Deal or No Deal

By Adam Mulvanny
Even with zero training attendance, recovering from two broken legs, or maybe you have no hockey experience at all; there is always a chance you will be called upon to play one of the fabulous coastal away games.

The game was at the Duke of York's Royal Military School, a fitting venue for the forthcoming battle with Deal 1XI. BEHC armoured up in the changing room; Richard Archibald applied his bandana in slow motion like a Catford Rambo, Scott Dow changed into his trademark football astros, Adam Mulvanny began bathing in deep heat and Chris Brown donned the original club socks from when he first joined in 1861.

The 3XI had a mixture of new and old faces. New faces: Louis Brown, Alex Muntus stepping up. New recruit Jake Rogan just about passed a medical Saturday morning after his new member’s initiation the previous week. Old Faces: Chris Brown.

THE GAME:
BEHC started the game well but eventually Deals full press started to cause BEHC issues, a few mislaid and rushed passes invited pressure. Within the first ten minutes BE managed to take advantage of the high press and broke from the middle with Alastair Basham bouncing the ball around two men before a push into the striker who then played a one touch pass back to Alastair Basham to score a fine goal. BEHC 1-0.
Our half press allowed the Deal back four time on the ball, the RB took full advantage by flicking the ball into the corners for his front line. James Kelly saved three or four certain goals before the inevitable happened. 1-1 at the break, a fair score line after both teams had good and bad spells.

The team talk was simple, look back, recycle the ball and play it simple. BEHC started the better of the two teams, the half time Jelly Babies kicking in. Early into the second half, a short corner was pushed out to Chris Brown who took it into the D dribbled past two diving tackles to hit home. 2-1. Deal pushed for the equaliser but it only worked in BE’s favour. Louis Brown broke down an attack and made a swift pass to the CM who then found Richard Archibald on the right. Richard Archibald drove towards the D, hit the ball across goal where Adam Mulvanny and Nick Surry were both waiting. Nick Surry flicked the ball over the keepers stick to make it 3-1. BE were sitting comfortable and that showed in their play. Josh Clark received the ball with his back to goal at CM and with a reserve pass to Adam Mulvanny on the left BE found themselves three on two. With a pinpoint pass into the D, Nick Surry guided it first time into the top right hand corner. 4-1. Deal clawed one goal back with one of their few chances in the second half. FT 4-2

Other points:
Adam Mulvanny green card for kicking the ball away. Claimed to be giving the ball back to the opposition (HE WAS).
Adam Mulvanny green card for back stick interception. Not card worthy, it was the edge of the stick and accidental.
Jack Rogan green card for a sliding tackle on the opposition CM. Clear green card but loving the commitment. Almost the perfect tackle.

MOTM: Alex Muntus and closely followed by Louis Brown. The whole back five were outstanding.
DOTD: Adam Mulvanny. Unknown reason.

UP THE CLUB.