Who said anything about friendly? "As" beat "Bs" 7 - 0

Seven goals in amongst some mild swearing and a sending off !

Following the successful promotion of the 3rds last year, today saw the first of two matches this year of the 2’s v 3’s. There was nothing friendly about a game where everyone knew each other and no quarter was given by either side. The 2’s won 7-0, and actually scored from a few short corners ! The 3’s played their best hockey either side of half time when they put us under considerable pressure and just lacked the killer instinct in the final third to be able to score. The 2’s scored their most goals of the season, and it could have been many more, were it not for the magnificent Tom Collins in goal, who was the best player on the pitch for both sides !

The game started briskly and we slipped into some slick passing, rapid switching of play and put the 3’s goal under considerable pressure. Following our considerable short corner practise (consisting of 10 mins more than the previous week, followed by an additional 30 mins in the Wellington Arms for good measure!) it was inevitable that we score one at some point. Many short corners later we finally scored:

1-0. Cheerful Chris ! Short Corner routine – slip left to Chris Newton – who slotted home strongly. We were not quite sure what was more shocking - scoring from a short corner or the loud celebratory shriek from Chris. Thankfully not quite as exuberant as his celebration against Chippenham!

2-0. Dazzling Dribbling Davies (0llie) & Remarkable Ramage ! The second goal was top class in both its approach and finish. Ollie Davies picked the ball up in his own half and drove powerfully down the left past a couple of defenders, reached the by-line. Just when you thought Ollie had reached a dead end, in one smooth movement, he struck a powerful reverse stick across toward the P spot where Mark Ramage effortlessly used the full pace of the ball and glanced the ball into the far corner.

3-0. Rampant Ramage ! Mid way through the first half, the ball was worked well down the right through Charlie Hawley, who found Mark Ramage inside the D with his back to goal, Mark turned right away from goal and smashed the ball high into the net – another classy goal – worthy of any 2’s player!

4-0. Charlie Cracks another ! Our fourth goal came soon after the 3rd and again from another short corner. This time it was a slip right to Charlie Hawley who once again added to his prolific goal scoring this year with another low shot into the corner.

At this point the 3rds really got stuck in and started to play some good hockey and harried and harassed very effectively, so much so that there was a little bout of swearing and bullying to mention. Mark Salvidge decided to give himself a little “telling off”, which was heard by the umpire and despite pleading his innocence; “I was only swearing at myself!!”, he took a short break for his vocalisation! Rob and Keith were also spoken to / taken to one side by the referee for “alleged bullying” of young Ed Kendall, although it was clear that young Ed was more than prepared to get stuck into Rob and the smallest man brought down the biggest guy on the pitch – pick on someone your own size Ed !!

At half time Ed Watson gave his usual insightful words of encouragement and wisdom – mainly keep it simple.

5-0 Andy D knocks it in from 3 ! (inches). Short corner routine – not quite as planned ! Injected by Andy D, Ed trapped, Keith slipped right to Justin Metcalfe. Justin advanced and his shot somehow slipped under Tom Collins and bobbled towards the goal. Andy D had moved in on the post and took great delight in slapping the ball home (before it crossed the line - just to make sure!) ....and to see the look on Justin’s face !

6-0 Dazzling Dribbling Davies (Alex this time!) feeds Justin Metcalfe. Ollie and Alex can argue between them as to who was the best “Dribbler of the Day”. Alex picked the ball up on the right near the half way, beat two tacklers, showed good pace and determination, surged forward towards the top of the D, beat another 2-3 would be tacklers entered the D and slipped the ball to Justin who slotted home comfortably for his first and well deserved goal of the day.

7-0 Andy D doubles his tally ! Another short corner goal (4th of the day). The call was a simple straight strike – to give Keith the chance to score from the top of the D. Keith has had many strikes saved this year and again this routine was no different. This time the ball deflected up and was going wide, only for Andy D (injector) to move in smartly and hook it in from a tight angle to the far post.

This was good game that the 2’s were never in danger of losing, but we did not play our best and this was as much down to the “never say die” attitude of the 3rds and the goal tally was definitely kept down due to the fantastic goal keeping from Tom Collins. So I close this match report by paying homage to Tom Collins. He must have saved about 20-30 shots from all angles and difficulty and he was a real credit to himself and the club – great goalkeeping!

Marlborough News Online Man of the Match – Despite many contenders (Justin, Mark, Charlie), there was only one man of the match - TOM COLLINS !!