Senior Boys' Hockey News 

1st XI v Riley House

click here for the season's statistics so far

                     Result

Belhaven	2		Goal Scorers:	Tom Stodart	1
Riley House	0			Caspar Rogers	1

Colours are awarded to:  Leo Seymour, Caspar Rogers, Freddy Rogers,

                                         Tom Stodart and George Cuthbert

So far this season the team has faced increasingly better opposition each match and Strathallan proved to be the strongest yet encountered. The work rate needed by all the players had to be considerably increased and no-one shirked their duty - a lot of tired boys at the end of the match!

Some individual players in the Riley team had better skills than us but the difference between the two sides was that Belhaven linked well and relied on their team mates rather than taking on the opposition single-handedly. As a result the halves were very busy and began to dominate the game.

As usual, the play moved over to the right hand side of the pitch and created huge spaces on the left which were not exploited quickly enough. Having said that the right side players performed very well. Leo, Douglas and Andrew built up good patterns of play and George darted about to lend a hand. More strength needs to be shown on the right wing by taking on the defence at speed, rather than slowing down the play, which allows the halves to cover the backs and then the whole move breaks down.

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Andrew showed some nice skill with his stick and when he gains the confidence to run flat out at the left back and take the ball to the base line, he will create many more scoring chances. He will also need Douglas and George in support at advantageous positions inside the circle (as practised the other day!) so that quick changes of shooting angles can be achieved.

This match the two strikers came into their own. both tom and Caspar had plenty of opportunity to strike for goal - and each of them clattered the backboard once. Tom's was from a penalty corner - well taken and struck low to the left - and Caspar's from open play after an attack from the centre into the circle and was popped away penalty. Both goals were scored in the first half.

Riley came out in the second half determined not to be dominated and they succeeded, showing skill and much more forward momentum. As a result they won 4 penalty corners but Archie's defensive acumen was up to the job and he organised the defensive rushes extremely well to negate the final shots at goal. Both Leo and Ally were superb this match, soaking up the attacks and clearing intelligently, seemingly knowing well in advance what they were going to do with the ball.

 The Head-on Crash Approach

The left did not get as much work as they should have done, but when Henry and Freddy got the ball they interchanged nicely. Henry needs to be stronger on the ball and rather than always going for the left side line side of the defence, should have a go at bringing the ball infield to attack the defence's weak side reverse stick. 

The two substitutes got their game and both showed a fiery determination to show that they're up to scratch. Geordie Younger was quick about the park and, although needing to polish his stick skills, knew about positioning and passing.  Dougal took on the right half position and showed speed and strength when taking on the Riley defence. A player to watch in the future!

Ollie Farr didn't get to do much, once again, but when he was called into action he saved two otherwise certain goals by good 'logging' and foot work. the team is glad they have him behind them as he is improving his skills and saving techniques.

This was a close-fought match and Riley will be disappointed that they did not score a goal. They deserved to but they did not pounce on their opportunities as quickly as Belhaven. This team is looking stronger each time it takes to the astro and with Monday's training session being headed by Strathallan coaches and their 1st XI boys and girls, more skills will be garnered and hopefully put into action against our next opponents - Loretto.

A great game of hockey, boys. Well done all of you.

The one that got away!

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