Lost 11 – 1
Scorers: Thomas Newell
MoM: Thomas Newell
With thanks to team sponsor MMil http://www.batchelorcoop.co.uk
They say that preparation is key, so the Bachelor-Coop Millers could be forgiven for thinking that a Preparatory school was an ideal venue for this weeks match. However, in the unusual position of everyone arriving on time, in the same place, they found the pitch padlocked and no opposition in sight. As it became increasingly apparent that Teamo was wrong (surely a sacrilegious statement) the Millers faced another problem. In order to reach the ‘other’ Sutton Valence pitch they had to first leave their current location.
Regrettably, the exit gate was padlocked and the automatic barrier, across the one-way access road, was firmly down and not operable from the side where the Millers cavalcade was queuing: in short there was no escape! A quick call to their absent captain ( after trying the caretaker) proved that his errant past (in The Met) did have some use; he advised that a metal road sign placed across the barriers induction loop should do the trick. There was, rather fortuitously, one such sign within sight and so the great escape was on.
Arriving at the correct pitch, bang on push back time, to see a thoroughly warmed-up opposition ready and waiting wasn’t ideal. At the coin toss, the opposition captain casually mentioned that this wasn’t the first time this situation had occurred, so it was politely suggested that perhaps there was a ‘learning point’ to take away for future pre-match communications to visiting teams….
And so, finally, to the hockey itself. The opening 20minutes were reasonably even, with the visitors acquitting themselves well against a well-drilled 1st XI. Rhys Jones and Adam McHale were tireless during this period but, unfortunately, by the break the visitors were three down, although they had created a number of unconverted opportunities.
Thomas Newell scored a fantastic goal minutes into the 2nd half, creating space at the top of the D to bury the ball into the back of the net. However, Sutton Valence scored (again) shortly after and added a 5th ten minutes into the half. The Millers should have had a penalty stroke when Newell was one-on-one with the keeper and fouled; first by the keeper and then by a recovering defender. However, the decision, which was representative of the match, saw the Millers only awarded a short corner.
The keeper saved well from a Harry Ledger flick and then saved again, minutes later, from a Reef Upton short corner strike. The 6th goal was probably most pivotal in the final scoreline. It was struck by Sutton Valence from just outside the Millers D and, untouched by either side within the D, was left to go into the goal for (presumably) a 16yard hit. Regrettably, at this point the home side decided to run to the half way line celebrating and a goal was awarded.
To their credit, particularly the junior members of the team, no one gave up. Although further goals were conceded, as the Millers repeatedly committed players higher up the pitch, the manner in which they played was a good reflection on the club. It also showed that sometimes you can show more dignity in defeat than others do in victory.