Tight one goal loss at Bassett

Not a good day. Not only did we lose the game but we also dropped from 2nd to 4th in the league. We lost an early goal, came back from behind twice to level the game and lost to a sloppy goal near the end to lose the match. We have gone behind early on other occasions this year and came back to win – not this time. This was a game we could, and should, have won; a draw would have been a fair result, but we lost - and sometimes that’s just part of life’s rich tapestry! But it does not remove the frustration. If this was an end of term report, it would probably have read “Mr M. Borough despite his talent is not fulfilling his true potential.....is highly is prone to daydreaming, lacking concentration at times, leading to simple basic mistakes. That said, with the right focus on a few basic fundamentals, has the ability to finish at the top of the class”!

Enough metaphors, now for the game itself. But before I do I must point out this will be a shortened report, with many references to Paragraph 3 !

Paragraph 3 states that .... “ There are many elements and opinions of this match that are not for reference, commentary or publication for fear of incriminating key stakeholders.”

Captain Ed Watson won the toss (the first and only time we were in front all game !). Like many games this year we started well, with good passing and movement. This was typified by Charlie Hawley who made an early surging run up the right only to to find himself with a rather dry and sandy taste in the mouth (I refer to Para 3!). Also like many games this season we found ourselves 1-0 down to a highly unmemorable goal against the run of play. We continued to push forward and play a high pressing game, but with only 1 substitute, we did not match and sustain the same level of intensity and tempo that we have in other games. (Note to all for the forthcoming the Xmas period – less pies and more press ups!!)

1-1 What a goal !! The passing game was not working and with so much time spent in their half Keith Radnedge decided to go “Route 1” and smash the ball into the D towards the back post. Charlie Hawley , with his back to goal , just inside the D, put a classy touch on the ball and deflected the ball towards the near post and left the keeper stranded. Our tails were up. For good measure shortly after this and with Charlie looking like a danger man, he decided to remove some skin from his other elbow and knees for some reason (I refer again to Para 3!)

1-1 at half time and we had played good hockey - but failed to convert our chances. Shortly after half time the umpires called the captains together and sternly warned both teams not to commit any more lazy tackles, bad tackles or definitely not to appeal for any decisions.

Meanwhile Rob Hues, who was solid at the back and executed some excellent aerials to keep the opposition guessing throughout the game, experienced an minor incident that resulted in much squealing, and shouting and drawing the whole Wootton Bassett bench onto the pitch! A key unwritten rule in hockey is that if the big, muscular, 15 stone (benefit of the doubt to Rob!!) right back is winding up to smash the ball down the pitch, you DO NOT attempt to tackle him from the wrong (and blind) side, unless you have pre-booked an ambulance and wish to spend a long Sat afternoon in A&E. Thankfully, no sticks or shins were broken and once the noise and shock had subsided play resumed and the calmest man on the pitch remained Mr Hues!

2-1. Shortly after, again against the run of play, we lost another goal (I refer to Para 3!). It does not merit the consumption of oxygen and time to describe! So I wont.

2-2. Metcalfe’s miracle! We struck back almost immediately within a minute and caught them napping. Firstly Justin Metcalfe, sporting a new haircut (and, oh “I forgot my astro’s” – we don’t do a DOTD Day, but if we did....etc !) found himself in the D with his back to goal near the P spot surrounded by defenders, and seemingly with nowhere to go. Life seem to go into slow motion, as Justin sized up his options. Should I go left, should I go right, should I pass it, or right slip it back to others screaming for it. (None of the above, “I am not the top scorer for nothing!”, as he nonchalantly put the ball onto his reverse stick, still with his back to goal and scooped it over the keep and into the net. Judging by his reaction – he, like all of us, was very pleased with his excellent bit of skill !

The un-reportable “Para 3 “ moments continued and soon a genuinely polite request by Rob Hues was followed by some “reflection time” on the bench! The 2 min rest clearly altered Rob’s aiming marker as he then struck several, accidental rising undercuts into the opposition, followed by the most polite “I am so sorry”! Justin Metcalfe and Charlie Hawley continued to pretend that they were at “Twickenham”, although as stated earlier some astros might have helped one of the above. In amongst all of this we somehow lost another goal.

3-2 Down with 5 minutes to play. Like a school boy staring aimlessly out of a classroom window on a sunny day “Mr M. Borough” just switched off, lost focus, and was snapped out of his general malaise when the ball hit the backboard. We had conceded yet another unnecessary and soft goal. We sparked into life in the final few minutes, but to no avail. It was even more galling to know after the game that the loss had dropped us from 2nd to 4th in the league.

Almost half term report “Mr M. Borough has plenty of room for improvement!”

Marlborough News Online Man of the Match – Rob Hues, for providing the calm, the class, the clout, the cavalry and for being at the heart of all that was memorable!