Mens 2 Vs Cambridge South 3

Saints Team:    M2     Opposition: Cambridge South 3s         Score (SNHC first): 2-5

Venue: Wilberforce Road sports ground, Cambridge       Date and PB time: 26/09/20 2pm           

Weather: Chilly with drizzle

Spirit: Competitive, tough, clean

First half report plus score: Saints got off to a calamitous start in their first league game as Chris Butterworth gifted Cambridge South a goal inside the first minute. An onslaught of fast, attacking hockey ensued from South who went 2-0 as the ball bounced in off Saints’ keeper Simon Gautrey. A 3rd goal soon followed, with left back Tim Bates unable to cut out a cross, which looped into the air and was knocked in at the back post by a jubilant South. A stunning 4th looked set to be sending Saints on the way to a humiliating defeat, as a crash ball into the D was deftly deflected inside the near post by an attacker with his back to goal, leaving keeper Gautrey with no chance. However, Saints began to look for their strikers, Adam Horlock and Danny Rowland, with early balls and were rewarded with some success going forwards, without creating any clear cut chances. As the game began to seem more even, South grabbed another goal to go 5-0 up with a little over 25 minutes played. However, this was to be the last goal the home team would score as Saints tightened up the midfield and defence, with Bates putting in a sublime performance at left back for the remainder of the game, ably dealing with one of South’s best young players. Saints had something to smile about at the half time interval as a short corner, well won after a clever through ball from right back Paul Ray was kept in by Butterworth on the backline, was converted by Rowland after Butterworth’s initial strike was saved by the keeper. Half time score 1-5.              

Second half report plus final score: Despite the opposition having a clear advantage in basic skill levels, Saints had grown into the game by the second half and despite not having any subs, didn’t tire. Captain Mike Hornby put in a great shift on the right of midfield, effectively linking the defence with attack despite constant pressure from his marker. A second goal, which proved to be the winner for the second half, came 15 minutes after the restart, after a great ball from the left by Horlock unleasing Horny and Rowland in a 2 on 1. After exchanging two passes, Rowland was able to work an angle on the keeper who’d stepped out of his goal, and slapped the ball into the same corner he’d scored in during the first half. Despite numerous attacks by the young and energetic South attack, Saints held firm throughout the second half and did not concede, with Richard Wang and Will Zvetsloot combining with Hornby in midfield to help protect the defence. With the final score 5-2, Saints did well to stem the flood of goals conceded early on, and the performance bodes well for the season and should yield results against weaker teams in the league.

Best goal for Saints: Danny Rowland 1st goal, hit into bottom left corner from top right of D

Best save for Saints:   Near post save, tipping the ball around the post from a close range effort.

Best defensive moment: Tim Bates outpacing a 17 year-old winger to track back and make a last ditch tackle as South were about to shoot with the goal at their mercy

POM and why: Tim Bates, just pipped 2 goal Danny Rowland, for an outstanding defensive display

Funny moment:

Controversial moment: Short corner given against Saints during the opening barrage from South, for a lifted ball from captain Mike Hornby, incensing the Saints’ defenders.

Anything else: Opposition are pushing for promotion this season so Saints are hoping for easier games in the coming weeks

Where is the team placed now in the league? Played one, lost one