Sport, and hockey for that matter, is a wonderful thing, when things go to plan. Having won their first 2 league games the 1st XI would have been in high spirits prior to the home game vs Crawley, alas things don't quite work out. It's never easy with as many as 8 new players joining the squad for the 2013/14 season and coach Alex Dunman and captain Luke Kellaher have their work cut out to mould the obvious talent on display into a team.

Having comprehensively beaten Mid-Sussex at home first up and registered a very impressive 1-0 win at Brighton & Hove BOE would have been hoping for more from the Crawley game. As things turned out the away visit to South Saxons now has an added importance. Results aside, the team and the club have been blessed by numerous introductions and with that comes added responsibility. In Tom Archer the squad now possess a very talented and hard tackling centre back, his aerial attack is dangerous and his organisational play is unrivalled. Add to him the new GK in player/coach Alex Dunman and the defence suddenly looks a whole lot more solid. Fred Foster at left back has been a revelation and with returning defenders Ben Wyatt and Rob Hughes the team has a solid base! Not to mention the added input of Jack Pearson, Nick Gough, Ben Rew and Aran Tawana who will all have their part to play in the success of the side this season.

Possibly the most important signing of the close season was the addition of ex-national league player Jonny Bond. Bond has only shown glimpses of his class thus far but alongside skipper Kellaher, Jon Prosser, Rich Sheldon and another new recruit Rich Booth the centre of the pitch looks considerably stronger than last year. The organisational play and ball retention of the midfield will be key to BOE's chances this season and with the players mentioned they should have a good chance of doing very well.

It goes without saying that the success of any side is down to their ability to score and in Mike Lawrence, David Lawrence, Fergus Parker, Lewis Tuttsell, Nick Boot-Handford & James Logan the team have a wealth of talent to call upon to put the goals away. The movement and skill of the forward line will be key to wining short corners and if the side can win enough then the goals should come from both set plays and from the treat they pose in open play.

With so many additions it will take time for the team to gel, but with 6 points from a possible 9 the coach and captain can be happy with the start they have made. Kent/Sussex 2 is a stronger league than many think and every team will be battling hard to secure points each week. The results across the league so far have shown that when you are 'up' in games then you really do have to hammer the advantage home as no side will lie down and take defeat easily.

This week see's the debut of 2nd XI vice captain Dan Moore and it shows the strength of the club that players from the 2's are already pushing their way in. Competition for places is key and with all the lower teams playing a good brand of hockey no player can rest on his place in any team. The away trip to South Saxons will be tough as Saxons play their 1st home game of the year having taken 4 points from 2 away trips thus far. The challenge is there for Kellaher and his boys to step up to and if they do they will be happy with the start they have gained.