Due to a mid week selection issues (providing a few players to the 3s), injuries and illness, a lucky late availability, and a new year, so obviously means a change of formation, back to 4-4-2!
With our 10th debutant of the season (and 11th for the club – that’s a whole new team!) we welcome Stuart Perfect to the club and to the Men’s 4s.
First game after a long break is always a bit awkward to find rhythm again, Conor late for pickup, left water bottle at home- kit in the changing room, I left my hockey shoes in the cars – maybe not the best start, but when the whistle blew Kettering was on it.
The intensity and press was good, and how would those Christmas presents do? (new shoes, sticks, shirts) but the touch in and around their D was not surprisingly a bit rusty and we missed a couple of good early chances. Umpiring a Development team against a non development team must be extremely difficult, balancing playing fair, protecting the youngest i.e the under 13, given them a little slack for minor infringements but keeping to normal hockey rules, also educating them, like playing to the whistle, as shown by a superb bit of umpiring that led to our first goal. Ben was driving towards the D, drilled the ball in, which clearly ballooned off the defender’s foot (about 5m outside the D) the ball looped in towards the edge of the D, with continued Ben running on, umpire with whistle in mouth, but clear that Ben would get the ball so the umps didn’t blow, Ben got the ball in the D passed to Shaun who slotted home, with the Nomad players still waiting for the whistle to go for the foot.
5mins later we were two up this time John providing the supply for Oliver to score his first goal for in men hockey. (He wasn’t on the team sheet until 2 hrs before the game!) His celebration was on par with Sam’s earlier in the season, with just barely a nod of acknowledgement. Must be just me that fist pumps and screams when I score (well it is pretty infrequent now days I suppose)
Unfortunately just before half time Nomads got a short and although Nate saved the first hit it dropped nicely to one of their senior players who swivelled nicely and scored. 2:1 half time.
Second half started the same as the first with Kettering on the front foot, with control at the back meant the opposition chances were very few and far between. About mid way through the half the Ben-Shaun combo struck again and Shaun got his second – must be those new shoes! A third was handed on a plate but a great save from the keeper or a realisation that last time Shaun got a hattrick he didn’t get man of the match and didn’t want to buy a jug – only Shaun knows the truth!
The last 20min was a really calm and confident performance to shut out any attacking opportunities resulting in Nomads relying on a crash ball through. The tracking back by the midfield was typically energetic and ever present. A last gasp short was this time well defended by our defence and soon after the final whistle blew.
Final score was a 3:1 win, and a great all round team performance. With 10 different goal scorers this season so far it clear that we have players all over the pitch who can score. Next week a big clash with high flying Peterborough.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Captain’s thoughts – A real pleasing message I received from one of the junior’s parents. “The senior players in this team are great, they really help the younger players, with direction and encouragement, and this really helps with his confidence and enjoyment”. This is what we are all about in the 4s, playing as competitively as possible, enjoying our hockey and developing players.
Player of the Match – Oliver Stenson – Wasn’t playing 2hrs before the game, but made himself available when the team were short due to injuries, illness and supplying players to the 3s, and just as well for us. Probing runs, tracking back and his superb first men’s goal. ( just needs to work on the celebration)
D0D – Conor – late for pick up (as had to make peanut butter bagels!), forgot his water bottle and left all his stuff in the changing room. (Great game though!)
Champagne moment – Me for somehow serving DOD, for leaving my hockey shoe in the car and only realising a couple on minutes before the start of the game.
Captain’s mention – The defence, never get enough mentions – (George, Tom A, Tom S, Stu P and Justin) really solid game against an attack of both speedy youngest and two very skilled older midfielders. Some great tackles, and interceptions particularly by George, Stu P and Tom A, but also when the opportunities arose driving runs forward particularly Tom S and Stu P, and even Justin went roaming up field a couple of times – must be that new stick of his.