4th Team Vs Old Wulfrunians 5

Perfect weather for hockey, a Perfect performance, and a Perfect result.  Perception, a belief, mindset or opinion formed before enough information is available to form it correctly, it’s all about Perception!  If the 4ths thought that just because we were playing a lower side within our own club the result was already written, the reality was that story was yet to be told.

It was a squally day and far from a perfect performance, for the opening 15 minutes the 4ths were making very little headway, with the majority of hockey being played in our own half. Despite this the opposition were also failing to take advantage or really threaten the 4ths goal. As the half worn on the 4ths started to grow more into the game but were still a little disjointed in our approach and at times were trying to force the play.  4ths were starting to gain traction working the ball more effectively and putting useful balls into the D from both long corners and wide areas.  It was from one of these moves that 4ths broke the deadlock. From a long corner the ball found its way into the D to Finn who turned and set up Manny who hit a well-placed shot first time into the goal.

Half time 1-0.

4ths started the second half with more purpose and were now holding their width and moving the ball better. We were now spending more time in their opponents half before becoming camped in there. Not a single outfield player was in our own half, In fact, the 4ths were so engrossed in watching their own dominance that they switched off.  This lack of concentration led to a 2 on 1 situation which resulted with a well-placed shot beating Rowley for the 5th's to equalise. (1-1). Shortly after the restart the 5ths could have taken the lead, 4ths again were caught short in a similar manner only for the shot to go wide of the upright. A lucky escape.  4ths again began to press looking for that elusive second goal, chances were now being created in abundance, working and asking questions of their keeper, with the keeper committed elsewhere both Sam & James spurning open goal opportunities.  The second goal eventually came when a ball was played in from the left for Vish to tap in at the far post, and the 4ths were able to see the remaining minutes out without to much fuss.

Full Time 2-1.

4ths in similar fashion to last week started slowly, and gradually improved as the game went on. This is something that as a team we need to address, and I am sure we will.  That said, there were some good individual performances and once we got going some good team play. 

Player’s man of the match votes were split between no less than 7 players, with Sam Green just pipping both Manny and Finn (joint second) as todays Man of the Match.