NOT MUCH FUN IN THE SUN

In a league as competitive as the one that the 2s play in, it is seldom that a team can turn up and expect to win. Whether you're playing against the bottom side in the league, or the promotion hopefuls, you always have to be at the top of your game. However, this doesn't explain a certain phenomenon which tends to occur each season just as Winter comes to an end....

When clubs are facing relegation, they go through an astonishing transformation. They almost seem to find an extra hockey-playing gear. Sides that ordinarily ship 5 or 6 goals with little reply, can suddenly turn their season around in the last few games, rallying together and putting in the performance(s) of their lives against sides that they surely had no right to beat.

But why, I hear you ask? Why are they unable to play at such a level from the start of the season? Why is it, that only when threatened with the indignity of relegation, do sides actually start playing good hockey? Well, there are a few theories knocking about. Some have suggested that the dreariness of eking out an existence in a dour corner of Kent can only be electrified by the edge-of-the-seat excitement of a relegation battle. Others (who have a lesser understanding of amateur hockey) are sure that the abundance of performance-enhancing drugs are to blame. However, there is a third possible reason. Could it be, that in amongst the in-corruptible morally-astute masses, there are some who prefer the feeling of a stolen victory over a noble defeat? Well in this commentator's eyes, maybe. Maybe there are some clubs who prefer to keep their lesser sides hanging-on to a spot in a league, rather than accepting their fate and regrouping the following season.

At this point, it must be made clear that no such accusations are being launched at any specific parties, it's just an interesting observation.

Anyway, the game. On a glorious sunny afternoon, the 2s lined up against Canterbury 4s. Given that Canterbury 2s happened to not have a game that day, the boys from BOE were glad to see that they had taken the moral high-ground and preferred not to bring along any ringers. 15 minutes into the game, and the away side were 3-0 up. BOE hadn't exactly covered themselves in glory, but they weren't playing THAT bad. Marly Jones, who had bravely volunteered to step between the sticks in Craigmyle's absence, made a couple of smart saves, but had no chance with any of the goals. The only meaningful attack that the home side could produce ended with Lewis 'Milky' Taylor attempting an audacious side-footed finish at the back post from Chris Fowler's cross. Halftime came without any more meaningful incidents, and BOE had a chance to regroup.

The second half was a vast improvement. With coach Edd Thorogood's words ringing in their ears, the 2s stepped out with every intention of staging a comeback. The ever-reliable back four provided a sturdy base, and Marly Jones continued to impress in goal. Then, the breakthrough came from a simple training ground routine. Irvine Turner picked up the ball from a long-corner and fired it into Tristan Lacon-Allin who coolly deflected home. 1-3 and BOE were firmly on the front foot. Good work in midfield from Ben Hegarty and Jake Lamplough led to a couple of goalmouth scrambles which inexplicably didn't manage to cross the line. Had BOE managed to nick a goal at this stage, anything could have happened, but it wasn't to be their day. A goal mouth scramble at the other end of the pitch led to another goal for the away side, and typified the luck that the 2s have had this season. A couple more half-chances fell to the home side, but the 4th goal had already taken the sting out of the game.

Final score:

Blackheath and OE's 2nd XI 1-4 Canterbury 2nd XI

MOTM: Marly Jones- stepped up when needed and pulled off some quality saves.

DOTD: Henry Baines- two cards and nearly left the pitch without half of his kit.