RPHC M5s vs Epsom Mavericks Away

Injuries and illness saw a 14 man squad rapidly diminish to 12 on the morning of the match and generated more than a few headaches in terms of the starting line up. An inspired suggestion from Richard T saw us turn to Mitesh to occupy the Centre Back role which he did with Brigadier like authority and splendid distribution. Marshalling the forces of Pippa (RB), Matt B (LB) and commonly Richard and Mike J as the second two in our 3-2-3-2 formation.

Priory pressed Epsom very very well in the first 15 minutes containing them in their own half – pressure from James H was particularly telling and Epsom struggled to get the ball out past him. Unfortunately, this seemed to inspire them into dishing out our own medicine and a very high press applied pressure on our back line leading to a poached goal when we attempted the cross pitch transfer.
Despite going 1-0 down, Priory never looked or felt like they were chasing the game, they just kept at it, knowing the breakthrough would come… which it promptly did - a very well worked first goal saw linkup play through the midfield via Ethan Q, the extraordinary pace of James H and excellent finishing from Aaron C to level things up.

Priory then went ahead prior to half time courtesy of a penalty corner strike, injected beautifully by Richard, stopped impeccably by Ethan and then struck… well… it was a hit, and it was on target. And it probably made the backboard… 2-1 and a goal for Mike J.

Another superb team goal saw us go to 3-1 early in the second half. Mike J nicked the ball deep in the Priory half and 3 passes later via Richard and Ethan, Aaron scored his second.

This put the icing on the cake of a fantastic period of play from the Priory midfield. Ethan Q seemed to always find space and was playing inch perfect passes, Richard was inspired to replicate the youngsters and seem to master his reverse passing, Matt S was firing aerials and haranguing the opposition in terrier like fashion and the rolling pace of James C, Kalyan, James H and Aaron kept us in the Epsom half for long periods.

The door was finally (largely!) closed on an Epsom comeback courtesy of a sublime piece of individual skill. Poaching the ball at the halfway line from a harried midfielder, Aaron C then ran half the length of the pitch, dismissing the attempted tackles of a centre back, sprinted into the D, wrong footed the keeper and buried his third for a superb hat-trick.

The last 15 minutes or so saw sustained pressure from Epsom, 12 man Priory were starting to whither a bit. Excellent defensive work from the back line (Pippa was always in the right place, Brigadier Mitesh was marshalling everything, diving in where needed and the always under pressure Matt B remained cool, calm and collected when faced with no obvious outlets!) and in the midfield (especially from Matt S and James C) held them back but in the end, Epsom were able to drag one back via a penalty corner.

An away win to open the season and more importantly a fantastic team performance – the nomination of multiple players for Player of the Match back this up; special mentions to James C, James H and Ethan for competing but no surprises that hat-trick hero Aaron C took the honours and the Champagne moment for that wonder goal.