After a slow rumble up the A10 across the Fens, the M2s arrived to sunshine and green cricket grounds. It was an inviting setting for an afternoon of sport. The team talk focussed on our hard work at training, and reminders that Wisbech had just come down from Division 1, so weren’t to be dismissed (especially sat top of the table after a 5-1 win against City).
With that done, it was off to play some hockey. It has been suggested that the first half doesn’t bear mentioning, so I won’t describe how the first goal appeared to be deflected silently behind George, instead of the more typical ball-on-stick noise you might expect, nor how the player appeared to limp away instead of celebrating loudly. I will also not be mentioning how the second goal a few minutes later arose from an interception that might have been within playing range of the fouled player after a whistle, rather than the more traditional five metres.
It was clear that Wisbech were keen to get back to playing in Division 1, and throughout the first half were generally first to every ball, even if one of their players had perhaps been taking a little too much inspiration from the ongoing Rugby World Cup. However, there was no doubt about their third goal, played around the defence into the D, and struck into the top corner over a diving George. Nor was there any complaint about their fourth.
That’s not to say South were without chances in the first half. Alec and John were distributing well from the middle, and Matteo was making his presence felt on his M2s debut, playing some smart passes into space. One such passing move built up from the back and worked its way through midfield to Joe on the wing, who played a blinding cross past the keeper to a sprinting Ollie on the back post for a deflection… just inches wide of the mark.
Half time gave us a moment to reflect on our hockey (once Ali had been dragged away from the umpires by a nervous captain). Although some decisions hadn’t gone as expected, we now needed to play our own game, and show them we could compete.
Maz and Pete began mopping up foray after foray and finding space to link in John and Ali. Alec and Eric both got involved in the middle, hassling the Wisbech players and working the ball around when we were in possession. It wasn’t long before strong tackling from the midfield press overturned the ball and it was quickly fired through to Joe up front, alone with the keeper. Joe dragged him wide and calmly struck the ball into the far corner for a goal.
Wisbech were rattled and redoubled their attack, getting a little overexcited in their challenges (according to the umpires’ warnings). Alex had some key tackles to make, and George made several great saves all around the goal, including a dive that clearly impressed the opposition. Will and Ed both put their legs to good use hassling the backline, but it was Matteo’s enthusiastic pressing that seemed to give the Wisbech defenders the hardest time.
As the half wound down, Dave showed his experience in slowing play with an understated tackle, and earned himself a card for the effort. Having missed the whistle, Will was on hand to offer him a breather as he walked off – until Dave explained he would have to wait two minutes! Wisbech kept up the pressure right till the end, and an intercepted ball out of defence gave them their only goal of the half.
On to next week then, with some lessons learned and a reminder that we can play some good hockey, even when things don’t seem to be going our way.