ONLY 1 POINT BUT AN IMPRESSIVE START

A new look Dynamos headed to Old Bordeians for their first round encounter of the Kent Open Division 3, with a host of new faces, many of whom were making debuts in senior mens hockey. Following a rousing pre-match warm up and tactical talk by skipper Chris Brown, the Dynamos started the match with guts and gusto. A well drilled and experienced OB’s side struggled to retain the ball as Blackheath & Elthaniams midfielders Cooke and Baker harried and chased for possession. Upfront Bertoli kept chasing balls and moving into attacking positions throughout the half.

BEHC became vulnerable to the counter attack as a result of over committing in attack. Keeper Johnson was forced to save twice at close quarter and to apply pressure on OB’s strikers to induce poor shorts. Despite the warnings, Blackheath allowed OB’s to break once more, and conceded from a deep hit out to an unmarked striker.

Trailing 1-0 at half-time, skipper Brown made a tactical switch to 4-4-2, which saw the visitors create a defensive shield that protected against counter attacks in the second half. The result was that the back 3 of Algar, Abhishetty and Brown (L) controlled the OB’s strike force, allowing skipper Brown (C) to join with Cooke to make surging runs through the middle to launch attack after attack. On the right side of the field, debutant Taylor (M) continued to bamboozle the opposition with a series of mazy dribbling runs, while on the left Nisbet (another debutant) was assured in his protection and use of the ball. D’Cruz held steadfast to his forward wing position creating gaps inside.

Shot after shot were either blocked by the impressive OB’s keeper, and numerous opportunities squandered by Blackheath players who are still learning the skill and art of composure in the D. Which is why it is no surprise that with the clock ticking it’s last tick of the game, none other the vastly experienced skipper Brown (C) took the ball from the left edge of the D and drilled a shot beyond the despairing keeper. The whistle blew immediately afterwards.

The players nominated Elliot Alger man-of-the-match for his all-round defensive game and his impressive marshalling of players around him to create a defensive shield. For new comers and old lags alike, a good day out in Kent, plenty of fun and action against decent opposition. Only 1 point, but nonetheless, an impressive start to build on.

Blackheath & Elthamians Dynamos
1. Tony Johnson
2. Elliott Alger
3. Ben Baker
4. Alexander Bertioli
5. Louis Brown
6. Prithvi Abhishetty
7. Andy Cooke
8. Tony D'Cruz
9. Chris Brown
10. Hamish Nisbet
11. Max Taylor
12. Jon Taylor