Mens 2 vs Canterbury

BEHC M2 Started slowly with a sombre mood, we were slow to build up speed and momentum but when we did we created great opportunities. Joe Allen was pressuring the keeper and the good doctor Slack and Oli making great leads cutting Canterbury open, the forwards were creating space, sometimes the same space, chances came and went and then BEHC were punished for missed opportunities when they were caught on the break to open the score (this would be a theme of the game), Mike drove the player wide but he managed to get a shot off from the reverse that hit Nathan and went in, Rob Hughes sprinting back was unable to keep the ball out but did manage to collide with the goal and have a little lie down.

That seemed to spur the boys on and we started to push high and at times Mike and Rob were passing it in the opposition 25 yard line. This pressure created diamonds with inform Edd Thorogood latching onto a pass from Joe Allen to make it 1-1. He then had a great goal disallowed, a lovely bouncing pass flung into the D and a nice upright reverse hit from Thorogood slotting the ball into the bottom corner. Umpires consulted and decided to not allow the goal. Not sure why not but hay ho s*@t happens.

Our next two goals came from short corners and Mike was in the mood to be clinical. 2 goals from 3 short corners in the first half. The first a great slap from a mis-placed drag out, second high into the goal.

One of the chances of the game came to none other than Rob Hughes after some great reading of the game he intercepted a cross field pass from Canterbury on the halfway line and drove forward towards the D and unleashed a reverse strike that was heading towards the inside post only for the keeper to pull off an amazing save.

Half time 3-1

The second half started with BEHC pressing again, our first chance came when Jade picked up the ball in the perfect position having his back to the Canterbury keeper, defenders frantically trying to guess what he was going to do, Jade too wondering what he was going to do. The pressure became too much, Jade passes to Ollie, Ollie wasn’t expecting it and off the pitch the ball trickles.

Our second chance came when Joe had a one-on-one with the keeper “I thought the keeper was in the goal and then next time I looked up he was in front of me I should’ve taken it round him“ Dr slack then went on a mesmerizing run taking on the keeper and the rest of the team driving across the baseline contemplating, gesticulating and then commiserating that he does not penetrate the open goal.

The defence were holding strong with some great tackles and clearances. The best coming when Canterbury manage to get a short corner  and their Drag Flicker lining up unleashed a monster low flick that Beat Nathan in goal but Rob Hughes was confident and courageous on the line and tipped the ball wide to keep the ball out.

Canterbury then pulled a goal back to make it 3-2.

Now I can't remember how the fourth goal went in but I do know that Fergus scored it so I'll make something up. Fergus intercepted the ball in the BEHC D, he then preceded to slalom through the whole of the Canterbury side (the speed and turns would have won gold at the Olympics), decided that wasn't enough and because he was still in ski mode he then turned around and done the same again, this time waving to the sideline as he passed them and then smash the ball top corner.

Canterbury did not give up and then managed to pull another goal back to make it 4-3

Full time came and the result now safe.

Not the best second half performance from the lads but a win is a win.

MOM Fergus
DOD Rob