BOE travelled to arguably the toughest game of the season so far, Kings Alleyn’s were relegated last season from Kent/Sussex Div 1 and have shown their class at the start of this season by going undefeated.

The game started and BOE lead from the front with tireless running from all parts of the pitch to create space and plug any holes that the Alleyn’s players could see.

The pressure told and BOE took an early and deserved lead with a ferocious drag flick from Michael Lawrence at their first penalty corner as the Opposition keeper stood paralysed in fear or bemusement. The team pushed again and looked to increase their lead. This fierce intent was rewarded with a second goal from another Michael Lawrence drag flick high into the roof of the net as the Kings Alleyn’s keeper once again appeared to never have seen one before but did attempt a flap at thin air.

BOE continued to press and go for more but a quick Alleyn’s counter attack, a ‘missed’ foot from the Umpire and then a ‘foul’ tackle only he could see resulted in a penalty corner for KA which they dispatched well to make the score 1-2.

Blackheath were feeling mightily aggrieved at the umpires decision and were in danger of losing their discipline and letting it derail their good start as they have often let themselves do before. But today they channelled this frustration positively and promptly headed up the other end of the pitch in search of recompense and pay back ‘Karma’ style.

The ‘Karma’ came when, from the other half of the pitch, the same Umpire gave a surprise penalty corner for BOE! Lots of bemused looks from both sets of players ensued but BOE saw this as fair pay back for the earlier mistake. With regular PC marksman Michael Lawrence off the pitch, Central Defence brick wall Tom Archer stepped into the fray. A lovely low drag to the keepers right was deflected up into the roof of the net by an KA defenders stick, to give BOE a 31- advantage.

The half time whistle went and BOE set about discussing what we were to do in the second half to cement what was proving to be a very good performance. We agreed that the first score in the second half would be key, so it had to be ours.

BOE began strong and with barely 5 mins of the second half gone a terrific ball to Nick Boot-Handford, running tirelessly as normal, who in turn played a quick ball into Fergus Parker at the top D who squared it for an unmarked Jonny Bond to slot high inside the keepers near post to make it 4-1. A superb team move.

With that goal, the game slowed and BOE controlled the pace with exceptional transfers and possession from the hard working back four.

The game finished 4-1 and BOE are now top of the league with a trip to bottom of the league Canterbury on the 30th. No complacency though. A positive result is vital from this long trip as anything less than a win will render the KA result pointless.

MOM - Tom Archer, a close call but some key tackles.
DOD – Robert Hughes, tried his hardest to give Kings a goal towards the end