COWHC Men's 4s vs Chertsey Thames Valley 2s - 08th October 2016

A confident team started well, pressing high and hounding the opposition. Chertsey were pinned back and after a short exchange of swift passes, we were awarded a short. Croydon were 1 nil to the good. Bob finished off a sweet routine to grab the opening goal.

Chertsey responded almost immediately and the scores were level once again. We were sloppy and allowed them an easy goal.

Concedeing kick started Croydon and they continue to play positive hockey. Again we pressed high, pinned them back and again further sweet passing ended in a goal for both Bob and Croydon. 2-1 to us.

This is where we switched off, with catastrophic consequences. Our midfield switched and in quick succession they scored their 2nd and third to lead 3-2. This was hard to swallow as they had only had 4 shots on target whilst we'd been inches away multiple times.

The killer blow before HT was down to miscommunication between Chris and Mike, leaving Chertsey a one on one which was duly dispatched with some style.

The second half came and with it a new sense of purpose of us the hosts. However we knocked and knocked but the wall would not come down. But with 15 to go, after a good period of pressure, the crows were awarded a vital short corner which the mighty Qaz nailed it. 4- 3 to them.

With Crows still trailing, they pushed and pushed but we couldn't steal that equaliser. Chertsey held strong and a quick breakaway gifted them the opportunity to see off the game. A smart save by the redeemed Cairan did not get the lucky break it deserved, falling to Chertsey to give them an easy 5th.

The game continued with the hosts pushing for a few goals but to no prevail. The game ended in a 5-3 defeat that left a bitter taste in the mouth.

PoM: Bob for his 2 strikes.