Match Reports
11/03/06
Old Bordenian 2's 1-4 Men's 3rd XI
All too often this season it has been a sad Monday morning when your humble scribe must describe how the fickle finger of fate has conspired to rob the 3s of another win to propel them up the table. However, this day luck did not play even the tiniest part.
With mid-table mediocrity still looming and the league leaders by a country mile to entertain, things did not look good. However, when you view the line up with the awesome triumvirate of Begs (returning rejuvenated after visiting his alpine retreat), Prucey (back from injury) and Delea (slipping back seamlessly into his tenth team position of the season) thoughts began to move towards what could be famous battle. Coupled with the lesser spotted Dan Hacking and another 5’s legend Bondy answering Dan’s cry for help Brighton were feeling good.
What followed in the next hour was without doubt the 3s finally matching their potential by playing easily their best hockey of the season so far to sweep the league leaders before them. It really was a joy to watch with every player playing to their strengths with a great team spirit. This match should have been recorded to be made into an instruction video on how to win!
The thrilling 3s started brightly and took an early lead after good work from Dave Delea left Graham Pruce to finish with aplomb.
This settled the nerves and the 3s were soon well into their stride. Old Bords showed that they are a class outfit with a few sniffs of goal but these were easily dealt with by the defence.
Brighton soon were 2-0 up after Begs finished in true Begs style, his work on the piste has appeared to pay off. Ed was the provider as he has been so often this season.
The 3s went from strength to strength and the defence got more resolute with Dan and Bondy at its heart. With an assured defence and the incisiveness of the attack the 3s collective confidence grew and grew. This nearly reached fever pitch after a flowing move from sweeper to striker culminated in a deft lob from Prucey which hung in the air for an eternity before falling onto the crossbar. Brighton had their tails up and went in at half time comfortably 2-0 up.
The half time team talk focussed minds on not allowing Old Bords any route back. However, disaster struck as the only defensive momentary lapse of concentration allowed Old Bords to half the deficit within minutes of the restart.
Captain Dan was determined to not let this lead slip and after a powerful run down the wing he picked out Dave Delea on the top of the D who with some deft skill coupled with awesome power fired past the ‘keeper to restore Brighton’s 2 goal cushion.
Old Bords never gave up but never looked like breaking the defence down and the win was sealed after Prucey profited from some frankly comical defending by Old Bords ‘keeper and sweeper.
With the two teams above Brighton drawing and losing they have edged up to 4th with only 4pts and a game in hand on the team in 3rd. Talk of mid-table mediocrity has now been banished as 3s have the sights firmly on 3rd place, and who knows with these guys anything is possible.
Every single player is worthy of praise and so we shall praise them all in turn.
These names should, no WILL go down in history.
Dave Brooks - A quiet game thanks to some heroic defending by the boys in front of him but when called upon in the early exchanges he was equal to the Old Bords’ best efforts.
Sean ‘Silver Fox’ Mullens - An inspired performance both defensively and going forward and once again showed the legs still have it by marking faultlessly.
Dan Hacking - Seamlessly fitted into the back four with composure and guile.
Bondy - This guy has it all in spades not only is he the clubs second highest scorer but he can tackle like a god. I’d like to see Greg Nicholl defending like that! (actually, Greg did rather well on Sunday - Ed)
Tosh - Some tenacious tackling and dogged marking meant very little got down the left flank.
Ed Thrash - Again a mix of skill and determination and legs that don’t seem to stop running and another great assist to add to his growing tally.
Dave Delea - Instrumental again to everything in the centre of the park and scored a beauty when a goal was needed to kill off any thought of an Old Bords revival.
Tom Scopes - The kind of guy you’d miss if he wasn’t there tireless tackling, passing and running to make the space for Delea.
Dan Simpson - Another great Captains display in defence and attack he always seemed to be there, I bet his legs were stiff on Sunday!
Begs - With his mixture of experience and thunderbolt strike Old Bords were lost to find an answer to him.
Prucey - Another amazing game from the wizard.
Goal Scorers Begs, Pruce 2, Delea.
DB