Lost 1-2
Scorers: Dom Curtiss
MoM: Stuart Forbes
DoD: George Holdstock
With thanks to team sponsor M5 http://www.nfumutual.co.uk
Undeserved result but proud day
The 5s travelled to Gillingham Anchorians with a very young but determined side to face Anchorians with most of the experienced players injured or unavailable.
Despite a slippy wet sand based surface we started strongly with some slick posession hockey. This continued throughout the first half despite some very physical ( and verbal) opposition who were determined to upset the skills of the youngsters. Unfortunately we didn’t get the goal(s) we deserved in the first half but went into half time with high hopes given the excellent opportunities being fashioned by the attacking of the midfield of Will Gardiner, Will Upton, Henry Goodwin and the quality leads of our two forwards ( Dom Curtis’s and Freddie Post). It was also good to see Whitey getting stuck in after 5 years of retirement!
The second half continued in much the same vein, with the defence of Will Adams, Matt Radcliffe, Owen Holton and Hugo Fassum fighting hard to repel their attacks whilst also linking well with the midfield …. but still we had ongoing frustration that we weren’t getting any decisions despite the exceptionally aggressive approach we were facing. Anchorians then took one of their few opportunities to score a breakaway goal which was was quickly followed by another equally slick finish to give a scoreline which was utterly undeserved. Harrison in goal prevented another breakaway goal by picking the ball cleanly (and wiping out their forward at the same time) which kept us in the game. Dom then finished a slick move started at the back by Will Adams, but unfortunately we couldn’t get the equaliser in the short time remaining.
Whilst we lost 2-1 I couldn’t have been more proud of a young team that played excellent hockey and never took a backward step, or let their heads go down, despite some severe provocation. Well done boys and we will get them in the return fixture.