MENS 1s STEAL ALL 3 POINTS IN TEXTBOOK AWAY PERFORMANCE

Despite a recent upturn in performances, BOE took to the field at the Holcombe Industrial Estate Arena as underdogs. The pre-match talk made it clear that a willingness to graft and get stuck in would be key to picking up a result, and from the offset BOE showed that they were ready for a tough contest. Djavit’s inspirational words worked slightly too well in riling up Joey Presto however, who took an early enforced sit down for trying to decapitate one of Holcombe’s midfield with his stick.

As the game settled Holcombe were comfortable in possession and transferred the ball patiently around the back, but an effective press and a lot of collective legwork meant that, for all their possession, the home side found it difficult to create good goalscoring opportunities. Although Holcombe saw more of the ball, the BOE front line of Tom Mayfield, David and Michael Lawrence looked dangerous on the break. The two former attacked with skill and pace, and Michael waddled up behind them every now and then.

Midway through the first half it was BOE who took the lead. A counterattack down the left allowed Tom to pick up the ball and drive into the Holcombe D, where he was deliberately and maliciously taken out by one of their defenders. The umpire decided the contact was worthy of a flick, which Sam Djavit put away superbly. Holcombe had no answer before half-time so BOE entered the break with a 1-0 advantage.

The second half continued in the same manner as the first with BOE defending resolutely and then hitting them on the break. As well as the hockey match being played, the umpires were having their own competition of ‘who can send off the most players’ which added another interesting element to the game. The total yellow card count was 10 ( BOE 4, Holcombe 6 - so at least they won something), with a particular highlight being Rob Hughes’ attempted sliding tackle which lead to a 15 minute sulk in the sin bin. Rumours that there were tears whilst he sat watching from the umpire’s chair haven’t been confirmed, but his tantrum earned him DOD.

Holcombe’s pressure eventually paid off as they converted from a short corner to equalise. Despite making a number of important saves throughout the rest of the match Nathan Bullens didn’t have much chance of keeping this one out, setting up a tense final 20 minutes.

The midfield and defence remained organised and hassled Holcombe wherever possible, but through a combination of tired mistakes and ridiculous umpiring the home team were awarded a string of short corners with 10 minutes left to play. One of these corners resulted in the home side putting the ball in the back of the net, but BOE were let off the hook as the goal was disallowed due to a dangerous high ball in the build up.

Then, with about five minutes remaining Rob Hughes drove out of defence and found Michael Lawrence practically on his own in the Holcombe half. Almost sober by this point, he was able to beat his man and outrun the chasing pack of defenders before entering the D. The keeper pushed him wide but the chubby little hockey freak rounded him and struck the ball inside the far post from an extremely, some might say impossibly, tight angle. What a finish! The textbook 'smash and grab' had been completed, Lawrence was mobbed, the crowd went wild (they were fuming) and BOE held on until the final whistle despite a flurry of desperate and reckless challenges from both sides.

Overall it was a great, pragmatic team performance against a strong side top of the league and odds on for promotion. If BOE can replicate this in matches going into next season there’s no reason that BOE can’t push for promotion ourselves.

DOD - Rob Hughes
MOM - Dan Moore