MEN'S 1s GRIND OUT A VALUABLE VICTORY

After putting in two positive performances in the league against Oxford University and Wotton-Under-Edge in the Cup in the previous week, The Club faced a tough opponent in the shape of Lewes Hockey Club who sat towards the foot of the table in 11th and fighting relegation. However, it was a good strong BOE line-up very capable of winning this game despite the absence of Skipper and top goal- scorer Chris Harden.

The game began like a cup tie and from the start the game was a scrappy affair, with a lot of turnovers in the middle of the pitch and both teams looking to counter on the break as a result. No team could settle.
Lewes were the first ones to take advantage of some poor play from the BOE midfield who let the Opposition centre midfielder beat a number of players before releasing their striker to produce a very slick reverse finish. 0-1 down and not good.
Despite this setback BOE continued to apply pressure on Lewes and build momentum. Towards the end of the first half The Club had a very strong last 15 minutes where Lewes found it very hard to get out of their half. BOE were able to put together a slick move together on the left hand side which saw the ball drilled into the D with Jake Owen being able to neatly deflect into the goal and equalise for BOE to make it 1-1 at Half time.
The second half followed a similar mistake laden theme to the first half, with both teams managing to create a number of chances and the game really beginning to open up with a lot of space for both teams to attack in. Nathan Bullens in the BOE goal again produced a number of top saves to keep Lewes out. With 15 minutes to go BOE were awarded a shot corner thanks to some good play from Lewis Lawrence. Michael Lawrence on drag-flicking duties in the absence of the Skipper stepped up and produced a strong flick to the right side of the goal that looked destined to give us the lead but it struck a Lewes defender straight on the shin stopping a certain goal so as a result BOE received a penalty stroke. Michael stepped up and managed to get it past the keeper (just!) to make it 2-1 to BOE. Time to consolidate. From that point BOE tried to see out the result but made it consistently difficult for themselves at times and Nathan Bullens once again had to produce a fine save at the death to secure the 3 points for BOE. A big relief.
The 'ugly' victory sees BOE to move up to 6th position, further away from being drawn into any relegation worries (potential 4 teams to be relegated this season!) and overtake Purley whom the lads meet in a big away game next week. BOE will be looking to improve greatly and put together a better performance that would secure back to back wins and cement a strong finish to the end of the season and valuable prep for the Semi-final Cup fixture ahead..