Letchworth VI 0 - 0 Hertford V

After an uncharacteristic 27 goals in our last four encounters with Letchworth, we have finally returned to the long standing tradition of tight low-scoring games between our respective bottom teams. This was a classic, Division 9 at its best. Lots of vets and a sprinkling of kids, not too much pace, a bit of room and time for both sides to play hockey. And despite the lack of goals, flowing hockey, plenty of good pressure from both sides, gritty experienced defence, so not so many clear cut chances, but some spectacular saves from both keepers, and nail biting to the end. And all played in a fine spirit, no physical stuff, barely a stick tackle all game and not one word back to the umpires.

Letchworth shaded the first half, short corner count was 5 - 0 against us and Geoff rescued us a couple of times when the defence slipped, but we had a few good moves ourselves, got plenty of crosses through their D, but only one shot on target from Tor. After the break we absorbed a long spell of pressure, marking with impressive discipline but struggling to break out. As we moved into the final quarter we began to get the upper hand at last and for the last 10 looked much more likely to score. In fact, Matt and Arjun drew successive stunning saves from their keeper in the final 5, and Matt fired a short corner inches wide on the final whistle. But a goal would have spoilt it really, and honours were rightly shared with our oldest and firmest friends.

Man of the match goes to Dave Roach for turning back Letchworth's trademark storms down the middle time after time. Special mentions to our midfield dynamo Chris and Arjun, and to Matt, showing his old hunger again in the opposition D. But really a great effort from the whole team in workrate, intelligent play and mutual support. We had the confidence to move the ball around the back again, Rob showed his flexibility switching to midfield and even upfront, and we worked some lovely moves up the right touchline, Rian starting to find the deep corners again. My champagne moment was early in the 2nd, Tom getting a tackle in, turning and holding as Steve came up for the pass back, breaking wide to the touch line to receive the return from Steve, drawing the defender and sending Matt away into the corner. Even Dickie Rawlinson would have been impressed.