Canterbury v East Grinstead

CANTERBURY face a must-win National League game against East Grinstead under floodlights at Polo Farm on Saturday, and will be boosted by the return of a familiar face.

Brian Garcia re-signed this week after a spell with Premier Division fellow-strugglers Old Loughtonians, and his return is bound to attract another good-sized gate for a game that skipper Stewart Keir says they just cannot lose.

He said: "A big crowd watching us makes so much difference and really lifts the players, adding a yard in pace.

"The whole club turns out to see us, and local sports fans who may have watched football in the afternoon like to see a live hockey game, and there’s a great atmosphere at night games.

"The Grinstead match is a huge game and one we can’t afford to lose. And we cannot entertain the thought of a draw or defeat, especially as Loughts beat Hampstead 3-0 last week to move four points clear.

"We have got to be mentally strong, and not dwell on setbacks when we go behind."

Keir is excited by the return of inside-right Garcia. The former Trinidad and Tobago star retired from international hockey at the end of last season, when he decided to switch to the Essex club, closer to his North London home, but it is believed that things have not worked out as well as he hoped.

Canterbury were beaten 3-2 at Loughborough Students on Sunday.

They gave themselves a mountain to climb, conceding all three goals inside the first half-hour, but finished strongly with two in the space of four minutes by David Mathews and Keir.

Saturday's match starts at 6.30pm.