Match Report
Match Report - 03 Oct 2009, Aldershot and Farnham Hockey Club Mens 2 drew with Bournemouth 3
A slightly longer match report this week, thanks to Ferg who complained at last weeks efforts. So this is mainly for his benefit.
So...
With strikers missing left, right and centre this week, the captain had a selection dilemma up front. Useful words from Faz after a recent pub trip, suggested that Jay Bibby should start upfront. However, the captain knew best and went with Aaron Buchanan and let the angry Scotsman cause some havoc.
Things started well, with the captain winning his third consecutive toss and chose to take push back. However the initial fifteen minutes saw AFHC on the backfood as a strong Bournemouth side attacked and pressed. However, the defence were lucky as time and again they wasted oopportunities to take an early lead.
After the initial barrage, AFHC broke and played more free hockey and a good link up play though the midfield to the forwards saw Aaron Buchanan slot home the first goal of the game with a neat finish. High praise indeed to the captain for his selection choice. Hugo McCulloch and Ian Grobler were particularly beginnning to form a strong partnership in the centre of midfield and the possession was Aldershots.
The first blood to Aldershot only made them more confident and they continued to pressure a frail and weak Bournemouth back line. A succession of attacking play gave Aldershot and Farnham their first short corner. After half an hour practicing short corners on the previous training session, AFHC were well drilled, at least in the straight strike. A good injection from Macca (making his well earned and much welcomed return) saw Ian Grobler stike perfectly in to the corner. 2-0.
Aldershot were playing some good attacking hockey and looking more reassured and focused at the back and shortly before the half time break, Aldershot and Farnham won another short corner. This time a Macca injected a ball slightly off target but Neil Metcalfe managed to correct, but took the strike himself. This rare feet of attacking play by Metcalfe saw him strike low and hard in to the bottom left hand corner. 3-0 and some rather embarressing celebrations from the skipper followed. But who cares, when you score as infrequently as he does, your entitled to go a bit mad.
The half time break came at the wrong time, with the momentum firmly with Aldershot and Farnham. After the break, Aldershot and Farnham looked sluggish and Bournemouth rejuvinated and inspirational after the break.
The Aldershot and Farnham defence sat too deep (thanks mainly to their dodgy sweeper) as Bournemouth came at them hard and fast. Attack after attack was inevitbaly only going to bring goals. 3-1.
After the first goal, Aldershot and Farnham again failed to press forward allowing Bournemouth to attack and shortly after their first goal, their second followed. There was a real sense that AFHC could lose this game f things didnt change. 3-2.
After a period of defensive play Aldershot and Farnham began to attack again, but thier weakened forward line was evident as they failed to take chances, instead allowing Bournemouth to break and slot in the equaliser. 3-3
Aldershot were obviously dispapointed but not defeated. They continued to try to attack to search for a winner, but after several failed one on ones it fell to Hugo McCulloch for a late winner, but his chance blocked in dubious circumstances meant the game ended as a draw.
Aldershot and Farnham disapointed with capitulating in the second half, after a brilliant passage of play in the first. However, on reflection will be pleased with 3-3 as in balance Bournemouth 3s were the better side over the course of 70 mins.
Finally, another great performance on teas, this week performed by Chris Randall and parents. Hot dogs and chips was a delight.
After the first league match AFHC lie 6th in the table and next week sees them travel to Southampton for another close encounter.
Is this more to your liking Ferg? I bet you don't even read it.
Aldershot and Farnham Hockey Club Mens 2 3 - 3 Bournemouth 3
| 1 | Neil Metcalfe
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1
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DOD
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| 2 | Chris Randall
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Reliable as ever
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| 3 | Hamish Hall
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Made some good saves
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| 4 | Geoff Smith
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Thoroughly nice chap
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| 5 | Matt Leman
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| 6 | Ian Grobler
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1
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| 7 | Jamie Strachan
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| 8 | Andrew McCardle
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Good return for the big man
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| 9 | Aaron Buchanan
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1
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| 10 | A.N. Other
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Hugo - MOM
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| 11 | A.N. Other
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Jay Bibby
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| 12 | Roy Lawler
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Good work rate on the left flank
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| 13 | Ben Whewell
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n/a
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| 14 |
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| 15 |
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| 16 |
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