M4 vs Stroud 3 Lost 2-1
MOM: Will
DOD: Barney
To sum up this week …. best so far.
An early start in Stroud and we turned up with 12 supposed to be 14, this week low availabilities had led to lot’s of to and fro’ with players, and stood in the bright December sunshine passing pleasantries with the opp. waiting for the pitch to be unlocked.
Thanks to all who moved teams, we lost 2 before we started see DOD nomination.
As promised, I didn’t say ‘we can get a result’ as with Stroud 3 4th in the league we were not expecting any result.
You may recall I have described our play as ‘patchy’, well we joined the patches up in the first half and played our socks off. Right from the off we matched Stroud and played the better hockey, short, crisp passes and movement, lots of movement. Stroud pushing up left loads of space behind and both Ethan and Tobias on the wings took full advantage showing pace (lots of pace) and skills to attack the goal. One break led to Raoul narrowly missing when 1-on-1 (DOD nomination). This was not an isolated moment our attacks forcing saves and 2 short corners well worked but not converted. Tobias had a good opportunity when the ball was pulled back from the right to the p-spot and the his deflection went wide. Just like the training drill we had last Tuesday. At the other end the defence was stopping the Stroud attacks, Graham pulling off some fine saves. However, one shot saved by Graham, then re-bounded to back to the attacker and he couldn’t reset and Stroud scored from close range. The team were somewhat surprised to behind, that’s the confidence and level of play we were at, 0-1 down.
Easy ½ time talk, keep going, keep playing. Sweets, Jelly Babies and Haribo. No oranges, as the Vacher household ate them all!
We started again, very similar to the 1st half, however Stroud pushed up more leaving all the space again. After we defended yet another short corner, each one defended and defended well. A quick pass out to Ethan who ran and ran and slipped the pass to Raoul who slotted neatly in the corner, Stroud were surprised, 1-1. I’m sure this wasn’t how it was supposed to go. That started a 10 minute golden period of play when we threatened the Stroud goal repeatedly, Raoul was on fire buoyed by his first goal for Lansdown, however the 2nd goal didn’t come.
The 2nd period of the half was more Stroud attacking and us defending as a team very well, the mid-field never stopped working and competing. The Stroud team, a few individuals who spent lots of time doing 360’s and getting dizzy, looked good but failed to achieve attacking dominance. However, one shot well struck from the top of D high into the top corner, glanced Graham’s stick but snuck in the top of goal, 2-1. We learned afterwards that, Stroud also had selection issues, and we played against a team with experienced Vet’s and 2’s players.
It finished 2-1, we were disappointed with the result but not the performance, familiar story in the M4s.
Teas, not pies but home-made leek & potato soup, comprised of 6 of us and 1 Stroud player who joined us and nominated Graham MOM.
MOM: Will – our excellent RB who regular saves Mr Kim (and the team) defensive blunders and provides an attacking option
Honourable mentions: Tobias – excellent on the wing (again), Graham – excellent saves (nominated by the opp player / team)
DOD: Barney – provided late availability as he suddenly found himself available, however just as we were leaving, his work called to enquire if he was coming in today! We then discovered that Barney had stated the incorrect date on work availability rota and indeed was required to work at a seasonal venue as an elf.
It has been requested that either an elf hat or ears will be needed next time he plays.
Dis-honourable mentions: Raoul – late (lost in Stroud) and missing a 1-on-1, Bill – late
I have introduced a new feature for DOD, award winners will now be required to provide an answer to the question “In my defence…”
So Barney…..