Mens 2nd XI v Canterbury 4a

Details	Players
Season: Season 2008-2009 Date: 04.10.2008 Time: 13:00 Team: Mens 2nd XI Competition: League Location: Home Opponent: Canterbury 4a Our Score: 1 Opponent Score: 4 Result: Lost	Adam Stephens - 0 Goal(s) Garth Saward - 0 Goal(s) Tim Barter - 0 Goal(s) Rob Lowe - 0 Goal(s) Mark Minchell - 0 Goal(s) Stuart Barter - 0 Goal(s) Louise Saward - 0 Goal(s) Matt Sewell - 0 Goal(s) Callum Fairclough - 0 Goal(s) Chris Marr - 0 Goal(s) Ahmed Ramiz - 1 Goal(s) David Edmondson - 0 Goal(s) Chris Lowin - 0 Goal(s)

Match Report(s)

An unprecedented 16 players assembled for 2nd team action on Saturday, against last years league runner up - Canterbury 4a. It looked a squad full of youth, up and coming quality with a few wily old campaigners in there as well. The omens were good...

Unfortunately the opposition started much the brighter side and with many players making their debut at this level, we struggled to cope with the runners from midfield. Canterbury duly scored from their first short corner, despite a brave attempt from Tim Barter, whose last ditch tackle saw the ball cannon up and hit him high on the body before deflecting in.

To our credit we were straight back at them, and some fine play from Callum Fairclough earned Worthing their first short corner. Unfortunately the main outcome of this proved to be another injury to Tedmo's back, so the spritely Garth Saward was summoned on as the first sub. We gradually grew into the game, but the defenders were having to make increasingly good tackles to keep the visitiors out, most notably from Stuart Barter who had returned to the game as an emergency left back in place of a weary looking younger Barts! On occasions men were left over and it came down to some truly top class saves from Ed Hobson to keep us in the game.

We weren't making the most of the attacks we had on the break, maybe a lack of composure in that final third. Andy Moore out on the right of midfield was also woefully under employed. Just before half time Canterbury scored their 2nd, I didn't see the goal as was pondering which of the 5 subs to bring on next!

It was clear at half time that the next goal would be all important. What was encouraging was that Worthing came out and played the best 15 mins hockey of the match. Mark Minchell and Matt Sewell had assumed control in the middle and Ramiz was looking lively up front, well supported by Simon Saward . It was from this combination that we got the goal back. A Stuart Barter 16, taken in Peter Barter style, was cracked straight to Simon Saward. His control was instant as he turned and set off into the Canterbury half. Ramiz made a run and was picked out with precision, which allowed him to attack the D and belt one in the corner.

At that point I thought we could go on and win the game. The older legs in the Canterbury side looked like they might be tiring. However credit to them, they showed their quality and experience by digging deep for their 3rd goal which killed the game. A late 4th added some extra gloss to the scoreline.

Overall it was a good lesson in what hockey is all about at this level. Just a few basics that need sharpening up and this youthful Worthing side will have enough quality to do well in this league. Some better organisation at times from the back, the ability to neutralise the oppositions 2 or 3 danger men, and some more composed passing in the final third are all things that will need improving. Nevertheless some very encouraging individual performances against a very good Canterbury side.

 A big thank you to Peter Barter and David Macca for umpiring - top job fella's.