Cheam 2s v Trinity Mid-Whitgiftians

Family plays a big part in hockey clubs. This was especially true at the weekend with 2s stalwart Madders’ (Richard Eggleton) way better half Amy, being pitch-side and then less than 24hrs later bringing the latest Cheam prodigy into the world.
Brilliantly timed as he will be able to make training on Wednesday evening and run out next weekend, especially as he’s admitted “my bit was easy”. MASSIVE congratulations from everyone in the team!

This week saw Cheam 2s run out against Trinity Mid-Whitgiftians (Midwives), who sit a number of places higher in the league than Cheam. So a battle was expected.

The first half was full of attacks and good movement of the ball from the Midwives. Muscular defending and some sharp keeping from the visitor in the Cheam 2s goal Kris Gunatunga, kept Cheam in it. The midfield and attacking units played well on the break, but as has been the story this season, the final pass and strike on goal was lacking. It may also have been less helpful to one striker with helpful team members on the sideline shouting “hit the ball” midway through Lawrence Marsh ’s (admittedly lengthy) backswing.

Given this week I was on the sideline I may not have concentrated as much as I normally do. My attention span suffered, and so does this report.
But I’m pretty sure after some more rainy hockey at half time the score was still 0-0 and with Sohail Ahmad back in the team there was the inevitable green card.

The second half saw more of the same. Plenty of pressure from the visiting Midwives. The promise of birthday drinking obviously spurring on the Cheam keeper, bringing out some more strong saves.

After some sustained pressure and off the back of another save from Krish in goal, the rebound wasn’t covered and the ball was pushed past him. 1-0 Midwives.

Not being one to talk ill of those that umpire our games(no, really), I will just say that some decisions caused an element of frustration. This frustration boiled over with Robert Caulkin making a comment bad enough to warrant a yellow card… but not bad enough apparently to require being off for more than 5 minutes (remarkable!).

This, coupled with another green card left Cheam with 9 men on the pitch for 2 minutes. The defence stepped up and absorbed the pressure that came with this. Strong!

At some point before/after this incident (attention span again), Ashton finished off a mazy run with a looping reverse stick strike that beat the short of stature Midwife keeper into the top left corner. 1-1 Cheam.

This spurred on a bit of a revival from the home team, with more incursions being made into the opposition D but yet again, coming away with very little. Something to discuss at training….

At the final whistle it was clear that the Cheam machine had given its all with the team looking weary. One thing that can be said is that the defensive unit, albeit fossil footed (think about it!) in parts really can do a job. Now just to work on the finishing at the other end!
Normal service will hopefully resume next week with full attention being paid to the game and perhaps a little more detail/accuracy in the reporting. Perhaps.