Mens E 3 - 3 144U B

What I asked for & What I got

1. Best attendance possible (given our depleted stocks). Total of 14 who all held up through the game. Huge Thanks!

2. A big effort from everyone. Some held back in the first 25 minutes, but all gave their best & competed hard for the rest of the game

3. Don't hold the ball too long, dribble too long, or wait for the ball to come. Again first 25 we could all take a look in the mirror & seek improvement. Remainder of the game, big improvements

4. A Positive mindset. Yep, even at 3-1 down at half time. (such a great change from last season!)

I had a friend visiting who had never watched a hockey match before, "headless chickens" was what he mentioned reference the first 20 minutes. I explained that this was the result of mercury poisoning of some members (or alcohol poisoning- DAH !). While the umpire at other end of the field gifted the field position for their first 2 short corners we were not without blame, really not marking up & allowing them to run nearly unchallenged. To be fair their shorts were well taken by them to be 2-0 up. One of our few first half attacking runs resulted in a set piece on the dotted line with Chris slipping the ball sideways to Martin who slapped it to Alvin at the back post for a quality finish. Text book stuff, which steadied the ship and restored some belief we were in this game. Our short corners weren't firing off as well as earlier in the season, another goal then would've eased my worries. Cest le Vie. Their third goal from general play was due to a poor clearance by us (myself if I remember correctly) & it limped in via DT being unsighted. 3-1 down, before half time & cracks in our self belief were starting to open up.

Half Time, Short & Sweet, I asked for more commitment, Martin talked on stop & a quick pass & we acknowledged we had been putting our own members under pressure with some passing.

A game of ebb & flow resulted then but far better composure & commitment from us. Hard work down the Right side & a penalty saw Neil slot one of his characteristically sweet Short corners. 3-2. Thanks for staying for the 2nd half mate! How the ball was delivered I'm not sure, it seemed to be a bit of a drilling from the mid area. Anyway G Team recruit (& ex E!) for the day Scott stopped the rocket, pivoted & cracked one at the Goalie who took the force of it & deflected it high into the nets. 3-3 with 10 minutes to go. As was said at half time "this was winnable".

Alas we just couldn't click it together to get the win, but I will praise some quality defense that stopped us losing it in the last 10 minutes as well. I felt Chris B had a cracking game & Alvin played his heart out for his last match with us. You're welcome back at anytime mate, we will miss your happy go lucky style with a smile & any E teamer owes you a beer at any bar in the world. Best of luck with your studies.

One thing to improve on was the chats with the umpires & the cards (myself being guilty).  We've been better at this through the season, I'll take it on as a NYE resolution.

So we hit the break at the top of the table, but with those guys supposedly being bottom of the table we can see that it's not going to be a walk in the park in 2011. Stuff yourself with food & drinks over Christmas & New Year, but get a few fitness runs in if you can. Trying to get fit during the game is a particularly hard way to get there.

Thanks also to the 7 who attended the social the night before & fronted for a tough game with a touch of a hangover, true character!

FYI. My non-hockey friend said our "structure & form beat their youthful speed & fitness in the 2nd half". I think Chappie has mentioned those concepts before..........

MOM: Chris B

cheers

Proudy