Men’s 1s Match reports

Anchs M1s travelled to Sittingbourne for their first league game of the season. With an average age that felt like about 14 years old in a squad of 12, we started strongly, pressing high and using our pace to our advantage.

Twigg and Pitcher put the Sittingbourne defence under pressure, rushing their 16s and creating plenty of turnovers in Anchs’ favour. The skills on the wings from Will, Mark and Joel started to pay off, giving us chances in the D, but unfortunately we were unable to convert.

Against the run of play, Sittingbourne capitalised on a loose pass out from the back and scored on an overloaded counter-attack.

Anchs kept their heads held high and continued to counter-attack. Sam, Ethan and Adam broke down the play through the middle of the pitch, forcing Sittingbourne to play down the wings, where Ben and Tom picked off the ball and launched counter-attacks of their own.

Sadly, we were caught in possession while playing the ball out from the back and conceded again.

Soon after, we won a short corner after an aerial from Tom was run onto and driven into the D, hitting a Sittingbourne foot. Pitcher converted from the rebound to make it 2–1 going into half-time.

The message at the break was clear: this was some great hockey, and there was plenty of heart being shown. Keep going.

Sittingbourne came out fighting, though, and pinned us back. Short corner after short corner was defended, with Alex taking some big hits and putting his body on the line to keep us in the game.

Just as Anchs started to get back on top, Ben took a stick to the face while blocking a shot at the top of the D. He went full Braveheart, bleeding all over the pitch for five minutes before eventually being taken to A&E. He left the pitch to applause from all the spectators after a brilliant performance.

Down to a bare 11, Anchs soldiered on, with Alex standing out as the pick of the players and deservedly taking Man of the Match for his defensive performance.

However, a loose pass out from the back by Adam allowed Sittingbourne to score at the death.

An unfortunate 3–1 loss that in no way reflects the performance of this young side, who played some beautiful hockey and never once gave up.