For the full, unexpurgated game-by-game story, make yourself a pot of tea and get over to Pitchero! If you don't have that much time – or even to read beyond this sentence, we were Great. Or you can just read on...
A truncated end to the season but the 4s continued to reap the rewards for a committed squad, a consistent approach to our game and more than a few talented players! We played three games and won the lot to finish with 4 wins on the bounce! We had a cracking game with Chertsey Thames Valley and then 2 more sedate games on our tour of Kent (or near-France as one wag put it).
Home game versus CTV was just awesome. They had a lot of good kids supplemented by a couple of their 1s and it was game on! A quick start and oppo were at us but, hang on, we were defending well, even the defenders! We really played well, and our kids had just that little more gameplay and us oldies stepped up too. Coupla tomahawks from Charlie, neat finish by Hopper, first of the season for Smiler Benton and, saving the best for last, first goal for The Terror Joe C. Overall best standard game of the season which we were flattered to win 5-1 but we showed the oppo how to score (without Dangerous) and defended better. Great to have our darts player 'Bobby' back after injury! Then off to Kent playing Sutton Valence and Tonbridge, both times with 10 and thanks to the oppo who supplied William and Paul, both slow, steady and cleared their lines well. Very grateful and another fine example of why this league continues to be a good fit for us. First game, no Hopper but we had Smiler Benton impersonating centre mid and he did a good, if unusual, job! CC scored the first 2 early, first a top individual goal and then a neat team move involving old Bobby and young Alex. Meanwhile, at the back, after last week's tour de force, we were back to normal and conceded 2 poor goals (sorry, boys).
Second half, with Dangerous assisting Smiler, we were dominant, but it took a neat pass (by Cap'n Gordo) and neat finish by Dangerous to get us in front and Cam made a point-blank last minute save from their 81-year-old (yes) forward to win the game
Tonbridge: even without most of our goals not travelling (Dangerous and CC), we were clearly the better side and were 2 up very early on through Alex and then a very nice goal by Iceman for his 4th of the season (3rd in the goal scorers). Good team play got the ball to him with his back to the goal and marked and Iceman did excellently, somehow (have you seen him?!) wriggling past the defender to flick home. We went AWOL for their goal back, but we were very comfortable and could and should have scored more but who cares. Awesome tea after in a very nice pub!
And so our season finished and on to part 2...
Part 2 The season
I'd set an aspirational target of 6 wins for the season, well, got that wrong. Overall, we played really well (OK most of the time) and, for pure enjoyment, this season is probably in the top 3 of all my many seasons! It was a wonderful surprise how it all came together so well. All told, we won 11 drew 2 lost 4 scored 40 (Dangerous 15, CC 10, Iceman 4) and conceded 29 goals. We absolutely love our 5 and 6-goal (or more) thrillers (8 out of the 17 games we played), gave the crowds a lot to shout about and have to be the most watchable team in the club!
Best games: we hardly ever beat Marlow but outplayed them at Bisham to win 2-1 (save of the season by John Hunt!), grumpy Camberley (always a pleasure beating them), the BA 9-goalfest and brilliant goals too, CTV best standard hockey game and fantastic win. We mixed up well, from 13 to 65, and had a lot of fun. We achieved this with a 16-member squad; 10 seniors and 6 colts - normally at least 2 of these went up to the 3s - and of course creativity on my part. Only 3 times this season have I gone short, with 10 each time, a testament to the commitment and support I've received from the whole team. As an example, Bobby Evans driving 66 miles to Marden to play for the 4s at 1130, then driving straight back to do a league appointment at Staines for 1500! By request, a glossary of names to nicknames will be found somewhere on this page!
Why have we done so well? Two main reasons 1/ Dangerous finally living up to his nickname! Getting fitter meant more confidence and his finishing was, at times, very clinical 2/ the 4 kids that came into our team have done better than we expected, they were all ready for the Saturday step change and adapted so well. Charlie CC with his tricks and awesome goals, Luke 'Bobby' with his tenacity and dealing so well with some canny forwards, DevStar incredibly steady player, most versatile of the 4 (and a holey moley goal) and The Terror Joe, super-awareness and reading of the game. They improved throughout the season; very gratifying to receive compliments from opposition on how good our kids are. Also, to hear parents comment on the positive changes to the boys’ game which were reflected when they played their age group. Also, I already had AA, Alex and Surge (all of whom I lost frequently/the latter permanently up to the 3s) from last year so I was blessed with real quality. I think it also helped us old boys step up our game a bit, Smiler Benton is pretty good (with a side order of pants) and ex-rugby starlet JB in his first season, technique, finesse, vision, these are 3 words...
The season's headline?! Another awesome season for the #mightyAHC4s!!!
Part 3 End of an Era
I've captained at least 12 seasons in a row and I hope you won't be too surprised but I need to splice the mainbrace and walk the plank (translation: step back and take a break!!). I always enjoy my hockey (and this will continue!) however...the last 5 years as captain of the #mightyAHC4s has been particularly rewarding and is up in the lights with the best times I've ever had playing Hockey (45 seasons now). Rather than the victories, it's the good times with friends, the absolutely incredible support (see below at length) I've had from the senior members of the squad throughout this period, the pleasure in helping the development of the kids and playing the game the right way.
Moving out of the MBBO, reduction of long trips like MK and Leighton Buzzard, and into the friendly league has undoubtedly been a factor in encouraging older members to continue playing and safeguarded the future of the 4s. We went from a team struggling to stay alive and survive to one that thrives. In this 4-year period, 11 colts or players new to the game (9/2 split) came into Saturday hockey via the 4s and now play across the top 3 teams. We have another 4 this season 'oven ready' to move up now or next season and the main thing?! They are enjoying their hockey, hopefully for many years to come and, please God, at our wonderful club.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much to everyone that has been there for me. I literally could not have done it without your unstinting support and commitment. I am going to try and keep my Thank You's short, but you know me!
Honourable mentions to Posty (started playing the game during season 3 and doubled up 6/7 times season 4), John Hunt played whenever he could and often got me out of the doodoo, Smiler Benton 2 seasons and JB this season. Jon 'Hopper' Long for running the side on-the-day, advice and guidance, helping to keep me sane and being a good friend. My Big Brother, Stevie. Been with me the last 4 years. I never had to worry about finding an umpire. This made a HUGE difference. Thank you, Stevie. Love you, bro.
Cam Hopper Surinder Bubbles Orex old Bobby Iceman Dangerous I'm not sure I can put this adequately into words. Thank you times a million, boys. Been with me the whole way through! I know you often made changes in your own busy lives to play. You made my life so much easier and, to be honest, made it all worthwhile. I am so grateful for your good company and friendship. You are what has made the 4th team so Mighty!!
It has been an absolute blast and a fantastic season to end 5 great years. Let's all be upstanding and drink to the health of the #mightyAHC4s!
Cheers
Cap'n Gordo
