Boys U16 Coyotes 3 - 1 Marlow BU16 (A)

Past Bisham Abbey (home of GB hockey), the Compleat Angler as you cross from Berks to Bucks over the Thames and hug the river to the fantastic setting that is Marlow Sports Club for match one of the Supra League. The pitch was frost free but a little damp underfoot - think a T20 Blast game in September as the evening dew falls. Who better to test the surface than Surbiton's very own Heely's brand ambassador, Wabi. The left-winger had spent much of the pre-Xmas period slipping and sliding in Sevenoaks and Caterham, but may have raised the bar with this performance. Indeed at times, it looked as if he was carrying his own portable 10 metre slip-and-slide as he hurtled towards the side-line, the corner flag and the T -spot of the D, sometimes combining it with a MS Dhoni helicopter shot and a moan at his team mates and the umpires. Three words - keep it simple.

Fortunately Toby T was using his nous and picking early passes in midfield. PC won, and an Allsop power drag flick just above the backboard on the pad side. The lead was short lived as Marlow made good use of an overload to equalise in the eight minute. 

Dexter, half way through completion of his East Surrey Anger Management course was provided a test in being marked by a physical centre back. Fortunately his parents had supplied him, pre-game, with his calming turmeric Gail's latte (other brands are available). This calming influence led him to making a smart choice in spinning his man and using some neat 3D skills followed by a quick push pass strike - 2-1. However, as the game went on, the effects of the latte wore off - cue a scrappy stick tackle, green card and sin bin, which was made all the more comedic as he and his Marlow counter-part then sat side-by side, like misbehaving primary school children, on two plastic bucket chairs - awks. 

Billy, in the coaching role, was quick to re-jig the press to deal with Marlow's innovative shape. What he hadn't factored in was that Cowling (a gun cricketer) now in the centre midfield role, has spent the winter months training to go full Bazball. Whilst the likes of Root show off such levels of  "innovation" by attempting a reverse scoop off a fast bowler, Cowling decided to "innovate" by beating a player in a channel, running very quickly (away from his team mates) into an open stick tackle of an opponent and leaving a massive hole in the middle of the park. Toby T had had enough and restored order by plugging the hole and playing the ball into space and away from contact. In turn, Surbiton found an opening and a foot - short corner - which lead to another Allsop power drag flick - 3-1 at the break. 

Marlow were using a half court press system which seemed to befuddle the visitors until Billy informed his charges that, given that his players were in a two goal needed situation, they could just keep the ball and play it round the back. This sort of approach was the stuff of dreams for Coxy - a young man who will languidly drive a golf ball 300 yards with minimal effort and even in the most trying circumstances looks like it would be poor form to break into a sweat. Some order restored (despite a green card for Coxy). Jude, on a hot streak after his MVP performance vs Guildford was using his pace to good effect... although at one point his (smart) decision to run the ball on his own around the back to the left, and safety, was followed by a ball back infield to the Marlow centre mid.

Isaac, still sporting the choir boy face under his keeper's helmet was keeping his defenders honest and making some smart saves. Toby B was calmness and clean distribution personified but probably needs to get a bit more thuggish in the hair cut department to match some of his teammates. The game finished 3-1 and the Coyotes look forward to a home game against a strong Canterbury side next Sunday.