Lost 1-2
Scorers: Alex Ricketts
MoM: Will Pattinson
DoD: Brian Hurlow
With thanks to team sponsor MFri
The Friars faced Holcombe Hurricanes on AW3, in sunshine in front of a “home crowd.”
It was good to have Jamie Harris back in our ranks, returning from injury that had damaged his good looks, and of course the return of the Demon King himself.
A well executed short from Alex “2 shorts 2 goals this year” Ricketts saw the Friars take a 1-0 lead which they just about held onto until half time.
Leadership’s call for more hard work and higher standards unfortunately fell on deaf ears, and thereafter the match unravelled for the Friars.
A battling and overworked defence, were too exhausted (from what-ed?) to press out of their own quarter. A midfield which was frustrated and missing the calm and structure of previous seasons or did we miss the Great Phil Dowling we heard asked afterwards? An attack failing to convert the rare D penetrations that came their way. All these combined after half-time with two goals for Holcombe piled on the pain.
However, it was a strong game for our youngsters, helpfully called Will and Will for those Friars struggling with names. “Old” Will was retired early further to a nasty blow to his knee requiring ice. “New” Will can reflect on a terrific and hardworking senior debut.
The returning King narrowly missed a late chance to equalise with a first time shot latching on to a decent Hayward cross, but sadly it went wide.
The post match analysis over an ale was quite intriguing. Quite a bit of Mea Culpa all round, but nothing quite as insightful as the VC’s admission that an extra glass or so of Nuit St Georges and Chateauneuf des Papes from the Hurlow cellars the prior evening may have resulted in a performance not quite so cerebral this week! The DoD was thus easily and indeed unanimously awarded to said VC.
The VC’s wine may be a fine vintage, but this week’s Friars hockey performance was certainly not and could be compared with those £1.99 bottles of Spanish hooch back in the day!
Holcombe “possibly” had a few ringers, but – no excuses – it was a good natured game against friendly opponents who deserved their win.
The Friars look forward to putting this dreadful performance behind them and, ever optimistic, maybe some champagne hockey at Gravesham (away) next week!
Thanks to our supporters and Phil and Lee for umpiring.