CONTROVERSY AT THE MEADOW

Now there are 2 issues here. The eagle-eyed amongst you will have noticed the first of them subtly woven into the header & sub-header of this article, whilst a quick recap may be required for the second.

Let's ignore the former for a moment, and all transport our minds back to a match report written by yours truly after the 5-0 win over Maidstone on February 10th. To lift a quote verbatim:

'if you want a proper match report, don't make me do it'

Now I'm nothing if not a frustratingly stubborn individual, and if you think I'm going to make an exception today, your just wrong.

So with those words ringing in your ears, and the dawning realisation that your brilliant tackle/ pass/ save* will NOT be mentioned, please read on...

*Note to self - Nathan didn't actually make any saves so remove this from final draft

1 - 0: Oli Ivens deflects in a slick short corner routine to open the scoring

2 - 0: Rich Mills skilfully nutmegs the keeper with a powerful slap

2 - 1: New Beccs pull one back from a short

3 - 1: Luke Bowman beats a man and slots a cool finish into the bottom corner

4 - 1: The Good Doctor seals the win with a cheeky finish at the back post.

Now I'm nothing if not a hypocrite, and so to address the issue hinted at in the title, I will now go on to describe in detail a non-goalscoring incident from the game (in the 3rd person).

Marwaha received the ball in midfield and turned sharply, only to be stick tackled by a New Beccs player. The whistle went, and a free hit was awarded to Blackheath. Marwaha was in the motion of taking a quick free hit, when said New Beccs player- in direction and deliberate contradiction of the rules of hockey- tried to run off with the ball. Marwaha's stick was already in motion and he could do little to stop himself clattering the opposition player in the shins. A yellow card was produced by the umpire along with the words 'it was an accident, but it's still a yellow'. Fair enough. And for the New Beccs player? No disciplinary action required. Also fair enough. (Edited by Matt Wilde & the Blackheath Legal Team).

Final score:

Blackheath & Elthamians 2nd XI 4 - 1 New Beccehemians 1st XI