Men's 2nd Team Vs Finchfield 6ths

CoB 2nd team    10 V 0    Finchfield Development

Goal scorers: Ishmael 1, Ash Baigx4, Robin Stanley x3, Anthony Truelove x2.

As a development team Finchfield e-mailed to our Captain that they only had ten players and no keeper for the fixture, politely asking if we had a spare keeper to make the game involving and competitive. On Tuesday if looked like we could oblige and loan them a keeper as the team had two subs. We didn’t confirm to Finchfield but said we would do our best. Unfortunately, from Thursday to Friday evening the Second team lost four players to the First team ( these players did a great job apparently in the 1st team game) So on Saturday morning the best the home team Captain could do was bring along the spare keepers kit if any away team player wished to go in goal as the home team only had 10 as well, they politely refused.

The home team had nine outfield players plus a keeper and the visitors had ten out-field. An intriguing fixture which if slightly unbalanced by half time the CoBHC Captain would have reshuffled things around to make it more even. (Even giving up the goal keeper! )

The game started well with both sides getting lots of time on the ball. The home team initially tried the long ball tactic to the high strikers, to take advantage of the lack of keeper but every through ball either got intercepted or went wide of the waiting strikers. As this proved problematic the team switched to good passing hockey, taking advantage of the space on the pitch.

Both sides had good chances throughout the game and Matt in goal had lots of work to do, saving many shots. The home team also had many shots and for most of the first half the team tried to “place”(safely) the shots at goal as defenders guarded the line. Their flat sticks saved many shots. Eventually the home team got two goals in quick succession. The first from a drive from Ash into a strong position to cross the ball with power and Anthony deftly guided it into the roof of the net. Towards the end of the half the home team began to build momentum getting all the players involved in the plays. Two more goals came before half time but the visitors had so many good chances themselves, the CoBHC Captain felt no reshuffle was needed as game was pretty balanced even at 3-0.

Unfortunately for the visitors, within four minutes of the second half the home team got two goals with players taking powerful shots at goal to bypass the guarding defensive line. The young players of Finchfield felt deflated by these goals making it 5-0 and although they kept trying, their powerful first half display never materialised. The home team didn’t take their foot of the gas and pushed a high press giving them several more goals before the final whistle. The high line did cause a few scares with a few one on ones against the keeper but the shots went wide. I’m sure the game would have been much closer if Finchfield had put a keeper in, but they chose the sweeper option.

We have now reached the half way stage in the league and just like the first team, are in a very strong position.  4th in the division with7 wins and 3 loses and a positive 21 goal difference. All the team have worked hard and will need to keep up their high standard they have set so far this season.

Points have come which is a pleasing by-product, but the club’s main aims in the 2nds is player development and of course FUN Hockey. It’s brilliant to have our efforts rewarded with a positive league position. The teams only minor negative at the moment is it needs to build up a regular big squad so players can link up even better in game play alongside training together. Thanks to all the players efforts and a BIG Thank you to the Umpires. Enjoy the holidays and our next game is on 8th January 2022.