Match Report: Tom Archer
On Sunday BOE made a rare excursion North of the River to play Waltham Forest in the last 16 of the England Hockey Trophy. A strong squad was available and selected and BOE were very determined to carry on with their successful cup run and get into the Quarter Finals of the competition for the first time in many years.

We started strong. A high intensity approach which was set at the outset of the match was working and we pressed in defence as well as we had done away from home this entire season. With composed and clinical plays from defence through to the front line BOE managed to create some scintillating chances from the likes of firebrands Stephen Roche, Chris Harden, the Lawrence Brothers and young Jake Lamplough who was making his second appearance for the 1st XI during this Cup run. However, we were unable to convert these chances despite totally dominating the first half and arguably putting in the best performance we have put in of ball transfer from defence to attack this season. With the score still 0-0 at half-time however, there is always that lingering doubt in your head that it may not be your day.

But with strong, encouraging words we gathered our composure at the break and pledged exactly the same efforts as we felt it was only a matter of time before our luck changed in front of goal.

Some excellent pressure from the very start of the second half from the front 3 and midfield forced a bad mistake from the Forest captain and we secured the second penalty corner of the game. Michael Lawrence scored superbly with a low drag flick to make it 1-0 to BOE. This breakthrough seemed to dispel any nerves that the BOE players had and were quickly forgotten as the team went on the rampage with a devastating 15 minute period whereupon we sliced through the opposition ranks over and over again with tomahawk finishing becoming the order of the day.

First up was a fast paced attack which started on the right hand side with Jake Owen showing some great skill to offload the ball to Michael Lawrence who was able to drive into the D and lay the ball off to Chris Harden. Chris finished deliciously with a low reverse strike straight through the keepers legs.

Three minutes later, a very good attack led by Stephen Roche on the left had side with a super fast break saw the ball dispatched to Tom Archer who quickly shifted it to Tom Mayfield who managed to compose himself and nimbly get the ball positioned onto his favoured reverse side before slotting it hard into the bottom left hand corner to make it 3-0. More great play followed on the left hand side and as the ball got to Dom Jaikaransingh who managed to weave his way with slick stick skills into the D where he unleashed another unstoppable tomahawk to make it 4-0.

Not to be undone by his brother, David Lawrence fancied getting in on the scoring action. He brought himself on and after picking up the ball from the halfway line he managed to wobble through the oppositions entire defence beating 5 players along the way before getting into a great position to wonderfully place the ball over the keeper with a cool finish to make it 5-0. At which point BOE felt the tie was as good as over.

However, Waltham Forest did mange to pull some decent passages of play together after this and a great save from Nathan Bullens in goal kept it 5-0. However, some sloppy play towards the end unfortunately led us to being denied a clean sheet. But we ended on a positive note with some clever play through the middle where Dom and Michael Lawrence combined to put through Stephen Roche who slotted a finish to the keepers top left to make it 6-1 to BOE and put the icing on the cake. This was a very professional and ruthless second half performance which enabled BOE to progress to the Quarter Finals of the EH Trophy.

The team have been drawn at HOME game against Wotton-under-Edge Hockey Club on Sunday 28th Feb. All of the squad are extremely focused and very excited to progress and be representing the club in the Quarter Finals. We’d really love and appreciate some good home support from all members for this huge Cup game. The Road to Lee Valley continues. Be a part of it.