Folkestone Ops returned to action with a statement performance, securing a well‑earned 4-0 victory over Old Wills in a match packed with drama, defensive heroics, and a few moments that will live long in club folklore.
First Half
Old Wills came flying out of the blocks, winning back‑to‑back short corners within minutes of the whistle. Both were shut down superbly as Ops weathered the early storm and settled into the game.
A moment of brilliance from Kanny sparked Ops into life — a driving run to the baseline earned a deserved penalty corner. Crooky delivered the injection, Wishy’s drag‑flick was well saved, and Ball’s follow‑up was also denied as Old Wills clung on.
The match quickly turned end‑to‑end. Old Wills carved out a clean strike from the top of the D, but Brenchley stood firm, with Wishy sweeping the rebound safely to the sideline.
Old Wills continued to press, their No. 9 breaking through and slipping the ball right inside the D. Brenchley reacted sharply, shutting down the shot at the P‑spot, while Wishy, Bono and Crooky combined to smother the danger.
Twenty minutes in, Old Wills earned another short corner, but Ops’ runners charged it down and immediately countered. The ball was fired out to Llewellyn on halfway, who threaded a perfect pass through to Rowe. Still with plenty to do, Rowe drew the keeper to the top of the D, stepped left, and with a defender scrambling across goal, calmly slotted home.
1–0 Ops — and a roar from the crowd.
Ops were straight back into penalty corner defence moments later, shutting down any chance of an instant reply. Shaw and Llewellyn then began to dictate midfield, carving through Old Wills’ centre channels, though the final ball wouldn’t quite fall for Bristow
Half‑time: Ops 1–0 Old Wills

Second Half
Ops started brightly, earning an early short corner which Wishy sent high to the right. Rowe, Ball and Coombs pressed relentlessly, keeping possession and frustrating Old Wills, while Crooky’s surging runs continued to draw fouls — even as the umpiring decisions seemed to tilt the other way.
A chaotic spell in the Ops D saw bodies everywhere as Old Wills tried to force an equaliser. Ops held firm, broke out, and Ball drove forward before feeding Kanny. Under pressure, Kanny was bundled off the ball, and the umpire pointed to the spot. Wishy stepped up and dispatched the flick with confidence.
2–0 Ops.
Old Wills responded with another spell of pressure, winning a short corner after a heated exchange. Crooky, doing what Crooky does, charged it down before it even reached the P‑spot.
Moments later, Crooky popped up at the oppositions end, slapping home a direct ball to make it 3–0, much to the delight — and slight confusion — of everyone watching.

Ten minutes later, Brenchley — perhaps bored, perhaps dramatic — flung himself to the floor and conceded another flick. Old Wills were awarded a flick, but Brenchley saved low to his left.

Back in the Ops D, Crooky was again in the thick of it, blocking a 90‑degree pass with what was apparently the curved side of his stick. P-flick, yellow card. The same Old Wills attacker stepped up, went the same way, and Brenchley denied him again. The attacker then walked off in what can only be described as one of the biggest sulks ever witnessed on a hockey pitch.

Shaw soon reminded everyone why running straight at him is a terrible idea, regaining possession with authority.

Kanny attempted a spectacular diving reverse to try and redeem himself from his 5 minute sit down earlier in the afternoon — channelling his inner childhood superhero — which soared at least seven yards over the bar.

Ops finished the match camped in the Old Wills D, and a driven crash ball found Ball, who tucked away the final goal of the afternoon.

Full‑Time: Folkestone Ops 4–0 Old Wills
A strong, composed performance from Ops, marked by clinical finishing, disciplined defending, and a few unforgettable moments. Another three points in the bag, lifting the team into 6th place and building momentum for the weeks ahead.