RPHC Men's 5s Vs Horley 2s (H)

The absurd 35 degree heat of September hockey now a distant memory, St Bede’s was once again looking it’s most picturesque, in drizzle interspersed with persistent periods of stair rod rain.

We welcomed a few new and returning faces this week – especially welcome given that it seems at least half of Reigate is still on holiday. Having spent 70 minutes pulling off save after save and keeping the 4s in a very competitive game, superstar all-rounder Adam Smith joined us for a spot of on pitch related entertainment at Centre back. He played in front of our very own debutant goalkeeper Jacob P (more on both of their heroics later). We also welcomed Dan B, relinquishing his increasingly pressing development coaching and supporting responsibilities… and acknowledging that even wet, slow astros provide more sporting possibilities than underwater golf courses.

Our usual structure saw Paul V and returning-from-injury Joel H complete the back 3 with Adam with the dynamic duo of Mike J and Richard T (perhaps more Del & Rodney than Bruce Wayne & Dick Grayson but I’m sticking with it) playing the 2 screening midfield roles in front of the defence. Dan B played an attacking central midfield role with James C to his left and Monty to his right and the firepower of Snowy was complimented by the pace of James H up front. Kalyan and Howard gave us extra (and early, much needed!) legs from the bench.
So a combination of players and positions, largely unfamiliar… but this didn’t seem to matter as the 5s set about playing good, short ball, passing hockey and grabbed the lion’s share of possession.

Horley did apply pressure, they pressed high and effectively but they were at their most dangerous on the break with a couple of (one in particular!) very skilful players making their way forward from deep in their own half. Adam’s coordination, calm and clean tackling, Paul’s go go gadget arms and Joel’s apparent ability to always be in space to receive a pressure relieving pass kept the opposition attack largely at bay. Ultimately though the pressure did lead to one opportunity in the form a short corner…

Horley executed it well and the ball was rifled on target but a well-positioned Jacob looked more than equal to it. Alas, a well-meaning intervention from defensive stick (as so often happens!) roofed it beyond his right shoulder, 0-1 to the Horley boys…

No panic from the 5s and a positive return to the job at hand. The Priory right began to see dominating attacking play with Dan B playing cracking through passes for Monty and James H playing high in front of him. A roll of fresh legs saw Kalyan well supported in space by James C and ultimately the pressure told with priory winning a short corner of their own.

The usual from Richard T – that is an accurate and fast injection – gave Snowy the time he needed to stop for himself and take a strike. Which made a lovely noise as it slammed it to the backboard…. Snowy protesting it was a terrible hit… terrible by everyone else’s standards perhaps… 1-1.

Up and running, now we would surely be in the ascendency. Horley, inconsiderately, had other ideas. Another high press found the back line under pressure and a miscued pass on a pitch like treacle coupled with a mishandled stop on the reverse teed the ball up for a striker who promptly buried it into the bottom left 1-2.

Again, no drama, no panic, just back to the job at hand. Despite going ahead, Horley began to niggle at the umpires and to each other – a smattering of green cards was the inevitable outcome.

Another well worked attack this time down the right via James H and Snowy saw the ball flash across the goal mouth and James C couldn’t quite get enough on it to put it away…. But more good breakaway play, another chance and another indication that we were ahead in terms of possession and passing hockey.

A similar attack led to the second Priory goal – a well worked open play attack down the right, a switch to the left and a shot into the mixer of the p-spot saw the ball strike a Horley foot. A brief conference between the umpires concluded a foot had indeed prevented a goal and a penalty flick was awarded.

The captain did what all good captains do at this point (well at least defensive midfield playing ones) and immediately started to put as much distance between himself and the penalty spot as possible, indicating zero interest in taking it. Go-to flick taker Snowy had rolled off for a break so when Richard asked “Who wants it”, the reply was simple – “You do.”. An excellent choice if I do say so myself as he rattled it into the bottom left to level the scores at 2-2.

The second half saw excellent defensive work from the Priory boys. Howard made a superb 1 on 1 saving tackle over on the left having made his way across from his Right Back position. These game-saving tackles were then replicated again and again by an excellent defensive performance from James C. Adam and Paul continued to soak up considerable pressure and encourage (the by now, utterly knackered) Mike J and Richard T to pick up the most dangerous of the Horley midfielder’s and keep them off the ball – they were, to their credit, at least partially successful. When they were less successful, Adam played a superb sweeping role, front marking, preventing the final break then calmy distributing to initiate Priory counter attacks.

Still, on occasion, the ball found its way through the Priory back line and it was in the second half we really got to see Jacob shine. Great control, confident calling and decision making, saw him step forward and control his D in the second half, repeatedly clearing the ball from danger and making confident kicking saves out wide – a great day in the goal keeping office – thank you!

Rolling subs up front saw cameos from Monty – but it was once again his work at right midfield where he really shone – knowing when to run and when to pass (with encouragement from Dan B) he piled on the pressures. James H and Snowy continued to look like they’ve played together forever and Kalyan consistently found space on the left – there are many many goals in that young man’s future!

Goal three for the Priory boys was probably the best worked of the match. But then I would write that because it started with a free hit that I took. With accuracy and ball speed that surprised all concerned, a cross pitch pass found Monty in space on the right. There followed a darting run through the narrowest of gaps and repeated Horley tackles before he linked up with Dan B and Richard T who fired a great ball into the opposition D – happily that man Snow was on the end of it and with his usual composure he found the target – 2-3. Priory ahead for the first time in the match.

Horley by now had started to lose their heads and whilst I won’t dwell on the specifics found themselves in a conference in which, well, they lost even more composure and saw yet more cards.

The final few minutes of the game were played out with Horley reduced to a maximum of 10 men – at some points down to 9. To their credit they maintained their efforts to the dying whistle though it was on this whistle that we were awarded a final short corner. Another trademark Taylor injection, this time to Dan B whose flick shaved the shin pad of the number 1 runner before nestling in the - netting 4-2.

Another tricky week for the votes for Man of the Match and Champagne Moment with the honours once again split. Special mentions in both categories to James H, Mike J and Dan B for strong nominations.

Man of the Match 1 goes to James C – staggering work rate for the duration, great attacking play in the first and a sublime defensive performance in the second – marking, sweeping, tackling and distributing – great work!

Man of the Match 2 goes to Monty R – holding back, waiting for the pass or running into space and driving forward, fantastic decision making, making it easy for central midfield to find you and once again having numerous Horley players in your pocket.

Champagne moment – Richard T and Andy Snow – I think I can best some up these nomination as – you set them up, I’ll score ‘em!

Great work chaps – roll on Addiscombe away next week!