I do love a superlative, especially when my usual loquacious nature leads to me waxing lyrical to excess, and I could utilise a whole plethora for today’s performance. If I could be bothered, which I clearly can’t.
Both teams in the promotion mix, this should have been a tight, tense, terse, nail biter of a game, but Ash were having none of that. From the start, the defence were rock solid, the midfield industrious and the attack menacing, threatening, intimidating and downright dangerous, and within 15 minutes, there was only one team in the game. Well, there were two, obviously, otherwise it would be weird, but only one winner.
To break the deadlock, Boss Man Gary made some inspired substitutions and within minutes, both subs had scored, The Q with a fine finish for the first of his two goals on the day and Campbell with a calm finish for the first goal of his career, ever, including training.
With PoM Butler constantly threatening, it was only a matter of time before more goals came, and that they did with Durrant and Lake proving you don’t need to be of Vet age to score. Making sure the defense didn’t miss out, Hammond slotted home from close range with a deft side foot. In between, Murphy stood large and made several good saves at vital times, so he’s probably scoffing at least two teas about now.
The hockey was smoother than a silkworms favourite bed sheet, the team work and communication were outstanding, the perfect sign off to the international break.
Thank you to Gary, Jamie and Steve for organising the team and to the double CD Christmas edition of Chris Dixon and Chris Davies for umpiring the game.
Have a great Christmas one and all, you will be tickled pink to know that this drivel will return in the New Year!