Sunday 16th March 2008 - Mercian Home Counties Under 14 Play-off 1/4 Final
After a week of questions with very few answers about what was going on with our U14 division, we finally found out that we had done enough to qualify for the 1/4 finals. Defeats against Southgate and High Wycombe aside, our U14’s have shown some real strength and quality throughout the season. My personal highlights were our crushing win against Staines (9 - 2), which could so easily have been 12 or 13 and our 5 - 1 win over Gerrards Cross when the chips were down.
Before I describe what was a very, very good game of hockey I must say that the scoreline, I felt did not reflect the balance of play. The pre-match team talk was based around what we needed to do to be in with a chance and that as long as the team did the basics well and gave everything then win or lose there would have nothing to feel aggrieved about.
The boys seemed up for the game, even without Phil Lewis at the back and some half fit players we knew we were in with a chance, the game didn’t start well though. Ashford were on the back foot from the off with Teddington going ahead after just 2 minutes. Doggers made a string of at least 6 saves between 1 - 0 down and 2 - 0 down after 15 mins and it was becoming a big task to stay in the game.
It was at this point the boys got a grip and started to play their hockey. A good move down the right side led to our first real attack and chance. Ryan Holland was on the end of a pass into the attacking area, he proceeded to beat 2 defenders and move across the D and finished with the trademark reverse into the top right corner of the net, quality and 2 - 1.
Teddington went onto the attack straight from their pushback and with some incisive play made it 3 - 1 after 18 minutes. Almost straight away Ashford hit back and the pressure was applied. Ryan Holland yet again got the shot away with the ‘keeper saving well, Alex Betts in true Gordon Smith style knocked in the rebound to make it 3 - 2. At this point Ashford were in the ascendency and continued to apply the pressure and search for a leveller. This attacking play led to our downfall as Teddington nicked a fourth and soon after a fifth. This spell of 10 - 12 minutes after had we made it 3 - 2 was to proove crucial as Teddington eventually ended the half 7 - 2 ahead and almost out of sight.
The half-time team talk was ‘heads up lads’ and lets get the next goal. We discussed how we could help stop Doggers and Dom HiIlman from having to do too much more last ditch, goal saving defending. I guess it worked.
Ashford started the second half the better side and within 5 minutes made the score 7 - 3 with a nice reverse Peter Cottrell esque hit from Ryan Holland. The second half continued to be a very even affair, some better defending from us and some good midfield play from Dasmesh Sandu, Alex Betts and Luke Wheeler kept the boys in possesion of the ball for good periods. Hard working Blake Harris, continued to run the right hand channel well and got on the end of some well placed Holland aerials. Eventually the size and strength
advantage was to take hold with Teddington scoring 3 times in the last 15 minutes, one from a penalty stroke given by umpire SMITH . That 10 seconds of play summed the game up. We showed how much we wanted to win, we gave every effort and some gave more and we were just out played by a more incisive team. The game ended 10 - 3 to Teddington, but could so easily have been much, much closer.
Peter and I signed off on how proud we were of the teams achievements this season and what a good account we thought the boys had given. Man of the Match Ian Doggett proved once more that he was becoming a very good goalkeeper, Dom Hillman showed the quality and attitude that would make me push him forward for county hockey next season and Ryan Holland our captain and talisman showed what a player he is and that he could step up to Regional hockey.
Well done all of you!
Ian
