Men’s 4s Match reports

Well it’s great to be back!

3 juniors making there full debut’s, a new team shape, and a strong team performance.

Men’s 4’s started the season at home v a strong Sutton Valence men’s 3’s team team. The initial exchanges were relatively even but it soon became clear this was a stronger team than the SV team we faced last season. Anchs took the lead with a great break away goal from James Z - a reverse strike into the top corner, an early contender for goal of the season (for the 4’s). Sutton Valence though looked dangerous in attack and earnt numerous short corners with Ethan Hopkins⁩ looking like a seasoned keeper keeping the ball out of the net. Ultimately the number of short corners paid off for SV and they went 1-2 up by half time.

We had a great half time team chat and were encouraged by the way we were playing.

We started strong again, the chances started to come. We looked strong and pressed well, forcing SV into errors on the ball. 10 mins into the 2nd half and Ben Mummery⁩ dribbled from the the 23 into the D and scored the equaliser to make it 2-2. Our shape was proving pivitol with Theo Jarvais⁩ finding space in the final third and almost scoring on his debut (next time Theo, keep it up mate). SV starting pushing hard for the win causing the defence more and more trouble, Flinn Sindrey⁩ was starting to find his feet in the game and made some important timely tackles. I can only apologise but after 60 mins of running up front and midfield I was completing one of my “recovery” runs and missed our third goal, I’m sure the scorer will let me know (I think James Z) 3-2.

What an end to the game the extra SV subs started to show and again they started collecting short corners, with 2 mins to go they managed to convert an attempt 3-3, final result.

Well what a return to hockey, well done to all. Players player went to Robin Coyle⁩ for a really solid performance at left back.

Men’s 4’s were away today at New Beccs.

Sticking with our 4-3-3 system we are really starting to play to our shape and strengths with lots of keen juniors ensuring our energy levels stay high.

We had a bare eleven this week so discussed how we managed ourselves, this did not prevent us making a fast start. Putting New Beccs under pressure with lead to a great individual goal from ⁨Ben Mummery⁩ a dribble into the D and a great reverse strike into the bottom corner 0-1 to Anchs, only for Ben to try and repeat the effort 5 mins later. Slowly though New Beccs got back into the game and they pressured our goal with numerous short corners but our Tuesday night short corner defending practice paid off. As the end of the half got closer our lack of subs started to show and We conceded a scrappy goal from top of the D, so half time was 1-1.

I worried we would a deflated bunch as I walked over for the half time chat but I couldn’t be more wrong, the team was up beat, feeling confident that we were creating chances and with a second wind we went again.

We were passing the ball well and all were contributing, special mention to Robin⁩ who had received a nasty shoulder injury and his tireless runs the full length of the pitch were showing, but he dug deep not wanting to put us down to 10 players, great spirit. We had several good attacks with David Shepherd having a ball deflected a certain goal off the line with a foot but only a short corner being given.

The pace of the game was starting to show on both teams but with 5 mins to go Anchs broke away down the wing with Dan Markham and Braedon continually giving the extra effort to compete at both ends of the pitch, they found space down the right and with Ben M waiting in the D to finish another great goal (3 goals in 2 games) 1-2. The game ended with yet another short corner being awarded to New Beccs and yet another fine save from man of the match Ethan Hopkins⁩. 1-2 was the final result, a hard fought well deserved, extremely enjoyable win.