MATT PUTS THE GLOSS INTO DERBY DAY VICTORY

Bromley & Beckenham Men’s 7s 1 BOEHC Highwaymen 3

Anyone arriving late for the match might have been fooled into thinking that they were watching an encounter at least a division (or maybe even two) higher than the advertised Kent Open 3, such was the quality and speed of the fare on offer from both teams on Langley Boys lovely new Astroturf pitch at Eden Park. The visitors from BOEHC were very worried on arrival to see a Brombecks’ squad engaged in a communal group run and warm-up, which is indeed not a common sight at this level, only to then offer a huge sigh of relief to learn it was the hosts’ 3rd team who were about to play on an adjoining pitch. But maybe this was the impetus the squad needed to put on their best first 30 minutes of hockey since the turn of the year.

Clearly the greater continuity of the past few weeks had helped, with Greg Dowse and Simon McDonald retaining their wide berths in midfield, and Phil Kinch and Peter Robinson making welcome returns after short absences. Richard Cleall once again orchestrated proceedings from the centre of defence with his usual calm sense of control, and captain Stephen Gilbert made forays from the bench throughout in true swashbuckling Highwaymen style. But it was really the influence of the “Fab Four” that made the key difference in this fixture, and it is no coincidence that the team’s change of fortunes this season has coincided with the arrivals of Ali Burnett and Steve Bowles, both of whom make magnificent contributions to a team that can look a tad pedestrian without them. Against Brombecks they were perfectly complemented by Josh Clark giving his most mature and energetic performance of the season, and new signing Matt Robinson who just might be able to add the forward firepower the team has been lacking for most of 2016 – 2017. It is no surprise that these four were involved in all the key attacking moments, Mssrs. Clark and Burnett linking up on a brilliantly simple but pre-rehearsed double pass routine from a short corner for the latter to put away with aplomb after 15 minutes. “Stickey” Bowles predatory instincts put him in the right place at the right time to be on the end of a long diagonal ball to make it 2-0, which was the least he deserved for his enterprising running, non-stop energy and bloodied knees. Man-of-the-match Matt Robinson – yes, the team now has two “Robinsons”, so look out for some future puns involving “sticky” and “jam” next season – did just about everything but score, making great runs, beating defenders, but never quite managing to force the ball home, mainly thanks to some great keeping from the home goalie.

Again the men in red made it to half time without conceding, although as ever the excellent Tom Conway between the sticks contributed to the shut-out, palming away a vicious goal-bound effort and blocking with his pads, body and anything else he could lay his mitts on. The second half was a different affair, however, with the hosts pinning back the Highwaymen for long periods and the visitors often simply incapable of lifting the siege in their own half. The defence coped magnificently with the series of penalty corners they were forced to defend, but the clock seemed to be ticking down to 70 minutes in a treacle-filled jam-jar, especially after a rather sloppy goal was eventually conceded when the visitors failed to clear their lines. It looked like the hosts had indeed equalised on the hour mark, which was no less than they deserved, only to have the “goal” unluckily (although correctly) chalked off as the first shot from a penalty flick had entered the goal too high.

Brombecks must finally have realised that Lady Luck had well and truly deserted them with five minutes left, when a shot from Ravi Wickramasuriya took a wicked deflection off a defender to make it 3-1 and provoke a celebration from the scorer of truly appalling karaoke style and volume. The rest of the game passed without alarm, but Brombecks can count themselves highly unfortunate not to have salvaged something out of a game to which they richly contributed, and which would have confirmed second place in the table, had they won.

A large vote of thanks must also go to the Highwaymen’s wonderful support this season, which actually does make a difference to those out on the pitch. The camp following Bowles brigade, the Catton-Clark’s and Dowse the Elder are wonderful elements of the BOEHC community and deserve as much praise as the men out on the pitch itself.

Interestingly enough, the team’s sad statistician and correspondent has come up with the following data, all of which make the re-arranged fixture against Holcombe very interesting indeed:

• the team has now matched its highest points total at Division 3 level (33) with a game still to play;

• it cannot now finish any lower than 4th in the table;

• for the second season running, the men in red go into the final fixture of the season with a chance of securing the runners-up slot;

• the Highwaymen have to beat Holcombe in order to finish a guaranteed third in the table; and

• if they do indeed win their last game and Brombecks fail to beat Maidstone in their slip match, then second place will be secured.

With end of season team line-ups being often rather “unpredictable” (both too good and too bad), anything is therefore still possible.

Watch this space!

Team:
Tom Conway (GK), Tim Walters, Richard Cleall, Phil Kinch, Ravi Wickramasuriya, Greg Dowse, Steve Bowles, Alastair Burnett, Josh Clark, Simon McDonald, Peter Robinson, Matt Robinson and Stephen Gilbert (C).

Man-of-the-match:
Matt Robinson – led the line well with great runs into the channels. Very unlucky not to get on the score-sheet.

Umpires:
Mark Ainley and one from Brombecks – both did very well in a fast-moving game with occasionally difficult decisions to make. Neither needed to go for the cards in the pocket in a highly competitive but generally very sporting encounter, and Mr. Ainley definitely looked more streamlined without the beard!