Not QUITE as bad as that...but hugely disappointing loss to Recrio "B" on a "what could have been" late afternoons hockey.

 

Most blood/alcohol levels were down to "normal" after the BOOZE BROTHERS evening of the 13th, ( ie about 25% / 75% ration respectively ) and we began with a solid 15. Philip S had to pull out due to an injury sustained on the night of the 13th..in fact playing hockey rather than drinking alcohol, only going to prove yet again that drinking IS good for you !  Bertie came as support to make up the numbers too.

 

And so we began, with a Heideheidiho !  Recrio were seemingly all over us for first 15-20 minutes and though we held up well enough were were just not getting the ball out of defense or working the midfield and passing as we should. We began to put it together at took possession of the game with consistent attacks and numerous chances. We had short corners that for once worked well and strikes from the old WMD were on target but the Recrio GK was on form and even rebounds and scrambles refused to go in.  One eventually did only for the whistle to blow 1 second before and we were denied a deserved lead.  Unfortunately then, nearer the end of the half, Recrio got a break really against the run of play and took a 1 - 0 lead.  The F Team stepped up for yet more attacks down the right and a chance in the "D" say Oscars attempt at a shot swing through as the whistle blew for a foul and he caught the defenders leg. Much ensuing shouting and screaming from the Recrio team led to some very unreasonable behavior from their Captain, discussions by the Refs and then a "yellow" for Oscar for dangerous play of which it really wasn't more than a missed hit, blown out of proportion and an accident. Yes it was painful and the injured guy was helped off with a bleeding knee + an Ambulance came later on. My own protests to the Referee were warned that with further arguing I'd be yellow carded too. So the half restarted and then blew for half time.  Still 1 - 0 down and both sides in no mood for any Xmas spirit and a lot of Bah Humbug to boot !

 

A Happy Chappie talk noting the F Teams penchant for "coming from behind" ( what Friday night / the Wanchai bars and sexual preferences have to do with a hockey game we're still unsure ) had us "up" and ready to go and the fact if Recrio scored a 2nd it would be a real uphill battle to get back in the game. 

 

Jeroen was soon called into action again, and had done well so far bar the one good shot, the defensive line of Dave W, Steve, Walter, Tim and Dave F were handling things well and kept extremely busy. David G also had to drop back into a more defensive role as Dave W had to 'retire' early from a back injury. Unfortunately not so far into the 2nd half, Jeroens boot decided to stick itself to the Astroturf and a second goal went in from a slight angle for Recrio.  2 - 0 and UPHILL it was to be.

 

So the "Comeback Kings" started to play, and the defense held firm, and began to feed our midfield of Chris, Thorsten, JP, Pete and Anthony, pushing forward with ever more resolution. Attacks came and went again and the old(er) WMD just wasn't connecting, or when it did, usually off more short corners, the GK was up to the task.  Then, a rare piece of short corner brilliance, practice many hundreds of times ( by other teams ! ) saw the WMD push sideways to Oscar, who shot and there was Anthony to touch it into the goal, for hope to return and  a 2 - 1 shoreline and 20 minutes to run.  Dermot and Oscar were constantly pushing down either wing and Chris and Thorsten and David G had great runs + passes into the "D". We gain another corner, the WMD went right..shot and the GK saved, it spun right, there was a scramble and Chris Jones flicked the ball over and into the net. 2 - 2 it was and Recrio were reeling. Three minutes remained. We had an attack, lost possession, let Recrio get an attack then gave away a short. They took it, and another was awarded. I believe even then a third one came. The ball was sent out and most definitely never crossed the D line, but play went on, a shot came in and into the goal it went. Protests came to nothing and the goal stood. Just a few moments passed and the final whistle blew for a 3 - 2 loss.

 

Such is life and as hockey games go.

 

Anyway..a great effort, pipped at the post. Last game of the 2009 part of the season. Nine games played, not quite half way.

 

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RESULT  :  LOSS 2  -  3

SCORES :  CHRIS JONES 1

                  ANTHONY LAM 1

MVP :         DAVID GILMOUR

 

 

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