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Wednesday 18th February 2009

SUMHC 5th XI 1 – 2 SUMHC 4th XI
Redwings (2), (PC) (f)

This match promised to be a true battle like the 4th and 5th team derbies of old, and the spectators at Fortress Goodwin were not left disappointed by a real blood and thunder contest. The 4th team came into the game as favourites, needing the 3 points to continue their promotion push but as ever, the 5th XI started as underdogs and were motivated by the possibility of gaining bragging rights as well as more welcome points to keep them from the relegation scrap.
Straight from the first whistle, the 5’s showed their determination with aggressive (sometimes over-aggressive) tackling, and all-out attacking hockey. They threw numbers forward and momentarily the higher-placed side were put under huge pressure resulting in a long corner on the right hand side. The ball was crashed in to the D through a number of weak sticks, and a deflection fell to the 5th teams Gary Glitter, who despite having yet to have even seen the goal this season, let alone been near it with a stick in his hand, somehow slapped a weak shot through the dive of goalkeeper Catpiss to give the underdogs a lead.
The 4ths were noticeably shocked after this set back, but showed their better team-work and preparation in going man to man with the 5’s and putting the pressure on the ‘home’ side. As the 4s gradually began to build possession in the middle through Planet and Lionel Hutz, chances began appearing for them, with a number of stick tackles and forced feet in the D leading to a succession of penalty corners being won. However, the corner-team conspired to miss every one of these chances with Jailbait being the main perpetrator, slapping two almost open goals wide of the target after smoothly executed routines. New man Barney also went close from open play, but the 4s weren’t being clinical enough and went into the break 1-0 down.

After a stern team-talk from coach Sniper and Captain Heatseeker the 4ths started the 2nd half with a steely determination to keep their promotion hopes alive and to avoid the mockery of their lower ranked rivals after the game. The ‘away’ side were a lot more composed after the break, and swift passing and good running from the midfield and forwards, as well as a few choicely thrown aerials from Planet at sweeper, led to a number of chances for Heatseeker and Barney, but 5ths keeper Murderer was on good form to keep out everything that was thrown at him in the D. As the resurgent 4’s mounted the pressure, yet another penalty-corner was won, and despite the routine breaking down, an accurately slapped ball across the D allowed REDWINGS to ghost on at the far post and slap the ball home to make things all square.
The goal gave the 4th XI belief and they continued to press, winning numerous free hits and long-corners in and around the 5’s circle due to some tired and over-zealous tackling from the opposition’s back-line. The 4’s now had control of the game, with Planet and Lionel sweeping everything up in the middle, Jailbait wasting defenders with his skills and Village and the Bonewolf himself, Redwings, working tirelessly up and down the lines. As the 5’s looked for a way back into the game, they were forced to hammer more and more ambitious balls up the field , or take the ball themselves which led to a lot of possession for the 4ths through good tackling and interceptions. In one such situation, ex 4th teamer Space Jam tired to dribble past one man too many, and was well tackled by Planet. His through ball to Jailbait led to some great interplay between him and Barney eventually leading to REDWINGS being fed in from close range to slide home his second goal of the match from the p-spot area to grab the lead for the dominant 4th team.
Now on top, the boys in black shut out the game well, with Dale Winton working hard at the back to keep the ball out of the D. The 5ths were awarded a contentious penalty-corner with just minutes to go, but it was wasted and the 4th team kept hold of the ball until the final whistle, which ushered in scenes of jubilation as the Mighty 4’s continue their assault on the Division 5B title.

MOTM: Captain Planet – Swept up well in the middle, and delivered some good aerial balls that played havoc with the 5’s defence.

DOTD: Redwings – Despite his two goals, he now has a ‘girlfriend’. What happened to the ‘Bonewolf’?

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