A magic strike and a fine (in the literal sense of the word) deflection from the club chairman proved the difference in a hard fought 2-0 win for the M4’s as they continue their hunt for a top 3 place in Division 2 North.
Chris Pearce the coach and captain Tom Davies were looking for a reply after a tough loss away at league leaders Spencer and the early PB saw some bleary eyes and late arrivals (mentioning no names, Tom Davies). A full coach TJ approved warm up helped galvanise the team and injure Mitch Read before Akash Dhana performed some acrobatics against his opposite number missing a pass and earning a ‘dead leg’ to ensure the 15 man squad was soon down to 13 although Read gallantly soldiered on on his dodgy ankle.
Frustrations built over a wretched first 35 minutes with a distinct lack of connective hockey on show to the huge swelling ranks on the balcony. Theo Timpney-Thompson did well to fend off a series of corners and Magic Lion managed a perfectly conceived back pass to their centre forward to send the game to a final corner just before the half time whistle which was put just inches wide of the post.
A coaching masterclass at half time which combined appropriate carrot (small bite) and stick (big stick) to galvanise the serried ranks of hardened M4 veterans including England trialist Lum Chau. The second half saw a new minted corner press and innovative tactic of passing the ball to another player deployed with fiendish skill. And Chau helped work a fine move from the centre of the pitch to Mitch Read who drove the shoulder and on his reverse put a shot across goal for a fine Whatley deflection to give the M4 the advantage.
The goal of the season followed when Magic Lion playing against his old team picked up the ball with a fine step, dropped a shoulder lose his man and thwacked a ball hard from an angle from the outer circle which ended in the top netting where the owls lives and he did roar like a Lion in celebration of his magic touch.
Will Roughton had a great game and earned a swell of MVP votes at half back and Freddie Shiret proved manful in the middle with Sam Marshall sent off for his trip to Canada with a victory and DOD award.
The M4 gather again this week mustering south of the river at Richmond to bring flight to the Griffins who are at the foot of the table.
They travel without their coach.
Southagte M4 2 H&W M4 0
GOALS
WHATLEY, MACLEAN