Surbiton Mens 4a 2 - 5 UCL Academicals Mens 2nd XI
Match Report
Last weekend the Accies Mens 2nd XI descended on a sunny Surbiton with the intent of extending its lead at the top of the table. Despite some late arrivals, the pre-match preparation still set the tone for how the two sides would approach the game. While Surbiton lamented the impending closure of their preferred strip club, the Accies set about priming themselves to deliver a hockey onslaught. Some of the choice quotes from the Surbiton warm up were ‘if you asked she’d let you’ and ‘I guess they’ll just have to go back to being doctors and lawyers’.
As the Accies lined up it was clear that age had been replaced with youth as many of the senior players were absent. The first half unfolded with both sides exchanging attacks. With a bouncy pitch and a low autumn sun it soon became clear that aerials were going to be key to success and it was the accies, facing into the sun, that were the first to succumb as Surbiton were awarded a short and claimed the first goal of the match. A few moments later Tony, who had been talismanic in the last match, had a reminder from his legs that losing 2 stone wasn’t quite enough and he still had some way to go. The Accies were down a striker. A few moments later and the lack of experience showed with an error at the back, which led to a Surbiton one-on-one with the keeper and the Accies went 2-0 down.
The team went into the half-time break down, but not out. Some calm words and a change of tactic from the new captain saw the 2nd XI head out for the second half with the sun behind them and a half court press to break down their fat aerial slinging centre back. His confusion at their first 16 had to be seen to be believed. He stood there unsure what to do and looked as shocked as if he had just handed over £20 and no-one had dangled t*ts in his face. The moment finished with him sending the ball off the side line and the accies re-grouping and winning a short-corner. Melly took up his position and the next thing the Accies were back in the game.
The first short was quickly followed by a second and as Melly rifled off another drag flick its flight was arrested just in side the right post by the centreback’s gut. Here was the game’s first controversial moment. A clear penalty flick was awarded by the umpire, only for it to be overturned following whining from the oppo and a conversation with the second umpire. Instead another short was awarded and in the malaise that followed the keeper let the ball through his legs only to see it bounce off the post and for NGG to do the tidying up. 2-2 and the momentum had shifted.
The rest of the half was something of a blur as the Accies demonstrated total dominance and showed that it really is a game of two halves. Barney slid in to make it 3-2 and Sladey was cleaned out by the keeper to earn another p-flick and Melly his second goal. By this time the opposition looked totally dejected as they realised that there would be no victory beers and that tonight would be the last time they would see any fanny for a long time. The day was closed out with another NGG goal and a thoroughly deserved 5-2 victory.
League: Surrey Open Hockey League Division 1
Pushback time: 2011-11-19 14:57:00 UTC
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Notes
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