Men’s 3rdXI 11 – 0 Old Reigatians
We don’t often play hockey on Valentine’s Day. However there was a clear glint in everyone’s eye as we huddled before the game and established complacency was our main issue. We had kicked off the second half of the campaign with some fluent hockey against Kenley and Wanderers, and just needed to maintain our structure.
Having pushed off, we pressed Reigate from the start and were able to dominated from the off. A slight rejig meant Jock moved to right back and Mezz into centre back as we moved the ball quickly around the back and through the midfield. Plenty of chances came and went – with CB somehow deflecting Grimer’s bottom-left goal-bound ball past the post. It was impressive and I suspect he couldn’t do that again if he tried. In midfield Cato, Darren, Grimer, CB and Rob J held the ball well and throughout the first half it looked like we would score more than the 3 we took into the break.
The most impressive spell was the next quarter where we scored seven goals in 18 minutes, destroying anything Reigatians had tried to throw at us. This was the kind of hockey that needs complimenting and hopefully we can continue that form through to the end of the campaign. Neil Grimes limped off with 10mins left – it’s yet to be confirmed whether this was just tiredness or a hamstring pull.
Special mention to man of the match the ever youthful David Knapp who was a man on fire this Valentine’s. Five goals including one incredible deflection into the roof of the net. Goals for Knappster (5) Eds (2 with a shedload of misses, wretched form he can ill afford to display in matches to come ) Grimes (2) Rob J and eventually CB, as 11-0 was probably flattering on Reigate. So far this year we are 20 goals and none conceded in our 2 games at the fortress and we welcome Teddington on Sunday for the top of the table clash that may decide the title. BRING IT ON.
EDS