Boys' Hockey Latest Results

Three goals in three minutes early in the second half ensured Foremarke won this opening match of the all too brief U11 boys hockey season. Considering numbers (15 of our 16 3rd year boys were here, Foremarke had 15 from 36), pitch (their astro experience – it’s no coincidence that their U11A team have never won at S.Anselm’s on grass, we’ve never won there on astro!) and sport (we share this term with football, they don’t) it is to our credit that the scoreline from the other 75 minutes hockey played (both matches) was a very equal 1-1.
We certainly started all at sea – Foremarke scored in the first few minutes – as their pace, stickwork, accuracy of passing and movement off the ball saw an unmarked forward six feet from goal. For the rest of the first half Nick P in goal, Isaac S and Ollie R were unflappable as they cleared attack after attack, despite often being outnumbered on the Foremarke break, and with some luck we arrived at half time still only 0-1. Alex W was up and down that left wing, defending usefully, but not being allowed to work with Edward S as much as we would’ve liked whilst Charlie S looked a tower of strength when going forward at times, but there was a hole in midfield when Foremarke raced forward.
A clever goal early in the second half when the winger, about to cross the ball, spotted that Nick P hadn’t quite got his right hand post covered was the first in three minutes which secured the fixture for Foremarke whereupon we resumed our Paul Collingwood-esque defence. Isaac S had his stick too vertical – was it croquet? – but his clearances couldn’t have been better placed. We defended short corners well too, Nick P again clearing and it was good to hear you shouting at our players if out of position. Bertie W had his moments going forward, but needed to track their quick left winger, and Edward S ended up having to battle too hard himself – more an attacking midfielder fighting to release a forward than playing as a forward himself.
Apart from ‘those three minutes’ we fought well after just one games session. We look forward to Saturday!