Glorious cup run continues

THEIR league form may have been disappointing this season, but Sevenoaks's stunning cup run will surely go down in folklore at Hollybush Lane.

Oaks are through to the semi-finals of the English Hockey Cup, the last team from outside the top flight left in the competition.

They reached the last four after a thrilling 5-4 penalty shootout victory over the University of Birmingham – the game had ended 0-0. Sam Ornbo got the decisive flick, to set up an intriguing semi-final with Hampstead and Westminster.

"We've never been this far as a club and are now the only team from outside the premier league left in the competition," skipper Jamie Nelson said.

"We've got an away tie, but it's not far to travel.

"You never know. It's a semi-final and on the day you've got a chance. We're the underdogs, but we're well up for it."

Nelson added: "Without a shadow of a doubt we had a very poor start to the season. We lost the first four, drew the fifth.

"That's one point out of five games. But we've turned the season around and pulled together as a side. The league form is back where it should be, we are away from any relegation worries and the cup run has been a great inspiration to us."

The semi-final is on March 21 and Nelson said the run has worked wonders for the club, in more ways than one.

"It's been great for supporters. We had a great atmosphere down at Hollybush. But it's also raised the profile of the club.

"The men have been in the national league for three years now, the ladies have been there for a while and both indoor teams are in the national league – there aren't many sides in the country that can say that.

"A cup semi-final has raised the profile even more. It will help recruit players and move the club up. There can't be many people in hockey circles who haven't heard of us now."

In other news Sevenoaks played out a thrilling 4-4 draw with Bromley and Beckenham on Saturday. Mohammed Nadeem opened the scoring and a Ben Allberry second-half hat-trick secured the point.