Men's 1s V Standard

The 1s travelled to Coventry playing a game that we should win and win comfortably. Though we did win, we put out one of our worst perfomrances of the season. Fortunately it was against one of the worst sides in the league so we came out with a 5-0 win. The problem was that being as the Standard are not the most technically gifted side, we were trying to da fancy skills to outshine them. Luckily when we went back to basics we scored and we went into the break 2-0 up. In the 2nd half it looked like we'd gone back to basics on scored 2 quick goals. However, after the 2 goals we slipped back into our oold game and we struggled to make further break throughs. Towards the end of the game we scored our 5th goal. The scorers were Mark, Nick, Dave, Ian and i can't remember the other scorer.

Due to our persistent appealing Andy Knight was yellow carded, which we thought was harsh.

The score was actually 4-0 to Derby. You scored 2 in the first half and 2 in the second half.

Just one thing to note. Did you guys actually realise that your opposition only had 10 men at the start?

Chris

Not wishing to question an umpire (see previous posts!), but MRHA have the score as 5-0 on their site, and doesn't this have to be filed by the home team?
Or is their a numeracy problem in Coventry (one less player, one more goal.........)
Nick got 2 goals according to them.

Afternoon Guys,

Having now found and registered myself on this site I would just like to put forward my perspective on this match from the side-lines.

It is worth noting several factors in the composition of this game from the initial opening exchanges to the final whistle.

The game was played in appalling conditions with the lack of floodlights across the centre line of the pitch having a major contribution as to the abilities of the 2 umpires to even see the ball!

Yes the game started with our opposition having only 10 players on the pitch which they didn’t resolve until 15 mins into the match, but as with any game you need to take time in order to assess your opponents before employing correct tactics in order to gain the result required, which by running out 4-0 winners we did.

Our team was slightly disrupted with our pre match preparation due to the unforeseen and unavoidable late arrival of key players, but despite this the opening exchanges were positive in our favour.

While playing against opposition who's total game plan is to disrupt and spoil, it becomes very difficult to play the flowing hockey that we are undoubtedly capable of. But the initial 2 goals were well deserved and should have been many more in the opening 20 mins after missing 5 clear cut opportunities.

After re-grouping we totally dominated the 2nd half with Standard only threatening on the breakaway but the backs more than coped with this rare occurrence.

With the light now completely gone, the situation for the umpires became almost impossible. With all players now giving out minor verbal complaints as offence after offence went un-noticed (no fault of the umpires you just couldn’t see!) it is understandable that the game petered out into one of frustration for all players and umpires alike.

I thought that Chris (our umpire) coped admirably with the conditions and the players, but a little over exuberance from the opposition umpire led to Andy Knight being yellow carded for Neil questioning (very politely) a decision that appeared to all to be incorrect.

With some 10 mins remaining and the game over at 4-0, the opposition captain also found himself Yellow Carded after verbally abusing Chris over a correct decision.

The game could not finish quickly enough for all concerned as Derby go into the Christmas Break in 2nd place.

An Important point that surely is worth a huge mention is that no-one appears to have commented on the player injuries that we suffered which without exception leads to disruption of any teams game plan.

Will
9 mins
Gash over right eye after ball hit his face requiring numerous stitches.
Off for rest of game

Drew
50 mins
Broken collar bone
Off for rest of game

Mark
60 mins
Torn Hamstring
Off for rest of game

Considering the conditions and injuries sustained this was a very good result and all concerned deserve praise indeed for holding this together and, as importantly, gaining the result deserved.

Andy Taylor
Coach