Match Reports
08/03/08
Lewes 4s 0-3 Men's 4th XI
In my short time at Brighton hockey club it has been no mystery that there exists some good natured rivalry between the two closest clubs in the league. Good natured but one on which I have been on the losing side two out of three times. One of those was in a cup final thrashing which still leaves a nasty taste in my mouth (although that might have been from the pint of Off Piste from the pub near Shoreham station on the pub crawl back home). As I have said before a revengeful victory is best served freezing cold, in a gale, with some sideways rain up at Stanley Deason.
This week though a mighty 4s team had been assembled from some of the finest players that have graced the team sheet over the season. Bondy, (who has arguably been one of the catalysts for the change of form we have seen in the second half of the year) again shone. He is also the player most likely to make Lees have a panic attack about if he is taken. Calm down Sleaze, we’ll bring him back on.
We also welcomed two players who’s ability on the ball is unquestionable and who both may have played their last games for the 4s this season. JC (it is no coincidence that he shares his initials with the messiah) and Yann “The Man”. Both players artisans of their trade the, ‘80s Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett of hockey, if you will, players at their very zenith. There has been no greater sight than how with a flick of the wrist and a drag of a ball that JC can bedazzle two men (but boys in his presence) and how Yann can charge from the right flank at full gallop leaving a trail of mere mortals in his wake.
Despite a team with such luminaries the Super 4s are a team that oscillate from calamity to success and back again with such dismaying rapidity and regularity.
They lead you on and then they let you down, they let you down and then suddenly they are all over you again. They seem to draw strength from their own capriciousness
However, it was team oozing with skill like how a hot fat dribbles on to your chin like battery acid from a greasy spoon burger. We had a team boasting players from france south Africa, cockney land where the streets are paved with gold, sarf’ick, and even a potty-mouthed Englishman from vogue gyratory. But that is the beauty of it; a team of such disparate parts that when it works, works wonderfully.
I knew it was going to be one of those days when after having a quick chat with the oppo’s goalkeeper, (during which I discovered that one of their players had bought a hockey skirt that morning and was wearing it under his shorts. I always thought we got hassled for being sexually bohemian, perhaps that moniker should switch to Lewes from now on) I turned to see the entire squad warming up with the one ball. Quelle surprise, you may think, business as usual in the 4s. But this was no normal warm up with a clock like passing routine whilst Graham Stevens tries his best to break the ball, net, goal, fence, his stick by hitting the ball as hard as he can, it was a proper warm up with teams and passing and moving and stuff…
Two waves of emotion came over me, the first was “What the hell is going on?! I didn’t order this, who’s in charge round here!?” I had to resist the urge to break it up, I looked to see if College was there for moral support (but he was playing for the vets) I looked for my trusty vice sheff, he would have no part in this, but where was he? The turn coat was in amongst them laughing and joking… I felt like The Bounty had been taken from me. Had I become Captain Bligh!?. The second wave of emotion was one of pride. Clearly my superior man management skills of delegation and empowerment of the individual had worked. I had created such an atmosphere of ease for my players that the felt confident to use their initiative for the greater good. I nodded proudly and strolled over to JC who had arrived to discuss how the Stanley Deason pitch was looking a little dry… JC rubbed his hands in the loose sand nodded and it began to rain……. Amazing I think you’ll agree.
The warm up worked wonders and we started like a drag racer and were all over Lewes and without exaggerating we set up camp like an invading Greek army outside Troy. It was only a matter of time until the relentless pressure told and we took the lead when Dan Benson continued his rich run of form finishing smartly with a powerful flick to give us the lead. The defence was resolute, as Lewes were no mugs, but with Potter still enjoying the form of his life and the ever consistent Ready I had a very boring first half, just the way I like it.
The pressure was maintained but without satisfaction. A fresh injection of legs was needed and on came young CJ who immediately made an impact instigating a smart move which was finished smoothly and smartly by Graham to show he has the deftness of touches to match his sledgehammer. It also brought Graham back up to joint top scorer for the season with Matt on 12. Exciting stuff.
The half was finished by another super finish from JC after good work from Dan and at 3-0 surely there would be more.
The second half was more of the same great hockey but no goals. Not sure what it is with us and second half performances. Yann as good as begged us to score more goals at half time but the final touch just wasn’t there.
We ran out easy winners and with the added bonus of our second clean sheet of the season. I can take no credit for it though as it was Shef who made an incredible last ditch challenge to ensure my goal remained pure.
Special mention for our old “plate” Jamie who played in four different positions with equal ability. Great stuff.
This result, a real six-pointer, pushes Lewes into the danger zone and we now need just three points from our last two games to be sure of safety. Surely we can do that…?
DB