Men's 3rd XI Vs Barford Tigers 3

Telford 3's welcomed Barford Tigers to St George's, for a late 4:30 pushback. With Barford unbeaten at the top of the league, playing 6 and winning 6, Telford knew a tough match stood infront of them.  

Telford started the game on the back foot, with Barford's pressure confining Telford into their own 23. Mistakes in the Telford back line kept the pressure on Dom Pritchard in the goal, who did well to keep Barford out, until they managed to slip the ball past him to give them an early lead. 

Telford equalised not long later, with Tom Jones winning a penalty corner, before calmly smashing the ball past the Barford defence. However Barford got themselves back infront, grabbing two goals before half time came. 

Telford's heads dropped, knowing they were capable of much better hockey. Captain Chris Nightingale drilled into his team, bringing positivity levels back up. 

It didn't take long for Telford to get back on level terms, winning a penalty corner. Ben Edwards injected, with both Roman Randel and Jones missing the ball on 'purpose'. Matt Fennel Fox was ready on the 23, stopping the ball before smashing it back towards Edwards, who hit the ball high into the side netting. Barford's players thought the goal should have been disallowed as it was the first strike, however the umpires agreed that the ball had left the circle by more than 5 metres, therefore the short corner was technically over. 

However defensive mistakes from Telford again cost them, with poor passes being intercepted at the top of the circle, leaving Pritchard stranded. With the score set at 4-2, Telford had chance to reset themselves, as the captains were called over by the umpires. Telford grabbed another goal back through Jones once again, this time Ben Stevens winning a penalty corner with a quickly taken sideline ball inside the Barford 23, and being tackled by a Barford player stood less than 5 metres away. 

Barford restored their two goal lead though, before Telford regained momentum and trying to find the goals they needed to equalise. Their 4th of the game came with a quick break down the right hand side, with Randel taking the ball around the keeper and finding Stevens, who smashed the ball into the top of the goal. 

With the score set at 5-4 Barford took their time with free hits, aiming to stop Telford's momentum, greatly to their and their supporters frustrations. Tempers flared throughout the match, with green and yellow cards seen by Jones and the travelling players. The visitors sat off and defended for their lives, just managing to see the game off, before tempers rose after the full time whistle. 

Next weekend, Telford travel to struggling Wednesbury, who currently sit bottom of their league. 

Motm goes to Tom Jones, with two brilliant finishes and a great all round performance.