Good morning hockey fans!

Match day 20 of the East Hockey League season sees Hertford HC Mens 3rd XI play away at Letchworth Hockey Club today, pushing back at 12:00 noon. (Location: Letchworth Hockey Club (Whitethorn Lane,Letchworth Garden City,Hertford SG6 2DN.)

Tight availability across the club (including injuries and cultural days out for regular 3s players!) leaves the 3s with just 11 players so, unlike recent weeks, there won't be the luxuary of resting on the sidelines.

Hertford 3s won the home game 4-0 when Letchworth were second from bottom but, since then, Letchworth have won 6 of their last 9 games and lost just 2, so may prove more formiddable opposition - especially with home advantage.
Stats suggest that on average Letchworth 3s score 2.11 and concede 3.22 goals per game - although they've scored 27 of their 38 goals scored and conceded just 11 of their 58 goals conceded in the last 9 games. Statistics can be used to paint any picture you want, so lets just make sure they have a below average day today!

Last weeks 2-1 defeat by Rickmansworth 1s was Hertford 3s first loss of 2020; however, don't feel too disheartened as we created plenty of second half chances once we found a sense of urgency. Let's bounce back today, aiming to be mentally and physically ready from the start by warming up together.
Today, lets try to get the ball out wide. It should stretch Letchworth, create space to pass into, and allow players to push forward to apply pressure as a whole rather than leave a gap from front to back - a couple of quick passes could penetrate the Letchworth defence easily.
Let's be proud to wear the red of Hertford HC today, remain disciplined and enjoy it.
Come on you reds!

P.S. For the rubgy: come on you whites / reds (as appropriate!)