Men's 1st XI Vs Bridgnorth 1

Telford and Wrekin’s Men’s 1st XI finished their 2021/22 campaign on Saturday with a trip to local rivals and already relegated Bridgnorth. 

With promotion already secured the game had the potential to become a banana skin for Telford who were keen to finish the season well and take three points home with them back to St George’s. 

After a strong start the visitors had plenty of possession but could not penetrate the strong Bridgnorth defence in front of them. Telford had to turn up the heat and found the breakthrough 15 minutes into the first half. Liam Hennessy robbed Bridgnorths midfield and ran through into the ‘D’, there he found the waiting Tom Mallett who finished into an empty net. 

Mallett soon found the net again as he entered the ‘D’ on a tight angle and shot on his reverse. The ball flew past the statuesque Bridgnorth goalkeeper as Mallett wheeled away to celebrate his 26th goal of the season and give Telford a 2-0 lead heading into half time.

Telford looked to be cruising in the second half, but Bridgnorth would not lie down, after winning and converting a penalty stroke Bridgnorth continued to push for an equaliser and the game opened up, all to Telford’s advantage. Tom Gough robber Bridgnorth in midfield and set up the counterattack. Tom Mallett was found in the ‘D’ and set for a hat-trick, his effort was saved, and the danger seemed to have been averted. Legendary defender Chris Heath had other ideas. He overtook four of Bridgnorth’s recovering midfield and made up 50 yards to make the ‘D’, his arrival resulted in a hammer blow into the bottom left corner for him to score his first goal in at least 7 seasons. 

Again, Bridgnorth responded but Telford hit back immediately with Sam Mallett scoring on his reverse to grab his 5th goal of the season. With 10 to play it was a scrappy affair, with both sides being reduced to 10 on numerous occasions. Bridgnorth made the most of Telford’s ill-discipline and made the score 4-3 with 5 to play. Telford kept their cool and remained composed in possession of the ball. Good work by Tom Mallett kept the ball in Bridgnorth’s corner with seconds on the clock, only for him to be able to work his way into the ‘D’. His shot ballooned across goal where Noah Higginson was in the right place at the right time to get his 10th goal of the season and hit the killing blow. 

The score finished 5-3 with both teams leaving everything on the pitch in what was a well fought game played in good spirits between both sides.

It has been a brilliant season for the 1st XI who have finished 2nd in Midlands Division 1, winning 18, drawing and losing 2 apiece, 16 points clear of 3rd placed Sutton Coldfield. 

Great credit must go to all the players in the squad and coach Simon Such who has really got the team playing some brilliant hockey. 

Congratulations to both the Men’s 2nd and 3rd team who have also been promoted. A great year for the club, on and off the pitch.