Alan Hansen was Wrong

The fantastic Fives began their season with aplomb with the traditional local friendly against Burnt Ash. However, the line up was far from traditional, including 5 current BEHC U18, two former juniors offering the fives a last hand before they went off to uni, and three new/returning players. That is, the only returning adult player from last year was the newly-anointed captain!

The only criticism I can have was that it was like playing with a team of Dominican monks, such was the sheer absence of volume on the pitch. However, Dominican monks were behind the Spanish Inquisition: and no-one expects the Spanish Inquisition.

Turns out, having a spine of your team who've played together for years is quite effective. Quick passing, spreading the ball and finding the players, they cut through Burnt Ash on numerous occasions, and good finishing upfront from open play and short corners gave BEHC a deserved victory. I was far too busy doing frankly not very much at right back to pay attention to each of the goals, but I think both Toby (3, including some stunners) and Max (3) require new hats, and further goals were scored by Dan and Tom (Possibly? I'm not sure. There were quite a few goals, including one for Burnt Ash from a corner. I remember the ones that happen at my end.)

Thanks go to Burnt Ash who, despite being very under-strength, continued to play good hockey until the end in an excellent spirit. The scoreline belies their threat going forward (especially the juniors), and they will be back with a vengeance in the league. But they're in the Heathens' league, so that problem lies at the feet of newly-promoted Sergeant Major Whitney.

Thanks also to both umpires, and to Tom and Toby for their cameos - very much appreciated, guys, and have fun at uni!

PoM: Johnny Fry, solid distribution on his return to hockey.