Back on Canterbus!!

‘Victory is earned, not given’, must be the lesson that was learnt at the London Marathon Ground on Saturday for the Heathens. Stripped of 6 players to support the 2s and 3s where some decided to take a break over half term, fake injury or maybe they couldn't handle the pressure… it happens. If you read the match reports and results of the 2s and 3s this week, you will see they won both their games and it's because they had Heathens in their ranks to help them bring home the spoils. Heathen don't take breaks, they don’t stop… Heathens are Heathens!!!

Canterbury are always a tough team, and beating them is like running a half marathon. It's doable, but it ain't gonna be a walk in the park. This game certainly wasn't gonna be any different. We had a 100% winning record to maintain and Canterbury were standing in our way.

The morning of the game arrived, Captain ‘Angry’ Moore (CAM) assembled his motley crew of his 1XI. Faces from the ‘Heathens Vintage Assembly’ provided support, some new faces to the club, some from the 5s and a random who turned up with a stick called Tom. This same Tom left his stick bag at the clubhouse after the game. Clearly he's not made for hockey or maybe he remembers a time when robotic ‘helpers’ carried his equipment around. He told me he was a Jedi, apparently he's a musician now.

The backline saw some changes with new blood from Chris L at centre back. Joni Coleman at left, an old Heathen from a time where Mr Laden would see yellow or green at least every game, this was the ‘pre-meditation tapes’ era. Some say he’s calmed down, his current nickname is ‘kicky’. Bobblehead was back who was ready to cause havoc to Canterbury’s defences like a jack russell on speed and men were drafted in like something from Avengers Assemble, but without the cool names - so we’ll call them Damo, Paddy, Oli and Dan, ready to make a dent on the scoreline.

CAM gathered his team together for the team talk which began with the usual ‘how many times do I have to tell you…. ‘. The team were ready.

Time passed and the Heathens failed to break the opposition. It was tough, but the front line were unable to penetrate the Canterbury’s defences. Defending was strong with some hard work from Chris L who successfully frustrated Canterbury center forward for most of the game. Tino was pressing down the channels looking for an opening with ‘kicky’ making weaves on right side and bobblehead down the left. Tom, back after disappearing for 3 years looking for his lost stick, wasted no time defending hard and attacking like the ‘Son of a Cleall’, full of skill and rage.

Approaching half time it was clear the Heathens needed to up their game. Tino in frustration decided substitution was required to prevent his pending implosion, he waved on to the sideline for a quick switch, but no one paid attention. So after waiting for a while, then decided to walk off to allow Jonny ‘soft hands‘ Lewis a little time to align the backline. His first touch walking onto the pitch was a pick out of the air, but alas he was still injured from the last week's game and could only last a while. Heathens kept pressing, with plays from Oscar, in the D, CAM stretching wide and Paddy, looking for the slip.

The halftime whistle blew and CAM began the ‘angry rant’. From the outside this could sound like the mumblings of a deranged sun worshipper in the desert or Father Jack from Father Ted, but to a Heathen, those words build purpose, truth... or the realisation that if the Heathens don't win, Andrew may never stop complaining...it's a tried and tested system, and it works.

There was courage and there was instinct when the second half began, they were ready for round 2. Quick passing and fast movement became the new weapon of choice which found Tino, the Heathens right back, running into the D after passing two players. Nose bleeding from altitude sickness playing so high, he dodged left forcing him to reverse hit the ball and under the keeper and finding the backboard.. GOAL.

That became the turning point for the 1XI, when a short while later, Oscar buried another ball in the back of the net, from a perfectly delivered pass by Dan. Frustrations began to build on both sides and some questionable fouls certainly began to take hold of the game. These did manifest into some short corners for the Heathens and unfortunately a goal for the opposition. Not happy with 2:1 the heathens continued to hold up Canterbury, but did give away few opportunities. The backline remained strong and the final whistle was blown.

CAM ended the team talk with the usual rant and praise you’d expect from a white Don King and the team concluded the MOTM should also be award the DOTD which was their bearded defender for getting lost in the oppos D, then scoring

Next week Cobdown…

Tino