Mens 2's battle back from 4-2 down to win 6-5.

2's battle back from 4-2 down to win 6-5!

So many things started so well….the sun was shining, we had a full squad, we had 2 substitutes (luxury!), we managed two laps of the track, had a good warm up….the game started and something changed ! We made very hard work against a side that, to give them their credit, were very well organised and clinical in front of goal (They Scored 4 times from 5 short corners!)
At times we played some excellent and shocking hockey in equal measure, but in most sports, as long as you score more than the opposition, you tend to win the game! It was great credit to the team that we came back from 4-2 down to win 6-5 - everyone can be proud of their contribution today. The sequence of the game was:
0-1 Bath Score against the run of play from a short corner. Nothing to panic about, we were creating chances.
1-1 Will Hughes scored with, what can only be described as “forehand topspin smash” from 5 yards. We deserved to be back in the game after all our pressure.
2-1 Jamie Williams, said anything Will can do, I can do better! He also perfected an even higher “overhead smash” into the back of the net after some fine build up play down the left again.
2-2 Bath Scored from another well executed short corner. Slip right, back onto the P spot and Rich Newton stood no chance at all. NO panic !
2-3 Bath Score against the run of play on a quick breakaway. By this stage, our shape and structure was looking a bit ragged. Maybe a bit of panic creeping in !
2-4 Bath Score again from a short corner. WTF !!! Maybe some Panic !! How had we had four goals scored against us?

HALF TIME – (Losing 2-4). No panic ! The half time chat only focussed on the positives, and we all knew what needed to be done. Get a grip and start playing some proper hockey !......AND what a second half of hockey!! We had to push forward and go for it and take some risks. There was a much higher intensity and desire and we started to score some goals, interspersed with some moments of panic !
3-4. Harry Milton scored at a short corner (Andy D is letting him claim it!). Harry injected wildly to Andy’s right, Andy fired it back
low across to the far post and Harry flicked it in from 2 inches!
4-4 Francois Killian scored from open play after some excellent build up play from Dom Fry to Mike Debney to Will Hughes, who fired across the goalie and Francois slid in to score with his reverse stick. Marlborough were now getting what they deserved out the game and had the belief to go on and win.
It must be noted, at this point that Rich Newton made a couple of amazing saves, one at full stretch down to his right, to stop us conceding against the run of play and going behind again. Crucial saves at a crucial time!
5-4 (up) Keith Radnedge scored again from another short corner (2 short corner routines and 2 goals – SC routines are working well !) Harry injected, Andy trapped, Keith fired it home. Marlborough were now leading for the first time since the 5th minute and now had just over 5 minutes to go.
6-4 Will Hughes scored his second of the game after a quick break away and fine interpassing, that ultimately lead to Will jabbing in at the far post.
6-5 Bath still had time to score from their 4th Short corner of the day. They were ruthlessly efficient in front of goal.
It was a huge relief and fitting reward for our second half performance, that we pulled off one of the most satisfying wins of the season, even if we did contribute to our own downfall at times!
Well done to everyone who played today, great effort – it will certainly be one to remember!

Man of the Match – Will Hughes for his endless running, energy, constant threat and his 2 goals.