Won 5 – 2
Scorers: O. Neal (2), R.Cox (2), F.Phillips
MoM: Joint honours: Will Adams/ Robin Cox
This weeks match was best surmised, midway through the first half, when one of the younger members of the team commented: “we’ve actually remembered how to play hockey!”.
The Millers were re-invigorated by the timely return, from long-term injury, of midfield duo Simon ‘Hannibal’ Hurlow and the ‘Lothar Matthaus of hockey’ – Paul Sharratt. Many armchair fans, mercurial Mark Batchelor among them, have touted the return of this influential, and long-standing pairing, as having the potential to be a key turning point in the Millers season.
With their best first half performance to date, the Millers dominated the opening 35minutes with a high press and they forced plentiful turnover from their opposition. Interlinking well throughout the team and with superb marauding runs from Will Adams, the home side were rewarded by taking a five goal advantage (all scored from open play) into half time. Ollie Neal re-discovered his self-proclaimed Midas touch (“..everything I touch turns to goal..”) and was backed up with a brace from Robin Cox and a fine single goal from Freddie ‘quality not quantity’ Phillips.
Coming out from the break, the visitors had clearly re-organised and Canterbury, despite having the better possession and creating multiple opportunities, were unable to extend their lead. The Millers conceded just one short corner all game (a great statistic in itself), which came in the last fifteen minutes of the game. Unfortunately, this was converted with a precise and powerful drag flick (top left) by the visitors. This gave Blackheath some hope and as Canterbury continued pushing forward, on fast-tiring legs, a further goal for the visitors came in the last minute to give them a slightly more respectable score-line to take back up the M2.
Nonetheless, an impressive performance for the home side and some valuable points to boot. Thanks to Chris Paine in goal this week and to Ben Lawford and Phil Sandy for umpiring.