Match Report
Match Report - 05 Dec 2009, Aldershot and Farnham Hockey Club Mens 2 beat Havant 4
An outstanding performance from the second XI this week as Havant 4s were toppled after their undefeated season.
The home side were more than up for the challenge and looked forward to the tough match that lay ahead.
After watching the Mens 4s struggle earlier in the day and the Ladies 2s unlucky defeat, the hallowed Heath End turf was proving to be a bit of a curse. However, trust the mens 2s to rectify that.
The game started pretty ordinarily and it was Havant who were looking the more threatening, winning the odd short corner and throwing arials over the back four.
It was Havant with the initial break through with a well executed short corner, drilling the ball in to the back boards, Hamish Hall having no chance.
This only stirred AFHC in to stepping up a couple of gears, and it wasn't long before they were looking more fluid going forward. Matt deSouza, Ian Grobler and Jamie Strachan all linking up well. Tom Harris meanwhile was more interested in off pitch activities, mainly being ill.
Shortly before half time however, Aldershot won a very much needed short corner. There was some debate as to what routine to choose, but Metcalfe stuck to his guns and called number three. McCardle duly stepped up and after a perfect injection, swept the ball in to the goal when it was passed back to him.
Half time came at the right time and it was evident that Havant were getting despondent and agitated, especially a certain number 7 who believed it necessary to challenge every decision.
After the break, Aldershot played the far better hockey, with some good creative attacking play. Havant alloed the home side to press on and attack, sitting in their own half and giving the ball away cheaply.
Play after play resulted in many great opportunities, with great service provided to Geoff, Phil and Tom upfront. Aldershot were looking every bit the confident side they have been all season and it was no fluke that Tom Harris found the net, even though he scuffed the ball.
Aldershot knew against a team of this caliber that 2-1 would not be enough to secure victory and had to continue to attack and play aggressive hockey. Although this did not lead to any further goals the attacking play produced continued to frustrate Havant.
2-1 the final score and it was a joy to behold. Many thanks to Dave Jervis and Mike Budd for umpiring with confidence and aplomb.
Aldershot and Farnham Hockey Club Mens 2 2 - 1 Havant 4
| 1 | Hamish Hall
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Its always good to have someone as good as Hamish in goal. I have every confidence in the youngster.
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| 2 | Neil Metcalfe
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ok.
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| 3 | Matt Leman
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Shady patches ion the first half, but recitfied it all with some splendid tackling, calm and confident performance from the young man, a great cakes.
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| 4 | Chris Randall
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Reliable, resolute and confident.
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| 5 | Andrew McCardle
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MOM. Outstanding performance
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| 6 | jay bibby
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A gritty and determined performance
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| 7 | Ian Grobler
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A good performance from the Springbok.
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| 8 | Matt deSouza
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Played wonderfully on the right midfield, unlucky not to get more time in the oppo D
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| 9 | Jamie Strachan
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Continues to shine on the left.
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| 10 | Geoff Smith
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Defended from the front.
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| 11 | Philip Ellis
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Good performance
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| 12 | Tom Harris
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The pre-match ritual worked wonders.
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