Result : WIN 6-2 vs Holcombe

Match Report : Joergen Jaehnig

Having won the previous Round of 16 back in October already, EH was most kind to introduce a second Round of 16 by adding 2 new teams to the mix and giving the Southgate U18 Boys additional match experience whilst most other teams had to sit out with byes. The opposition drawn on this occasion was Holcombe, a team the research obsessed coach of the boys, aka the writer of this report, wasn’t able to find out much about .

It promised to be a good day at the office though with the team starting off well and pressing the opposition back into the own 23 early. Ten minutes into the match the relentless press by the forward line around Oscar Prior, Vivek Dongha, Jack Levene and Ruben Straat resulted in yet another turnover. What followed was simply stunning textbook hockey – a series of short sharp passes saw Barney Collier free in front of the opposition GK. Whilst he could have taken the shot himself Barney selflessly laid it off for Jackson Trathen to put the ball into an open goal.

The fact that we conceded the equaliser 10 minutes later – a well taken shot from the top of the circle into the bottom corner – should prove to be only a minor dent in this afternoon’s performance. Shortly thereafter, the boys in red re-established the lead through a clever penalty corner routine and Lucas Jaehnig had his name on the scoresheet. A second penalty corner, the new score was 3-1 and Lucas Jaehnig had his brace. It would have been 4-1 at halftime, Nayan Bhundia converted a bouncing ball cricket style only for the umpire to deny his brilliant efforts.

The inspiring halftime talk from Veysal Demir was put immediately into practice in the second half. The back line of Aman Chhaya, Josh Chandler, Sam Marshall, Lucas Jaehnig and Tom Murphy kept it clean despite the physical if not feisty efforts of the opposition to turn around the match. Midfielders and forwards Noah Lavy, Esa Sohoye and Sam Ziff orchestrated counterattacks and Tom Murphy provided beautiful cross pitch aerial cover.

Shortly into the second half the lead was extended to 4-1, Oscar Prior scoring his first with a good penalty corner rebound. Wanting to prove he can score also from distance, he bagged his second goal of the day nailing the ball into the top corner from the top of the circle making it 5-1. The sixth and final Southgate goal came from Barney Collier who rewarded himself for an exquisite performance in midfield.

That was the end of the match …. Well not quite …. The overly feisty affair by the visitors resulted in a few of the Southgate players pursuing diplomatic relations with the travelling umpire which meant we would finish the final 5 minutes with 9 players and an empty goal. Did I say 9 players though ?? I meant 8, the new found love of the umpire for yellow cards resulted in the boys finishing the match with 8 players ultimately – besides a consolation goal for the visitors, those boys in red battling out the remaining minutes on pitch held the opposition at bay though.

Special mentions to Esa, Aman, Nayan and Jack (hope your finger isn’t too bad) for doing a terrific job on the pitch. Also many thanks to Neil Prior for excellent cool headed umpiring in what became a tricky match.

If you would like to watch some of the action – the U18 Boys have a 5 Star rating for entertainment – no need to get a Skysports subscription. Our Quarterfinal match is to take place 27th February, so please stay tuned.

MOM: Aman Chhaya
Goal Scorers: Lucas Jaehnig (2), Oscar Prior (2), Jackson Trathen, Barney Collier