Mens M1E v Eastern
After a June slump that rivaled the Pies of the 1990s the Sopranos spent the break looking after kids and not really thinking about hockey but came ready to play.
Back at the Fortress, a Saturday 2pm Game, freezing cold weather, KEW 2nd and playing the third placed side, it had all the hallmarks of a classic showtime clash, The lure of a team night at the Harp to follow also added some incentive for a good performance.
The team arrived early and set some team goals – warmup well and start well, unfortunately the warmup was short and the start was – well poor: Eastern came out ready to play and scored an early goal. The backline regrouped – the forwards put some pressure on the ball carriers and the team started to win some much needed possession and started to build some pressure. A couple of corners were won – Ben “the Chief†Hartung rolled the corner hit through the untidy defense to level the score.
Our own defence had now settled, forcing the Easton (apparently how they now spell their name) midfield to hit long in hope, which in turn allowed Cuz, the Chief, seeka and Jim Allen to build another attack out of the backline. A well structured attack saw Charlie Mac receive from a Jim Allen overlap and take the ball to the back line and when the goalie shifted slightly to cover the pass Charlie slid the ball through the tightest angle to put the good guys into the lead.
A half time lead – a simple half time message keep it positive – keep possession and win the game. The guys listened and this time it was Kew that came out firing putting pressure on the opposition and winning some more corners including a rebound goal, Some tough tackling from both sides, Drew Morrison knocked over – not something seen everyday. Hillsy slotted one past the keeper after a build up though the wonder kids – Stevie Gale and Damon Ross, to make it 5 -2 at the close.
