MIGHTY 3s DO AN ARSENAL AND DROP POINTS

A hugely disappointing result for the Mighty 3s who threw away a 1-0 lead, had the bulk of possession, created numerous scoring opportunities, played the far more creative and attractive hockey but made two mistakes that let the oppo back into the match and left the pitch with no points. Take your chances or pay the price. No bonus points for fluid team hockey if you don’t score goals at the end of it. Are the 3s the Arsenal of hockey??

The foreboding signs of an ‘Arse’ comparison were perhaps apparent before the match began. A Wilshere-esque episode took place as the team lost their talismanic CM maestro Prem before we even left leafy SE London. An ‘ambush’ in the car park of College Meadow as the lads were climbing into their cars to head for the fixture saw a heartfelt SOS from the 2s Management team whose own CM was MIA. So Prem was ‘hockeynapped’ and we were a man down. So Tommy Orange who was making his final appearance for the Club before moving Up North would have to step into the breach. His last hurrah was to be in the team where he first played on arriving 3 years ago. He ‘’happily” received the news that far from making a ‘testimonial’ type appearance he’d be playing a whole match at CM. Deep sigh….

The 3s started very brightly with a rigour and discipline showing an intention to take the game to the Oppo – a trait they honourably pursued until the final whistle. A rejigged defence due to the Skippers nuptials and Goldie Jnrs absence began confidently. Cleall the Younger was brought down from his usual marauding IL role to emulate his Father at LH and had a very solid but unfamiliar game. He even donned his Father’s shorts but they didn’t give him Herculean hockey powers. Talented U15 Henry Baines made his debut at RH and did himself (and watching Mum) proud with a composed and assured performance. Mike Earnshaw side stepped into the CB role from his usual LH berth with great aplomb. The Club put Holcombe under some early pressure forcing a catalogue of errors from the ever present Skipper Ray Baker. But Holcs soaked it up and BOE couldn’t capitalise on the early pressure.

Holcs forced an early penalty corner and dispatched a terrific drag flick to the top right corner of the goal but a superb diving stick save from the impressive U16 GK Jason Loveless ensured the effort was repelled.

Will Tate and Chris Brown partnering Tommy O in midfield began to link up well and some strong runs from the rotating wingers Collington, Colegate and Surry put the Oppo defenders in some strife. However the final goal scoring moves eluded us and ooohs and aaahhs filled the late afternoon air as the ball failed to find the net. Holcs only really threatened on the counter but used their very pacey forwards to good effect by continually lobbing aerials for them to canter onto and hope for mistakes. The BOE backline was caught out a few times but was able to neutralise most attacks with solid tackles and good positioning.

The breakthrough finally came from an excellently worked penalty corner. A slip left saw an excellent diagonal slap pass across the D to the right hand post where David Collington was on hand to skilfully flat stick a deflection inside the post. 1-0 and BOE deserved the lead. The goal emboldened the team’s early confidence and there was a belief more goals were going to come. The forwards were making inroads and committing heavily in search of a second and although some gaps were appearing down our own inside channels some hard running covered these dangerous passages. Then an uncharacteristic error from the so far faultless CB Earnshaw who allowed himself to be ambushed in a comfortable position and thus gifted the ball to the happy Holcs CF at the top of the D who gleefully smashed it into the corner of the goal without hesitation. Loveless was caught unawares and thus wrong-footed so could do nothing about it. Level pegging much to our collective frustration. The lads returned to the fight with a strong sense of injustice as we had only had a draw to show for the large amount of possession we’d carved out. Chances came and went with Chris Brown even putting the ball in the back of the net but this was rightfully disallowed for an infringement. Half-time 1-1.

Strong encouraging words at the break were dutifully accepted and the 3s continued where they left off forcing Holcs into their own 25 from the beginning of the half. Holcs cleverly used their aerial as a ‘get out of jail’ option and the ball landed far into the BOE half. An unfortunate bounce and deflection released their forward into the far right of the D. He wriggled and turned and rode a few tackles before the ball bobbled through a myriad of players galloping back to help out. The ball found a Holcs player at the back post who scooped it towards the goal. Loveless made an excellent sprawling point blank save but the deflection fell kindly for Holcs and together with another arriving fwd the pair almost hand in hand bundled it over the line past a despairing Loveless. BOE had conceded very early in the second half and had thrown away their lead. Two mistakes punished.

What followed was BOE’s best passage of play as for the next 25 mins they hunted for the equalising goal. Four clear 1 on 1 chances fell to the BOE fwds but none found the goal. Lewis Wright’s effort winning the HOME RUN award for sheer power. He had a jink, a hop, a skip and a jump through the defence before despatching a half volley of such unbelievable ferocity that it would’ve broken the net. Unfortunately it wasn’t on target and sailed inches over the crossbar. The usually reliable Jake Lamplough had two bites of the cherry but failed on both attempts as his over complicated flick and then reverse efforts weren’t good enough to beat the Keeper. They’ll rightfully keep him awake for a few nights and give him nightmares. A leaf out of the Holcs book and just smash it may be the best option next time. The Holcs defence kept the ball out by hook or by crook and continued to try and catch us on the counter. BOE were exerting extensive pressure down the flanks with Colegate and MOTM Collington using their pace to get in behind the defence. But again that final touch, deflection, early shot wasn’t happening and the attacks broke down. The 3s tired towards the end and were guilty of running down blind alleys instead of playing cleverly and putting it on a foot to force a PC. Mis-control and wayward passing from fatigue peppered the final 5 mins. The final whistle came and a delighted Holcs revelled in their win as BOE were left stunned at their inability to gain any points from the match.

On a positive note we created and created and created. The opportunities were the result of some excellent build up play. We used the wing backs, spread the ball wide and passed with great skill. In defence we were resolute and solid but must stayed switched on for the full 70mins. In the final 25 we weren’t good enough. At this level the team cannot afford to be so wasteful in front of goal. This was a game we could’ve and should’ve won. No question. The stats were all in our favour except for goals scored and that is ultimately what counts. Next week vs Burnt Ash must be a different story.

Huge thanks to excellent officiating from Umpire David Golbey