CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR

Match report: Sam Djavit

BOE dominated the entire first half of this game consistently peppering Ashford’s goal. Two penalty corners went close and the team put together some lovely flowing moves but as has often been the case for The Club , the dominance wasn't seen on the scoresheet and the Oppo scored a goal on the break followed by a softly conceded penalty corner leaving BOE 2-0 down at the break. Ashford must have been over the moon to be winning at half time.

The half time talk was easy, more of the same and we will win the game. After some stonking crosses and clever attacks from the right, BOE just couldn’t get on the end of any of the plays and time was ticking on. But With 15 mins to go, another penalty corner for BOE, saw Mike Lawrence roof one through the keepers hands with sheer power. BOE piled on the pressure playing much the better hockey as they chased the game but an unfortunate turnover saw them caught on the break and hit with a sucker punch to slip to 3-1 behind. However, the team didn't give up as they demonstrated admirable resilience and courage surging forward in search of goals. This pressure was rewarded with another penalty corner rocket into the roof from Micheal Lawrence. 3-2. More fine passes out from the back started some terrific small unit play in the midfield. Dan Moore played the ball down the left and a reverse hit with the keeper beat, saw Freddy’s shot go agonisingly wide. With seconds to go, another reverse hit from Presto went wide and the game ended disappointingly in defeat for BOE’s. A bitter blow and not the result our performance deserved.

Nevertheless, the positivity of the team afterwards was great. Playing like that against a top) 4 team was a huge improvement. The performance deserves credit, the effort of the squad was top notch and sometimes (unfairly) these things happen in sport. The squad will bounce back next week with a solid training session on Tuesday and be ready for battle against Folkestone.

MOM - Tom Archer, fine captain’s performance.
DOD - LewisnTuttsel for leaving the team meeting because his mum called and because he always leaves after games without having a beer.