THINGS DONT QUITE ADD UP AT ACADEMICALS

After securing our first win of the season last week, the 1s faced London academicals away on a cold autumnal day looking to build some momentum.

The team started strongly (for once), playing with a lovely blend of simple yet stylish hockey and some real aggression and intent. Some excellent movement throughout the team opened up the channels for Eddy Forshaw and Tom Harden to slide some dangerous balls into the forwards. Joshua Pendergast soon found himself on the right side of the D in acres of space and was unfortunate to see his flick bounce back off the far post.
A couple of short corners came and went before James Craigmyle made a sensational save to deny a clear goal scoring opportunity for London Academicals. The boys continued to play with composure and patience, dominating all over the pitch leading to a David Lawrence deflection off a fine crash ball in from Tom Harden flying past the keeper. 1-0 BEHC.

A typically physical game was developing with Charlie Speller coming out second best from an off the ball ‘confrontation’. The lads were more than up for it however, showing real discipline in defence and working very well in pairs to make numerous turnovers. We went into the break having put in a very solid performance albeit one lacking that clinical final touch, the bane of our season to date.

The game recommenced in much the same fashion as the first half, with Blackheath in the driving seat. However, a lucky deflection into the path of an onrushing Academicals player on the edge of the D saw Blackheath concede at the far post. Back to all square.

Again we continued to play decent hockey, carving out numerous opportunities with no end result. Several more short corners were won, but on a pitch unfriendly to drag flickers, it was always going to be tough to score.
Another Academicals counter delivered a hammer blow with less than 5 minutes left on the clock, a wild swing sending the ball across the D to find a lone player on the far post for a tap-in. 2-1 Academicals and heartbreak for Blackheath.
A dramatic conclusion followed, Chris Harden having a shot destined for the roof of the net somehow saved by the head of the opposition goalkeeper. Another final short corner didn’t fall our way and the game was up. A disappointing result for a highly encouraging performance and a big opportunity missed to jump up the table.

We return next week with a home fixture against Slough.

Mom - Eddy Forshaw - solid as a rock and fantastic distribution throughout the game

Dod - David Lawrence for throwing his toys out of the pram