TRUMPED BY WINDY MILLERS

A bare 10.5 players (Skipper David Golbey carrying a groin strain) gathered at Polo Farm for an early start. Half term holidays and injuries had played havoc with selection so a hastily put together team of those fit and able took to the pitch. The thrill of playing on Canterbury's main 'show' pitch against The Millers was soon extinguished by the gathering storm clouds and the realisation that the subs bench was empty. It was going to be a tough ask but a rousing, no nonsense rallying call from VC Matt Wilde gave the lads a lift and they set about getting something from the game.
The Club faced a much younger Millers side than usual and their energy and running looked to be a potential problem for BEHC. However, the backline of Gobbler the Hobbler and The Chairman plus Snatch (a very welcome addition although he was swapping CF for LB) and a very classy Will Godsiff at RB subdued the young bucks for most of the game. To be fair if the final ball and pass from the talented but inexperienced Millers frontline had been better on numerous occasions The Mighty 3s could've been staring at a hefty deficit. But a combination of poor choices and wily defending from the Old Masters plus some glorious saves kept Canterbury at bay. At the other end the BEHC forwards were threatening and a host of scoring efforts went begging. Archie was a constant threat, stealing the ball with nonchalance and putting pressure on the Millers goal. Ably supported by young Will Leverton who showed some moments of great skill and slap happy Nick Surry came very close to grabbing a goal. It was another week where we certainly created plenty of chances but the final strike or touch on goal was missing. That being said the team didn't win a single PC in the whole game so must be cleverer at securing something in the final 23.
Toby Baldwin at IR had another very good game. Causing all sorts of problems with his super strong ball carry and was unlucky not to have a handful of assists and a goal to boot. Cameron Lester continues to impress in the 3s midfield doing the fetch and carry role and proving that the uncomplicated execution of the receive and distribute skill is exactly what is required in that spot. Ben Ireland had a few successful forays down the IL channel but more often than not got penned into a tight spot when choosing not to drive down the defenders weak side. Sam Hannon made a welcome return to the Mighty 3s GK spot and proved to be in impervious form making a string of important saves and scooping the MOTM award for his valiant efforts.
All being said the team was resolute in its defence whilst proving a constant threat on the counter attack and the game ebbed and flowed with all the signs that only small moments of error, luck or skill would settle this game.
Luck began it: The Millers opened the scoring when a loose ball was fired towards goal front the top of the D but it slammed into the foot of The Chairman and looped up over the GK and into the top corner. 0-1.
Followed by Skill: The Mighty 3s equaliser was a fantastic team goal started by an intelligent transfer from Snatch. A sublime pass from Will Godsiff who found the marauding Toby Baldwin who picked out Archie on the left of the post who controlled and flicked the ball with precision and power back into the opposite corner for a sweet, sweet goal. Great finish. 1-1
Settled by an error: With 5 mins to go and a draw looking like a vg result for the brave ten and a half. A BEHC long corner was inexplicably launched all the way back to The Chairman stood between our 23 and the half way line. To make matters worse it was off target. A young buck Miller won the race for the errant ball and a speedy counterattack was on. Another young set of legs joined the attack and received the ball down their left where Gobbler the Hobbler tried in vain to usher him into the corner but the young lad turned him inside out and dumped him on his backside. As he forced his way along the base line and into the D Hannon came racing out to wipe him out just as Godsiff and another Miller Boy joined the fray. A mess of bodies clashed and the ball painfully dribbled right across the mouth of the goal where a gleeful even younger Miller who'd long left Snatch in his wake tapped the ball home. 1-2.
Utter heartbreak for the exhausted Mighty 3s. To their credit we pushed hard in the final 5 for an equaliser but fatigue was catching up with us and we just didn't have the energy to make a difference.
Despite the enormously disappointing result it's safe to say it was a hugely enjoyable game to play in. Excellently Umpired. Not a single card shown. No back chat or disrespect to other players or Officials. Gobbler had some lo-fi banter with the observing 1980's wet perm joker who our Mens 2s often play against but that was the extent of the rebellion. We played some of the best and most efficient team hockey despite our low numbers by keeping it simple and will take heart from those elements. The Canterbury teas are still one of the worst (stuck in the 80s with Mr Wet perm) with a limp sandwich and a slice of Swiss Roll Cricket style tea not what you want after a hard slog in unwelcoming elements. But a mug of tea was quaffed and we headed back to South East London - disappointed, aching but proud of our efforts.

DOTD - Ben Ireland. Corners aren't his forte
MOTM - Sam Hannon. A series of brilliant saves and a commanding performance.

Goalscorer: Archie