Men's 2nd XI Vs Derwent 4

SNHC 2’s vs Derwent 4’s 27.10.18

Result 4 – 0 – scorers Gary Pickering, Elliot Dixon, Stuart Croston (2)

HT – 1 – 0

Report

South welcomed Derwent to Bingham, both teams entering the contest with an impressive 100% KO record 4 from 4 wins maximum points. Derwent  3rd in the table and the only team not to have conceded a league goal this season were going to be a tough proposition but of course our first objective was to breach their defences and let them know that they were not impenetrable! 

The opening exchanges showed that this was going to be a very tight affair. Derwent had a perfect blend of youth and experience and set up very strongly. Captain Grozzy elected to start with a strong back 4, NB BB WB LP from arguably our strongest line up of this campaign so far, a very astute decision.

The 1st half was a nip and tuck affair with Derwent dominating midfield and possession but seldom cutting through South defences. South were threatening on the counter and looked more incisive but it became clear that they were not just a good side but they had an excellent keeper (only 14). He was not going to be easy to beat as an excellent goal bound deflection at pace from Elliot Dixon was saved!

Midway through the half we managed to break the deadlock after 2 consecutive saves from the keeper the ball fell to Gary Pickering on the p spot who found the side netting off the keeper’s right pad. Excellent to break the deadlock but we all knew we had a game on our hands. Derwent came back at us but the defence held out and we took a hard earned 1-0 lead into half time.

HT team talk was to have a solid start to 2nd half, try and break up their midfield to make it easier to get out from the back. We identified their key players and GP and AS were assigned roles in the middle of the park!

We started well and had more of a handle on the game. About 10 mins into the 2nd half came the critical moment when after a lovely string of passes, Elliot Dixon fired in our second from close range whilst under serious pressure from the defender and with their keeper in no man’s land, an excellent team goal!

To think it was plain sailing from this point would be a big mistake! Derwent threw the kitchen sink at us in the third quarter and we were seriously under the cosh! The team lost its shape and head to a degree and the back four had to face wave after wave from  the Derwent attack. Dan had to make a couple of good saves but to be honest the back 4 had it all under control. A cohesive and dogged display ensured South snuffed out all of their many offences. Had they scored, then this would have been a very different game and who knows what the outcome would have been!

The team then regained their senses and realised they were 2 – 0 up and in control of the game. Rather than panic we started to respect possession and control the game. Working the ball round the back, boxing clever, winning fouls, getting under their skin and turning the tide! This led to a final quarter where we scored 2 excellent team goals finished off by our skipper Grozzy. 

Mike Shapland came to the fore on the right wing cutting in and hitting the bye line regularly and we worked it round their excellent keeper! Simply lovely and pure team goals, very satisfying!

On face value this looks like a comprehensive roll over but all who took part know it was far from that! The defence were outstanding and the rest of the team pulled together culminating in a superb team performance where we grabbed the game by the scruff on the neck and delivered!

As Dick commented after the game, “The endeavour and folly of youth came up against the experience of sages” They were schooled and we grew as a team, best performance of the season but still lots to learn. Brian Mallows a legendary SNHC keeper and 1st XI manager always said that if you score 3 goals a game you will win most of your matches. That’s what we have done in our first 5 matches but importantly today was our first clean sheet! 

Well done everyone on a very rewarding and satisfying victory!