FRESH PRESSED ORANJE

Never mind the sports talk on Pep going to Manchester during the week, the main news hit the headlines late on Friday night. The word spread fast. Was it true? The Flying Dutchman had returned to our shores! Our numbers had diminished rapidly over Thursday/Friday from 16 to the bare 11. Not fazed by this the ever confident Fives were prepared to put in a shift. Up stepped Ross and Mikael, brought back from duties with the Dynamos and in came Erik de Wit - now we would really be flying.

Match day and we met in the changing room and donned the white shirts collected earlier by James from Blackheath High. He checked the goalmouth - sadly Chris French's effort from last week still hasn't reached the backboard!

Over the last few weeks the Fives matchplay has seen a marked improvement. We're beginning to really click. Was it going to improve still further? During the pre-match talk did we all absorb some of the "totaalhockey" aura, or was it all the hard work over the previous weeks coming together? Maybe a bit of both.

What followed was a master class.

"That first 20 minutes was incredible. You guys passed the ball around and switched it across the back so well. It was like watching the Threes" - Tom Cooper
"You are the best team that we have faced in this league - by far"" - Old Bords player

We did play magnificently. As always, everyone put in a full effort shift. Passing was sharp and clinical. The leads into space were fantastic. Distribution was spot on (especially from the man at the back, Erik) and the finishing was immaculate.
Victor had one save to make during the game and just spent the second half retrieving the ball from the corners to keep warm!

2-0 up at half time and 5-0 at the end but it could easily have been double figures. Zac was denied many a time by the keeper and defenders, with a few other shots screaming past the posts.

The goals were shared between Andy van der Cooke (1) Zac van Gauge (1) and Paul de Baker (3) - his first club hat-trick, well done mate.

Man of the match was a tricky affair as everyone played so well and had exceptional moments, and was a three way tie with one vote left to cast. Ross van Ainley (had an exceptional game) and Paul de Baker (wicked hat-trick) just missed out and the honours went to Paul de Whit (ney).

Thanks to Tom for travelling down and controlling the game and thanks to the Fives squad for the memory of such a good game.

MOM: Paul Whitney
Match Report by Paul Whitney
Directed by Paul Whitney
Casting by Paul Whitney
A Paul Whitney Production for Paul Whitney Studios