Men's 2nd Team Vs Bournville 4

Bournville 4s   2-1   CoBHC Men’s 2s

Goal scorer:- Ben Mathews

This was a third from top, verses third from bottom clash!

The visitors were buoyed by last week’s first win of the season and this definitely showed in this performance.

The team again had some personnel missing for various reasons, plus a few injuries for players on the pitch! But the eleven in the squad worked hard and played as a team.

The first half was pretty even, end to end stuff with both teams testing the keepers and forcing reaction saves. Considering the divisional gap, the parity was encouraging. Both teams had to defend well. The visitor’s Edan, (playing a new role as central defender) stood strong, and was supported by Matt and Jahed who both got great tackles in. After fifteen minutes the home team took a well hit shot from a short corner beating the keeper, Paul. Matt, behind, tried to defect the shot wide but unfortunately it went in. (No own goals in hockey!) First goal to the home team.

The visitors then had to sit deep for five minutes soaking up a lot of pressure with Stan dropping deep to steady the ship. Eventually the midfield began to regroup, with Jordan, Ben, Sean and Kamran getting excellent short quick passes together and progressing towards goal. Even a few ”one two’s” in the middle of the pitch looked intricate class in the bustling midfield. Munib having a great game as a classic “number 10”, broke up the home defence build ups and intercepted many passes. The visitors built up gradually and a few chances went wide. Eventually a quick ball by Stan found Sean who turned his marker then passed the ball to Anthony who turned and “megged” his defender. He found an unmarked Ben who swept a crisp shot which also “megged” the keeper. The game was 1-1 at half time.

Throughout the game the visitors had long spells of possession and particularly in the second half dominated for twenty minutes looking for a winning goal. The home team in this spell were forced back and only managed a few long-range clearances/ breakaways. This did catch out the visitors defence slightly on three occasions causing a couple of chances and a counter attack goal.  It was a well taken shot on the reverse which the keeper Paul couldn’t do anything to keep out. Soon afterwards another counterattack led to a “on the line stop”, but unfortunately it was a foot, this bounced towards goal and Matt flicked it wide away from goal. A flick was correctly awarded. Luckily Paul in goal stood strong and stopped the powerful flick which flew slight right. A body block did the trick.

Still 2-1 but then the visitors pushed so hard for an equaliser and a possibly winner. Ten minutes of high press kept the home team pegged back, and every forward player and midfield player got shots away on goal!!

With two minutes left the home team won a short corner (from another long range counter attack) but they certainly weren’t in a rush to take it, (umpire actually stopped the clock). They certainly felt the pressure with the visitors’ high press that they were happy to run the clock down. Unfortunately for the visitors the final whistle came before an equaliser goal which (in my opinion) would have been a fair result.

Best team performance of the season (so far) was mentioned quite a few times after the game. All the City of Birmingham Second Team were buzzing after the game, as everyone believed they played their part. And as Captain I whole heartedly agreed.