Match report
10/10/2009 - M2 vs BISHOPS STORTFORD 4
This was certainly the toughest game that this correspondent has played in for a long time. The Bishop's set out their stall early going for the jugular with a great deal of speed & skill on the ball. The 2nds inexperienced defence found it difficult to cope with only the no holds barred Ollie Sole living with the pace of the game. The Bishop's were two up before S & S broke the shackles, the hard working Steve Brookes providing for Trevor Bridger who failed to get a decent shot off. Bridger made up for this a few minutes later with a deft touch on a good Scott Wilsher through ball to collect the S & S first. Unfortunately moments later S & S were three down.
This spurred S & S to play their best hockey of the game as the Bishop's let their foot off the pedal & allowed them to get to their achilees heel, the defence. Daren Scotchford, Alan "Woz" Warren, Pete Fletcher & Gregor Waddell working hard to pressure the Bishop's, firstly Brooksie made his speed tell slipping the ball under the keeper from a Bridger through ball. Woz scoring another with an excellent finish from the top of the D. So 3-3 at half time somewhat flattering to S & S, but they took their chances & the Bishop's did not take as many as they should.
The second half was virtually one way traffic with the Bishop's laying seige to the S & S goal & but for the brilliance of Simon Adams in goal & the bravery of Sole in particular the score could have run into double figures. The Bishop's collected three goals before S & S got out of their half & the only highlight for them was an excellent short corner finish by Brooksie. The Bishop's were able to collect one more goal to win 7 - 4 score which did not flatter them. S & S could take from solace from the fact that going forward they had looked good & collected four goals which would normally have won a game.
Defensive debutantes Ben Holder & Stephen Williams worked hard, but found their first experience at this level tough. S & S Man of the match was by far Adams who put in an outstanding performance.
Team: Simon Adams, Ollie Sole, Paddy Walsh, Gregor Waddell, Stephen Williams, Alan "Woz" Warren, Daren Scotchford, Scott Wilsher, Pete Fletcher, Steve Brookes, Trevor Bridger, Ben Holder