Brighton & Hove maintained their fantastic winning start to the South East premier division season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Folkestone Optimist at Blatchington Mill on Saturday.

First-half goals from Emily Cook and Katy Furber set them on their way to a fourth straight win and they were able to hold off Folkestone's fightback after half time.

Brighton are in second place, on goal difference behind free-scoring Old Georgians, and after the half term break resume league action at Eastbourne on Saturday October 29 (11.45am).

Milly Rose-Wheatley reports: "What can be said? The 1s continued their winning streak this season with a game on home grounds against Folkestone, winning 2-1. 

The first half was tough with the opposition coming at Brighton strong; however, as soon as Emily Cook went for her all-powerful reverse hit straight to the backboard, the team found their feet. This was shown by Katy Furber as she used her quick skills to manoeuvre round a couple of players before playing it calm and collected in front of the keeper, resulting in the ball in the net and another goal for Brighton. 

After confidently rattling Folkestone, they came back stronger after half-time, proving they had more to give. Brighton did a very good job at protecting their goal throughout the game; however, unfortunately conceding one goal which fuelled Brighton to disallow entry into their D again. The constant movement of the ball from defence to attack throughout the team allowed for many of the team to put in a shift and try a few shots and deflections against the Folkestone goalie. 

In the last couple of minutes both teams fought hard, showing how much they still had to give. When the whistle blew for full time, there was a huge feeling of relief for all Brighton players as they kept their place high-up in the league. 

MoM: Emilyand Nia
DoD: Milly."

Woking 2s 2
BHHC 2s 1

Shelley Formstone reports: "Our first away game of the season, whilst resulting in a loss, was a massive improvement over previous weeks. 

Our opponents had a very low press which allowed us to keep possession of the ball in defence, even if it initially threw us off. Georgie had some great balls out at our 16s which let us press our own attack. By half-time, the score was 1-0 to Woking but we did not let that deter us.

Unfortunately in this half three cards were given out to our players; however, we covered the gaps in our formation exceptionally, including when we had two players off. 
Bills helped cover the defence, Issy M used her amazing stick skills to get the ball in Woking’s D and Lottie had a brilliant save on the line during a defensive short corner. Gayle’s shouting for the ball was a definite step in the right direction for building our communication. 

We had a slight panic moment when we had only three back for our defensive short corner but was saved from disaster by Jenna running back to help. Unfortunately we conceded another goal on a short corner off a deflection despite Emily’s initial first save from the drag flick. 

When Jenna scored with an assist from Gayle to bring the score to 2-1 we truly believed we could bring this game to a win. The opposition's keeper had trouble staying on her feet but admitted the goal was fair.

Finally, our Player of the Match goes to Emily for amazing saves and our DoD goes to Liv for being half asleep (which is why I am writing the report) and for getting stuck in the bench in the changing rooms. But ultimately we know who the Oscar goes to…"

Other results

Mid Sussex 1s 2 BHHC 4s 2
BHHC 5s 1 South Saxons 1s 2
Middleston 3s 2 BHHC 7s 2
BHHC 8s 2 Worthing 2s 4