Men's 2nd XI Vs Derwent 3

Derwent 3’s vs SNHC 2’s 29.2.20

Will Brydon reports

The Mighty 2’s took the long trip to Ashbourne for a 3:30 pm push back against Derwent 3’s in questionable conditions, indeed there was a pitch inspection pre-empted on Friday to see whether this game would go ahead. Inspection completed earlier than expected, we all knew it was game on circa 11 am this morning. I was not informed that the football pitch inspection had not taken place and assumed all surfaces were fit for purpose! With limited parking available I had to take the last grass spot available as there was a game on prior to ours, had I arrived when Adam Sharpe’Sharpie’ did then I would have found terra firma! Upon leaving the changing rooms ready for the pre match warm up I noticed the two cars next to me were having to be pushed out and in trouble, prudently I decided to move mine rather than wait for worsening weather conditions and put this ahead of the warm up. I did get out but left my mighty impression on the football pitch as opposed to my normal standard on the hockey pitch. I knew then DoD was in the bag, but it was good fun “off Roading” 

Now down to the serious business! The conditions were bleak, 4 degrees, real feel -1 with hail just prior to push back, both sides were itching to get started! Derwent with the least goals conceded all season and just 2 points behind us in 4th but up against the Mighty 2’s with best goal difference in the division, this was set to be an epic contest and that it was!

Derwent started with aplomb, well drilled with a mix of youth and experience coupled with an immediate hunger to take 3rd spot! They were all over us, pressed us high and in every area of the pitch. For our young guns this was a baptism of fire and for some of the older guns also. However, we stood firm and held our own with some resolute defending and serious work in midfield! We were not getting much joy up front so Brian Blackmore decided to give us a breather and drill a ball into the chest of their most dangerous threat up front, I was most relieved and to be fair to the Derwent player he took it like a man. More intense pressure followed but the whole defence held firm and we were absorbing everything that they threw at us! However, it was time for another breather and Brian duly stepped up to the plate and I think fractured the ankle bone of one of their other younger threatening forwards. The half time whistle came and I was very happy to go into the break at 0-0 when they had clearly had the better of the 1st half.

Round 2 – some wise words from Captain STUART Croston ‘Grozzy’ and some of the other elder statesmen rounded off by some rousing and inspiring words from Mr Mark Whilley, we were set to raise our game and take the game to them! This did not go to plan as we lost the ball in our half early on and then just when the threat was almost thwarted, Henry Gilroy-Davis being slightly disorientated cleared his lines with no Derwent player near him outside our D but straight off the back line, Nearest umpire called a long, the other umpire from 40 yards saw it differently after some calls from the Derwent players, the decision was overturned and a short awarded! A well worked short to slip right 1 – 2 back to the middle and the ball was drilled in between me and Brian on the line. Hard to take but we had to keep our discipline and composure and that we did. It put fire in our belly’s, and we took the game to them! We were getting more joy upfront; the defence was holding strong and the midfield was well and truly up for the battle! With Brian being warned for his powerful hitting into fresh air but with Derwent worried about more injuries this was a situation I ve never seen on a hockey field from the umpires, being the disciplined unit that we are we just sucked it up! Nathan Gerrard then tracked the whole length of the pitch and took up the mantle! Trying to find Mike Coxe on the deep left he hit a clean clearance/pass into the head of another Derwent player, Man 3 doon!

A 16 pass to Gary Pickering on the left led to some exceptional work from him and the ball into the final Derwent 3rd but to no avail. Derwent then tried to clear but Elliott Dixon closed them down superbly and picked the ball, it span agonisingly into their D and almost way from Captain Grozzy who had to make last minute diving adjustments to get the ball the over the line!! The least we deserved and truly game on!

The game could have gone either way at this point, but I was particularly impressed with our Young Guns who had a steep learning curve in the 1st half. Henry, Finn & Rhys Collins really stepped up on this extra day of the year, took giant leaps and contributed to the 2nd half South assault, I see very bright futures ahead for them and I am not easily impressed!

Another interesting umpiring decision reversal from the one furthest away when Gary tripped and then inadvertently tripped their attacker on the right wing 35 yards from goal led to another dubious short corner. Again, Derwent worked it well with the same move, but it came off the underside of the bar and trickled away for a 16. Had it gone in then it would have been a very bitter pill to swallow. Despite the pre match desires from club and captain to respect umpires, opposition and fellows, we were really tested in two of those departments today! The remaining department was a true show of grit and determination in the face of adversity to come away with a share of the spoils and retain 3rd spot! Every man and Young Gun gave their all today and to take a point back down the A52 was a remarkable achievement. Well done everyone! 1-1