VETS PEAK EARLY

Burnt Ash Men's 6s 1 BOEHC Vets 3

This was probably the best team performance from the Vets thus far in 2015, and the whole team were magnificent from 1 to 11 ... which was a good job really, as that was where the numbers stopped in numerical terms - a threadbare 11 from the Club with no subs on a baking hot afternoon in south-east London. By contrast the hosts seemed to have a squad of about 50, a number which would still have been lower than the average age of the visitors, who had lost the corresponding fixture 1-4 a year ago. But once again, Kent Open 3's ultimate mid-table obscurity specialists showed why they are a match for anyone when they can call on all their available talents.

Ravi Wickramasuriya was outstanding in midfield, as was the evergreen Keith Elliott in goal (albeit in his multi-coloured shirt) who was calmness personified whenever Burnt Ash threatened. Jason Walsh's deserved man-of-the-match award said much about his 70-minutes contribution to the game, although he was also indebted to those around him on the pitch, in particular Richard Cleall who seems to just get better with age, a bit like the single "Malt" in the back 3, David, who was the rock upon which the hosts foundered time and time again. Similarly, Phil Kinch had a fantastic match, both defensively and setting up numerous attacks down the right flank, clearly spurred on to even greater efforts than usual by the presence of his watching daughters. Rumour has it that the entire Kinch household will be in attendance at future fixtures ...

The veterans pre-match ritual of comparing recently-acquired scars was won by the returning Graham Green, whose "look where they sewed my leg back on" entry just edged out Steve Miller's "motorway network of Britain" engraving on his forehead courtesy of Canterbury earlier in the year. An appeal was lodged, stating that Graham's suntan over-accentuated the scar, but this was overturned once he literally tanned the ball past the home keeper to give BOEHC a deserved lead just after the 15-minute mark. The visitors seemed comfortable at this point and never really looked like conceding, all of which made the equaliser a tad disappointing following a long speculative ball in to an unmarked player in the D. Last year, the Club's early lead was also cancelled out before Burnt Ash burned off their derby rivals, but there was no repeat this time round in 2015. Twelve months on it was "goal machine" (two in a year and counting ...") Simon McDonald who made the difference, neatly converting at the right-post after it looked like another chance was going begging for the visitors. This one went in with such venom, however, that it very nearly almost reached the backboard.

The second half saw the home team with plenty of territorial advantage but little quality in terms of possession, and the frustration levels grew to match the air temperature as the visiting 11 just kept playing great hockey whilst maintaining a good team shape. It was only right and proper that the last word should come from team skipper, Stephen Gilbert, ghosting in at the left-post like a nuclear submarine on steroids to tuck away the third. No-one is deadlier from 12 inches than "Stevie G" ..... it's official. The hosts only managed three penalty corners in the whole game, all three of which were awarded in the last five minutes, and all three of which were repelled as if by mosquito spray.

Well done to all concerned ... it is to be hoped that the team has not once again peaked a bit too early in the season!

Team:
Elliott (GK), Kinch, Maltman, Walters, Cleall, Walsh, Wickramasuriya, Cleall, Miller, McDonald, Green, Gilbert (C).

Umpire:
Tom Cooper