A rainy start to the day. The drive to Evesham was long. A stoppage in the rain in time for the troops to assemble. The stage was set to face off against 3rd in the league. A team that we had beaten twice last season but has since been bolstered with fresh talent. Pete H turned up before push back, a good omen.
My first time walking to the umpires for the pre-match “captains please” call. I was asked if I was aware of the 2 second injection rule. I wasn’t. Turns out none of us were. Less than 5 minutes to warm up, rouse the men for battle and roughly go over a game plan.
They had PB. Not that it mattered, the first 10 minutes saw ollie enter his mad-dog era and he stole possession from which we had 3 consecutive free hits. Not that anything came of it but it was a sign of things to come.
Other than Phil practising his swan dive a few times and Evesham falling foul of the new/old injection rule, the first half was uneventful. We kept up our high press that has been so good for us the last few games and we stopped the few chances that Evesham had.
Half time talk, tangfastics and jelly babies supplied by the captain-in-absence Mark. Positive noises all around.
The 2nd half started much the same, but Evesham made a break, chained some splitting passes through our defence and slotted one past Alex after 10 minutes. The chase was on.
Shortly after their captain received a green for their keeper kicking the ball outside of the D. Penalty stroke given. Cue everyone walking away from the P spot, not wanting the pressure of stepping up for the equaliser. Mike Kim, who had so far been keeping the back tied up in the sweeper role, strolled towards the waiting umpire like something from a film. No words needed. He knew what he had to do.
A powerful stroke to the right of the keeper. 1-1. The energy we needed to get back in it.
A surge forward, I link up with Justin and chase a pass into the D. I’m not quick enough, get an elbow to the head from a defender. No penalty, just a hockey collision. Tally it up to me being taken out again – i think every game so far this season.
Our high press got even higher, refusing to let them play the ball out of their own half. The mid presence of Pete R made sure of that. 5 minutes after the first came our 2nd. Ollie shot, deflected by the keeper. It lands to me, just inside of the D. In slow mo I see the keeper going to the ground, expecting a slap. I scoop it over him, and hear the groan as he knows theres nothing he can do to stop it going into the net. 2-1.
Energy was high. Reminders all around to keep the pressure on, and we did just that. 5 minutes after the 2nd we got another PC. Ollie injects to Pete H. Hard strike to the post, Ollie running in and a cheeky deflection past the keeper. Training ground stuff, got to love it. 3-1.
The game ended with not much else happening. Our heads were high, the M2s were there at the end to watch us see the game out, and just in time for the heavens to open back up and drench them.
MoM: Mike Kim. Stepped up to take the penalty and good solid defending. And played the sweeper role well.
Honourable mentions: me for scooping it over the keeper, Pete R for high work rate. Michiel for solid in defence. Joe for running everywhere.
DoD: Phil for doing a good impression of a diver.
Dishonourable mentions: finn for being a nuisance to the umpire and playing hungover, Michiel for some skeptical passing, Justin for missing a sitter.
Final score, landsdown win 3-1.