Mens E 1 - 0 Pak B

Match Report: HKFC E’s vs. Pak B W1-0 (Sunday 15^th Jan)

"they haven’t got a goalie!"

Under drizzling skies, one or two Es players cast furtive glances at each other knowing today would likely be a goalfest - a hat trick could make a big impression on the contest for golden stick, currently running red hot between Shep, Barney and El flick.

Alls that was needed was a steady number of balls into the D, a few short corners, one or two completed passes, and we’d come away with maybe 5 or 6. 

But noone was to know what was to come - by the end of the nightmare the Es would come away lucky winners with only a sole scrambled deflected jam covered bumper of a goal. Yes - it was 3 points, but many looked shaken as they reached for their post match water.

It had all started so much brighter. An early foray into the oppo territory saw Shep hit a pearler across the goal- but noone there to tip it home. Barney wasn’t on the pitch at that stage, and say what you like, he’s normally on hand at the left post to flub it in. Pak B had the look of losers early on, but as the match progressed, they began to enjoy a little possession, and in many situations had more desire to win and retain ball - they were not without skill, and throughout the game enjoyed waiting for players to rush in before switching play. Another key point: they were playing 11 outfield players, so we had to play half decent hockey to get it upfield and in their danger zone (we could have used aerials, but noone did, some tried, but noone managed).

Finally the short corners came. In this instance, route 1 was a valid option. Neil was denied on his first by good stop, but on his second, using the much maligned topping technique, he fooled the defence and passed to Martin, who actually was running to the post, and somehow schmozzled it in. First we’ve scored off a short in a long time, so we were looking good. But actually we weren’t, I can’t think of another chance in the first half, as we couldn’t pass the ball for tuppence. 

Half time was a cacophony of opinions. Our dugout sounded like a bunch of philipino helpers in a helpers room. Skipper singled out Social for a strange motivational pep talk. Somebody said something about short corners, and in the second half we won none. But the final 35 mins was not without some merit (but was without goals). Andy is blossoming like a rare mountain flower in a more attacking role - allowed by Skippers presence behind the backs. Neil would have scored if their back hadn’t sat on him, there was some stout defending from backs and the midfield (yes DT: the midfield), Tim raised the general bar by completing some passes, Shep worked on his fitness by making numerous runs that nobody with the ball noticed, and angus would have scored a last minute reverse stick net ripper if he been passed the final ball of a move he started at the half way line from an outrageous intercept that would have made it on onto Youtube hockey highlights of the decade, but didn’t, because, the pass didn’t come. We should also make thanks to the ref who adjudged their net ripper to have been hit out of the D, when, from the sidelines, it looked suspiciously like it had been in the D.

Things to work on/ improve on: 1) our fitness was a little shady, Eugene and Gus singled out for walking, rather than running 2) a rather negative panicked vibe emanating from the back like a bad smell 3) incessant dribbling in the D while 7 unmarked players wait square, 4) an ability to be comfortable with the ball, and make a calm considered pass 5) general staticness.

But we are unbeaten this year - and noone, absolutely noone, can take that away from us ( other than the next team we play).

Next week: Europe - can it be saved.

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