3 in 1: MARCH TO MID-TABLE

Being a detailed description of the tides of March:

So with the Deal defeat behind us (5th March), we had 3 games to go and mathematically second was possible.

Game 1 v new Beccs (12 March).

We kicked off with smooth, crisp passing, good vision and great hockey and pretty soon were 1-0 up. The pressure continued and we should have ended the half with a much greater margin. The second half saw the balance of power change and New Beccs taking a 2-1 lead. By this point the game was marred by a flurry of cards (including one at a spectator). Blackheath were awarded a flick, which at the time seemed more than harsh and caused uproar. As captain and penalty taker I (Paul Whitney Esq.) said to the boys that fair play needed to be restored, so the flick was going wide. The ball was placed on the spot, the decision explained in detail, New Beccs umpire confirmed the decision was correct, boom, top left, 2-2, game on!
The lead was short-lived and a second flick awarded, obviously the other way and we were 2-3 down. A win was a must for second so the gamble was taken. Off came goalie Tom Conway and James Fell (much to his great excitement) took up the kicking back position. The oppo absorbed immense pressure for ten mins but managed to hit us on the break.

A 2-4 loss and second was gone.

Game 2 v Holcombe (19th March)

A game played with great spirit and enthusiasm by both teams with the Fives playing some fantastic hockey. It ended with a 2-0 win for the Fives, which should have been more, but having said that Holcombe had a strong side and played some fine hockey which did not reflect their position at the bottom of the table

Final game v Gore Court (2nd April)

Although Gore Court were languishing near the bottom of the table, we knew this was going to be tough. The week before they didn't show and New Beccs collected easy points (on their way to a unfortunate 3rd place finish to Gravesham and Wellcome). This week Gore Court did show and took the points away from us!
The Fives once again showed great fighting spirit and a second half display similar to the first game against Folkestone. 2-1 down at half time then 3-1 down with no decision going our way at all, the boys hunkered down and took hold of the game. Thanks to some excellent observations and new tactics from Michael Thorns the second half was a one sided affair with GC hardly in our half and mostly in their own 25. We ended 3-2 down but for a couple of missed chances could have been the victors.

Thus, we finished 5th in the league (joint 4th on points and goal diff but 5th due to goals scored - never should have let Charlie Nelson-Fairman go!). Perhaps disappointing, given what might have been if a few draws had become victories, but nonetheless its a solid achievement to have mixing it with the front-runners in our first season in Division 2.

Thanks as always to all the umpires this season, without whom we wouldn't get to play at all. Their job is tricky, they do it for free, and at the end of the day, if we don't like it, we can always step up ourselves and have a go!

We know where to build and how to improve. Next season will see a more more mature and stable Fives who have their eye on top spot. Keep watching!

Match Reports: Paul Whitney (with minor editing by Joni Coleman).