Magnets Finish Regular Season with a Win

Magnets 4 - 0 Bromley & Beckenham O50s

Squad: Frost, Sharpe, Todd, Lane, Beaney C, Foster, Barnicoat, Beaney R, Jackson, Michael, Cheng, Hassan, Waller

Umpire: Borrow

Scorers: Jackson (2), Michael, Cheng

This was our final league match of the season and we needed just a draw to cement our second place. Bromley are typically organised and stubborn opponents and we expected a tough contest. Despite the Magnets not having played for several weeks there was a determination about the side and we were quick to stretch BromBecks, playing some of our best hockey of the season. Despite occasionally betraying a lack of match practice we dominated the first half but were unable to break the deadlock.

There was a sense of calm as we went into half time with the score at 0-0. We realised that the goals would come if we continued to play with the same intensity. And they did.

In the second half we continued to spread the ball around the back, through the midfield and up to the strikers with aplomb. We made very few errors and BromBecks started to get quite flustered as we pressed more and more. We finally got our just reward when Luke scored with a deflection at a well worked PC. The floodgates then opened as we carved out more chances. Jacko scored twice after displaying typical persistence, and Bobby popped up at the far post to poach one after a point-blank save made by the BromBecks keeper (who had an excellent game). Frosty in our goal was hardly troubled in the second half and we fully deserved our 4-0 win, with strong perfomances from everyone.

We were once again grateful to Ray for umpiring the match with his counterpart from BromBecks. The corresponding away fixture had been a feisty affair and this was no different, so not an easy game to handle. Incredibly, I don’t think any cards were doled out, despite the best efforts of one or two nameless individuals on both sides.  

So, an excellent end to our league season during which we lost to only one team. Hopefully the leagues will be better balanced next season, with more games, and we look forward to the rumoured addition of more teams. Overall, it has been an enjoyable season and we have welcomed the influx of several players who have moved up, making us a stronger squad. Next week we have arranged a friendly against Old Kingstonians, one of the sides who will join our league next season, so an early opportunity to test them out.