Men's 2nd XI Vs Loughborough Town 5

As we arrived at a Loughborough pitch wetter than an otters pocket, there were a few issues. The game before was running late and a few of ours hadn't turned up. 

With a bare 11, the pre-match talk was around looking after the ball and passing it around. South promptly decided to give the ball away at every available opportunity for the first ten minutes and deservedly went 1-0 down. A sucker punch to wake us up.

After going behind, South's young guns fought their way off the ropes with some solid jabs off their own and only some poor finishing (Lord Brackenbury 3rd, Alex, Skipper) and good goalkeeping helping Loughborough retain their 1-0 lead into HT.

The second half represented the best half of hockey our young players had produced all season. Absolutely dominant from start to finish. The ball was popped between the lines with pace and accuracy resulting in some lovely flowing hockey which was too much for the home side. Gary opened the scoring with a trademark reverse which went in off the post. As we predicted, the oppo collapsed on the face of endless combinations to the head and body. The Loughborough team had turned into the white kid from earlier. Gary added his second shortly afterwards following a the best move of the game down the left involving Toby and Robbie. I can't remember the finish but I think it was a solid hit? 2-1 South.

The third was not far behind. Following a series of short corners, Gary fired the ball into the D for the skipper to put a clever deflection through the keeper's legs for his first goal of the season (about time). South had the three points in the bag as long as they could remain focused until the end.

Any remaining hope of a comeback for the home team was soon snuffed out and Alex deflected in for his first and our fourth (stealing Gary's hat trick in the process). He then displayed great skill to flick the ball up in the D and smash home a first time effort to make the score 5-1.

South had several more chances to score but it wasn't to be. They'd blown the opposition away with 5 goals in a display of quality second half hockey to run out 5-1 winners.

I think we can see the improvement in all of our young players with outstanding performances from Kai, Toby, Robbie and Thomas. Our veterans however should not be overlooked.

The captains MoM is Mark Roe. Roey has been growing all season long and bossed the right hand side all game, including some never before seen 3D skills. Stunning.

Well done chaps, young and old and everything in between.