COWHC Men's 4s vs Kenley Men's 4s - 18th February 2017

After last weeks trip to Lapland, the boys were raring to go. The oppo were a Kenley team soundly beaten first time round but now we have a target on our backs. As a team we have a history of giving the big boys a run for their money so we know first hand how a team can up their game but this season... we are the big boys.

Unbeaten in 6, we were determined to make it 7 as well as return to winning ways. The boys did not disappoint!

A familiar 16 took the field, consistency being a main ingredient of our success so far!

The squad:

Ciaran, Max, Hamjam, Mike , 'Honey' G and Gandalf Marshalled the back line.

JP, Ross, and Jon owned the midfield. SCOTTY helped too, when he wasn't sent off or crying or moaning or whinging or... well I think you get the picture.

Karl, Joe, Killer and Jude knew to run their legs off. The latter 2 particularly stepping up in the absence of Nellie and Ben who's poor communication skills meant they missed out this week. No doubt they consoled one another, with Nellie obviously being the Spoonee.

Adam, Bob and Ross were on goalscoring duty.

Big shout out to Jack for umpring even though he did turn up literally as the whistle was about to go!

Contrary to Kenley's in depth match report, something which JP took highly personally (more on that later), us CROWs dominated from the off. As a team we pressed and hurried Kenley, forcing them back leading to errors by them and so opportunities for us which obviously were not converted... we never like to embarrass an oppo too early on in a game!

Wave after wave of Crows pressure battered Kenley but to their credit they resisted, the question was which CROW was going to take the first chance that fell to them... the answer was Karl who again impressed with tenacity and effort. Kenley had been boxed in from the start and we were finally rewarded for our high intensity press. Kenley had yet another 16 which they tried to smash past our press and again it did not get through. Adam picked it on the reverse, drilled it into the D for the aforementioned Karl to score.

As a unit the team pushed for the 2nd and pushed and pushed they did but without success. The boys recycled well, kept possession and made the oppo do all the chasing, something they neither liked or were capable of doing well.

Team talk was simple... keep going, let's kill them and their families, leave no chances. As mentioned before JP took Kenley's post match comments personally. Quote: " Kill them and their families in the match report please Mike." I did tell you it was our mantra.

I will again quote J ' The ROCK' P to describe the beginning of the second half... Again referencing the Oppos report... : "Started strong again?" "If you call Adam and Scott waltzing into your D from the push back then yes you started strong."

As JP elegantly put it... the 4s started the second half like a bullet train looking for the vital 2nd. It soon arrived but I can't remember who banged it in however I think the person was moaning and complaining as they did so.

The 3rd however was truly memorable and definitely one of the best goals the 4s has scored in a long time...

Again I have to quote Kenley and JP's subsequent rebuttal: "Stole a couple of lucky goals?"..."That move involving Karl, Ken and Joe to move the ball 50 yards with 3 touches and go 3-0 up was one of the best executed team goals I've seen. What a crock of shit!"
Joe continued his form, adding another strike to his tally. Even the oppo applauded that goal, take a bow boys. Take a bow!

For the next 20 or so, we continued to batter their defences but we couldn't quite manage to grab a fourth. Here is a good time to mention a couple of star performances that stood out from the crowd. These star turns added to a strong team effort that ensured the 4s maintained their match towards to deserved glory. The absence of wingers Nellie and Ben gave a chance for Killer and Jude to grab some good game time and they didn't disappoint. Killer always puts the effort in but Jude went that extra mile today: running, pressing, tackling and even managing a shot on goal. Did he score a hatrick? No. Did he listen, try, persevere and contribute to today's win? Yes he did. Well done Jude.

Sadly, his endeavours were not enough to be awarded today's POM. That honour goes to HamJam who simply didn't put a foot wrong. The man never fails to be in the right place, to make the right choice and to be calm under pressure. A solid performance that in truth was no better than normal from a solid, dependable player who always delivers.

With the game drawing to a close, our defence were finally given something to do... specifically the practising the art of defending short corners. Hamjam was first to bravely charge down a well hit effort that gave his heel a heavy kiss. Mike was next up to block a hit with his stick that unluckily clipped his foot
The 3rd then went spectacularly wide implying the scores would end it at 3-0 with yet another cleansheet for the 4s.

With seconds to go, a short for us gave us a chance for 4 but the oppo decided to throw his body in front of the ball as it looked goal bound. P-flick was called and only one man was ever going to step up to take it... Maximus Carracher. With ice in his veins, main man Max stepped up and fired it at the keeper. It may not have been to the top corner but he it hit it with so much venom that the keeper only managed to palm the ball over his head and into the goal for 4 nil.

Another big win and another performance for the scrapbook!

DOD= Ciaran because, well just because and Scotty for acting aggressively, immaturely and jeopardising our chances for promotion and the title.

POM = HamJam for being in the right place and making the right choice everytime.

Next week, 8 unbeaten? Bring it!