Fantastic Heathens performance

After a tricky selection week the team assembled for an away friendly v newly promoted Cobdown, who had a weakened team (no subs on a hot day) and will be looking for a comeback in our first league match which is also against them them at College meadow on the 3rd October

The friendly push back by Cobdown was reciprocated in triplicate by VC Stu who very kindly and with his first touch put it out for a long corner!!

The Heathens played some fantastic hockey and we went ahead to an early goal from Charlie after and excellent sweeping move. The second goal was even better after, I think about 23 passes, and dispatched neatly again by Charlie again. When forwards get high up the pitch and with quick incisive passing we were looking excellent. There were more opportunists and Jason Loveless in goal had very little to do but was called upon a couple of times, kept his concentration and constantly communicated from the back. Steve Laden managed to get a green due to the reaction to an umpire (we cannot afford to loose our discipline and must accepts decisions).

2-0 half time.

At the team talk Moore demanded more quick passing and even more effort and the team responded fantastically with another goal soon after half time, from a botched short coner sent the ball was sent in by Moore and dispatch by Mulvanny with a deflection(I think).

Heathens looking good broke though again Toby racing on goal, stopped on the line by a defenders foot, P-flick give . Moore took it off Toby and dispatched it with aplomb above the diving keep.

Goals soon followed by a deserving Hall (excellent on the wing) and a fantastic finish over the keeper by Charlie to complete a hattrick.

Then toby won another flick, the captain let him take it and Toby obliged by completely missing the goal. Chris Waddle (Italia 90 reference) would have been proud! He was unlucky overall and he did deserve a goal.

Excellent performance by all players but especially by our youngsters, co-man of the match James Smith shinning at the back and Charlie with a hat trick!!!

Keep it going Heathens next week same oppo at home, so a win is a must. League matches are different beast and we must ensure there is no complacency. Cobdown will come back guns blazing and with subs!

Big thanks to Joni C for coming down to umpire, and Paul W for all his help.

MOM: James Smith and Charlie Nelson both Excellent

Goals: Charlie Nelson x3
Andrew Moore x1
Chris Hall x 1
Adam Mulvanny x1

Cards and fines:
Steve Laden (Green)

Comedy Moment:
Toby Partridge's P flick (would have made it 7-0), high wide and not so handsome!!

Nothing else to declare

Partly written by Your devoted green carded man (aka Steve Laden), mostly written by Andrew M