Southgate Adelaide III 4 - 0 Hertford VI

We ended the autumn term with another friendly defeat. Played in atmospheric fog under the ghostly glow of the Ashmole School floodlights, Southgate Adelaide 3s and friends were a fair bit stronger than Hertford 6s and friends (Jon Green and Rian) but we matched them pretty well for the first half, getting to the break at 0 - 0 with some smart saves from Nick and a bit of luck as two or three shots squeezed just the right side of the post. We built our own play very nicely, with plenty of time and space in midfield, using the whole of the pitch and working our way up and into their D regularly but not really finding the critical touch to get through their very solid defence.

With 16 players to manage, the subs plan worked a treat in the first half, but a reshuffle at half time didn't really pay off and Adelaide gradually took control and began to take their chances more clinically. 4 - 0 was a rather harsh final score as we still managed some pacey counter-attacks, but all in all in was a fun day out played in the best pre-Christmas spirit.

Thanks to John and DPJ for sharing the umpiring.

Three wins and a draw on the pitch looks a thin return on paper (our league results include 2 walkovers) from 15 games, but I think you'll agree we've all had a much bettrer time that the statistics suggest. We've had very few poor games, with 4 of the defeats by the odd goal, and more importantly we have built a large, strong and loyal squad with new faces joining (Nick, Kash, Aaron, Andy, Aodhan, Graham W, Adam) and old friends returning (Daryl, Graham).

We have used 31 players so far......Kash leads the scorers list with 6 at half time. But my greatest pleasure this season was to see Graham White join us from Henley HC, determined to find a new home to play his 50th season of club hockey. May there be many more for him and for all of us.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy and injury-free New Year.

Don't forget we return to action on the 7th, 3.45 home to West Herts. The usual reminders about availability will be waiting for you as you wake from your 1st January lie in.

Geoff