Men's 2 Win 4-2 against Men's 3's

Match Report by Dan Crossman

After the festive break Marlborough 2s returned to action in the most local of local derby games… ‘The 3s’. Having successfully traversed several parking obstacles the usual suspects assembled to play in what is always an entertaining fixture…

The 2s began the game well, transferring the ball from defence into midfield and regularly picking out attackers in the opposition ‘D’. After 10 minutes pressure began to mount on the 3’s defence with several shots on goal and finally a short corner won. Cue ‘Routine 1’: Radders was loaded up on a sack truck and delivered to the top of the ‘D’ where he promptly unleashed a thunderbolt into the top corner. Disappointingly for Keith, the ball took an enormous deflection and the umpires signalled an own goal. Cruel on Rads perhaps but rules are rules and you should never argue with the umpire…

As the half progressed some of us even managed to remember how to play hockey. Rich Shuttleworth slipped an inch perfect pass into the ‘D’ as Will Hughes, resplendent with designer beard, took up position at the near post and deflected the ball into the net. 2-0 and the 2s were looking comfortable as the half-time whistle blew.

The half-time team talk was the usual array of wise words and life lessons. Francois offered what seemed like excellent tactical thoughts but without a translator on hand I can’t tell you what they were. Then, to add a further incomprehensible accent to the group, Gareth emerged having finished teaching at Hogwarts for the morning. With Captain Andy’s words of ‘More of the same’ ringing in our ears we began the second half full of confidence.

Unfortunately, ‘More of the same’ was not what we produced. Instead we lost all shape, played negatively and dropped the tempo. It wasn’t long before we got what we deserved and a breakaway goal from Chris took the score to 2-1. Radders looked round and berated us all for not tracking back- Unfortunately we were all still around the halfway line so couldn’t hear what he was saying. 5 minutes later, Radders had the ball at the back. In a glimpse of his near future, Keith decided to pass the ball directly to a 3s player who then promptly passed to another who then promptly put the ball into the back of the net. Keith didn’t have so much to say this time!!

However, the second goal finally shook the 2s back into life and we began playing some better, more aggressive hockey. A combination of Dan and G won a short corner which Rads duly despatched (no hint of an own goal disappointingly). We continued to press forward with young Milton (good to see you playing again !) becoming more and more involved in the game and Nick adding some fluency to the midfield. Eventually, Dan slipped the ball into the ‘D’, Gareth squared and Will squeezed the ball over the line.

The score line finished 4-2 and that probably accurately reflects a game where we played very well for periods but equally poorly for others. The 3’s ‘keeper, Tom, deserves a mention for making several high class saves and Nick Gosling, at 107 years of age, was a rock in defence… virtually mounting Gareth several times. Well Done to the 3's - you made it a tough game.

Man of the Match: J Milton for his energy and effort: Perhaps this award will inspire him to buy some decent trainers…!!