Drew 2 – 2
Scorers: Barry Thomas, Martin Long-Castro
MoM: Martin Long-Castro
With thanks to team sponsor MMil http://www.batchelorcoop.co.uk
The final league game of the season saw the Bachelor-Coop Millers wend their way up the A2 (at a sedate 50mph) to Westlands School, Sittingbourne to face Gore Court. On arrival, the home side were already in the midst of an energetic warm-up. This did require a nuanced explanation to some of the visiting side, a few of whom even ventured that it seemed like it had some merit and that they might give it a go next season.
Skipper Sharratt (quickly becoming recognised as hockey’s answer to Pep) having won the toss, started with his ‘youth-first’ policy, leaving some big names on the bench in his new rotational squad system. The home side were out of the blocks quickly though, and won a short corner in the opening two minutes. They duly converted this into a one nil advantage, after some silky stick skills and a flick high into the net to finish. However, where lesser men would have panicked, Sharratt could be seen in the dug-out, reclining casually, a Gauloise balanced on one corner of his lip and a copy of Le Monde draped carefully across his lap.
Taking the lead from their illustrious leader, the Millers started to link passes together, and attack with pace, down both flanks, to create goal-scoring opportunities. Having forced a number of short corners without converting, it was a well-worked team goal that pulled the visitor’s level. A Teddy Ridings run down the right-hand side, capped off some lovely build-up play and saw him cross into Barry Thomas who shot low and to the keepers left to draw the Millers level.
As the half wore on, the Millers were increasingly dominant, with Reef Upton and Martin Long-Castro influential in midfield. Thomas Newell was harassing the home defence and unlucky not to score from the top of the D, but it was Long-Castro who finally scored the second with a well-taken rebound off of the keeper’s pads. The home side were countering well though, and won a number of short corners which were, fortunately, ably defended with Barnaby in goal proving very hard to beat.
The main discussion point at half time, was that Gore Court would come out hard in the second half and that ‘keeping it tight’ in the first ten minutes would be crucial. It was with some dismay, therefore, that a minute (and approximately four stick tackles) into the half that the home side were in the Millers D taking a short corner. This was duly converted (which wasn’t in the script) and the game was level once more.
The game became all-out attack, with both sides eager to find the winner. Teddy Ridings was unlucky when he put the ball in the back of the net (having played advantage) but, unfortunately, the umpire finally blew for a short corner just as he had struck the shot. The Millers were denied a penalty when Barry Thomas was mauled from behind as he ran along the baseline and was one on one with keeper. However, there were numerous attacks (and short corners) to defend as well. The game finished with the honours even and both sides glad to hear the final whistle, signalling the opportunity to retire to the bar.
Martin Long-Castro takes the man of the match honours this week for a combative display in midfield, capped off with a goal, but he had a lot of genuine competition from the other junior players in the team who were all outstanding in this display.