Canterbury 1 Belper 2

CANTERBURY made a disappointing start to their Slazenger EHL campaign when they were beaten at home by a Belper side promoted from Division 1 last season.

The home side had Greg Nicol and Dave Mathews playing for the first time in a league game, but paid the price for a lacklustre first-half showing at Polo Farm.

Belper were much sharper in the opening period and took a deserved lead in the 15th minute when Seb Malti forced the ball home from close range after Nick Morris had cut the ball back from the byline.

Canterbury were much brighter in the second period and looked to be getting back into the contest only for Belper to double their lead on 44 minutes.

James McBlane's pass into the circle was miscontolled by Canterbury defender Tom Richford and quick as a flash Dan Berry was on the loose ball to fire an unstoppable shot past Ben Cowling.

Canterbury grabbed a lifeline seven minutes later when Jess Dowsing drilled the ball through the keeper's legs from a corner, but despite forcing several other late chances the equaliser eluded them.

* Keep up to date with all the news from Polo Farm every week in the Kentish Gazette.