M4 vs Stroud 3 (H) Win 4-2
MOM: Tom P
DOD: Bill
This week…fun in the sun.
All good things come to an end, and what a day. The sun was out, we were at home on the beach that is Costa-del-Brockworth, most were coming back for teas and the team was full. This included some uni students, Tom A (aka Tall Tom) and Hayden.
What did I expect, well Stroud 3 had been promoted last week – finished 2nd and although we only narrowly lost 2-1 in out previous match, we wanted just to play well and enjoy the last game.
League wise, we started the day in 6th place (I know right) with Ross one point below and with an easier game, so just saying a victory will guarantee that 6th place!
It started slightly chaotically, when we pushed back, Glynn was still putting his shin-pads on and Tobias was running off the pitch for his mouth guard and glove, so 9 players on the field. It didn’t seem to matter as our first attack lead to a short, and Raoul’s deceptive shot (scuffed bobbly and slow) confused everyone, and whilst the ball was making it’s way goalward a defender helped, 1-0.
This surprised Stroud and us in equal measure. The crowd were pleased.
I didn’t however stop us playing, Stroud still a bit stunned and maybe expecting an easier game stuttered and we competed as a team. Then 15 minutes in a fantastic team effort of fast ball pace and quick passing started with Tobias on the left who feed a lovely, weighted ball to Fin in the middle, who 1-on-1 with advancing keeper (Stroud had all pushed up) deflected the ball nicely for the 2nd, 2-0. The crowd were happy. Stroud now put together some passing and score a well worked goal. However, it was not one-way traffic, the mid-field were completing well, Tall Tom and Hyden, were running with purpose and Justin, Michiel & Shaun providing the support on the flanks. We picked-up two green cards, first Bill for a robust challenge and Tall Tom for crunching stick tackle that all the supporters heard and made suitable ooh noises, que quips about stick of steel and learning bad habits from Sheffield (uni). The score however remained 2-1 at half-time.
½ time, oranges and sweets and lots of water, it was warm. But basically keep going, re-enforced the passing game to save our legs.
Stroud had a more determined look about in the 2nd half and put more passing moves together and enjoyed a period of sustained pressure. The defence stood firm, Mr Kim had volunteered to go off at ½ time, so Bill, Glynn, Tom and Mark were very busy. We were still turning Stroud with pace and some quick passing moves and for all the Stroud possession, not much threat on goal.
Now Mr Kim, sub’d back on, not as per the plan as a defensive position but up front. This caused some confusion and general abuse from the captain ‘not an authorised sub etc’ but with one of his first touches he scored, 3-1. The crowd went crazy!
Stroud did pull one back, after several clearances straight to attackers, a shot sneaked in off the inside post, 3-2.
Not daunted by this, more short corners followed and a nice interchange between Raoul & Adam allowed Adam to score, 4-2. The crowd didn’t know what to next, what’s after going crazy, ecstatic? Adam keeping up the father/son selection policy in the M4’s was keeping up with Fin. Wow we were 4-2 up vs the 2nd in league and looking good for it!
The later half of the game was very much, defend in depth, tired legs and bit of shape lost in the mid-field as Stroud piled on the pressure. We did a lot of short corner defensive practice! And our pace up front was off, taken out by a clumsy challenge (Stroud yellow). But we did it and Tom P was outstanding in goal pulling good saves time-and again. As the final Stroud attack was defended, Tall Tom very calmly went off the site and played keep the ball to ease out the final minutes and blunt the attacking momentum, final score 4-2
What an excellent way to end the season, big smiles on everyone’s faces!
This has been the most successful, in league terms, in the M4s for many a season, we played 18, won 6, drew 2 and ended with a total points tally of 20! An amazing effort all season long.
MOM: Tom Pinless – Fantastic keeping (last 20 minutes especially) and dropping down to help us
Honourable mentions: Mr Kim – that entrance and the goal, Tobias – attacking threat
DOD: Bill – Green card and a few other effective but physical stops
Dis-honourable mentions: Mr Kim – not following the substitute plan, Tobias – forgetting gum shield and glove after push-back & Tall Tom – green card – you never learnt to tackle like that at LHC!(?)
And again, we had supporters, Tall Tom brought a little crowd, the Pinless clan, Mrs Myles, Hayden’s Dad and Michael Davies – also a returning uni student who came back to watch. There also was some of the last game players and next game players just watching, much to their surprise a really good game / standard of hockey.
So Bill…..
In the comments afterwards, he graciously pointed out that ‘Tom got as card as well’ and ‘what about putting your body on the line for team’