MENS 4THS HOCKEY WEEKEND FEB 6/7 2010

Another testing weekend for the 4th team started with a home fixture against Beeston 7s who we had comfortably beaten away but who had since become a force in the league. Beeston obviously set out to have a good go at us and this was mostly a close encounter. Time and again we were thwarted by the opposition defence as we struggled to make a break through. Their tactic of getting the ball up to their forwards route 1 style caused us problems all game.

We have not been at our best so far this year but there is certainly no lack of commitment. We ran out 3-0 winners with goals from Billy, Matt Bunker and Oliver probably not in that order. Credit to Beeston, they nearly sussed us out. Credit to us for maintaining our unbeaten season and keeping another clean sheet. Bonus for us today was the defeat of our closest rivals North Notts 4s but we also still have to play Barton.

On to Sundays game which I can remember a bit better. Again at home this time against North Notts 5s. We dominated from the start and with a couple of exceptions we spent 33 minutes of the first 35 camped in their half and mostly in their D. Somehow we were still at 0-0 (I think) at half time mainly due to dogged defending by their more experienced players and another brilliant goalkeeper.

In the second half we didn't dominate as much but because North Notts had more possession it probably meant we had a bit more space when we attacked. As the game went on we got better and better. Our speed, choice and accuracy of pass was very pleasing on the eye and we finally ran out 4-0 winners, goals from Billy, Anthony, Matt Hexter and Dale. To save their embarassment I shall not mention the two missed pen flicks by two different players. To give you a clue they are backing vocal singers. Anyway they had the guts to take them unlike the skipper who will however take one if we go on to secure promotion.

Well done today lads. That second half was nearly back to our best. Next week an early start at Burton.

Derek