BLACKHEATH UP EPSOM DOWN

A rare but welcome excursion into Surrey to play Epsom HC in a friendly was the return to hockey facing the Mighty 3s this week. The impressive facilities at Epsom College were the backdrop with a glorious morning matching the superb surface that hosted our game. After an irritating journey across London through gridlocked suburban roads we were all satisfyingly reminded that playing in the Kent/Sussex leagues with a majority of fixtures in and around the fast flowing M2 and M20 corridor are way easier Saturday trips.

The result of this game was less important than getting players back into the swing of match play and reconnecting to the team systems, tactics and strategies. With a number of regular 3s absent and with Cobdown disappointingly cancelling their friendly with the Heathens it gave half a dozen H lads the opportunity to get some match practice and impress. And it’s safe to say this great mix of Blackheath lads gave a good account of themselves against a decent opposition. A superb finish from William Powell to notch his 13th goal of the season after a terrific assist from Mike Earnshaw was the difference between the sides. Great work down the inside right channel found Mike with space and time to launch a ferocious cross D pass that William Powell skilfully deflected emphatically into the goal past a bewildered keeper. Another ‘dirty goal’ as a happy Coach Edd Thorogood likes to describe them. Despite the narrow victory Anthony Sturgess in goal was rarely troubled and a solid defensive display secured the clean sheet. Some good hockey was played throughout and the transfers were clinical and fast. The recycling of the ball round the back kept Epsom chasing and with BOE a little fitter, quicker, stronger and sharper the result was always in our hands. We missed a number of chances to extend our lead but a touch of (excusable) Christmas hangover sneaked in to a few efforts. Despite several strong performances from a string of players another tenacious and dogged display from Thomas Cleall saw him clinch the MotM award.

Huge thanks to Martin Harris who travelled with us to Umpire and put in a very good display.

The day was far more eventful off the pitch with Jason Barkworth aka ‘Sickboy’ – currently the worst performing regular player in the BOEHC Fantasy Hockey League with 1 solitary point – decorating various parts of South London with his vomitus. After turning up overly perky in jeans, jumper and plimsolls from the night before after being dragged out of bed by Greg Oakland the day was never going to be pretty. A few pit stops on the way to release the chunder in some suburban hedgerows plus a pre match snooze and shower wasn’t enough to save this sorry DOTD. After a sparky first 10 mins at RB, where it looked like the preceding antics had been some kind of act and soon to be forgotten, the good ship Barkworth finally capsized. A snazzy aerial and a skilful wobble that beat three men resulted in him being unceremoniously dumped on the floor. He never recovered. Staggered off the pitch. Deposited more of his guts onto the Epsom pitch and sat in the dug out for the remainder of the game. His dutiful chaperone Greg Oakland escorted him to the opposition Clubhouse where he promptly fell asleep in his dinner. Good work fella. The fines pot is much fuller this week. Enjoy life in 5th XI.