Men's 5th XI Vs Old Wulfrunians 4

A very good start to the season: 3 points, multiple goals & a clean sheet.

From the get go we had a plan: Keep the structure of the formation & ensure we have possession. That’s exactly what we did, a couple of short corners in the first half with the opposition keeper making crucial saves. The opposition had a couple of chances to get forward but the strong central defence of Paul & Pip ensured they didn’t get past to test Alex the lonely, who had slim to none to do all match due to the hard work of the defence.

Throughout the first half there was a clear theme: Telford keeping the ball, working it around the opposition but when it came to the ball hitting the backboard … it just wasn’t happening.

Despite the frustrations of being unable to score half time came about. New 5th team captain Ewan made it clear: “We played this opposition 2 weeks ago in a friendly, this is exactly what happened last time. But what did we do to win that game? We kept working hard and never gave up. If we do that in the 2nd half then we will win & we will score goals. But we have to keep working hard, keep the persistent attacking threat & ultimately never give up”.

It seemed Seth & Tom Keeble took the frustrations of the first half to heart because as soon as the 2nd half began, Seth played a fantastic ball through to Tom K who calmly slotted it past the keeper at the front post.

However Seth wasn’t finished. Seth again worked his magic on the left flank and found Cola who spun the defender and struck the ball against the backboard!

John Higginson made his presence known throughout the match with his consistent successful tackles and closing the opposition players down. However John then brought out his playmaking side and also found Cola, who again spun the defender and put it past the keeper for a second time!

Although the team was flying at the front, we couldn’t forget about the defence. Freddie & John Keeble made sure of that - At any point the opposition would try to counter, they would step in, win the ball back and move it forward.

Dylan & Jack kept their composure in their first season of men’s hockey (alongside multiple other players!) and ensured the team kept possession of the ball.

Sam & Abraham had to empty their pockets after the match as the oppositions whole left side were put in there! Their consistent silky skills to get past players, kept the opposition worried.

However, there was one man who wanted more. Alan. After John Higginson glided past the oppositions midfield, he released the ball to Alan in the D - however, let me set the scene:

Alan had his back to the goal. Defender pressuring him, so he couldn’t turn to face the goal. No teammate in open space. What does he do? Simply hits the ball behind him, fooling not only the defender but the keeper too, to make it 4-0!

Absolutely fantastic effort from the team. Didn’t give up and made sure we were more clinical in the 2nd half & worked as a team. Bring on the next game!

Result: 

4-0 Win

Scorers:

Tom Keeble

Ian Coler x2

Alan Brannen

Assists:

Seth Higginson x2

John Higginson x2

M.O.T.M: Ian Coler