Mens 2nd XI Vs Cheam M1

A tough one to swallow as the 2s went down 3–2 to Cheam 1s, but what a game it was. Some of the best hockey we’ve played so far: free-flowing, attacking and at times unplayable. Shame the scoreboard didn’t quite agree…

We started strong, and controlled the game after several chances Benji won us a penalty flick which Miles cooly dispatched “panenka-esque” he called it. It then got a bit tighter and soon after Cal pulled up to the sidelines with his face covered in blood, not entirely sure what happened there but the game stopped for medical treatment and we were down to a bare 11. We held on a bit longer but Cheam came back and equalised and it was 1-1 going into half time.

Cue the second half and we looked completely on top, having chance after chance Benji nearly went round the keeper for a solo goal from a pacey counter. Then Harry put us 2-1 up from a tidy finish after a square ball across the D. We then tired and a weary looking Mens 2s then conceded 2 quick goals from Cheam to give them the lead late into the game. 

We then came at them looking to equalise but poor Harry’s legs gave up on him when cramp struck at the worst possible time, and he slowly collapsed to the floor beside the free hit on the sideline with only 2 minutes on the clock.. But not before nearly decapitating a Cheam defender with the world’s most dangerous swing and a miss.

The umpires also got plenty of exercise flashing cards. Cal and Seb took early trips to the bench, while I managed to bag myself a five-minute yellow. I genuinely thought I was 5 away but…

In the end, we just ran out of gas. The effort was there, the hockey was superb, but it just wasn’t meant to be. Still—if we keep playing like that, the Ws will come.

Jiano