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2nd XI Hockey v Fettes
8th March 2010
After 10 minutes of this match the boys were 1-0 down and I thought my 42nd birthday was going to be ruined along with the well deserved unbeaten record this team had up to this point in the season. My concerns were mainly due to a lack of composure when we had possession and lethargy from a couple of key players when we did not.
A few vociferous analogies bellowed from umpiring position soon got the message across and this brilliant team kicked into action.
Angus Harley, who has found a form worthy of a first team appearance (don’t tell Peeky!), started to dictate proceedings with his energetic dribbling and desire to win possession around the central area of the pitch. Tom Wright his fellow central half, having acclimatised to the pace of the game, also began to fight hard for the ball and distribute with more intelligence.
The two wingers, Charlie Riley and Will Plowden were at their most effective when staying wide and receiving good fast passes. They created our best chances but it was from a well taken penalty corner that Angus hammered home a well struck shot to bring us level.
Continued resistance from a capable Fettes side saw the team’s backs exposed on two or three occasions but one by one Tom, Antonio, Jamie and William all did their jobs to prevent Harry from having to make any further saves. They are a mixture of energy, enthusiasm and power but they all complement each other to make them a very difficult rear guard to break down.
Up front Edward and Rupert were striving to find space but time on the ball was limited by a Fettes defence that swarmed on any miss controlled or loose ball.
Angus put us ahead with a second very well taken goal and then a pattern, shape and purpose to the hockey played by Belhaven emerged. The standard was exceptional with fast hard passes finding their intended targets in space and when possession was lost the rallying done by all to get back goal side was commendable. This meant Fettes just could not compete at our level. The introduction of William Dirkin, Kit GC and Wills Younger did not weaken the side. In fact, Will Plowden produced some winger magic to create a great chance for Dirks who just misfired to early. Edward Wauton was on hand just in case and he extended our lead by scoring from a very clever position just offset from Dirks should, indeed, he misfire.
Not to be out done, the Dirks snapped around like a terrier in the D following more good work from the ever creative Will Plowden. Dirk’s persistence paid off when he forced a ball over the line from close range to complete the scoring.
This outstanding bunch of boys has really gelled and it is looking horribly like I owe them a MacDonalds if they do not lose to Cargilfield on Wednesday.
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Liam Harvey, 09/03/2010 |
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