As the title suggests, Josh has cleverly managed to circumvent his duties of match report writing for a second time. So here I am one week later providing a brief summary of what was quite possibly the M3s best performance of the season. You may be wondering where my usual ecstatic and unhinged news reporter character that I usually employ has gone. His absence is twofold. The first is an act of petulance in response to Ash side eyeing me as he said, “you always write your reports in the same way”. I hope you’re happy Ash!! The second is related to my mood at this very moment for which I draw your attention to the Peterborough game that took place this weekend. 

Anyway, moping over, the M3s battle against the Uni 4s was nothing short of spectacular. Going into the game, following a shaky performance against Kettering a week earlier, the team knew they would have to bring out their A game against one of the runaway promotion chasers. The boys stepped up to the challenge, starting with a strong and positive press that stifled the Uni’s early pressure. Midway through the first half, the Uni managed to sneak a player in behind our defence, and he put away the first goal of the game. Half time came with the south lads a goal down but filled with positivity.

As the second half progressed, it was clear that the M3s had each drunk a vial of liquid luck. Things just seemed to go our way. In a game of limited chances for the 3s, 2 short corners ended in goals for the us, both coming off the sticks of unfortunate Uni defenders, seeing the boys go 2-1 up with 10 minutes left in the game. As an added sign that luck was on our side, when an unnamed defender decided to pass the ball to the Uni striker in our D, the Uni player felt guilty for how easily he had been presented with this opportunity and decided to kick the ball away in a sign of humbleness not typically seen by hockey strikers. 

The game ended 2-1 to the M3s and the boys joyfully stumbling over to match tea. It was a colossal effort from every player on the pitch and a well-earned victory came our way as a result. Douglas was the recipient of the man of the match award for his out-of-this-world defensive performance. An additional nod ought to be given to the entire M3s defence that day who kept their composure against a very well drilled and dangerous hockey side. 

Outstanding all around!!