Match Report
Match Report - 23 Jan 2010, Aldershot and Farnham Hockey Club Mens 2 beat Southampton 3
Well what a week it has been for the hard working captain's of Aldershot and Farnham. With poor availability it was a real struggle to get 11 out on the pitch, let alone a strong 11.
However, the men's 2nd XI put the weeks drama behind them and were completely focussed on the game at hand, a home fixture against a depleted Southampton 3rd XI. It seems poor availability is epidemic.
However, recalling former Aldershot and Farnham icons, Matthew Marsh and Dave Jervis, Aldershot had a strong looking side, with Dave Jervis acting as the 12th man, hoping for only a 10 minute cameo.
The game started well with Aldershot gaining early possession and building up some threatening attacks. The home side new an early goal was key and that was exactly what was delivered when Leon Shrewsbury took advantage of a loose ball in the D and neatly slotted it home.
Shortly after a collision of sticks, players pitch and who else knows what saw Aaron Buchanan having to leave with a damaged back. Hospital reports later confirmed ligament damage, so the team send their utmost sympathies. Dave Jervis was then unleashed, slightly earlier than planned. However this did at least release Jamie Strachan from is unfamiliar position at right back.
Luckily a 2's legend was on hand to act as cover on the bench. The first half continued with some good aggressive play by Aldershot and Farnham, but was perhaps at times, being a little bit messy and untidy at the back. However, a well earned 1-0 lead was a good position for the home side to be in and Southampton were not really offering anything to change the score line.
The second half the home side were more confident and more focussed on getting a good result and rectifying the mistakes made last week down in Bournemouth (that is Bournemouth not Basingstoke).
Goals were a plenty in the second half, with Aldershot and Farnham displaying some clinical one touch hockey and short sharp passes. Every player looked confident and controlled on the ball. It was only inevitable that a goal would come and Daz Brooks duly delivered, with a trademark Daz finish. Well he doesn’t usually poach goals so blatantly, but we will forgive him this once.
This goal was followed up by a further goal, with a wonderful diving and rolling effort from jimmy Humphreys, with a stunning return to form.
Southampton were disheartened and getting increasingly agitated, even though it was the home captain who got the talking to. With Southampton on what seemed to be self destruct, Aldershot and Farnham took full advantage and Matt Marsh slid one under the goal keeper and then Jimmy Humphreys finished off an emphatic display with his second of the game.
The most pleasing aspect, was Aldershot and Farnham keeping their first clean sheet of the season, and the way the team bounced back so strongly after the disappointment last week.
Aldershot and Farnham Hockey Club Mens 2 5 - 0 Southampton 3