Sevenoaks started their 2022/23 season in style with a solid 2-0 victory over a well organised Old Cranleighans side.

Having suffered in recent seasons with slow starts, leaving them behind the eight ball, Sevenoaks were keen to avoid a similar fate this year. A decent pre-season saw Sevenoaks win the Y1 Tournament Qualifier (facing Exeter University, Southgate, Old Cranleighans, Spencer and Canterbury along the way), as well as recording wins against Wapping and Brighton, alongside narrow defeats to East Grinstead and Old Loughtonians. Performances had been good and the squad entered the opening game feeling confident.

This confidence was reflected in the early exchanges against Old Cranleighans, as Oaks started on the front foot, making numerous forays into the opposition 25. Despite some good territory there were not many chances to get excited about until Oaks were awarded a penalty corner for a foul on 17 year old debutant Meno Mangat in the D. The initial effort on goal was well saved by the keeper and the rebound was scrambled off the line, before eventually striking a Cranleighans defender on the foot to earn Oaks another penalty corner. This time a well worked move saw Craig Morton deflect the ball into the back of the net to put Oaks 1-0 up just before the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter followed a similar pattern - Oaks enjoyed plenty of the ball and good territory, with Cranleighans limited to a few counter attacking opportunities. It was a Sevenoaks counter to one of these Cranleighans attacks that brought about the second goal of the game. A superb tackle by James Beck in the Oaks defence saw him dispossess the Cranleighans attacker before playing a reverse stick pass to Mangat on the halfway line. He muscled his way past the Cranleighans defender before bursting forwards towards the top of the D. As the keeper advanced, Mangat unselfishly squared the ball to Ben Allberry who showed excellent composure to take a touch and finish into the back of the net to make it 2-0. A brilliant counter attacking goal involving one of the youngest players on the pitch teeing up one of the oldest players on the pitch! Oaks continued to defend well, with Richard Potton in the Oaks goal yet to make a save as the sides went into the half-time break.

The third quarter passed without much incident - any momentum that Old Cranleighans were starting to build was cut short by a pair of green cards reducing them to 9 men for a couple of minutes. Sevenoaks also saw a green card for Ben Selby when he was penalised for an overly enthusiastic challenge. Oaks had some promising breakaways, with another 16 year old debutant, Charlie Brooks, impressing in midfield, but they were unable to add to their tally.

Cranleighans pushed forwards in the final quarter and earned a few penalty corners. Having barely touched the ball in the previous three quarters, Potton did extremely well to remain focused and nimble enough to make several fine saves to keep the Oaks clean sheet intact. The last play of the game saw Cranleighans crash the ball into the D for a deflection from their forward but Potton turned it round the post and the score remained 2-0 to Oaks as the umpires blew the final whistle.

A good result and performance for Oaks to begin the season and particularly pleasing was the performances of the three Oaks juniors - Selby, Mangat and Brooks (17, 17 and 16 respectively). Man of the match was shared between Mangat and Potton for their performances at either end of the pitch. Next up for Sevenoaks is Bath Buccaneers at home on Sunday 2nd October.