SUNDAY IN BRIGHTON IS ALMOST PERFECT.........

Having already had one tough game for the weekend the 2's had yet another tough task when drawn against Brighton & Hove 2's in the league above us for a place in the next round of the Nation 2nd XI Cup. The fact that this side had given our club 1st XI a good run for their money twice last season meant BOE had to be on their metal and pull yet another performance out of the bag to ensure they would not be embarrassed. What materialized from the day was nothing short of outstanding as the 2's took on a very strong B&H HC team. The average age of the side was not more than 23 and that was only due to Slack, De Wit & Thorogood.

A beautiful blend of youth and experience ensured that right from minute 1 the BOE boys gave everything. BOE got in and around the back of the B&H HC defence a couple of times at the start of the game and, without seeming too threatened, looked like they might take the lead. As it was, Mike Wickenden did just that, he turned and struck the ball under the advancing B&H keeper to put the visitors 1-0 up. BOE kept the pressure on and a number of shots and D penetrations kept B&H honest while at the other end the home side started to find their way. Jason Loveless is starting to show what an excellent keeper he is and was on fine form again to advance and make two exceptional saves. As the half reached its mid way point disaster struck for BOE as Erik DeWit went down with a hamstring pull and the defence would have to be re shuffled. It was during this brief moment of uncertainty that B&H got in, a reverse stick cross was deflected in at the near post, 1-1 and half time loomed.

The 2nd half was much the same with BOE dominating most of the possession. Wickenden and Tate were outstanding as well as impressive debuts for Scott Baker, Prem Mawaha and Louis Dods. BOE kept pushing and looked like they had a winner when Nick Surry's goal bound effort seemed destined for the bottom corner only for the B&H keeper to trip and accidentally save the ball from heading in. INCREDIBLE!!!. The game became a fraction scrappy and with 10 minutes to go both sides had had players sent off, BOE (2), B&H(5), for some of the most minor infringements but the deciding moment was that of some fortune. B&H did well to get round the back and to round the keeper only for Rob Noble to 'take one for the team' and prevent the goal. Stroke, but it gave us a chance. Brighton called upon their high class left back to take the stroke and he put it away, Loveless almost getting a stick to the strike. 2-1 it remained and the BOE boys were deflated but hadn't they played well. A real performance of effort, determination and lets face it, skill. The BOE youngsters (7 of the squad were u18) played their hearts out and attacked in exactly the right way with width, height and pace. The back 4 were magnificent and the new look midfield showed patches of class and precision.

Man of the match could go to many people but few would disagree with Rob Noble who managed to clock up a mere 44,345Km in just 70 minutes hockey! Impressive!!!

A big thank you to our hosts Brighton & Hove who not only played the game in a great spirit but were outstanding hosts.

Roll on next year, this was a truly excellent performance and plenty more positives than negatives. The 2nd XI Cup is well worth a run at!