Get your game hat on....and they did!

The newly assembled Mighty 3s gathered together for their first game of the season against a youthful and strong Tunbridge Wells 2nd XI who were a significant force last season. Pre-season was over and now the real work began. An unfortunate injury in the first few seconds robbed the team of their influential CH Dave Golbey but that did not faze the Mighty 3's as they started confidently.

The team were organised and well setup and took control by defending the middle strongly and attacking using width and height. It soon became apparent that there was a real opportunity for the 3s to not only draw, but secure a win. The first half consisted of robust and disciplined defending from CB's Wilde and Melville with excellent wingback attack from Graham, Owen & Edwards. The midfield and forwards worked well and shifted the ball with pace and control. The work rate was high and no player stood still for a moment. This was rewarded with a finely worked goal built from the back with some crisp incisive passing that allowed 15yr old home debutant Michael Wickenden to impressively elude several wild tackles and calmly slot under the keeper for the opening goal.

Tunbridge pushed hard in the midfield and really tested the Blackheath defence but this just meant the boys in red worked harder and confidently found another gear. This increased effort in turn produced a second goal through sheer tenacity and doggedness. The 3s forwards forcibly harried the Tunbridge defence into a series of errors and the result was a hapless own goal.

The second half saw an even stronger display from the 3s as T Wells looked for a way back in. But composure and slick passing hockey produced the third goal for the Mighty 3s courtesy of the battling Tom (The Engine) Cleall, James Goldsmith Snr and Rob Miller in the midfield who fed the imposing centre forward Adam Mulvanny who effortlessly shrugged off several challenges, burst into the area, took the ball onto his right and rifled an unstoppable shot into the far corner of the goal past a bewildered keeper. This was the final nail in the coffin and although Tunbridge stole back a goal the fat lady soon sang and BOE ran out 3-1 winners.

The boys were exhausted but happy. A very fine win as the 3s made a statement of intent and showed that on this occasion their newly promoted status didn't necessarily mean they would be the whipping boys of the league. It's a new league and a new season but the BOE 3's are ready. Top of the League. Come on you Mighty 3s.

Next Game, New Becc's

Tino (3's Capt)