Match Reports
15/03/09
Didsbury Northern 0-1 Men's 2nd XI
A capacity Falmer crowd basking in the early afternoon sunshine saw the unbeaten Brighton Hockey Boat-Race team win by 1 ½ pints. Brighton and Kenny dominated from the front, not his favourite position. The race was of course in celebration of a win that saw Luke Williams score again to send a jubilant unbeaten Brighton 2nd XI to finals day in Manchester.
Brighton started well and within minutes had their first of many chances; Kenny Rogers striking wide from the top of the D. The next 15 minutes saw Didsbury steel themselves and press Brighton well, keeping them in their half of the field but creating few chances.
Brighton then worked themselves back into the game with the forwards working hard to create space, chances fell to Jamie Hendricks, Alan McGuinness and Sam Forster, but none could be converted.
The first and only goal of the game came from a short corner routine that has seen success in every game it has been tried. Dan Hore and Luke Williams combined with class to guide the ball into the back of the net much to the delight of the supporters. Williams now has an impressive 5 goals from the last 4 games.
The second half began with the now legendary war cry from planet Dermot, this spurred on Brighton who were starting to dominate in terms of quality of play as Didsbury began to tire. The Brighton defence were solid and in-particular Neil Burlinson in goal, who dealt with several one-on-ones brilliantly.
Didsbury’s discipline let them down and Brighton were able to create chances, Mike Deller-Mericks and Jamie Hendricks both coming close before Kenny was brought down in the D and awarded a penalty flick. This should have closed out the game but Kenny put the flick to the keepers right where it was saved.
Brighton weren’t faltered by this and continued to press forward, Sam Forster coming close with his now trade-mark over the bar effort from close range. Dermot had a moment of inspiration when he launched an on-the-run aerial down the left wing. However the game wasn’t over and some slack passing from Brighton saw Didsbury have several short corners, but again the solid Brighton back four stood strong.
The treble dream at the start of the season is now coming ever closer to a reality, with the league title secured and the opposition in Manchester on May 10th confirmed as Eastcote who Brighton have already beaten comfortably twice this season. The only question now is whether the Boat-Race team can keep up their form.
Written by:
Oli Postlethwaite