Match Report
Match Report - 28 Nov 2009, Aldershot and Farnham Hockey Club Mens 1 beat Andover 2
An excellent first half team performance of high tempo hockey and quick ball set Aldershot & Farnham up for another three points last Saturday to overtake their opponents Andover in the league table.
A&F were buzzing straight from the first whistle and a crash ball into the ‘D’ from Chris Edwards was deflected by Fergus Lynch but somehow the ball stayed out after hitting the inside of the post.
With the defence fizzing the ball around the back to quickly change the direction of play, A&F were able to get quite a lot of space, particularly on the left where Jack Metcalfe took advantage and this was how A&F scored their first goal. Edwards fired the ball out wide to Jack Metcalfe and with a first time ball down the line, Jonny Groves latched on before crossing in to Ian Metcalfe who sent the ‘keeper to ground and finished on the reverse.
More quick thinking by Jack Metcalfe created the second goal catching the defence unaware he played a ball into brother Ian, who after taking time to set and turn unleashed a strike into the net from the top of the ‘D’
Soon it was three when short corner injector Groves produced a smart finish into the net from a tight angle after a dragged shot from a rebounded short corner.
Andover pulled one back punishing A&F for a momentary lapse and slack marking meaning the Andover forward was able to score from an acute angle with a reverse stick strike. A&F restored their three goal cushion before half time when a good exchange between Jonny Groves and Jack Metcalfe saw Groves finish well into the far corner on the reverse.
A&F continued to threaten after the break and the returning Steve Wicks looked certain to score after good work from Chris Barnes and Groves set him up. His shot hit a defenders shot on the line but Groves was unable to complete his hat-trick from the resultant flick. Soon after it appeared A&F would then have their fifth goal but a quite brilliant save saw a defender hoik the ball off his hip from another Metcalfe strike destined for the far corner.
After this A&F fell away a bit and started to dwell on the ball a little too long. Andover sensed their chance and scored two goals, the first from open play and the second from the softest of short corners.
This brought excitement back into the game and A&F lifted themselves once more and when Edwards picked out Lynch on the right flank, the midfielder drove on before playing a ball into the ‘D’ to Ian Metcalfe who completed his hat trick by rounding the keeper.
Andover were reduced to ten men before the final whistle as one of the midfielders was given yellow for dissent and A&F were not troubled again
Aldershot and Farnham Hockey Club Mens 1 5 - 3 Andover 2