Good but not good enough

A return to the old HSBC Lennard Road stomping ground where Blackheath used to train in yesteryear was not a happy one for the Mighty 3s as a beautiful day for hockey was not blessed with the win the sprightly 3s were after.

A slightly altered team due to the loss of a few regulars but the addition of a one or two from above still looked like a team capable of beating a well drilled New Beccs 1st XI. The Mighty 3s potent mix of youth and experience which was used to devastating effect last week never ignited fully and the extra gear needed to pull away from a strong New Beccs just couldn’t be found.

A nervous start led to a number of unforced errors and this was to be the theme of the day. It wasn’t that New Beccs played particularly well but more that BOE gave them chances with silly errors and unnecessary turnovers. It was an inconsistent performance where passages of terrific one touch, clinical passing, counter attacking hockey (the sort the 3s Boys have shown they’re very capable of) was interspersed with undisciplined and erratic moments of mediocrity.

Once BOE settled down it was a pretty even first half with fast flowing hockey from end to end. Chances on goal were equal but neither side could find that final scoring touch. On more than one occasion the BOE forwards and their opposing numbers found themselves through on goal but no nets bulged and no backboards boomed. The midfield trio of Tom Cleall, Rob Miller and James Goldsmith ran hard and searched in vain for a way through but it was all rather blunt. Although the BOE defence absorbed and repelled the Oppo attacks with confidence the transfer across the back wasn’t happening so it allowed New Beccs to close the ball down easily and cause the lads problems. It was clearly going to take a slip or a moment of sublime skill to break the deadlock.

And so it was that 4 mins before the break an excellent steal in midfield, quick turn, pass and sprint forward found Michael Wickenden (another superb BOE U16 improving every week) who skinned one defender before deftly playing in Will Powell who powered into the D and onto the welcome pass. He cleverly drew the Keeper (cue ‘slip’ moment) who clattered right through him and gave BOE the clearest penalty stroke you’ll ever see. Up stepped seasoned and mercurial Blackheath campaigner James ‘Goldie-Looking-Jim’ Goldsmith to surely give the Mighty 3s the foothold to victory they needed. But indicative of the performance Blackheath were delivering he followed the wonderful moment of Blackheath brilliance with possibly the worst penalty stroke since 1861 with an effort that sent the ball limply forwards to gently caress the Goalkeepers tummy before trickling back to the spot from whence it came for a picnic. Nine times out of ten this outstanding BOE player would bury that opportunity but today was the other tenth. His was naturally DOTD.

It was a goal that could’ve changed the whole face of the game with a few mins to half time but alas it was not to be and the lads would come to curse their misfortune. A direct and clear HT chat left us all with clear instructions and lots of self-belief. It was still a game for the taking.

Sadly the second half was similarly ‘bi-polar’ and BOE once again failed to capitalise on chances, take control and cut out the mistakes. Rob Miller soon joined the injured David Golbey on the side-lines and the game became a little ragged. A messy pinball wizard opening goal for New Beccs soon arrived as their forward rode a few weak tackles, slipped in and out of several desperate lunges and managed to half hit/flick the ball towards goal which took a deflection before glancing into the goal off Sam’s inner pad. Not pretty but they all count. New Beccs then won a few consecutive penalty corners and after some good BOE resistance the third attempt was fashioned with training ground precision past the helpless Blackheath keeper with aplomb. 2-0. The Mighty 3s didn’t give up and tried in earnest to get something out of the game and came close to closing the deficit a number of times but the goal just couldn’t be found and New Beccs took the spoils.

At times BOE were excellent at others they were average and at this level that isn’t good enough to win matches. The Mighty 3s need to rediscover their mojo before Saturdays monumental derby match with bitter (dramatic effect) local rivals BOE 2s otherwise they’re going to get proper stuffed. BUT - bring their A game from the week before and it will be the Mighty 3s singing in the bar afterwards.

Young BOE U16 Jake Owen at LB gave the standout performance of the match (MOTM) with a probing, composed and flair filled display that showed great promise of things to come.