COWHC Men's 4s vs Addiscombe Herons - 15th October 2016

Coming into the game with both a win and a loss under our belts, the 4s were keen to hit the ground running and dominate the game like we know we can. Again, a strong squad took the field with Maundrell, Jonny G and JP joining us and Coach/ Manager/ Waterboy Scotty 'The Knee' Netherway making his debut for the year. We were optimistic, hungry, determined and ready to claim the days honours. After a rare warm up, the game began and Addiscombe started like a pack of wolves chasing a pornstar on heat. A 'different' team full of youth, skill and aggression tore into the 4s without mercy. For 20 minutes, the hosts did not falter in either attack nor defence, showing an impressive resilience and hunger for flesh. They did not want it medium, rare or even blue, no they wanted it straight off bone with their prey crying for their mumma's. And boy did it hurt, pressing hard and high they raced into a 1 nil lead whilst the Crows were still waking up. A short gifted them a second, a low and precise effort just beating Keeper Cairan whose efforts are not reflected by the final scoreline.

2 nil down, the 4s switched to a prearranged 'Plan B' with a scream of 5.

It did not work.

Perhaps the oppo sensed the fear in our voices and the dread on our faces as they regrouped and circled to deliver the final blows.

A breakaway lead by a skillful predator was finished with a deftly chip over our stranded keeper who thought he'd done enough to close down the chance. 3 nil down and all we could do was applaud the effort and lick yet another wound.

4 nil came shortly after, a well rehearsed short and even though the courageous Chris Maundrell closed down the angle, he was beaten by some delightful trickery leaving Keeper Pell beaten again. Undeservedly so.

4 nil down and the 4's decide to wake up with 50 minutes or so to play.

We harrassed and bullied their younger cubs and gave no respect to their blood thirsty leaders. They did not like it, mistakes filtered in and we finally grabbed a foot hold in the game. Everyone upped their game with Benjamin the Machine putting in an exceptional amount of effort. However, the HT whistle came and the score still read: 4 nil down.

HT talk was simple, if they can score 4 in a half then so can we. We'd done it before.

The second half continued as the first had ended, the 4s eager to reduce the lead with Addiscombe intent on protecting it. For the next 35 minutes, the 4s laid seige to the Addiscombe stronghold with their keeper alone keeping us at a bay. He made a string of saves, all of which were goal bound for sure. The forwards and midfield continued to press and rotated among themselves to maintain fresh and fit for the fight.

Addiscombe mainained a threat through their youngsters but Maundrell, Mike and Max repelled all such would be invaders so the likes of Ben, Scotty, Chris, Adam, Bob, Killer, Jon, Karl amongst others could continue the search for a morale boosting goal.

With about 20 to go, it came and with it a mighty roar that would have made even Mufasa proud. Captain Adam, leading by example beat his man on the wing and shelled it into the D. If one man deserved a goal, it was Ben and he wrapped his stick round it to hammer home a vital goal. He was relentless throughout the game, finding space and terrorizing their fullbacks.

4 - 1 with plenty of time to bring it back.

We carried on as before, determined to get something out of the game. Sadly, as the minutes ticked by, their defenses stood strong against our barrage of attacks with their keeper again impressing.

As the game progressed, the quality diminished as did the self control. Tempers began to fray, wild tackles appeared and manners went out the window. A big thanks here to our umpire Lydia, who stepped up and did her job well despite pressure from our opponents.

The 4s were committed to end, desperate to restore some pride in the scoreline but to avail. The game itself serves as a great example of how to both start and not start a game of hockey.

As a team we will pick ourselves up and move on as the unit that we know we are.

Never again will we allow ourselves to dominated like we were in those first 20 minutes.

Bring on Game 4 and 3 points!

POM was Ben