Won 3 – 5
Scorers: Newell, Hurlow (2), R.Upton (2)
MoM: Nick Gray
With thanks to team sponsor MMil http://www.batchelorcoop.co.uk
The Batchelor-Coop Millers took their unique style of ‘gung-ho-ckey’ on the short hop to Ashford this week.
The Millers started well, with Thomas Newell lively up front, and it wasn’t long before his persistence paid off as he out-sprinted, and out-skilled, the home defence to slot home from close range. The lead was short-lived though, half-term obviously impacting concentration levels across the side, and Ashford were back level within a minute of the restart. 1-1.
Undeterred, the visitors tarried forward, harassing the Ashford defence and creating several good opportunities, from both open play and short corners, before they finally managed to resurrect their lead; Hurlow junior deflecting in at the far post, from a Barnes cross/ misplaced shot… Holding on to the advantage was proving tricky though and despite Triggs junior in goal making several athletic saves Ashford drew level again.
Just before the interval, Pete Ratcliff was steamrollered in the Millers D (his coccyx may never be the same again apparently) which, somehow, led to a short corner being awarded. The resultant strike was expertly deflected over the cross-bar by Chris Upton, in a moment of pure self-preservation. 2-2 half-time.
As previous reports attest, the Millers prefer to be the underdog. Thus, finding themselves 2-3 down early in the second half, they finally switched into full ‘game mode’. Hurlow junior popping up, again, to provide the equaliser. The visitors dominated from this point on; Nick Gray was impressive, with fast pace and fluid skills, consistently drawing dubious fouls from tired older heads.
It was Reef Upton, who secured the lead with an impressive LBZ shot from the top of the D and then went on to seal the win, with a marginally less-powerful forehand shot, which, nonetheless, found the backboard and bagged all three points in another roller-coaster performance!