Men's 3rd XI Vs North Notts 3

South Nottm 3’s Vs North Notts 3’s 
Match report courtesy of Captain Stuart “Grozzy” Croston 

What seemed to be a slightly depleted squad ahead of pushback due to player shortages elsewhere in the club, the ranks were sensationally buoyed by the last minute return of a couple of key South legends.. Chris “Cotters” Cotterill rocked up for his first match of the season and James “Brainz” Hewitt came out of his self imposed injury exile to play his first match in 5 years! 

The visitors were the only team to beat the hosts this season due to a number of unfortunate circumstances, so revenge was the first order of the day for the table topping home side to establish.

As ever though, South took their time to wake up and after some over exuberant tackling in the South D, North took the lead from a Penalty Corner strike in to the bottom right corner. 0-1

South tried to get back in the game but it seemed as though the quality brand of hockey usually displayed had deserted them with lacklustre passing, tackling, marking and general sloppiness across the pitch. It felt like this could be one of those days that could see North do the double over the league leaders. 

North continued to press hard and contest each ball ferociously, but a rare moment of quality saw South earn their first Penalty Corner which was neatly dispatched by Grozzy with an accurate flick to the right of the keeper into the net. 1-1

Time for the rolling subs to enter the fray.. The tempo of the game rose around the 20 minute mark and each ball was being hotly contested, Brainz saw his chance to take a commanding first touch back in the red of his beloved South Nottingham, he drove to intercept the ball in the middle of the park and majestically managed to miss it completely, trip himself up and complete a wonderful forward somersault to end in a giggling heap in the centre spot. (A feat made more amazing as his Wife Mischa had captured the acrobatics on camera and instantly shared it with the ladies team for whom Brainz has been coaching to the top of their respective league this season). DoD award earned in a spectacular way! 

After the tears of laughter were wiped away, South buckled down to business, Cotters made a fantastic interception on the North 25yd (23m) line to win the ball from the defender, he beat his man, passed to Elliot “Ellz” Dixon on the top of the D, who slipped the ball across to the unmarked skipper who slapped in the finish to take the lead before half time. 2-1

The half time team talk was more like a grumpy teacher telling off a group of over-tired children as Grozzy tried to stir up some  belief in the troops and regain the fire in their bellies! Sage advice came from Brainz - just need to keep it simple and pass to a closer team mate rather than going for Hollywood passes that kept being picked off  and handing possession back to the Oppo who were growing in confidence. 

This advice did the trick as South dominated the 2nd half, the defensive unit of Neil Batty, Ben Walker, Andy Wallace and Craig Lawson kept any attempt on Alex Heron's goal at bay, while the midfield forces of Craig Bingham, Adam Sharpe, Harry Strutt, last weeks MoM Will Bingham (sadly retired due to a dodgy hammy) ably supported by the 2 super subs Brainz & Cotters kept the pressure on the North goal. 

South created a number of chances, a lovely team passing move saw Harry S receive the ball in the 25 area, complete a driving run then slip the ball to Cotters who flicked hard at goal, too powerfully for the young keeper to save. 3-1.

It was one way traffic now, a Penalty Corner was awarded to South, but with skipper Grozzy off the pitch, Cotters stepped up to rocket in a ferocious drag flick to complete the scoring. 4-1

A couple more chances came and went for South before the end, Grozzy almost completing his hat trick, but unfortunately found the net via his knee in the closing stages.. 

All in all a satisfactory result, but a better performance needs to return if South are looking to remain unbeaten in the second half of the season..  Onwards to Barton away next week! 

Many thanks to umpires Mark Willey & Will Brydon for keeping us all in check!