Hertford 6s 1 Blueharts 6s 6

Promotion into div 6 was always going to be a tough challenge, the upward progression of a number of players from last season’s side into team’s higher up the club, the introduction of a number of players from the 7s (2 leagues lower) and a few of our younger players playing adult hockey for the first time I feel it’s a good time to reflect on the first half of the season and the progress we are making as a team for this week’s match report.
So let’s forget the score line and look at the positives from the game and the season so far. So the game, Blueharts 6 are the higher of the 2 teams they have in our league and as it stands are in 4th place of some good sides. We competed very well for the first half and were the equal of Blueharts and unlucky not to convert a couple of chances but we conceded a good goal to go in 1 down at half time. Blueharts stepped up a level in the second half and started to move the ball quickly creating space despite a massive effort from our players, particularly in midfield.
We continued to make some good chances and Ian got a superb solo goal following a restart, dribbling the ball the whole half of the pitch to reverse stick the ball past the keeper.
As I reflect on yesterday’s game despite the result I am extremely pleased of the progress we are making, as a team in the way we play and in the way we are keeping a much better shape throughout the games we play. We have an excellent attitude and very rarely do I see a head drop when we go behind, and yes we have been on the wrong side of the results but not through attitude or effort.
Yesterday we had a great balance 8 of our younger players and 8 more senior players (Tim and myself having played 98 years between us for Hertford) There were some outstanding performances yesterday, James F playing one of his best games this season, Geoff showing that he is more than capable of stepping up to div 6, Alastair moving into a new position in central defence and acquitting himself admirably, the midfield guys all put in a shift as always and when given the opportunity Matt, Ian and Aaron always looked a threat, and a special Captain’s mention must go to Elliot in goal made some excellent saves in only his 2nd Adult game well done.
So to conclude this week’s review, we have made some good progress as a team this season so far, many of you youngsters will go on to play at this level and higher. There is absolutely no disgrace to losing to a better side buts it’s the way you react and we have done that very well so far this season, so let’s move on and look forward to a good game against our 5s next Saturday.
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