IT'S ALL ABOUT THE EIGHT

Match Report: Montague John Druitt
The fine Gentlemen of Blackheath were challenged to a splendid game of field hockey against some other chaps from Ashford (in the county of Kent not Middlesex) in the marvellous Kent Division Two competition. With the respective clubs currently residing in positions nine and ten in an eleven team league (the winless Old Boys from Old Bords propping up the unpredictable table of miscreants with a single point) the match was rightly billed as a relegation bout of significant magnitude. But a four o’clock commencement of arms in deepest darkest Ashford on the bumpy Ball Lane Carpet of Seams on a miserable February afternoon was not the most appetising of events. Nevertheless, after inflicting the first league defeat of the season on the table topping Optimists last week with their best performance so far and a 7-1 annihilation of Old Bordenians the game before, the Mighty 3s were very keen to maintain the momentum in their fight for survival in Kent Div 2.

However, with both young, in form, gazelle-like fullbacks Messers Smith & Lester away for half-term hols, the teams two talismanic holding midfield playmakers Lords Forsyth and Kellaher unavailable plus an unfit, flu-ridden Captain and it was going to be a tough ask to replicate the teams newly found consistency, control and threat. Some midweek brinkmanship from Baron Gobbler secured the services of Heathen Hall, Heathen Wain, Heathen Goldsmith and Heathen Castelo from the Fourth Team and U16 starlet Ben Hegarty was given his colours as the team took a new but capable shape. Carriages were prepared and horses primed.

The troops made good time but arrived to a deserted battlefield. With Marden Russets dissolving their First Team last week it left Ashford’s top team without a fixture and thus the Carpet of Seams was un-tread and full of ghosts of what could’ve been. Unfortunately for the Mighty 3s requests for this engagement to slide into the 'Ghost' slot were declined and the late start was maintained. Similar misfortune was to befall our intrepid and honourable unit as a number of ‘Ghosts’ turned up in the Opposition ranks. Fresh from witnessing half of Ashford’s First Team turn up at College Meadow to play for their ‘Second’ Team versus our Second Team as we took to our saddles for the long trek (these were chaps many of us had witnessed get humiliated 8-2 by our First Team the week before so their pained faces were clear in the memory) two or three recognisable Ghosts strode before us. For one ‘Ghost’ wearing your First Team No.8 Squad shirt was always going to be a giveaway although his excellent ability and skill beyond anybody else’s on the pitch or in this league was also a big clue. It may not have been proud or honourable but foes play dirty when the chips are down and there’s little you can do but roll up your sleeves and slug it out.From here on in the gentlemanly terminology ceases as the bare knuckled reality bites.

So with a few choices words from a sickly Skipper a reshaped Mighty 3s learnt each others names and set about getting three points.
The Opposition were growling and well and truly up for it despite their changing room, pre-match, Pop Chart hit vibe hinting at a much more anodyne approach. The game started at quite a pace with early forays into both Ds hinting at goals to come for both sides. The Ashford midfield was particularly strong and their No.8 was proving why he usually plays his hockey elsewhere with great vision and movement ably assisted by skilful No.77. Together they pulled the strings. Elsewhere a more rudimentary Jarhead in their frontline started as he meant to go on by berating every decision and looking for a spot of bare knuckle bonding. It was end to end stuff with turnovers and a lack of a good final touch letting both sides down. But after some pinball outside the BOE D the ball broke loose . A diving outstretched clearance from Wilde failed to clear the danger fully and as he got to his feet and engaged again a tussle with Jarhead put him on the floor for the second time. The ball broke lose again and with an Oppo wind up narrowly missing the head of the floored Wilde the ball was dispatched towards goal. Florence made a good save to his left but Jarhead had consumed a full packet of Haribo’s and raced in to scoop in the rebound. 0-1 down with 10 mins gone.

BOE rallied valiantly and went in search of an equaliser. Some penetrating aerials from James Goldsmith Jnr (stepping up into the unfamiliar RB role with confidence) where causing problems and eventually Nick Surry with yet another smart flicked finish after a goalmouth scramble gave Blackheath an equaliser. 1-1. Ashford pressed hard and were winning a hatful of Penalty Corners. BOE conceded a total of 12 throughout the match which isn’t acceptable and heaped undue pressure on the team – a factor that must be removed from their game. Nevertheless, these were repelled (just!) with unending commitment by the back line. BOE then nudged ahead as Chris Brown dutifully delivered a sweet goal with a clean firm strike from a PC which was deflected high into the net by a hapless Ashford defender. 2-1. Ashford came back strong and equalised with a well worked routine as the ball was returned to the injector to squeeze home cleverly. 2-2. But BOE weren’t going to lie down and they battled back into the game. . It was end to end stuff with plenty of chances for both sides to edge ahead but a lack of finishing and composure afflicted both sets of forwards. Half time approached and despite some v good passages of play BOE couldn’t hold the midfield with any discipline or authority. With the first choice CM’s unavailable the team were using wingers and forwards (more used to beating opponents with skill and pace) in those roles and as the game wore on the unfamiliar demands of holding, passing and distribution stretched them beyond their remit. With the Ashford No.8 dominating the midfield Blackheath were up against it. However, the up and coming, talented, 16yr old Ben Hegarty was having a good game and was making some excellent runs through the inside channels but that final touch, pass and finish still eluded the 3s forwards. Half time came and the Skipper demanded a win. BOE were good for it IF they could hold the midfield, stifle the 1st Team No.8 on his Busman’s holiday and finish their chances.

BOE started the stronger in the second half and this pressure paid of early when finally a Penalty Corner routine went well. A slick injection from David Golbey was neatly trapped before Chris Brown dispatched the ball with power and accuracy straight back towards the left post where David Golbey had rapidly slid in from his spot to superbly deflect into an open goal. Great routine. Great finish. 3-2 up and the game was there for the taking.

BOE then had a beautiful chance to go 4-2 up. Nick Surry picked a poor Ashford defensive aerial down from above his head just outside the D. A simple slide square pass to Archie galloping in on his right for a 1 on 1 and a near certain goal seemed the easiest choice but somehow he got his angles all wrong and gave the ball back to the offending defender. This sparked Ashford and despite the Mightys 3s holding off the Ashford surge for the next 10 mins the BOE defences where breached several times. BOE weren’t disciplined in the middle and dribbled unnecessarily. We had chances to score but the final touch wasn’t there. The crash ball instead of the patient build, the lure of the ball and the attack pulling players out of position and a lack of pace and awareness in the back four plagued the 3s. Thus holes appeared and we just couldn’t keep the Ashford No.8 from showing why he plays 1st Team hockey. They equalised after some ping pong in the D which was finally slapped in. 3-3. BOE pushed for a winner as 3 points were a must. But with the team stretched, losing the game plan and lacking the control needed Ashford went on to score twice more to pull 5-3 ahead. The pick of the goals a mazy dribble from the No.8 starting from the 23 and evading several tackles before wrong footing the BOE keeper to slot the ball home.

It was a valiant attempt from the team and at 3-2 up BOEHC looked like they could and should hold on for the win but Ashford had the edge in the middle and really wanted it. A bitterly disappointing loss which undid the great 3 points secured against Folkestone last week but the team must go again vs Canterbury and fight for survival. The return of some key players should help that cause and hopefully we won’t be facing another side full of ‘ghosts’.

Huge thanks to Tom Cooper for making the trip and Umpiring. He did very well for reasons best left unmentioned.