Last game of the season!
Well where do that season go!
After cajoling the other captain to take 15 or 16 to their games so that everyone could get a game on the last weekend of the year, it was a little bit of guilt when our team reduced from 16 to 13, with a couple of late injuries and one player being in Belgium on a school trip! (which I should have know as my son and several other of the 4s were also on it!)
With the sun shining, there was hockey to be played what could possibly go wrong….well to start the A14 was closed, and Ben S got stuck in the tailback, the rest managed to divert around, Tom J missed the clubhouse pick up (still in bed!) just as well you weren’t the nominated driver…oh you were supposed to be… so with 11 as the 2 minute warning blew we were just about ready.
The game started and it was evident that this Newmarket side had improved considerably since our last meeting (a contentious 1:0 win at ours) and explained why they had won their last 7 games on the bounce. A good core of senior players with skillful energetic youth a plenty.
A couple of early warning shots, then after about 20min they scored via a nice deflected strike. This followed quickly by one of the most bizarre goals I’ve seen. A cross came in from the sidelines, I came out smothered the ball, which then disappeared, no one knew where the ball had gone, about a yard out from the goal line and with no one near I stood up, still no ball could be seen, then it rolled about an inch over the goal line! A third followed after a bit of a scramble in the D, a couple of saves but eventually falling to one of their players to tap in.
Half time – (Ben and TJ had managed to get to the start of the game) We were by no means out of it as we were down by a good goal and 2 unlucky goals.
The second half we started with a bit more intensity and soon that paid off with Shaun providing another assist (to go top of the 4s goal contribution list) to Tom J to score….maybe you should be late every week….ah you already are!
Some resolute defending from father-son duo (Justin and Tom) and from the ever running Stu P, kept us in the game. Unfortunately a crash ball straight through the centre and a deft touch from their forward meant it was 4:1 and with a couple of minutes to go was effectively game over. To rub salt in the wounds I let a shot go past thinking it would go well wide only to see it sneak inside the post.
So a 5:1 loss to end the season, but the team can hold their heads up high with what we have achieved this season.
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Captain’s thoughts – Not the best finish to what has been a great and successful season, but that shouldn’t distract for what the 4s have achieved. 33 players used, 15 debutants, 8 juniors stepping up to senior hockey, and 16 different players playing up in 2s and 3s throughout the season, and throughout the disruption and challenges the team has played some good hockey and with the most part a smile on their faces.
Player of the Match (Kettering) – Justin – Not often a defender gets MOM in a 5:1 defeat but would have been a lot worse had it not been for Justin. (Closely followed by Stu P – new position in the centre of midfield, constant menace and a good shield in front of the back 4.
D0D – Tom A – No vote required changed into the opposition colours immediately the whistle blew …..Turncoat! (allegedly but not excusable something to do with Northampton Town FC)
Champagne moment – Shaun’s moustache! A thing of beauty.
Captain’s mention – Thank you to the other Men’s captains for taking extra players so that everyone could get a final game and no one would need to be rested. (even if in the end wasn’t necessarily required!) Also thanks to Tom J for bringing his camera (a proper one not just on the phone!) and taking some great pictures makes up for being late!