Men’s 2s 5 - 1 Spencer 1s (A)
By Dewi Roblin
Top Team Performance Inflicts a First Defeat on Table Toppers Spencer
Leading into a midday game against an unbeaten, top of league Spencer team, the Seals were buoyed by the opportunity to right the wrongs of the last three weeks. With the detailed and in-depth opposition analysis provided by Dewi (focusing everyone on the little gains) proving to pay great dividends. Bring on the game!
A wicked, winning warm-up, whipped up by the wise, witty Beanhead, even energising Geering post pizza party set the tone. The boys were ready, including a first outing this season for Arj, and Buckle 'fresh' from half term in Cornwall and a five hour train journey back to the smoke to make the PB.
It was a positive start to the game, Jacky boy’s juniors spooking Spencer into a judicial review at quarter time. Shaken.
We continued to bring the pressure with the relentless pressing of Arj and Ding paving the way to penalty corner wins (I'm told 14 in total in the game). Unfortunately the first few were narrow misses including Morgs rattling a post. Following some insightful advice from Dewi (to put a lift on the flick), Ben, son of Chris Hanson - up the Cottagers!! - stepped up, and with a little help from the No.1 runner, roofed it above the keeper.
As half time grew closer, our disciplined defending directed by the diligent Dewi lost concentration for a split second. This allowed their Olympic athlete (to be honest, just a poor man’s Scotty Evans and sorry Rhys, your performance doth butter no parsnips today) to enter top D and reverse-backstick hit it (be better). Unsighted, Dewi was unable to save the doosra as it bounced through four of our lads and sneaked in. Can you believe it!! Yes, bloody useless the lot of them, the defenders that is, not Dewi.
Nevertheless, the dominant display from Redders and Co. in the second half turned pressure into more corners and goals. Hanson with another two (now a hat trick hero, cannae believe it as well) and Morgs with one to ensure he’s still relevant to the team. In between the PCA chaos of the last twenty minutes, Arj picked up the ball on the edge of the opposition circle (a familiar shape to him) slipped it to Ding, who slipped it past the Spencer GK, inside his near post and into the goal.
5-1, game done and dusted. In the wise words of Frankie, this is how we do it (stick drop)!
On Halloween weekend 2024 the 2s delivered - full stop. Undoubtedly Dewi’s intangible work on the pitch (comms, drive, passion and high standards) and his ability to pinpoint the opposition’s weakness, provided the small gains that were material to the team’s excellent performance on the day. Spencer solemn, Morgan put in his place: watch out the rest of the league!
We. Are. Back.
Next week sees a first 'England Hockey League Edenbridge derby' with noisy neighbours - Old Cranleighan HC.
M2 are the only National League side at Sugden Road, so take the mantle of 'game of the week' and headline 6pm slot. Get down to support the lads!
5-1 (FT), 1-1 (HT)
Scorers:
24' Ben Hanson (PC)
49' Ben Hanson (PC)
59' Scott Pearce (FG)
67' Ben Hanson (PC)
69' Morgan Males (PC)