Bishop’s Stortford V 1 - 0 Hertford VI (friendly)

With opposition from the top half of Div 8, I was a little anxious when Dave Harding (flu), Ian Rawlinson (4s) and Daryl Keogh (5s) departed the squad on Friday, leaving me with a yawning gap in midfield.

Happily (thanks for your initiative here Lanky) the Adlam brothers offered to come help us out after their own game, and we finished up with a lively and close game full of good flowing hockey, many shots and chances but surprisingly only one goal.

We nearly struck first, Aaron sweeping home from the top of the D but being adjudged to have shot from just outside the D. BS, also looking a little stronger than a regular Div 8 side, dominated the next phase, and Andy kept us in it with a succession of quality blocks and clearances. With speedy and accurate distribution from the Adlams we repeatedly hit back on the break, Chris and Aodhan both putting their defence under pressure and Tom and Aaron keeping wide and spreading the ball well. We were getting right back into the game when BS finally got their goal, and then we lost Steve Adlam to a nasty cut below the eye. With Graham White stepping up into defensive midfield and cutting out a string of dangerous balls, we dug in hard at the back. Aodhan and Richard put in impressive defensive work, and we held on till half time.

The second period saw end-to-end stuff, both sides committing numbers in the attack. BS continued to get their shots away but rarely found the target. Tony Dean, returning from injury, put some timely tackles in and John, Clive and Graham, often outnumbered as Jon and I raced off up the pitch, scrambled everything else away. As the last quarter went on we came ever close to an equaliser, Tom getting down to the corner on the left to cross, Russ Adlam dribbling through and opening up their D, but as in our other games this season, we couldn’t find the vital final touch.

Once again we raised our game against high class opposition. We have played three tough games this year and lost them all, but only by one goal. Keep it up!