Zacharia to make it 6 - 3.
A disciplined first-half display against Herne United saw them in front 3 - 0 with two goals by Bryon Davis and one from Sam Jackson. Herne hit back through Sean Spinks but Jackson's second restored United's three-goal cushion before Spinks added his second in the final minute to cut the margin to 4 - 2.
United ran amok against an inexperienced Banstead side. They led 9 - 2 at the break and eventually won 14 - 2. Fidock, Ben Jackson and Keith Ritchie all scored twice in the first period, with James Nelson, Davies and an own goal completing the tally. Second-half scorers for United were James Nelson and Zacharia with two apiece, and Almond and Sam Jackson with one each.
United had been beaten by fellow title challengers Herne Bay last time around, but this time a strong defensive performance saw them build a 3 - 0 lead with goals from Davis (2) and Sam Jackson. David Beeson had a great game in goal and kept a clean sheet to give Herne Bay United another victory.
Team: David Beeson, Joe Fidock, Bryon Davis, James Nelson, Keith Ritchie, Stuart Almond, Ben Jackson, Alexis Zacharia, Sam Jackson, Paul Nelson
Posted: 15 February 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Premier League: Herne Bay United 7 - 4 Halifax (Played: Saturday 29 January)
Crown Herne Bay United overturned a 3 - 2 half-time deficit to beat Halifax 7 - 4 in the National Premier League at the Pier Pavilion on Saturday. The result maintained United's 100 per cent record, although they have yet to play their two main rivals Manchester and Letchworth.
United squandered a number of chances during the early stages against Halifax, who punished them by opening up a 2 - 0 lead by the midway point of the first half. Goals from Nick Barton and Simon Hosking then brought United level, but just before the break Halifax struck again to lead at the break.
During the second half United's superior pace and fitness became more evident and they steadily took a stranglehold on the game. Halifax became more and more frustrated, forcing referee Albert Parker to card several players, and all they managed in reply to strikes from Brendan Barker, Neil Austin (2), Phil McVey and Hosking was a penalty goal. United continue their Premier League programme on Saturday, February 19 and Sunday, February 20 away to Manchester and Halifax respectively.
Team: Dan Barton, Phil McVey, Brendan Barker, Nick Barton, Karl Smith, Simon Hosking, Neil Austin, Dendy Hudson, Kurt Holmes, David Garlick
Posted: 3 February 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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National Cup Qualifiers
United's schoolboys are through to the final of the National Cup after defeating Middlesbrough 9 - 4 in the qualifiers at Sharley Park, Derbyshire, on Saturday. The minors went down 9 - 3 to the host club, while the juniors, who were much depleted, lost 7 - 3 after a physical encounter with Manchester.
Posted: 3 February 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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SECRHA Under 11s
The under 11s had an excellent day in the SECRHA League tournament at Maidstone, beating Herne United (4 - 3) and Reading (5 - 2) before losing 3 - 1 to an over age squad from the home club
United under 11s: Joe Andrews, Myles Barker, Robert Carnell, Tom Hawkins, James Hoare, Liam Holland, Eban Peakall, Kieran Smith
Posted 3 February 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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SECRHA Senior League
United's Schoolboys/junior squad played in the SECRHA Senior League at the Pier on Sunday, defeating Banstead, Peterborough and Highworth, but losing to Herne Bay.
Squad: Stuart Almond, David Beeson, Michael Crocker, Bryon Davis, Joe Fidock, Sam Jackson, Ben Jackson, James Nelson, Paul Nelson, Keith Ritchie, Alexis Zacharia
Posted: 3 February 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Friendly: Herne Bay United 10 - 2 Herne Bay
Herne Bay's hopes of adding pints to their Kent Premier Roller Hockey League challenge were scuppered when opponents Letchworth failed to turn up at the Pier Pavilion on Saturday. Instead, Herne Bay met a scratch Herne Bay United side in a friendly, with United, who fielded several schoolboy players, going on to win 10 - 2. In the Kent Premier League match that did go ahead, Herne United met last season's national cup winners Maidstone and went down 15 - 8. The victory took Maidstone to the top of the league. The next roller hockey action at the Pier is on Saturday, January 29 when Crown Herne Bay United meet Halifax in the National Premier League, start 8.30pm. Crown have made a positive start to the league, so far, winning twice against Grimsby and once against Middlesbrough. Also in the league are Manchester, Sheffield and Letchworth.
Posted: 20 January 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Under 13's
Two defeats plus victories over Herne United (5 - 2) and Farnham (9 - 1) represented a mixed set of results for Herne Bay United's under-13s when they hosted their home tournament at the Pier on Sunday.
Squad: Joe Andrews, Harry Arnold, Graham Bradley, Robert Carnell, Sean Carnell, Jono Fell, James Hoare, Joe King, Charlie Pughe (captain)
Posted: 20 January 2000
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Premier League: Crown Herne Bay United 15 - 3 Grimsby (Played: Saturday 11 December)
Crown Herne Bay United made an impressive start to their National Premier League season when they were 15 - 3 winners against Grimsby, whose performance was better than the scoreline suggested. United went in front after 30 seconds on Saturday with an opportunist goal from Dendy Hudson, but within eight seconds Steve Hancocks had beaten home keeper David Garlick with a thunderous shot. Garlick was kept busy throughout the game, but United's greater teamwork and Simon Hosking's finishing power proved the difference. Hosking finished the contest with eight goals, while Neil Austin hit a hat-trick. Kurt Holmes (2) and Philip McVey were the other marksmen.
Crown have a tough weekend ahead, facing away matches against Middlesbrough and Grimsby without Nick Barton, Hosking and Hudson (work commitments).
Crown Herne Bay United: David Garlick, Philip McVey, Nick Barton, Kurt Holmes, Neil Austin, Simon Hosking, Dendy Hudson, Karl Smith, Tony Austin.
Posted 16 December 1999
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Kent Premier League: Herne Bay United 16 - 1 Herne Bay (Played: Saturday 4 December)
The two Kent Premier League fixtures at the Pier Pavilion on Saturday produced 30 goals as Herne United and Crown Herne Bay United both collected convincing wins. Herne overcame Farnham 10 - 3 while Herne Bay United beat local rivals Herne Bay 16 - 1, the same score by which they had lost to top professional Portuguese side UD Oliveirense in Europe the previous week.
Simon Hosking led the rout of their weakened near neighbours, scoring seven goals and there was a hat-tick for Neil Austin. Kurt Holmes and Dendy Hudson claimed doubles with Nick Barton and Brendan Barker completing the tally. United make their return to the National League on Saturday when they face Grimsby at the Pier Pavilion.
Crown Herne Bay United: David Garlick, Simon Hosking, Kurt Holmes, Brendan Barker, Nick Barton, Dendy Hudson, Steve Clark, Neil Austin, Tony Austin.
Posted: 9 December 1999
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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CERS Cup: UD Oliveirense 16 - 1 Crown Herne Bay United (Played: Saturday 27 November)
Crown Herne Bay United's European adventure came to an unhappy end in Portugal at the weekend when they were beaten 16 - 1 by UD Oliveirense. The Portuguese had inflicted a 14 - 1 defeat on the Kent team at the Pier Pavilion a week earlier, leaving them on the wrong end of a 30 - 2 aggregate scoreline. United were disappointed with their home performance and, despite a much-improved display in the second leg, they struggled to contain the Portuguese professionals whose squad included Brazilian star Juandir Silva, nicknamed Didi.
United's only goal came when captain Philip McVey scored from a penalty rebound to make the score 8 - 1 at half-time.
United resume their Kent League fixtures on Saturday when they meet Herne Bay in a derby at the Pier Pavilion. The match starts at 9pm and will be preceded by Herne United against Farnham at 7.30pm
Crown Herne Bay United: Dan Barton, David Garlick, Phil McVey, Nick Barton, Kurt Holmes, Brendan Barker, Dendy Hudson, Simon Hosking, Neil Austin
Posted: 2 December 1999
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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SECRHA Under 11's
Herne United's under-11 team, the Smugglers, launched the South Eastern Counties League season by playing host to Herne Bay, Maidstone, Herne Bay United and Reading at the Pier Pavilion on Sunday. Goals from Dale Goodrum and Jeremy Colgate earned United a 2 - 2 draw after an end-to-end game with Herne Bay United and the next match against Reading was also close. Herne came through 3 - 2 with Colgate scoring twice and Alison Dudley once. The match against Maidstone was played as a friendly because their Kent rivals had to field three over-age players, and despite a fine display by Robert Dell, making his debut in goal, Herne went down 7 - 1. Goodrum scored Hernes consolation in the dying seconds. The evening's final encounter paired Smugglers and Herne Bay and again there was little to choose between the sides as the Bay triumphed 5 - 4. Dudley and Joseph Singleton each struck twice for the losers. The Herne team was competed by Lauren Singleton, George Norcott, Evan Goodrum and Luke Bremner.
Herne Bay United went down 2 - 1 to Herne Bay but beat Reading 5 - 3 in their other matches. Their squad was Joe Andrews, Miles Barker, Robert Carnell, Tom Hawkins, James Hoare, Liam Holland and Eban Peakall. The next tournament is at Maidstone in January.
Posted: 2 December 1999
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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CERS Cup: Crown Herne Bay United 1 - 14 UD Oliveirense (Played: Saturday 20 November)
Crown Herne Bay United face an impossible task when they travel to Portugal for the second leg of the CERS Cup first-round clash at the weekend. United lost the home leg 14 - 1 against UD Oliveirense at the Pier Pavilion, and all they can hope for is to produce an improved performance. "The boys know that they can play better than they did at the Pier Pavilion," said coach and manager Terry Barton. "They were very disappointed because they made a few too many basic mistakes. We made a very slow start and had a bad finish, but we held our own in the middle part of the contest. We'll be one player short for the return, but it is too expensive to take a junior along who might not play a part in the contest."
Crown Herne Bay United's European Cup adventure was over almost before it had begun at the Pier Pavilion on Saturday. Entered this year in the CERS competition (roller hockey's UEFA Cup) United had hoped to progress beyond the first round, but their Portuguese rivals swiftly ended those hopes when they killed off the tie in the first eight minutes. The match was broadcast live on Portuguese radio and United, who were concerned about their lack of match practice before the match, were made to suffer in public.
They held their visitors for the first four minutes, but then the goal spree began and after eight minutes Oliveirense were seven goals to the good. United enjoyed only one moment of success and that was when Neil Austin deflected home a Dendy Hudson shot.
United began the second half in much more positive fashion and produced several attacks that threatened the opposition goal. Defensively, too, they were much more solid and they held out until the mid-way point when Olivierense again broke free and took their tally to 11. Crown then missed two penalties and then with five minutes left on the clock made a complete team change in a bid to put pressure on the Portuguese keeper. However, they could not break through, being beaten only by the German referee's final whistle as a shot flew into the net.
Team: Dan Barton, David Garlick, Philip McVey, Brendan Barker, Nick Barton, Simon Hosking, Neil Austin, Dendy Hudson, Kurt Holmes, Steve Clarke.
Posted: 25 November 1999
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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European Schoolboys Championships
Six Herne Bay United players helped England produce one of their strongest performances in the European Schoolboys Roller Hockey Championships in Italy. Bryon Davis, Joe Fidock, Ben and Sam Jackson, Paul Nelson and Keith Ritchie were part of a 10-man squad who helped England to eighth place. They all gave a good account of themselves and Herne Bay United in the week-long tournament.
England were unfortunate in that their opening match was against one of the tournament favourites, Spain, who won comfortably. But the following day England earned plaudits in holding Italy to a 3 - 1 defeat. England actually led 1 - 0, the first time they have ever been ahead of the Italians, but eventually fell to their strength and experience. The local daily paper reported the England had given the Italians a tough game which set them back on their heels and earned the England team due respect.
They then lost 2 - 1 to Germany in another exciting contest, and further close games followed against France and Andorra. During the playoffs over the next two days, the team displayed dogged determination, defeating Belgium 11 - 0. Their efforts saw them finish eighth, a creditable performance against teams who receive financial assistance and have intensive training programmes all arranged and funded by their Governments through local authority grants.
The final saw Portugal defeat Spain by one goal to claim the European title. Praise must be given to the coaching team, led by Tyrone Drinkwater, of Middlesbrough, but also to the stamina, fitness, determination, and sportmanship of the players.
Posted: 14 October 1999
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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