LOGAN'S RUN

After a very convincing (10-2) performance in last weeks warm up game against Mid-Sussex HC, The Club faced Old Bordenians in a top of the table clash in the Kent/Sussex Regional 1 League. Having already played two tight games against them this season, with a draw in a feisty opening League encounter and a solid win in the England Hockey Trophy, BOE knew it would be a physical, aggressive and scrappy affair with Old B’s always keen to throw their weight about and turn on the verbal’s. In this third encounter it was essential the team shut this out and cut out Old B’s dangerous aerial threat from the back.

It took a couple of yo-yo minutes to gain some solid possession before BOE attacked strongly down the right hand side earning a Long Corner. Rob Hughes managed to skillfully navigate his way to the edge of the D before offloading the ball to David Lawrence who swiftly sent it across the face of goal to pick out a nose diving Stephen Roche to make it 1-0 to BOE. Great goal.

Following the goal Old B’s managed to maintain some solid possession but BOE were calm and patient in defence and worked well together in keeping the press tight and only allowing limited space for the opposition to expose. Ben Wyatt at CB was instrumental in making some great picks and tackles to limit the chances against us. Old B’s did however manage to secure two penalty corners in this period but they were convincingly dealt with by Ben Stafford with a neat deflection on the post and agile keeper James Craigmyle. With ten minutes to go in the half BOE created a second clear chance with Roche, Stafford and the hard-working Chris Harden linking and breaking forward on the left hand side only for Roche to see his cleanly connected half volley fantastically saved by the Oppo keeper.

BOE continued to press from this good passage of play and a deflected shot from the keeper caused a scrap in the circle. James Logan had the coolest head and was there to pick up the pieces as he slotted the ball into the bottom left to make it 2-0 and to continue his run of scoring in his last 6 consecutive games. Jamie Vardy’s record is now in touching distance! 2-0 at the break.

The second half started strongly with BOE still creating chances but were content with controlling the game and protecting our lead in a professional and well-organized manner. However, indiscipline from both sides started to creep into the game and at one point the game was played with 10 v 9. Then with 15 minutes to go BOE broke quickly on the left hand side with the Lawrence brothers combining well. Not surprisingly the skillful younger sibling David was cynically and deliberately brought down just outside the circle. A penalty corner was justly awarded but this time it was pulled agonisingly wide past the left side post. Nevertheless, from that possession BOE continued with the pressure and after another deliberate foul in the circle that clearly prevented a goal being scored a penalty flick was awarded to BOE. Older brother Michael Lawrence coolly and calmly launched it top left to make it 3-0. Well deserved goal.

The game then became very ragged and exposed with BOE starting to lack shape and unfortunately the opposition were allowed to gain a late and controversial consolation goal to prevent us from getting a clean sheet. Disappointing.

All in all in what was a tough, niggley and physical game BOE performed well in their first game back from the Christmas break. However, it’s clear we can improve much further and must play better. Positively we controlled possession when we had the ball and worked hard in defence which made it difficult for the opposition to create chances. BOE now have three tough away fixtures in a row and need strong performances in all games to record victories and maintain their 5 point lead at the top of the league. The chasing pack are awaiting a slip-up.

MOTM: Ben Wyatt

DOTD: Michael Lawrence