COWHC Men's 2s vs PW Men's 3s - 14th Oct 2017

Saturday dawned with what can only be described as tour weather conditions, sun blazing in the sky. The heat took its toll early on with Ash losing the day’s first battle with the gate to the astro despite ‘knowing’ the code. This was swiftly followed by rumours that Ollie H would be late after being sent to get his missus backy from the shop and Joe turning up with day-old chicken suggesting he might have had trouble ’staying low’ the previous night.

As the squad assembled, spirits were high following the previous week’s game consisting of putting Addiscombe firmly in their place and a high intensity warm-up followed.

With this complete the game began with the forwards leading a crushing press from the first whistle and the boys in blue asserted their early dominance. The opening goal was a truly stunning team goal that started at the back and after some crisp, efficient passing the ball found its way to Ollie H. He had the presence of mind to ‘cross’ the ball when in the circle and Hyatt converted via a deflection (mis-control).
The goal provoked a reaction from the PWs which eventually led to a short corner being conceded and after some pinball in the circle a PWs player popped up to slap home just out of reach of the despairing dives of the Crows defenders.

The response was instant from Crows, however Alex may have been trying too hard when he aerialled straight off the sideline into the fence. Crows then proceeded to win a short corner of their own. The stage was set. Neil trotted up to inject. What proceeded were two of the worst injections ever seen in SOHL hockey history prompting him to plead with Jay to not take another.

1-1 at the half.

With half time calls for intensity to be raised, heads were lost as intensity was mistaken for aggression and disregard for positional play and Crows conceded from another short corner, this time with Raj running in front of the keeper and leaving him blind to the strike, which nestled in the bottom corner.

Despite Crows then reasserting themselves on the game, a goal was not forthcoming with Will competing with Neil for worst injection and the forwards not finding the final killer ball. Passages of play came and went with some strong defending from PWs and some fantasy hockey from Crows driven by the crowds who turned up in their droves. However, it was not to be this time.

1-2 final score with neither team really understanding how.

MOM – Ash for putting gate-gate behind him and putting in a Xavi-esque performance in midfield.
DOD – Neil – SOHL’s worst short corner injections highlight reel star.