EPIC REWARD FOR HARD LABOUR

It was a cold, wet and thoroughly dreary Saturday, but that could not dampen the 2nd XI's spirit and enthusiasm to put on a jolly good show against top of the league University of Kent!

We now have a plethora of fine young players in the 2nd XI squad. Every week these guys come in and play some smashing hockey. This weekend was no exception.

But first things first the team talk led by our fine captain Edd Thorogood. Now team talks can sometimes be tedious affairs, but not today. There was crystal clear clarity about what was required. Structured defence in combination with ruthlessness in attack.

So off we all trotted out into the ferocious elements to do battle with the precocious upstarts from UoK.

It started well with some good intricate passing and the early advances from UoK were met with a defensive master class.

A shorter corner was awarded and the now slick routine was implemented: Drag out (Jake.L), stop (Ed.Bull), slip right (Edd Thorogood) and aim shot far left post (A.Slack).... on this occasion Jake.L was alert to be stationed at the said left post to marshal the ball home 1:0! Splendid effort!!

This gave UoK the willies! They then set about a sustained assault on the BOE goal. However, the young whipper snappers of Gab, Ed.Bull, and Gurpreet along with our experienced old hound Iain mounted a resistance like no other. They were ably assisted by the mid-field of Prem and Mike Wickenden who ran their socks off.

Remarkably UoK managed to penetrate this obstinate defence and secure a short corner and rather frustratingly they are able to find the back of the goal with a well worked move.

The second halve was a more balanced affair with some superb counter attacking assaults on the UoK goal.

UoK continued to push hard for that next goal and like a woman in the third stage of labour; they were sweaty, noisy and emotionally very drained by the whole experience! To make matters worse BOE secured a short corner in the last five minutes of play.

The pressure was immense, too much for the UoK defender who was green carded for a false start on his run out! Hard cheese my dear fellow! Hard cheese! We were now left with a mouth watering situation.

So another good drag out, good stop and quick slip left to Prem sent the UoK GK who was an ample less than nimble fellow off his line gifting an open goal. Prem aimed for the far right post and slotted it bang on in the centre of the goal!

We weathered the final few minutes of rain, wind and efforts of UoK to win 2:1.

What a game!!!

REPORT: Dr Andrew Slack

MOM:
The 'Angel' Gabriel.
Defensive calm and brilliance for such a young man. Thoroughly deserved.

2Good
Team tactics and execution
Ed.Bull defence and attacking runs
All those aged