 Senior Boys' Hockey News 
1st XI v Fettes
click here for the season's statistics so far - excel file
click here for the season's statistics so far - adobe pdf file
| Result |
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Goal Scorers: |
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| Belhaven |
5 |
|
George Cuthbert |
1 |
|
| Fettes |
1 |
|
Tom Stodart |
4 |
|
Final match, final flourish! Fettes had unfortunately lost 5 of their 1st team players to injury, but even though they were fielding a weakened team Belhaven still had to produce a high standard of hockey to penetrate the defence. And at last quick, early shots at goal were made.
Exploiting the right side of the pitch, Dougal Forsyth showed strength, skill and speed to drive the ball upfield. Some great crosses produced many scoring opportunities and twice in the first half Tom Stodart got himself in a position to sweep in two goals from such passes. Caspar Rogers was also in evidence, battling his way around the circle. His stick skills are now very good and he just needs to develop a method to release the ball quickly towards goal - he has potential to score many goals as he positions himself so well.
From a penalty corner George Cuthbert controlled the ball well and fired a low shot that beat the keeper. The rest of the team plied their trade well: Henry Roberts was back on form, as left wing, showing solid stick skills to bamboozle the backs and was ably supported by Freddy Rogers, whose skill with the ball has improved enormously and who now takes the ball smoothly about the pitch and delivers accurate passes.
George and Douglas, the centre and right half respectively, got themselves a bit bunched up but provided solid mid-field defence and when attacking opportunities arose took them swiftly to move the ball. Just a little bit more awareness that, when the right is over-used, there must be acres of space available on the left and to exploit that would enhance their hockey.
All three backs - the trio of Leo, Archie and Ali - blocked most advances by Fettes, though there were one or two heart-in-mouth moments when speed of clearances was a bit suspect. Or wild sweeping stick actions were made without contacting the ball (you know who you are!). Olly Farr had a couple of saves to make but again he was under no undue pressure as a result of the defence soaking up the attack plays.
The second half saw a well-deserved Fettes' goal - slightly sloppy defence work gave Fettes an open goal, which they took! But the game was in no doubt and Tom Stodart clocked up two more. The last goal was a well-worked classic! George Innes Ker, brought on as right half, powered his way down the right, square-passed the ball smartly to the top of the circle where Tom was waiting and deftly swept it past the goalie.
The other reserves, Geordie Younger and Andrew Watson, played well to show that this team has strength and depth. A fitting way to end the season and all of you should be proud of your development throughout it. Well done all of you.
But the best is yet to come as The Fathers' and Staff XIs are, as I type, limbering up and finishing off their fitness routines, honing their aerial flicks and attaching spikes to their sticks for the forthcoming encounters - watch out boys!
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