Paying the Penalty.

Since the day in April that the Mighty 3s secured their well-deserved promotion to the Kent Area - Division 2 and with it the chance to face their brothers in arms, the Tremendous 2s, this was always going to be a hotly anticipated fixture. The talk was over, the chat was done and now it was a fair fight for the 3 points both teams desperately wanted to earn. For those that gathered to watch the spectacle both teams dutifully delivered a game to remember.

Both sides were at full strength with some strong additions to the 2nd XI enabling Mike Earnshaw (LB) and Jason Barkworth (IR) to once again stake a claim on a new role with the Mighty 3s.
The 3s were keen to erase last week’s disappointing run out in which they never truly fired or played to their full potential so a pre-match tactics board and team strategy session in the changing room helped get the lads fixed and focused.

The 3s won the toss (1-0?!) and the game began at break neck speed with high intensity passing and movement from both sides. The 2s looked for early D penetration and nabbed themselves a penalty corner within the first few minutes. A high drag flick was pinged towards the well positioned Brett Melville on the left post who was convinced he’d made a superb goal line, shoulder high, stop only to see his ‘save’ cannon straight back into the goal of the CF’s wafted stick directly in front of him. The 2s celebrated as the 3s cursed their luck.

It was clear the 2s very good set piece routines were going to be a difficult thing to counter as they pressed hard looking for more pc’s. The game ebbed and flowed with neither defence giving an inch but great combination play between James Goldsmith Snr and Mike Earnshaw saw a pin point, field splitting ball slice through the heart of the 2s defence towards a galloping William Powell. His pace unnerved the GK who was forced to make a move and as a result got an unlucky deflection of his pad and the ball skipped into the goal. Even stevens 1-1.

This fired up both sides and some full blooded hockey of the highest grade ensued. The 2s drove hard and continued to push for a PC and it wasn’t long before a lunging stick tackle in the D gave them their just rewards. The resulting drag flick was charged down well by the defence but it fell to a 2s player who calmly fed his CF who slapped the ball home. 2-1.

The 3s battled on and matched their counterparts in many areas of the pitch. The pace of the 3s forwards (Powell, Wickenden, Tate and Koritas) was giving the experienced 2s backline lots of problems and it was a delight to see the gifted 15yr old Michael Wickenden take on and ‘skin’ the 2s LB on several occasions. William Tate then showed great skill and composure to draw a foul and secure the 3s a PC. A great slip left saw Tom Cleall’s vicious strike hurtle towards the far post for the waiting 3s forward to punch it back to the awaiting James Goldsmith Snr to fire the ball high into the roof of the net. 2-2 Game on.

Passions were high and when David Golbey controlled a bouncing, deflected ball and ‘cover drove’ it into the goal for what he thought was a 3-2 lead (the whistle had gone before the hit) he let his blood boil and his mouth motor when cautioned and got his marching orders with a yellow. Unnecessary chat and it left the 2s reduced for 5mins when they needed 11 players on the pitch. To the 3s credit they battened down the hatches and rode out the pressure until he returned but of course lost the attacking momentum they built without the CF on the pitch.

The match continued apace and a tide of 2s attacks were nullified by a resolute 3s defence but we failed to turn the possession into something meaningful in the last 25 meters and a foothold couldn’t be secured. The 2s probed and searched for an opening and looked to get a PC at every opportunity knowing we were finding their firepower hard to deal with. The pressure told and a number of PC’s were won during the next 5 minutes. After forcing the dangerous 2s LB Mark Ison on the left slip to fire wide and then hit the post on another he was left stupidly unmarked third time round and made no mistake in torpedoing the ball high into the goal. Defensive error. 3-2. Half time whistle and a close game drew a breath.

A clear and direct talk from Skipper Matt Wilde rallied the boys and the self-belief and pride in the 3s players eyes at what they had achieved so far in pushing a very strong team to the wire for 35mins was a sight to behold. We had not conceded a goal from open play despite some excellent attacking from the 2s. It was their far superior PC routines which were the difference. Play our game; absorb the pressure and use the pace on the counter was the key.

The 3s came out strong second half, full of conviction and for long periods dominated passages of play keeping the 2s opportunities to find another goal to a minimum. However, the openings weren’t happening at the other end either and when a few chances came and went the 3s began to doubt an equaliser could be found. The 3s camped in the 2s half pushing for a goal but a turnover in midfield saw the 2s break quickly and with some slick passing gave their CF a narrow angle but open goal to fire into. However a desperate lunge by covering defender Matt Wilde valiantly blocked the shot but the ball slid from his stick and glanced his foot as he spread himself and a Penalty Stroke was awarded. A very harsh decision as most agreed the shot was going wide. But some you win some you lose. The efficient Mark Ison stepped up again and made no mess of bulging the net for his second of the game. 4-2 to the 2s and with time slipping away the 3s hope of some points were disappearing fast. A consolation 3rd goal nearly came at the death after some impressive skill from Man of the Match and ever improving youngster William Tate but solid block tackling from the 2s ‘Elders’ snuffed out the chance. Final whistle and the 2s secured the 3 points.

As expected it was an impassioned, hard fought, high tempo game of skill, commitment and desire. It was a great sign of things to come in this league if these sides continue to demonstrate that level of performance.

On Tuesday we will mostly be working on our Penalty Corners – offence and defence!