Men's 2s Secure Double Victory on 'bouncebackability' weekend.

David vs Goliath.
Over the years there have been many David beating Goliath happenings in sports and hockey alike. Upsets will always happen, but when they do, they seem to happen when you least expect it. Unfortunately BOEHC has not been on the positive side of these events in general.

Beat them when they are down.
Spurred on by the 1-0 victory of the first XI on Saturday away against the Boys from Brighton, the 2s in pre-match huddle felt there was a possibility to extend their unbeaten start of the season (Get ready Wenger). Thanks to some great work by Captain Ders Baillie, a solid 13 showed up at least 30 minutes before the opposition and already showed some excellent commitment in the warm-up, drills, and shorts. Clearly making a statement to Brighton when they eventually decided to show up, we were not going to be an easy simple walkover full of Late-Night Drinkers. We were ready for some action. According to sideline support; Johnny Bond, Luke Kellaher and Ben Wyatt (or is it Rew, Ders) only 8 of their first XI showed up (later adjusted to 4, 2, and none when our first XI's players saw us make it look amazing).

Spirit - Skill - Commitment. Simples!!!
From the off, the 2's showed they were up for it. Pinging the ball round the back, breaking the Brighton 'High-press' open from the start with some strong passing on our gorgeous (yes gorgeous) water based pitch. Scott Dow using his skills at right back to the fullest, only running with the ball when it was the right time, with the right support. Ders Baillie and Erik De Wit (Finally Flying Dutchman) found our midfield very easy in the first 20-25 of the first half, leaving the opposing attackers highly frustrated. Clearly the opposition had some mean skills, but every time they would come on our half, or even attempt to attack our D, there would be back-up support by any of our players, with our midfield and attack coming back to defend as a team.

Be Proud, Be Worthy.
Any moment the opposition actually managed to squeeze/break-through, they found Ryan Bishop to be well worthy and up to the challenge. With some incredible and sometimes un-hockey like goalkeeping, he more than once saved the squad from having to pick the ball out of the net. More then once being the understatement here. We have seen Ryan play some great matches for the club, but today was the 'creme-de-la-creme'. If it wasn't with his feet, his elbow, his knee or any other body part blocking the ball, it would be the sticks of Ders, Scott, Erik or Matt Wilde (who wasn't supposed to play today, he promised his home front) coming to the rescue. Attack as a team, defend as a unit.

Just when it seemed that the energy and passion could run short today, some quick passing between the midfield (Andy Clover) and attack (James Morrison) saw 'Morrie' running through the defence like a knife through butter. Breaking the defence open with his run round the right, dragging the goalie out of the goal, only to pass the ball to the unmarked Adam Mulvanny, who is continuing his best goalscoring start of the season (1-0). Adam is fighting hard for a spot in any selection, and is proving that hard work will get great results. Knackered from the hard work put in, Half-Time couldn't have come at a better time. 1-0 up, making all the hard work worthwhile. Surely there is tired, and then there is tired. After 35 minutes, we were only half way, and more sweat and lots of tears were to be shed.

The second half was no different. Maybe even harder work was put in, when it was eminent that the Brighton-on-Sea boys were going to bring their A-game to the BOE side. Balls sparking of the post, stopped of the line, taken on the knee, and any which way possible to keep that ball out of the goal mouth. It wasn't always beautiful but it proved to be highly effective. Unfortunately after being under a constant press for the first part of the second half, eventually some smiles were put on the on the Brighton boys faces after they finally got their goal. Some dubious scruffy hockey saw the ball end up past Ryan (1-1).

Bouncebackability.
There are two ways to respond to this, and Erik DeWit has been constantly mentioning Bouncebackability for a reason this week. Before Brighton finished their cheeky laughs after a cheeky goal, it was the amazing strong mid-mid Richie Sheldon who found Andrew who put one away after some great passing. (2-1). The goal would make the highlight video today, if it wasn't for Scott Dow's comment after a nasty tackle from Brighton's no7. "Did he just...?". "Surely not?". "Yes, he did say it!". "I don't want that guy to.......'

2-1, It would be time for Brighton to put the pressure level even higher, allowing BOE some rare opportunities to break free. One of these saw some great passing between David Golbey & Adam Mulvanny, Andy Moore and the ball ending up with James Morrison who got unlucky in his one-on-one attempt, with the goalie getting a lucky glove on the ball.

Unfortunately the inevitable happened, when after 2 shorts in quick succession Brighton managed to squeeze the ball in the back of the net in what will be known as 'one of the ugliest shorts known to mankind'.(2-2) With about 5 minutes to go BOE tried and pushed further up the pitch, creating some good chances, and wisely keeping the play out of our own half. Some committed defending by the back four, (showing it doesn't always have to be pretty, as long as it is effective), some smart running of the clock, and endless running back by the midfield between Tom Orange, Richie and Andrew made us look a strong side if this would go into overtime.

Thank You iPad. 2-2 Victory!?
With the final whistle gone, the 2's were left buzzing. Thanking the two highly skilled umpires that were appointed for this match, proud of our recent result. Because a 2-2 sure feels like a win against a side that only merely lost against our 1's on Saturday. But what next? Some smirks on the faces of the Brighton boys, who believed this would be a replay on their grounds next week. Some painful looks on the 2's thinking this would go into overtime. Would we have enough energy? Would we be able to do this again in a golden goal situation? The umpires were unclear, surely no-one would have expected the 2's to even remotely challenge this Kent/Sussex Reg2 team today, so why would they have read up on it? Thanks to Steve Jobs, for yet another one of his great inventions, the iPad Mini, the ump quickly read up on the Cup Rules. P-Flicks!!!

UGLY, but effective.
Did we think that the recent 2-2 goal that Brighton produces was ugly? Well, you didn't see the P-Flicks yet. Unfortunately thanks to amazing clubman Ravi Wickramasuriya there is actually proof of what turned out to be one of the most effective (read ugliest) P-Flick finishes in cup or league matchplay.

Richie added a goal to his 5 star performance today with a scrappy push through/underneath the goalie, barely rolling over the line. Brighton's reply was strong, putting the ball in the side net on the left of Ryan (1-1). No chance, and, surely leaving Ryan scared of what might come. A well-placed push in the right bottom corner (read near straight middle), through the legs of the goalie, got ex-striker turned CB De Wit get rid of his '0 goals' this season (2-1). Now tied between cards and goals, result... An early move by Ryan made it easy for Brighton's Man-of-the-Match pushing the ball to the other bottom corner (left of Ryan) (2-2). One of many strong players today Golbey put his finger up 5 minutes earlier, taking the third. Unfortunately the goalie got his hands on the third ugly flick in-a-row, leaving BOE in nervous moments. Yet fortunately, we always have Ryan Bishop! In the equalising third atitempt, Ryan continued his Flick-stopping series from last year (5 out 5) with yet another brilliant save. Andrew Clover added another goal to his tally (3-2) only for Brighton to push it wide (3-2). In the deciding flick, Ders Baillie showed his strong captaincy, stepping up to the plate for that important fifth flick. The make or break flick. Experience saw that one squeeze it through and over the goal line, 4-2.

The other players showed there was still some energy in the tank, running from mid-line towards the 'Magic 5'. Some high-fives, some bum-taps (mainly by Brighton players) and some slightly inappropriately long hugs later, buzzing and pumping, the 2's continued in the bar. Big respect for the Brighton boys who took it on the cheek and had the whole team join us for teas. Other teams would have left straight away, but the young lads showed they are a respectful team. Maybe they hoped some of our skills would rub of on them, or maybe they were waiting for the absent Dan Moore. A surprise visit from team manager Edd (+1) for that hard earned cold yellow nectar to celebrate this victory finished off our day and a two win weekend.

MOTM
It is so cliche to say we can't name one. Today, we all deserved it, there wasn't any player around that didn't play his best match of the season. Unfortunately for all of us, there was that one boy in the number 1 jersey that deserved even more today. Well done Ryan, an amazing match today!

Big Big Match, New Members?
Next week we are travelling the long distance to College Meadow for our away game against Blackheath & Old Ethamians 3rd XI. Only 1 point between us this season, so a tight match for sure.They are a strong team, highly motivated, and have some strong players in the squad. They will come out and try and stop our unbeaten record. We will have to step up another level, play our game, and ping that ball round. Remember, two wins this weekend doesn't change anything. So, this week we have to approach in different phases: Phase 1, attend training (followed by England Football match @ college meadow), Phase 2, show up for our match, raise our level, and perform to our ability, Phase 3, New Members?. Scrap Phase 3, that is not on our schedule yet. First perform!!!

We look forward to welcoming our lost boys back on the pitch, who surely wouldn't have missed today for anything (besides their very valid excuses). Edd, Dan, Tom, Browner & Greg we have missed you boys, but hope we have made you proud.

Be Proud, Be Worthy,

"Bouncebreakability"-Erik