Lost 4-1
Scorers: Alec Rasmussen
MoM: Alec Rasmussen
DoD: Matthew Carney
With thanks to team sponsor M1 http://www.canterburyhockeyclub.co.uk/patrons
Rasmussen Magic amidst Exeter Defeat:
Canterbury Men’s 1s played their furthest away game of the season, facing Exeter University. Having suffered a 4-1 defeat in the first round, the team was eager to put in a stronger performance. However, Exeter once again emerged victorious with the same 4-1 scoreline.
The game started at a high tempo, with Exeter demonstrating their well-drilled structure and sharp passing. Canterbury found themselves under pressure, and the hosts capitalised, scoring twice in the opening ten minutes.
Exeter extended their lead in the second quarter, scoring a third goal before Canterbury responded with a moment of brilliance from Alec Rasmussen. With an extraordinary finish from an almost impossible angle near the right baseline push-out spot, Rasmussen hit the ball over the goalkeeper’s shoulder into the roof of the net, bringing the score to 3-1.
There were a few notable performances from the visitors. Schoolboys Rhys Harmer and Nathan Sumner, both considering Exeter as a potential university destination, looked determined to make an impression. Canterbury also welcomed two new faces, with Spencer Smith making his first appearance of the season and Alistair Brogdon making his Canterbury Men’s 1s debut. Their experience was valuable, but Exeter’s fluid movement and intelligent distribution from their defensive unit proved too difficult to break down consistently.
Nathan Carney received a green card late in the third quarter for playing the ball after the whistle. Although Exeter Uni couldn’t capitalise on the extra player, they later scored midway through the fourth quarter to extend their lead to 4-1. In the dying minutes, a moment of selfless defensive commitment from Callum Lea saw him charge down a penalty corner, only to suffer a bloody, broken finger after being struck through his glove.