As this was the first game of the league season, I will buck tradition and write a match report that actually has anything to do with the game.

Pros coming into the game: beautiful weather, new season energy (albeit too early, I remain a firm believer that it must logically be possible to play hockey after Easter even if England Hockey East don't agree), and Nev's beautiful formation plan etched in our minds like the masterwork it was. Cons coming into the game: 3 subs had dwindled to one through a mixture of umpiring/injury based absence and mystery box absence that earned Craig a couple of lemon votes...fortunately for him not a deciding factor in the end.

The story of the game is captured by the goal times. 1-0 to Wisbech after 5 minutes. 1-1 within 10. 2-1 after a few more minutes. Wisbech had a good through-ball and were crafty and strong in the D but we did work it out and stabilise the game. After that, 2-1 for an agonisingly long time as both teams took a slew of chances. Ryan in goal performed incredibly on some complex, tough D action and a number of short corners, keeping us in the game as we made - but failed to convert - our own chances. Those chances generated by some excellent midfield link-up play, Rob's goal was from a strong hit in by Stu C and it was far from the only one on either account. Stu, Luke and Noah likewise contributed some quality crosses and play, whilst Jude was an incredible wing threat finding space to receive and drive the ball into danger. Special credit for an aerial takedown on the sideline that kept the ball in play, moved it ahead and led into a run - which prompted a "how did he do that" from a Wisbech player with whom I shared the view.

Defensively we had a whale of a time, switching positions more than usual and gaining a lot for it. Harry especially was feeling it out away from his normal position but found an excellent balance, especially using his speed to never be taken out of the game. How annoying to be the forward who win a ball and drives forward only to find the defender back in front of you so casually. Meanwhile Nuwan, Etienne and James did some great hard marking to fix our earlier gaps, and dynamic shape play to get the ball out and contribute to the attack.

Unfortunately after all that the next goal was nevertheless to be Wisbech's. I don't honestly remember which was which but the story for the rest of the game was our not quite making anything of our short corners and other attacking chances, while Wisbech played solidly and found a 4th goal. Not going to worry about that one, if anything we switched to attack more strongly and left a gap, but that's correct play when behind. See: game theory.

Man of the match went to (at the time of writing) equally Jude and Harry - each a powerhouse in their areas opposite one another on the field. The spread of voting picked up plenty of other players, reflecting the balance of the game.  Special mention should also be given to Stu C, on account of his incredible link play in the first half.

And finally, most importantly, lemon voting might have been complicated except for an outrageous incident that clearly riled the team even more than our missing player. At half time Rob, in an effort to pass a bag of jelly babies 30 centimetres, gave it the perfect spin and trajectory to instead spray jelly baby armageddon across the team area. He then followed it up by not scoring more, which seems to have cemented the deal. To those that ate the floor jelly babies: I admire your spirit.