Letchworth (A)

We welcomed back the newly married Mike Welding and Mike Hill from the 1sts and went down the A505 full of optimism. The teams on before really showed us how to play hockey with accurate passing, pace and movement off the ball. Unfortunately we then started badly (even after the skipper's great new warm up routine) and never really got any better. Passing was rubbish, marking was non existent and no-one really wanted the ball it seemed. We survived a few early scares and then from seemingly nowhere scored a great goal. Some lovely passing and movement down the left ended with Mike W passing across the goal (or shooting if you are Mike) and Archie the poacher was on hand to finish. Unfortunately that was the highpoint and we never really got anywhere near it after that. We struggled in the first half as they filled up midfield and we couldnt work out the marking. We seemed to sort that in the second half but rarely threatened their goal. Short corners also werent working. Mike H was getting frustrated by the ump continually call him for backsticks and not much was going right. But we still held out.
The game ended with umps awarding a controversial short in the last seconds of the game, and we all thought please dont score now... but our excellent defence held out again.
Anyway they say good teams find a way to win even when they play badly and we certainly did that so well done all.
4 points clear with 5 games to go and some tough teams to beat. Thats what we play hockey for. Enjoy the week off!