TROJANS IN SIXES PENALTY DRAMA

Trojans
Back (from left): Ian Bassett, Richard Aves, Calum Crichton, Eddy Evans. Front: Sam Broadhurst, Toby Dudson, Steve Cole (goalkeeper), Sinoxolo Mbekeni, Ben Frost.
 
Trojans are through to next month’s England Hockey Super Sixes indoor Division 2 South tournament at Canterbury after a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Milton Keynes in the Fleming Park regional qualifiers.
They came back from 3-1 down against the Buckinghamshire side to draw 4-4 – and then clinch their place in the net phase Kent competition with a 3-1 win on penalties. 
Such a climax appeared improbable as Trojans strolled through their opening three group matches, beating Oxford Hawks 3-1 before thrashing both Marlow 5-1 and then Bexleyheath 6-0.
But an unexpected 2-0 defeat by Banbury sent jitters through the Trojans camp – and led to that uncertain start against Milton Keynes.
Two goals by tournament top scorer Ian Bassett and strikes by Eddy Evans and Ben Frost turned a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 lead against MK, who then grabbed a last gasp equaliser just as the final hooter was sounding.
Bassett, who scored eight goals in the Trojans games, coolly converted the key penalty to send Trojans through to Canterbury, alongside Hampstead & Westminster.
Trojans results:
Trojans 3 (Mbekeni 2, Bassett) Oxford Hawks 1; Trojans 5 (Bassett 3, Frost 2) Marlow 1; Trojans 6 (Bassett 2, Frost 2, Crichton, Mbekeni) Bexleyheath 0; Trojans 0 Banbury 2; Trojans 4 (Bassett 2, Evans, Frost) Milton Keynes 4 (Trojans won 3-1 on penalty strokes).
Trojans ladies will also be in Super Sixes action over the weekend January 6/7 and go to Whitgift School for their South 2 fixtures.