'That Was Proper Hockey' - An Unnamed Cambridge HC Player

A frustrating loss this weekend saw us squander another lead - this time against a team who have never lost or drawn a game in their admittedly short history. Even the oppo conceded that their win was 'pretty undeserved' and 'dirty,' but magnanimity is easy if you win. We were obviously disappointed with the result, especially having been winning 2-0 just before the end of the first-half, yet we could be proud - mostly - of our performance. Our showing this week was, when compared to last week, unrecognisable.

We immediately dominated. Our prudent patience frightened Cambridge. They lingered around the half-way line, and our defenders passed the ball between themselves as they prowled forwards, occasionally bouncing a pass to our midfield to soon receive it back again. The entire team acted as one, awaiting the gaps. When they appeared, we pounced. A couple of chances came to naught, and Cambridge's keeper kept things equal. He couldn't handle Barney, though, whose man-of-the-match performance terrorised the oppo, and who scored our first goal. The first short-corner of the game broke down - imagine everyone's surprise! - but Barney popped up in front of the beached keeper, and he swept the ball up into the net with a reverse-stick sweep. It was the kind of finish on which Ant has made his career. Barney only needed one journey in the Nissan to have Ant's years of experience diffuse into his brain. Give it a few more away games, and Barney will be listening to Capital Dance, claiming he's the most creative player on the pitch, and explaining the local rocks. After a barrage of chances that we eventually rued, Dom doubled our lead with a tidy finish. We couldn't grind out the half, however, as Cambridge won a short-corner as the whistle blew. Miscommunication and poor placement saw a low shot limply deflect off Ross and into the net. 2-1 at the break.

Unlike last week, we didn't fold. We came out fighting, and continued our strong performance. And we still lost. Cambridge raised the height of their press, and we often struggled to escape our half, but we still had chances. Our best saw Millsy race up the pitch, with a pair of Wills steaming forwards to support him, and drive at the goal. Deciding to ignore his teammates, Millsy opted to try a reverse-stick shot from the baseline. The score remained the same. As if to show Millsy how it was done, Cambridge rallied, and one of their forwards charged into our '23, smashed the ball across the pitch, and his teammate deflected the ball in after running the length of the pitch . 2-2. We fought bravely, but the knockout punch came. The brain has great ways of dealing with trauma. People can omit entire chunks of their memory if the brain finds it too harrowing. Perhaps that's why Matt thought Cambridge's third goal - a shot from just before the baseline - at least went to the side of him, but damning photo evidences shows it slipping between his legs, and his only defence was that he thought the ball was going to be passed not shot. 2-3. Despite our best efforts, we couldn't get back in the game, and we left the pitch feeling as if we'd wasted a good chance.

But if we play like that every week, we shall probably win every week. Spalding should be scared.

MoM: Barney Platts (dominant and composed performance)

DoD: Adam Mills (attempt at a wondergoal only explainable by his being out on the lash on Friday - let's hope he was wearing something cooler than his post-match outfit)

#CloselyInspectingOurBalls #NearlyANauntonMasterclass #Should'veLogged