THE THREE'S TUMBLE AT TUNBRIDGE

It was a catastrophic day at the office for a rejigged Mighty3s as they conceded seven to a young, well organised Tunbridge Wells team whose mid table position and results so far didn’t match the quality of their performance on Saturday. This was the worst result for the 3s and the WHOLE club ALL season. The woeful score prevented the Club from securing its 4th club wide undefeated week of results. A very black day for the men in red.

In the corresponding fixture earlier in the season BOE had run out deserved 3-1 winners at The Meadow but this match had a very different outcome. Only five members of that winning team were available. So with five brand new faces coming into the line-up, a few tactical experiments and a number of enforced position changes it was always going to be an ‘interesting’ game.

Adam Mulvanny (whose last performance for the 3s was in fact the aforementioned fixture where he scored and got MotM) and Andy Phillips were playing their first games back since bad injuries had ruled them out months ago. Plus 16yr old Jack Colegate, South African student Ben Van Zyl and James Goldsmith Jnr were all making their 3rd XI debuts. Suffice to say it was a baptism of fire for all of them and not a day to remember for the proud team.

The Mighty 3s really missed the half a dozen absent regular players who had begun to create a real understanding in the weeks before the Christmas break and on a day when nothing much clicked they were punished beyond recognition. Needless to say these factors take nothing away from what was a good and efficient Tunbridge Wells performance.

The new look BOE side had started well with strong intentions in the transfer and a few good forages down the wings but it was soon apparent that the day was going to be tough. A number of mistimed passes, weak pushes, sloppy tackles and missed goal chances set the tone of the game from a BOE perspective. A scrappy tap in following some goal line saves from Sam Hannon broke the deadlock in favour of the Opposition after ten minutes of pretty even play. A penalty flick for a messy tackle and obstruction in the D extended the lead to two and a well worked third ensured T Wells went into the half time break 3-0 up.

Time to regroup and take stock. Lots of energy and commitment but it wasn’t going BOE’s way. They just weren’t playing well enough for consistent periods of time and were turning the ball over far too frequently. A few too many changes were resulting in a lack of cohesion and understanding. The basics were poor and they weren’t playing well. The team were creating plenty of scoring chances but they were all spurned. John Townsend will rue getting nothing from the three 1 on 1’s he had during the game – the last of which saw him tread on the ball as he wound up for a shot. Summed up the BOE day really.

So it was a do or die decision. BOE go all out for it with an Uber offensive strategy to try and force their way back into the game and salvage something or carry on regardless and go out with a whimper? At 3-0 down they wrestle a result or lose even more heavily?

Yep. You guessed it. In true Blackheath style and spirit the Skipper blew his whistle and the boys went over the top in full charge. They threw caution to the wind and came out all guns blazing, switching to 3 at the back and forcing poor debutant James Goldsmith Jnr so high up the pitch he was getting altitude sickness! But for the next 5 minutes BOE really showed their metal and after some strong pressure down the left they forced a mistake and turnover. BOE pounced on the ball and pinged three neat passes down the inside left channel which released debutant and MotM Jack Colegate to power into the D and flick the ball over the advancing keeper to finish with great aplomb. It was a terrifically composed finish from the youngster.

BOE went again from the off and really began to dominate T Wells who began to wobble. For a moment it looked like BOE could emphatically force their way back into this game. One more goal and who knows what could happen? But the Oppo steadied their ship and with the loaded and high BOE forward line unable to get back they left ourselves very exposed. The high press and extra spurts of energy couldn’t be maintained and holes began to appear. BOE couldn’t maintain the forward pressure on the T Wells goal and the leg work needed to get back and defend. They creaked, they strained and tried their best but the dam burst, the flood gates opened and T Wells ran in 4 more goals – each from a runaway counter attack. It was a valiant effort. They gambled but lost. All credit to the lads who continued to work for a goal even as BOE conceded the seventh. However - Fortune doesn’t always favour the brave.

Despite the hugely disappointing scoreline there were a few positives. BOE showed great fighting spirit at the beginning of the second half and throughout the difficult last 20 mins. Jack Colegate had a good debut - scoring and winning MotM. BOE created some good goal chances despite the scoreline. The team welcomed back some quality players to the fold who will regain match sharpness soon. At times (not enough!!) the 3s played some very good hockey -tight, controlled, up tempo and clinical – as they have done throughout the season.

There’s much to do at training and going forwards but the 3s must pick themselves up. It wasn’t their day. They know they are a much better team than that scoreline suggests and they will welcome back a host of players next week. So it’s time to put the result behind them and march on to the next challenge – 2nd placed New Beccs. Bring it. Retribution is needed.