Men's 2nd XI Vs West Bridgford 5

SNHC 2nd XI vs West Bridgford 5th XI - 7.12.19

Will Brydon reports

For the final game before the Xmas break the ‘Mighty 2’s’ took the short trip down the A52 to take on WB 5’s. In contrasting weather conditions to the previous home fixture against WB 6’s with freezing fog and just above freezing temperatures, we arrived at West Bridgford School for a midday showdown with the sun shining and a blistering 10 degrees temperature. We knew we would be in for a much sterner test this week and the question was, could we raise our game to the sunny heights required to take all 3 points back down the A52 and finish the 1st half of the season on a high?!

The opening exchanges made it clear that this was going to be a well matched and closely contested fixture. Two teams with a plethora of experience and a few up and coming youngsters to do the running/learn the ropes and bring the average age down! Both teams set up well and clearly had a game plan with some good passages of play from both sides. However, it was South who started to get on top in the 1st quarter and dominate the game and create some chances, leading to a short corner which was well saved from the Bridgford keeper. Somewhat against the run of play, we allowed their captain to twist and turn his way through 3 or 4 half tackles where he found himself at the top of our D and fired a fierce shot into the right hand corner half way up the backboard. It was a great finish but then again it would have to be, to beat Sam Lane, but he should never have been allowed into the D in the first place!

Unphased by the goal we got back to business but the next Bridgford attack led to a bizarre/dangerous play goal. Their centre forward got a shot off that looped up from a save and then volley exchanges between him Sam and Wilston before he finally smashed the ball into the net! Questionable goal but it stood, and we found ourselves suddenly 2 down having not done too much wrong! This was a real test of the side’s character and resolve. Other sides would have let their heads drop but not the ‘Mighty 2’s’, we stood firm and began to retaliate. A neat passage of play down the left led to the ball being fired into Grozzy at the top of the D who’s sublime first time lay off set up Nathan 1 on 1 with the advancing keeper and he coolly slotted it past him. 1-2 game on and nothing less than we deserved but the importance of registering a response so quickly cannot be underestimated! With half time approaching and a goal in the bag we were lifted and again dominating the game. Another good passage of play down the left led to Gary Pickering approaching the D and just when we thought he was winding up to smash it into the D ….. he calmly but powerfully pushed/flicked the ball to the back post where we all know is a certain person’s favourite hangout, Captain Grozzy in position as always 2-2! Half time came and it was South who went into the break the happier side having slightly knocked the stuffing out of their opponents.

Some wise words came from J Lane at half time about holding our positions and sticking to our formation. However, the talk was upbeat having come from 2 down to level it at the break and we were playing well as a team. A few tweaks were all that was required for a solid team performance to go on and win the 2nd half. With the wind in our sails we started it well and began to get on top of the opposition. Bridgford started to get frustrated as we dominated possession and were playing the game in their half. That said the stoic South defence were tested at times and Sam made some key saves when called upon. Eventually our superiority shone through and another good passage of play down the left found Elliot in their D and on their by line, he calmly pulled the ball back to Grozzy who fired in from close range, 3-2 South in the ascendancy but the game most certainly not won. Bridgford tried to rally but in vain as all their advances were thwarted by the resolute South defence. Another good passage of play and South found themselves in the Bridgford D again and the ball worked to Grozzy at the far right hand post, he pulled the ball from the by line to his reverse side to create the space to hammer home his reverse shot into the corner to secure his hat trick and kill the game!

There were no stand out performances just as there were no stand out goals! This was a complete team performance to calmly yet comfortably come back from 2 down to win 4-2 in comprehensive style. We’ve had a good run of results against strong opposition in recent weeks and this victory is the epitome of what working hard for each other to become a team is! A couple of blips but overall, we have given a magnificent account of ourselves for the 1st half of the season and developed a style of hockey that is fun to play, be part of and competitive. #The Mighty 2’s! #Bring on 2020! Chesterfield, B4 & D3!!!