With-Draw From Disaster. Holcombe 3’s 6:6 BOE 3’s

Squad: GK Tom, RB Adrain G (Capt), CB Brett M, CB Mike E, LB Jake O (MotM), IL Jason B, CH James G, IR Rob M, RF Will P, CF James H, LF Townie, Sub Will T. Injured in the first minute but provided 12th man, lion like, roars from the side line David G.

Sir Andrew Bartlett’s autobiography (My life, My Story: it’s all about me) came out last week with revelations about his time as BOE’s Club Captain. The most intriguing snippets revolved around past star players and the events that shaped their careers at the worlds oldest hockey club. Among the juiciest disclosures was Sir Andrew’s assertion that Sam Djavit was sold to arch-rivals BromBecs after his attitude changed as result of his whirlwind romance with former Blackheath pin-up & barmaid Masie.

The clubs current management expressed concern about the timing of the book launch fearing that revelations could destabilise and distract the playing membership. And so it came to pass for what other explanation can there be for the Mighty 3’s disastrous start to their match against Holcombe.

The offensive players went through the motions of defending without actually committing to shadowing players and marking properly. What should have been made hard for the opposition was made easy and our mid-field and backs suffered horribly at the lack of defensive support. The once Mighty 3’s were meek, notable exceptions were James Goldsmith and Brett Melville whose commitment sadly couldn’t prevent the capitulation that was to unfold.

Conceding two early goals stirred a little bit of life in the lacklustre 3’s and fortunately they were much better with the ball than they were without it.

Goals from Will P and Townie, after some very slick interchanges between the other forwards and mid-field, limited the damage to 2-5 down at half time. The keeper Tom, rusty from four years away from the game was bloodied and battered but his heroics in the second half, while sporting a Terry Butcher-esque bandage, served as a springboard for BOE’s comeback. Will P bagged two more goals either side of an opposition O/G, one from a penalty that he himself had earned to draw the game level. At the opposite end, some heroic defending kept the opposition out while the offensive players set about making amends for the first half. Jake Owen also provided inspiration as a player who took responsibility for his area of the pitch, winning the ball when required but also carrying and distributing it to good effect.

Mid way into the second half skipper Adrian Graham went on a surging run, playing the ball into the forward line and running beyond them to take up position in the opposition’s goal mouth. Some more tiki-taka stuff from the forwards and Adrian was found with an accurate pass that bypassed the defence and keeper. He slotted the ball in and celebrated in style. 6-5 to BOE. BOE then had a player sent off for a challenge that perhaps wouldn’t merit a yellow card in most situations. To be fair to the umpires, they were entirely consistent throughout and had sent a Holcombe player off for a similar offence earlier in the game. BOE ended the game defending for their lives and unfortunately conceded a late goal from a short corner. The team were a little deflated but the incredible comeback did at least render them proud and worthy of the title, the Mighty 3’s.

RIP Lou Reed, I guess today wasn't so perfect.

James Hatcher