THE MIGHTY 3s FINISH THE SEASON IN FITTING FASHION

The 3's last game of the season always promised to be an interesting affair. With a very young team selected this week due to availability issues and other commitments plus it's apparently acceptable to decide you want to pick up the keys to your new house the morning of the game so thus making yourself not available anymore......Anyway.....

This season we have had a great many 'interesting' scenarios the week before the game, and including match day. Yet this was a new one. Our opposition turned up thinking the game started at 1pm, and our meet time was not till 1.45pm and scheduled for a 2.30pm start. Yes this actually happened. What ensued was a frantic captain ringing around to try and get everyone down to the game earlier so we could start the game as early as possible. this happened at 1.40pm. So well done all on this as having to cancel the game was averted due to oppo having planned on a 1pm start and had to leave promptly.

We started with 11 and a few players out of position but we played in a similar way to how we have been after Christmas. Very pleasant eye catching hockey, with lots of attacking. Some good saves from the Ashford keeper kept the scores level, but soon normal service was resumed and Nick Surry got himself on the score sheet with a fine worked goal. There where a few notable misses, James Hatcher, who decided to dive in front of goal, when it would have been easier to score. We went in to half-time a goal up. With the full compliment of players now available we went back to everyone playing in there usual positions. Bertie put in some fantastic leg work down the right, Browner, Surry, Forsyth and Nico running the midfield, and the forwards putting in some good work up front. Somehow we managed to let Ashford back in to the game and they equalized shortly after the break with a good individual goal.

The Mighty 3's rallied and after a slack 10 minute period where we lost intensity, shape and the ability to pass to each other, composure regained, and James Hatcher scored from close distance after some good team play. Toby Baldwin was causing the Ashford defence all sorts of trouble throughout the game, and continued to attack and probe, and was unlucky to not get on the score sheet.

It was fitting that Nick Surry would get on the score sheet again to round off a good season in front of goal, with another well worked team goal. 15 goals in 13 games is great return for the team.

So it finished 3 - 1 and a season which was full of lots of promise and derailed by the 5 games we narrowly lost 3 - 2. With a bit more experience and luck we could of won all those games and would have been pushing for promotion. Was just not meant to be. Nethertheless a good second half of the season with the clubs younger players coming through and demonstrating they can make the step up to mens hockey. Bodes well for next season.

Special shout outs to Phil Cartin, debut in goal for the 3's, James Smith solid debut at the back, Will Leverton, who put a fantastic shift in up front and for a 14 year didn't look out of place.

MOM - Bertie
DOD - James Hatcher