French hat-trick knocks Hadlow out of the cup

On Wednesday afternoon, the sixth form football academy side run in partnership with Gillingham FC smashed Hadlow College 6-0. The team were rewarded with the opening goal around the half hour mark when stand in captain Nathan French slotted calmly after a decent move down the left hand side. Nathan added a second with some sublime skill shortly afterwards. A solid defensive display from Canterbury’s goalkeeper and back four meant that the half time score was 2-0.

Canterbury started the second half quite slowly and this meant that Hadlow College were able to create a couple more chances but nothing was getting past our new signing, Ryan Birch. Eventually, persistence and counter attacking football was rewarded as Nathan French grabbed his third goal to complete his hat trick. Despite several substitutions, goals from Matt Blackmore, Leandro Powell and Matt Simmons sealed a fine victory. The team are now through to the quarter finals where they will play Priory School.

Coach Dean Grant was asked to summarise the game and said that “it wouldn't be fair on everyone to pick out a few individuals but special mention to Nathan French with a hat trick and Ryan Birch who has now got two clean sheets in his first two games since joining the school from the Abbey. It was also really good to see Dominic Snee involved after being out since the start of the season with an ankle injury.”