2XI BraveThe Cold To End The Year On A High

On a blistering cold winters afternoon, and having most of the club's games called off, the 2nd XI team went to New Becc's to finish off the first half of the season before the Christmas break and Tristan Lacon-Allin's last game for the club, hoping to end on a high.

The game started off with BEHC having lots of possession and space on the ball and everything looking positive. BEHC had a lot of chances in the first 10 minutes but could not put the ball in the back of the net. A couple of minutes later Tristan received the ball on the 23 from Sam Little, he took on the opposition, entering the D and winning a penalty corner as the New Beccs defence hacked at his stick akin to a lumberjack with a chainsaw.
Seeing his chance to shine Mike Benson stepped up to the top of the D to flick. A powerful flick went past the keepers head into the back of the net as he was just too slow to react.

BEHC have taken the lead which is very promising as they have never last a game when scoring first. Getting into their groove, BEHC now had, even more, time on the ball, as the opposition stepped off slightly to try and catch us on the counter but with a strong defence with Rikesh Patel, Mike Benson, Rob Hughes, Scott Dow and Gurpreet Purewal no one was getting through.

A few minutes after going 1 nil up Henry Baines made a promising run and passed the ball to, the hungover birthday boy, Nick Charlish and the ball popped perfectly up off a defenders stick for Nick to send the ball into the near corner of the goal. BEHC 2 nil up.

Just before half time New Beccs got a short corner and whilst the umpires view obstructed the New Beccs forwards had a couple of swings, missing the ball completely the first time before playing the ball into the goal. BEHC 2-1 up.

A quick attack for BEHC before half-time saw Tristan, learning from his captain Prem Marwaha the previous week, deflecting the ball to the corner flag when he was 1 on 1 with the keeper. Half time BEHC 2 New Beccs 1.

After a positive team talk BEHC were ready to score more goals. Oli Ivens making some brilliant leads and Chris Fowler and Prem controlling the middle we were definitely going to put more balls in the back of the net. Tristan playing his first game up front was not able to find the target, however, he was able to win another short corner.
Mike stepped up and once again flicked it at the keepers head who ducked and watched the ball fly over his head into the goal. BEHC 3 New Beccs 1.

At the other end, James Craigmyle was looking very cold in the goals not having to do much as he had a solid defensive line sitting in front of him. The new formation being played by coach Jade Bloomfield for the first time, ensuring we do not get caught on the counter-attack.

A few more attacks for BEHC saw us winning another short corner. Mike stepped up once again to get his hat trick with his best flick of the day going straight into the top left corner with the keeper having his pads up to block the ball coming straight down the middle he had no chance of getting to the corner. BEHC 4 New Beccs 1.

After a very poor decision from the umpire saw 2 of the New Beccs players get yellow cards as they allowed their displeasure to show through. Ten minutes of the game remain and BEHC found themselves with a two man advantage and able to hold it together to finish off the first half of the season with a win.

Man of the match was Mike Benson for his hat-trick.
Dick of the day was Tristan Lacon-Allin for not scoring in his last game for the club, for missing over 10 chances and for leaving the club.
Dick of the day should have been Nick Charlish for coming to the match hungover, only getting home at 4am Saturday morning, eating pasta before the game by drinking it like a pint and refusing to play the last 5 minutes of the game because he was to hungover.

A few positives from the game is that we were able to score more than 2 goals, our new formation won't let us get caught on a counter attack, Tristan leaves the club on a high and Edd Thorogood should be back to strengthen the attack.

A big congrats must go to player coach Jade Bloomfield for getting us to the top 4 in the league in the first half of the season and setting us up to have a strong fight for promotion.