Mens F 1 - 2 Elite C

25 April 2010

Dear F Team

A really up-tempo, hard fought, skillful game of hockey played out last night with the "F's" coming up against top of the League Elite C.

We were certainly raring to go and it seems the best teams bring out the best in us, yet luck does not always quite favour us in the crucial moments or decisions that can turn games around.

Our goal this week was taken over by Tony Ng who had an excellent game overall and the defence played an absolutely storming and solid game, with the 4 main stalwarts of Tim, David W, JP and Walter really taking everything that was thrown at them in waves by and ever pressing Elite midfield and forward line. Walter in particular was on song and turned back the years to give a full 70 minutes of crunching tackles, runs, and deft movement and solid clearances to earn him MVP before this report was even hitting the press. Midfield we had Chris ( later morphing into Jeffrey for a while ) Ali G back in the hot seat ( and nothing to do with all those curries he's been eating recently ) Bertie, Gavid G and Pete. All played their socks off and we were as good as if not better than the far younger and dare I say, fitter Elite midfield.

First half we really held our own and for the first 15 minutes had the better chances. Combined runs for the likes of Chris, Bertie, Ali-G and the resurgent Oscar on right wing, together with hard balls up field from David G to the WMD and Tom out left, had the Elite defence back-peddling and only for their on form GK did we not take the lead. A blistering shot from the WMD was goal bound but unfortunately also in the direction of Tom larger than life head, so it was a choice of deflect and live or die and live as the legend. He chose the former if not entirely by choice. Several short corners and the WMD had 2 off the line from carefully placed flicks, but still it wouldn't go in. The play was up and down the field and then Elite managed a hard hit into the D that just managed to evade any F Team stick and was tipped past Tony before he could react for a 1 - 0 lead. We pressed on and came back hard yet the half remained at that scoreline to its close.

Chappies talk saw us needing a little more width and aggression and "emptying the tanks" to take the game and much need points home. We did just that and came out with again the first 10 minutes near all spent in the Elite half. Reward came from several more short corners and again such close misses or saves with the ball finally falling to AliG who powered into the "D", moved right and slot hard and low straight into goal for a deserved 1 - 1 scoreline. The "F" Team really took control but Elite showed why they are top and certainly did not give up and the luckiest of goals not so much later saw a hard hit from some way out of the 25, go just into the D and was slightly touched by their forward. Tony unfortunatly let it run believing it was outside, only to hear the whistle and see a goal given to take us to 2 - 1 down. Back we came. Tom had chances, Oscar was driving through their defence, Chris and Bertie, David G and Ali G were all pushing forward with 15 minutes to go. Decisions that should have come our way did not and frustrations grew. The ball came into the D, the WMD picked it up, turn and hit a hard back stick straight at goal. It hit an Elite defender low down on the shins and the ref gave yet another outrageous call for a 16 hit out. My outburst and remonstrations saw him advise it was dangerous play for a shot on goal and not even high, then he called the second ref who at least could have awarded a short if not a P-flick, yet did nothing. On we went. Pressing hard, Chris then had a tussle with an Elite midfielder and from nothing bar a waving of hands after he was blown against was Yellow carded for no reason with 5 mins to go. We pushed to the last and yet that bit of luck and strike on goal would not come. 2 - 1 it ended. We played brilliantly and with 110% commitment. Certainly to hold Elite, and they got the lucky 2nd goal, when they have won many games with far higher scorelines was good. But thats the way it hangs sometimes.

If we keep going that way we are going to get the results, up next are Police and CSSA and HKCC. We need a few points on the board and on that performance thoroughly deserved at least 1 if not all 3. The Cup run...thats in May so top up those tanks and get ready for next week.

Tanks to all. Next Sundays game is at a more normal time of 10.30am at HKFC.

************

GAME : HKFC "F" vs ELITE "C"

RESULT : LOSS

SCORE : 1 - 2

GOALS : Alistair Gordon

MVP : Walter Marthaler

Have a great week.

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