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Roller Hockey News 1998-1999 Season
European Champions League: FC Barcelona 9 - 3 Herne Bay United (Played: Saturday 20 March)
Herne Bay United graced the Nou Camp Stadium in Barcelona with a determined and skilful performance in the European Champions League on Saturday. Beaten 9 - 2 in the home match at the Pier Pavilion, United gave the Spanish giants a scare and after 11 minutes were actually leading 2 - 1. Barca then turned on the power and, despite a thoroughly professional performance from United, ran out comfortable winners.
Bay had to travel on the morning of the match and their warm-up provoked some reaction from the 1,000-strong crowd that was somewhat lost in the 6,000 seat Blau Grana Pavilion at the Nou Camp. They began the match concentrating on a man-for-man defence and were rewarded with a third-minute goal when Nick Barton pounced to put United up. Barcelona responded in the fifth minute through Borregan, but Herne Bay were able to counter attack several times and were rewarded in the eight minute when Barton claimed his second. Until the 11th minute of the match United were in the almost surreal position of leading 2 - 1 at the Nou Camp, at which point the Barca coach called a time out. United then continued to attack when keeping possession might have been safer. Simon Hosking and Brendan Barker had attempts on goal but even with keeper Dan Barton in top form, Bay could not keep out Barcelona. As Bay tired towards the end of the half, Barcelona struck three times through Mariotti, Paez and Carles.
From the start of the second half Barca set about restoring some credibility to the scoreline, mostly though their Argentinians Cairo and Paez. Nick Barton, setting off on another break, was cynically taken out and Kurt Holmes, trading slap shots with Mariotti and making fine efforts in defence, was rewarded with an elbow in the face from Paez. By the ninth minute of the half the tough work by Paez and the deft finishing of Cairo led to a goal for each of them. With the score at 7 - 2 to Barcelona, United put together some excellent teamwork and Hosking had the pleasure of ending a move with a powerful shot that gave the home keeper no chance. At 8 - 3 Dan Barton saved two penalties from Cairo and Paez, but Cairo finally beat the Bay man to make it 9 - 3.
Barcelona and Italian side Novara have qualified for the semi-final from United's group, while Portuguese teams Benfica and Porto are also through.
Crown HBU: Dan Barton, Nick Barton (2), Philip McVey, Brendan Barker, Simon Hosking (1), Chris Espejo, Dendy Hudson, Kurt Holmes, Steve Newman, David Garlick.
Posted: 25 March 1999
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Coupes des Nations
The European roller hockey exploits of Herne Bay United have earned them an invitation to represent England at one of the sport's leading international events, the Coupes des Nations, in Switzerland at Easter.
It is the first time since 1964 that an English team has been included, and United's amateurs will face national squads from Portugal, Spain, Mozambique, Germany, France, USA and Holland, and hosts Montreux. Secretary Aileen Barker said :"It is a great honour to be invited and, although we will be competing for England, we will play in our club colours. It means a busy Easter, as it is a four-day event, but at least this time most of our expenses will be met."
Posted: 25 March 1999
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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International Tournament
Host club Herne Bay finished top local team in an international roller hockey tournament at the weekend. The Rodney's Sports Bar-backed club finished third, behind Farnham and champions Bassano from Italy, in a tournament full of top-quality hockey. The Italians finished with a 100 per cent record, while Herne Bay just pipped rivals Herne Bay United for third. Dutch side Den Haag were fifth with Herne Bay second team, the Herne Bay Stars, in sixth.
Herne Bay and Herne Bay United opened the tournament on Saturday with a 3 - 3 draw, guest player Simon Hosking scoring twice in the first half for Bay with Tony Austin replying for United. Hosking completed a hat-trick, but two goals from Brendan Barker saw United come back to earn a point.
Richard Adams scored the solitary goal in Herne Bay Stars' 5 - 1 defeat against Farnham, while United then conquered Den Haag 4 - 2. Bassano's first match saw them brush Farnham aside 4 - 0, before Herne Bay suffered a disappointing 9 - 4 loss against the Dutch outfit, Hosking and John Chalk sharing the goals.
Bassano's march to the title continued with an 8 - 0 success over the Stars and the last game of the day saw Farnham and United clash in a high scoring contest. Farnham claimed the points with the decisive goal in a 6 - 5 win coming three minutes from time.
Herne Bay and Herne Bay Stars opened the second day's programme and there were plenty of goals with Bay triumphing 10 - 3. Hosking added four to his tally, Chalk two, Kevin Hoare three and Mick Harris and Dave Walters, the club's oldest player, one apiece. The Stars' goals came from Richard Adams, Mark Shilling and John Dalton. The two European teams met next with Bassano showing their pedigree with a 10 - 2 trouncing of Den Haag, but the Stars' difficult time continued when they slipped 8 - 4 to United, for whom James Nelson claimed a hat-trick.
Hosking then proved the key to Herne Bay's vital victory over Farnham, scoring five times in an 8 - 2 success. Chalk, Harris and David White backed him up, while Farnham's goals came from Dudley Whattingham and Simon Wilkes. United's aggressive style of roller hockey proved a little too much against Bassano, earning three yellow cards and a two-minute sending off for Nelson. Bassano made them pay, defeating them 4 - 1. Farnham claimed their third victory when they came from 2 - 0 down at half time against Den Haag to win 5 - 2 with two goals each from Steve Spencer and Wilkes and one from Whattingham. Herne Bay's final match saw them lose 5 - 1 to Bassano and in the final contest the Stars took a bit of a battering from Den Haag, who won 14 - 3, Peter Tammeran scoring nine goals.
Posted 18 March 1999
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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European Champions League
The Champions' League home games may be over, but we still need your support - that was the message from Crown Herne Bay United Roller Hockey Club secretary Aileen Barker this week. Underdogs United put in their best performance of the champions' league campaign to date in falling to a 6 - 2 defeat to Italian professionals Novara. Another good Pier Pavilion crowd helped top up the United coffers, but the club need every penny they can make if they are to fulfil their two remaining champions' league away fixtures in Spain on March 20 and April 10.
"We must sustain the interest and ensure that people keep coming to watch our domestic games," said Mrs Barker after Saturday's thrilling display. "There's no doubt that the team are improving because the second half was effectively a 2 - 2 draw, but we are determined to keep improving. We have really appreciated the support from people in the town, but the work doesn't stop just because we've played our three home games. We hope our supporters have also got something out of these champions' league games, but we need them to keep coming and helping the club out." Mrs Barker added: "There's still some money to come in, but we have yet to pay for our trip to Barcelona and a two-night stay in Spain when we play Vic on April 10.
"We have discovered that there is a big festival in Barcelona on the weekend we visit, so our hotel is going to be more expensive than we thought. We also have other costs, like covering the expenses of the referees from France and Germany for our home matches, so we are grateful for every little bit of help we can get."
Posted: 11 March 1999
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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European Champions League
Talk about having a lot on your hands. . . Aileen Barker, secretary of Herne Bay United roller hockey club, was sizing up the opposition at close range when she met the Michielon twins, Alessandro and Alberto, at the Pier Pavilion on Saturday. The brothers - 7ft each in their skates - were in town to play for Italian club Novara, who beat United 6 - 2 in the European Champions League, despite a battling performance from the home side. The United players presented Mrs Barker with a bouquet and a framed team photograph from the Herne Bay Gazette before the match, in recognition of her efforts in organising the European campaign. She has had to plan two trips to Spain, and one each to France and Italy, as well as liaising with visiting referees from the Continent and attempting to raise sponsorship and other funds to cover the costs.
Posted: 11 March 1999
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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European Champions League: Herne Bay United 2 - 6 Novara (Played: Saturday 6 March)
It looked like a giant task for Herne Bay United. But in spite of facing the 7ft Michielon twins, they cut the Italian stars down to size with perhaps their best-ever European performance on Saturday night. To put the result in context, United had lost 16 - 2 to the same side in Italy, and the Italians had since lost 5 - 2 to reigning European champions Barcelona. And, with goal difference against Herne Bay possibly influencing the qualifying hopes of the three other teams in the European Champions' League group, this was a respectable result which could, indeed, have been even better. Certainly, goalkeeper Dan Barton gave another outstanding performance, making saves ranging from a point-blank deflection to a last-minute blast from the full length of the rink at the Pier Pavilion, and included three penalties and a direct free hit.
But, had United's own finishing been sharper, the surprisingly sluggish Italians could have been seriously embarrassed. Their own goalkeeper, Mauro Bianchi, admitted: "It was a strange game; we played too slowly. Maybe it was because we are used to playing on a bigger rink. But Herne Bay have a very good side, they work closely together - and their goalkeeper played very well."
United, who had been 4 - 0 down to Barcelona after seven minutes in their previous match, conceded as any in the first half against Novara, but matched them goal for goal in the second period. Alberto Orlandi hit the first after just seven seconds, followed by strikes by Osvaldo Gonella and, after Simon Hosking had failed with a penalty, two by Alessandro Michielon. Dendy Hudson managed to earn a yellow card for toppling the mighty Michielon, but after the interval the Italians became so rattled that four their players were yellow carded, and one sin-binned.
United started the second half by creating a series of chances, Chris Espejo hitting the outside of a post, and within five minutes Novara had called a time out to regroup. Alberto Michielon rapped in a penalty to make it 5 - 0, but with just under nine minutes remaining Nick Barton glided deceptively through and suddenly produced a shot which bulged the corner of the net. A hopeful drive deflected in off Enrico Bernardini should heave eased the Italian tempers at 6 - 1. But, upset after Bernardini had been accidentally clobbered by the stick of his opposing skipper, Phil McVey, they soon became involved in an angry shoving match which led to a direct free hit and allowed Chris Espejo to send the local fans home happy. Sprinting forward from the hit, he saw his first effort blocked by Bianchi, but reacted sharply to send a clever chip-shot over the prostrate goalkeeper.
Herne Bay United: D Barton, P McVey, B Barker, N Barton, C Espejo, S Hosking, S Newman, D Hudson, K Holmes, D Garlick
Posted: 11 March 1999
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Kent Premier League: Crown Herne Bay United 11 - 1 Sheffield Wildcats (Played: Saturday 27 February)
Crown Herne Bay United moved two points clear at the top of the Kent Premier League after Saturday's comprehensive 11 - 1 win over Sheffield Wildcats. United had the Pier Pavilion crowd on their feet from the start as they brought immediate pressure to bear on the Wildcats' goal. Despite the one-way traffic United had to wait until 10 minutes from half-time before finally prizing the floodgates apart with three goals in a minute.
Within seven minutes of the restart United had crashed in three more to lead 7 - 0 and put the result beyond doubt. The final onslaught brought three more goals for the home crowd to applaud while Derek Bell scored the consolation strike for Sheffield. Simon Hosking led the United scoring stakes with four, Kurt Holmes notched a hat-trick while Chris Espejo, Steve Newman, Dendy Hudson and an own goal completed the scoring.
Team: David Garlick, Philip McVey, Kurt Holmes, Neil Austin, Chris Espejo, Simon Hosking, Steve Newman, Dendy Hudson, Ross Halfpenny
Posted: 4 March 1999
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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European Champions League
Crown Herne Bay United have little but pride to play for at the Pier Pavilion on Saturday when they host their third and final home tie in the European Roller Hockey Champions' League. Already heavily defeated by Spanish sides Barcelona and Vic, they face another stern test on Saturday when they welcome Italian champions Novara. The sides met in Italy last month in the first of the six champions' league ties when Novara secured an emphatic 16 - 2 win. So United coach Terry Barron is under no illusions about the size of the task ahead of his side this weekend. "The only side to have beaten them so far is Barcelona, so that shows just how good a team Novara are," said Barton. "Our 16 - 2 defeat out in Italy was our first game at this level and we were taken by surprise by the way they played to create spaces and scoring opportunities. We have been working on that in the meantime and will look to improve on it this time around."
Although out of the running for a place in the semi-finals, United have plenty to play for on Saturday according to Barton. "Certain club members have put in an awful lot of hard work to make this champions' league dream a reality for us. We've also been very pleased with the level of support we've received from the townspeople. It's now up to us as a team to try to do those people proud with our performance against Novara."
The visitors, who are full-time professionals, will included their highest-paid players, the Michielon brothers. Identical twins, the pair measure up at just over 7ft in their skates. Tickets for the tie, which starts at 8.30pm are still available from the Pavilion desk.
Posted 4 March 1999
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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European Champions League: Crown Herne Bay United 3 - 15 C Pati Vic (Played: Saturday 20 February)
Another near-capacity crown saw Crown Herne Bay United continue their great European Champions Roller Hockey League adventure with a stirling perfomance against Spanish club Vic. Despite the 3 - 15 scoreline, United were far from disgraced against the Catalanese full-timers and it was only in the closing stages of an incident - packed clash that Vic's experience really began to make a difference.
Vic, who had lost 1 - 6 to Barcelona and 2 - 3 to the Italian of Novara in their opening fixtures, took a few minutes to settle and then rattled home four quick goals. With a quarter-hour gone, the lead had been increased to 7 - 0 as Santi Pons(3), Jordi Corominas (3) and Miguel Masoliver struck. As in previous matches, United seem to score spectacular goals against class opposition and Chris Espejo, who has played in Spain, maintained the tradition. But Vic struck back to lead 8 - 1 before Espejo was on target a second time.
Immediately after the interval, Brendan Barker scored a trademark full-speed goal, and for five minutes, United dominated the game. But even though Kurt Holmes was finding space for his heavy-duty slap shots, they could not get through. Now the game was an end-to-end affair with thrills, spills and cards being flourished by German referee Bernd Ullrich to keep the big crowd on its feet. United picked up yellows for Philip McVey, Holmes, Barker and Simon Hosking while Vic earned a brace.
David Garlick was playing magnificently in the United goal and limited Vic to a couple of goals in a 15-minute spell. But the fitness of the Spanish professionals allowed them to play strongly right to the end of the match. Vic's second half scorers were Pons (2), Eloi Caspar (3), Corominas and Ramon Benito, who will be playing for Barcelona next season. Before the game, the teams were introduced to Michael Head of United's sponsors, Crown Imperial, and local MP Roger Gale.
United entertain Sheffield Wildcats in the Premier League on Saturday and, the following week, host Novara in the Champions League, the match is expect to be another sell-out-United recommend that tickets are bought in advance-as the club prepare to take on a team that has garnered all the top Italian players, including the giant Michielon twins. The Herne Bay club travel to Barcelona's Nou Camp on March 20 and to Vic on April 10. An end-of-season buffet dance will be held at the King's Hall on Friday April 16.
Crown HBU: Dan Barton, Philip McVey, Brendan Barker, Nick Barton, Chris Espejo, Simon Hosking, Neil Austin, Dendy Hudson, Kurt Holmes, David Garlick
Vic: Victor Agramunt, Ramon Benito, Santi Pons, Jordi Corominas, Josep Benito, Miguel Masoliver, Eloi Caspar, Dani Camprubi, Quim Lopez, Joan Baget
Before the Vic clash, Crown United beat Herne United 9 - 0 in an under 15s friendly
Posted:25 February 1999
Reported by: Herne Bay Times
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European Champions League: Crown Herne Bay United 2 - 9 FC Barcelona (Played: Saturday 13 February)
Herne Bay's dream of causing a roller hockey upset in the European Champions League ended as was expected on Saturday with defeat at the hands of mighty Barcelona. It was billed as a David versus Goliath contest but there was to be no biblical outcome as Barcelona showed why their star players are paid upwards of £40,000 a year.
Herne Bay took to the floor before a sell out crowd at the Pier Pavilion with a new team name in their traditional blue and gold strip courtesy of new sponsor Crown Imperial. They knew they were facing a team which has the pick of players from the Italian, Spanish and Argentinean national team, several of them having contested the 1992 Olympic final in which the Argentineans beat their Spanish hosts.
At the start Herne Bay were completely off the pace, Barcelona scoring four times in as many minutes with Gabaldon and Borregan picking up two apiece. Then, with the Spanish disdainfully passing the ball out of reach, Brendan Barker made a vital interception, outsprinted Mariotti and beat the best keeper in Spain to make it 4 - 1. This made Barcelona more cautious and allowed Herne Bay to pick up their pace, but at mid-half Bargallo put the ball between Barker's legs and dribbled through keeper Dan Barton. Herne Bay continued to hold their own but just before half time a long range shot from Carles found Barton unsighted and made it 6 - 1 to the visitors.
In the second period Herne Bay were well up for the match and Hosking caught Barcelona's No 2 goalkeeper cold in the fourth minute, bringing the score back to 6 - 2. Barcelona replied with a slap shot from Argentina's No 1 player Jose Luis Paez in just three seconds. Each team continued to have their share of attacks, the best chances falling to Herne Bay, but their ability to put the ball in the net under pressure was not up the standard their professional opponents. It was end to end stuff which had the crowd on their feet and the pavilion in danger of sliding into the sea. Enrico Mariotti scored a classic goal and Herne Bay looked to come away at 8 - 2 - but he did it again just before the end.
Team: Dan Barton, Philip McVey (captain), Brendan Barker, Nick Barton, Chris Espejo, Simon Hosking, Neil Austin, Dendy Hudson, Kurt Holmes, David Garlick, Steve Newman, Karl Smith.
Posted:18 February 1999
Reported by: Herne Bay Times
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European Champions League
Philip McVey insists that a giant-killing result is possible when Herne Bay becomes the weekend focus of a classic David and Goliath sporting confrontation. The amateurs of Herne Bay United are pitched against Barcelona's highly-paid professionals in the European Roller Hockey Champions League on Saturday night-but host club skipper McVey believes the outcome is far from a foregone conclusion.
"If we had to play Barcelona every week for a year, they would win 99 per cent of the games," McVey said, "but this is a one-off and that could well work in our favour. We are under no illusions about the size of the task ahead - it will be incredibly difficult - but, if we play out of our skins on the night, there is no reason whey we can't produce an upset. You can be certain every member of the team will be giving 101 per cent."
McVey, 26-year-old London-based insurance broker, said everyone in the club was geared up for "an exciting night" and added: "It's vital that the crowd give us maximum support right from the start. They have got to get right behind us."
United, the reigning British champions, were hammered 16 - 2 by Italian giants Novara in their first group match on January 30, a match that underlined the yawning gap between how the game is played here and on the European mainland. Clubs like Novara and Barcelona - which is part of the legendary Nou Camp sporting complex - operate their roller hockey divisions on a wholly-professional basis. Star players are paid up to £40,000 a year and given expensive sponsored cards in addition to free housing and other lucrative perks. McVey and his United team-mates pay their own way, the contrast could not be sharp - it's as if Herne Bay FC were pitched against Arsenal in the FA Cup - but it serves only to make what United have achieved in their 75-year history all the more remarkable.
United have met Barcelona once before, losing a cup game at the Pier Pavilion 7 - 3 several years ago. "You can't help feeling a little like poor relations but the thought of turning over one of the world's leading sides, where players earn fortunes, will be uppermost in our minds," McVey said. A precedent has already been set. Five years ago, United defeated one of Barcelona's top domestic rivals 2 - 1 at a tournament in Southsea - the first time an English side had beaten Spanish opposition since World War Two.
McVey normally travels to Herne Bay from his Rotherhithe home once a fortnight for training but, along with another London-based player, Daniel Barton, has increased the 140-mile trip to a weekly trek to prepare for United's Champions' League adventure. Herne Bay's 500-capacity Pier Pavilion looks certain to be a sell-out on the night but some tickets are still available.
Posted: 11 February 1999
Reported by: Herne Bay Times
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European Champions League
A taste of European success could leave a town roller hockey club facing bills of almost £10,000. Herne Bay United have emulated their famous namesakes from Manchester by qualifying for a place in their sport's European Champions' League. But unlike mega-rich Manchester, who stand to make millions from their overseas adventures, Herne Bay United could end up out of pocket.
The club, ranked among the top eight sides in Europe, qualified for the Champions' League final stages with a 9 - 1 win over French semi-professionals La Vendeenne at the weekend. They have now been drawn to play two Spanish sides and a professional team from Italy in six Champions' League games, three of them away from home. "It looks as though we will have to raise just over £9,000 in all, but £2,000 of that will have to banked within a fortnight," said United's club secretary Aileen Barker. To prevent the club becoming a victim of its own success, Mrs Barker is asking the Herne Bay business community to support their town by backing United's bid. "Like most small town sports clubs we don't have much money behind us because anything we do make has to be ploughed back into facilities and equipment," she added. "It's gone beyond the club now and is probably a project that the whole town or region should become involved with. We're putting Herne Bay on the map of Europe which is great for the town's prestige and wonderful for Canterbury council, who own the Pier Pavilion where we play our home matches. All we ask now is that the council and the town get behind us."
United face their first tip on January 30 when they travel to play Italian side Novara. Three consecutive home legs follow in February and March before their final two away legs in Spain against Barcelona and Vic. "The game at the Nou Camp could be quite spectacular," said Mrs Barker. "Their rink seats 5,000 supporters and leg is due to be televised by Eurosport. The players will expect to feed themselves on all three trips. All I hope is that the club can find enough to pay for transport, accommodation and their flights."
Club officials launched their fund-raising campaign on Monday and have organised a club disco at Scruffy Ducks in William Street next Thursday, admission £5. Tickets are available from Mrs Barker, who would be delighted to hear from any businesses or parties able to support United's European bid.
Posted:21 January 1999
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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European Champions League
Herne Bay United can hold their heads high after becoming the first British club to qualify for the final stages of the European Champions' League. Team manager of part-timers United, Terry Barton, said his side's 9 - 1 win over La Vendeenne in last Saturday's away leg in France exceeded all expectation. "Our game plan couldn't have been better and everything just seemed to click into place," said Barton, whose side are now ranked among the top eight in Europe. "The players did everything I asked of them and more, so they have every right to be proud."
Barton and the cub now face a race to raise £10,000 to finance their six remaining champions' league matches. "It is quite a daunting task to say the least, but it's exciting all the same. Hopefully the ticket sales from our three home legs will bring in £2,000 or so and help pay for our three away ties. Playing wise we will be really up against it from here on in because we will be coming up against some of the best professionals in Europe. Their players get good salaries and sponsored cars, all the sort of trimmings you expect top sportsmen to get. We are bringing these players to the Pier Pavilion and hope that hundreds of people will want to turn up, watch them and cheer us on."
The club hope to issue a commemorative programme to mark their achievements and plan to hold several fund raising events. Even Canterbury City Council, United's landlords at the Pier Pavilion, hope to back the town club. Principal leisure officer for the City Council, Brian De Gruchy, said: "We are taking a report to Monday night's meeting of the leisure services committee and will be discussing several ways of how we might best support Herne Bay United. We are very proud of what they have achieved and are keen to support wherever we can."
Posted: 21 January 1999
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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European Champions League: La Vendeenne 1 - 9 Herne Bay United (Played: Saturday 16 January)
Herne Bay United roller hockey club ripped up the form book and charged through to the European Champions' League final stages after handing out a 9 - 1 drubbing to French semi-professional side La Vendeenne. Leading 5 - 4 from the home leg at the Pier Pavilion a fortnight ago, Herne Bay travelled to La Roche sur Yon with memories of last season's 7 - 3 defeat there still fresh in the minds. But United surged forward from the first whistle to rain shots on the French goal. Over 20 efforts peppered the French framework before Chris Espejo settled United nerves with the opening goal. Refusing to release their stranglehold, United went 3 - 0 up inside five minutes and 5 - 0 ahead by half-time with Espejo completing a first half hat-trick to go with a brace from Simon Hosking.
Any hope of a comeback by the hosts was quashed when Brendan Barker made it 6 - 0 three minutes after the restart. With French honour at stake the host play became very physical as they picked up five yellow and two blue cards from the officials, but United rode the tackles and found the net twice more through Espejo. The French finally beat United keeper Dan Barton to score their consolation goal with just four minutes on the clock, but Hosking soon replied to complete his hat-trick and the scoring. Home leg hot-shots Kurt Holmes and Dendy Hudson failed to get onto the scoresheet but can now look forward to six more opportunities to make their mark in Europe.
Team: Dan Barton, Philip McVey, Nick Barton, Chris Espejo, Brendan Barker, Dendy Hudson, Simon Hosking, Kurt Holmes, Steve Newman, David Garlick
Posted: 21 January 1999
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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Kent Premier League
Herne Bay United continued their impressive start in the Kent Premier Roller Hockey League when they overran Herne United 14 - 0 at the Pier Pavilion on Saturday. United had already run up 27 goals in winning their opening two matches and they proved far too quick for Herne, who trailed 6 - 0 at half time. Herne were without two of their regular squad but never gave up and there was a brief but encouraging performance by 15-year-old Dean Fagan, who came on for the final 10 minutes and acquitted himself well.
Simon Hosking led the way for United with four goals and there were hat-tricks for Nick Barton, Chris Espejo and Dendy Hudson, A single from Kurt Holmes completed the tally.
United are next in action on Sunday, January 3, when they travel to Rochester to face Maidstone, who also have three wins out of three. The match will be a good test for United ahead of their European cup game a week later against French team La Vendeenne.
Herne Bay United: Daniel Barton, Philip McVey, Brendan Barker, Nick Barton, Chris Espejo, Simon Hosking, Steve Newman, Dendy Hudson, Kurt Holmes, David Garlick
Posted: 17 December 1998
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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International Pre-Season Tournament
French club SCRA from St Omer and Sheffield Wildcats provided the opposition for reigning national champions TAJ Herne Bay United in a friendly international roller hockey tournament at the Pier Pavilion on Saturday. The event was also due to include top Belgium side Royal Sundays, but they failed to turn up. The St Omer team included the French senior goalkeeper, and at least four other members of their country's national squad.
They began proceedings with an 11 - 1 over Sheffield. TAJ were their next opponents and the defending English champions were 2 - 0 down before goals from Nick Barton (2) and Nigel Mills put them into a 3 - 2 half-time lead. The French levelled courtesy of a penalty, and then went ahead, only for Chris Espejo to equalise for TAJ with four minutes remaining. Only 90 seconds were left on the clock when SCRA scored the goal which sealed a 5 - 4 win.
Afterwards, the Herne Bay United general secretary, Aileen Barker, said that the game had been a great advert for the sport. "It was supposed to be a friendly, but the French take their roller hockey very seriously," she said. "It was a good, pacey game and I suppose you could say we lost it rather than they won it."
TAJ took on Sheffield in the evening's final match and triumphed 7 - 4 thanks to doubles from Nick Barton, Chris Espejo and Nigel Mills. Steve Newman was the other scorer.
Posted: 13 August 1998
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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International Pre-Season Tournament
International roller hockey returns to the Pier Pavilion on Saturday when national champions TAJ Herne Bay United host teams from France and Belgium. Joining United and the Sheffield Wildcats will be SCRA, among the top four clubs in the French Premier Division, and Royal Sundays, who provide most of the Belgian national squad. It is hoped all four clubs will feature in a new Kent Premier League and Challenge Cup planned for the Pier next season. Aileen Barker, general secretary of TAJ, said: "This should be a useful pre-season exercise for us and an interesting test for supporters of the hockey programme which will begin at the Pier in October."
Full Programme: 5pm - SCRA v Wildcats, 6pm - Carnival break, 7pm - Royal Sundays v TAJ Herne Bay United, 7.50pm - SCRA v TAJ HBU, 8.45pm - Royal Sunday v Wildcats
Posted: 6 August 1998
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
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