Men’s 2 win 3-1 away at Bristol UWE

Report by Rob Hues ( our statuesque right back!)

The Marlborough team all turned up in reasonable time to the windswept astroturf of a youthful UWE side. A comprehensive warm up, led by Dan commenced with some excellent "left left right, both, both" action ensuing we were all raring to go. A few drills and it looked like the Marlborough team had peaked, only to be told we had 8 minutes to go... Not used to the luxury of more than 15 minutes to warm up we'd slightly over cooked it.

Perhaps this was why in the opening minute some strange things happened that saw a hit and hope pass miraculously connect with a UWE stick, turning the ball past our illustrious keeper. Everyone was a little confused, most of all the UWE striker, but the umpire swiftly cut through the aforementioned confusion with a shrill blast on his whistle and signalled for a goal. One nil down against fifteen tennagers, perhaps this was going to be a tough afternoon.

It was though perhaps the wake up call we needed and after the premature peak we kicked out of the lull we had found ourselves in with some excellent passages of play. There were some great passing sequences linked together that culminated in a very well taken goal by our South African import, Francois Killian.

The intensity from this point was upped and Marlborough played with a a much greater level of commitment and focus than they had in the first quarter. There were some great challenges and despite having youth and fitness on tehir side it seemed like the tales were turning. Our statuesque right back had several interesting exchanges and received some less than positive feedback from the umpire although fortuitously stayed on the pitch for all 70 minutes.

A wonderful move started from the back, via our dynamic capitano Mr A Davidson and with a pin point pass from Dan Crossman saw Nick Leach strike a sweet shot that hammered into the UWE back board. A champagne piece of hockey that saw the visiting side take a well deserved 2-1 lead.

A third goal followed before half time, brilliantly scored by Rich Shuttleworth and marlborough returned to their goal at the end of the half the more satisfied of the two sides.

Wise words were offered by our skipper with some useful additions from the elder statesman that had gathered in our goal. Nick Leach set the stretch target of four goals in the second half and we marched back out into the fray.

Despite fresh legs and multiple subs the UWE side were finding things tough going as they encountered and organised a wiley Marlborough side determined to close the game out. There were some good opportunities for the home side as they pressed hard to get back in the game, but a series of fine saves from keeper Rich Newton ensured that a clean sheet was achieved for the visitors in the 2nd half.

The 4 goal stretch target approved to be approximately four goals too optimistic, although we'd have probably taken 3-1 at the outset! A good result away from home, a few rehydrating pints and a jacket potato rounded off a very satisfactory away trip.

MEN of the Match - this week it is young ones “Monty, Jamie, Lewis & Dan” who carried the game for the old ones in the latter part of the game- as the old guys “ hamstrings” were pinging all over the place !