The 'Was-Not-Was-Season Pt1' – P8 W4 D0 L4
After a great end to the 2019/20 season finishing fourth ably led by Rob Forster following on from Ryan Croxon who had been instrumental in setting the tone and a fantastic pre-season. A pre-season with Parky thinking that every warm-up turn was Stormzy – I was born in the ‘70s!
It was now the turn of Parky and Ticky to look to build and improve on the previous season with a blend of experience and youth. As the results show so far, we are all or nothing!
Game 1 – Wycombe (H) Won 3-2 (Croxon, Smith, S Taylor)
This was a great start to the season. We were well prepared for a battle in midfield and up front with a Wycombe side lively with a few well-known campaigners in the side. We were up throughout the game but it was tight at the end having to defend 3 consecutive corners before the final whistle. A well-earned win to open the season and a mini-social afterwards with a take-away pizza – rock and Roll from the 2s!
Game 2 – Eastcote (A) W 4-3 (Croxon, H Parker, C Taylor, S Taylor)
Parker returned to his old club as Captain for the first time knowing we would be in for a battle and few niggles along the way. The heavens opened making the conditions tricky but played into our hands as the pitch quickened up and allowed us to utilise our pace up front. We got lucky with an umpiring decision which levelled up the score after being robbed by a goal from a corner which hit their deceptively high backboard. The result was well justified in the end with us dominating the first half and nice for our top goal scorer on the sheet again and 'Son of' and the Taylor Brothers both bagging a goal each. The best tea of the season so far. Little did we know what was to come…
Game 3 – Oxford Hawks 5s (H) W 6-0 (F Cottrell 2, Croxon, S Law, H Parker, C Tickner)
The game of the season as it stands and we dominated from start to finish with the added potency of Freddie Cottrell in the middle helped open up doors for us and allowed others to express themselves freely.
The 2s’ tails were well and truly up and team spirit and high and looking forward to our first trip up the M40 the following week – NOT!
Game 4 - Oxford 3s (A) Lost 1-2 (P Tickner)
There is something about this pitch and venue ever since last season when we had more players in the sin bin than on the field at one point – slight exaggeration but you get my drift! We thought not this season, and struck first blood in the warm up, stealing the oppo's car park and forcing them elsewhere; well, that Jedi mind trick backfired.
From the first whistle, I knew that we were going to have pull something special out as the two umpires were card happy and (sour Grapes or not) were out of their depth in an MBBO Division 2 game. After numerous cards and missed opportunities, the final insult came at the very end when we were robbed by an obvious foot outside the D not given and we paid the price for expecting to get the decision. Lesson learnt; I hope.
Game 5 – Oxford Hawks 4s W 4-2 (Bray, Croxon (2), I Parker (Oi oi, huge wind up)
It would appear that we prefer Hawks to the other lot and we were back to winning ways after the bitter taste left in the mouth from the previous week, even if it did mean the Captain had to bribe Dan Lee's and Steve Law’s girlfriends with a bottle of fizz each to re-arrange their plans to play – it worked!
We started strong with good transference and use of pace up front. This week, we managed to get the umpires on side and ended up on first names terms – I wonder where that last two bottles of fizz went Ticky? …
We never thought the teas at Eastcote would be topped but Oxford had the Covid catering sorted with a nice curry, outside bottle bar and National league hockey to watch FOC making the journey home in the rain that much more pleasurable.
Game 6 – Windsor 1s (H) L 2-3 (Croxon, Bray)
Our bogey team and after being up in the game with a really well-worked goal involving Ticky and Croxon and nicely finished off by Harvey, we kept allowing them back in until the end where a defensive mix up led to a soft and disappointing winner. Moving on swiftly!
Game 7 – Wallingford (A) L 3-2 (Bray, Croxon)
With hockey back on after a month and one training session, this was always going to be one of those games!
Our first McDonald’s meet, spirits high and with the addition of Czechy, Freddie and Ollie Coombe back from university, we easily had the squad to do it but just did not get started. With Wallingford second from bottom, I stupidly underestimated them and it was as if we just thought the win would just come – how wrong could we be?
Down to an early goal through lack of communication and awareness, it led to our shape going and with the head injury to Dan Hakl early on in the first half, the long delay and loss of his energy and drive on the right meant we struggled to get back into the game. Due to covid, we also had to take 9 cars meaning no chat on the way and strange start to the game. Excuses, excuses; we were not on it and they were fighting for their lives and won. At home will be a different story!
Game 8 - West Hampstead 3s (H) L 1-3 (C Taylor or was it?)
After the best training session of the season and fuelled by the disappointment of last week, we upped the intensity of the warm up and were clear about what was required. Unfortunately, we came up against the best side of the season so far in terms of their fitness and movement. Their keeper – the most ungainly character – managed to pull off a worldy from a Croxon penalty corner and another one in the second half, which at that time in the game would have and should have changed the complexion of the game. We stuck to our task and at 0-1 at half time we were more than confident of taking at least a point which would have been no more that we deserved. West Hampstead scored two scrappy breakaways when we were in their D and the third should have been a hit for a foot outside the D but given as a corner. No injuries this week though.
We were due to be playing Leighton Buzzard away on the 19th December and I was considering using our right to not play as we would have had players out and they wanted a 12pm game. Unfortunately for everyone in the country, Covid-19 restrictions come into play on the week of the 14th December and the season was paused as Spelthorne and Greater London were placed into Tier 3.
I hope the enforced break will re-focus us and the restrictions make us even more desperate and raring to hit the ground running in January 2021 or whenever it is deemed safe for hockey to return.
I am passionate about sport and the club but our health and safety come first – hockey will always be there. I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a 'back to normal' New Year as soon as possible.
Stay safe and I look forward to seeing for all in the New Year
Parks
