Mens 4s vs Harpenden 2

Dawn rose on Saturday morning like many other Saturdays.  However this one felt different.  Was it the ridiculous weather in early October, was it the fact I did not need to drive my youngest to a football game at stupid o’clock or was it the nerve tingling excitement of what was to come at BHC for the 4s. Read on to get to the crux of it all!! 

The 4s arrived at the club early and whilst the younger contingent of the team clearly with energy to burn played keeps my uppies (assuming it’s still called that) on the patio the elder statement of the team focussed indoors on the game ahead. 

We moved to Woodrow pitch and watched a cracking end to the men’s 2s game where we saw 4s players of yesteryear (Freddie Bowis) gliding around and playing some fabulous hockey. 

With that all over it was time for the main event. Them men’s 1s were on Riley but they club knew where the big game was at. It was the men’s 4s vs Harpenden. Last season we managed to grab a draw from the mouthpiece of victory, was this year to be the same read on to find out. 

Harpenden won the toss and took pushback, but they were not expecting what came at them. Bedford pushed, pressing the play making 16s a nightmare for them, stepping in front to steal balls and driving with real purpose. The attacking line or Kieran, Jake, Sam and Harry harassed while the mf of Louis / Jim / Steve and Perry cleaned up balls that crept through the press. 

Then it came, Kieran broke through and slammed the ball from outside the right post to the backboard making the sweetest of noises. 1-0 Bedford. Now dear reader whoever you may be, you will be thinking this was the same as last week. The 4s play well but do not capitalise only to throw it away. This was what happened last week and indeed what happened vs Harpenden last season (twice). Could lighting strike a 597th time!  (Yes it happened a lot ok!) 

The first half went by with not another goal by them or us. The defensive unit held their attacks at bay and pressed through the youthful legs of Reuben and Monty whilst the older players held back to sweep up anything. 

Half time team talk and it was about how yea we played well but we did not move the ball and hold it as well as we could. Subs were haphazardly managed and quite frankly we should do much better. 

2nd half began and then it all clicked. Sam Ross clinching the 2nd, before renaissance Steve slipped in the 3rd. Sam not happy with one scored his reverse goal (he had been looking for that one all game folks) and then a lovely piece of play down the left started by Woodys foot led to Monty driving the ball to the d slotting it down the weak side to. delightful run by Kieran who slipped the ball over the keeper to make it 5. The defence held firm and keeper Arthur made some key saves stepping out to nullify when needed. 

The beer tasted so good afterwards and the post game pies were outstanding (thanks Steve). We tried to do a MoM but we quite frankly were too excitable. In the end the only person whose name came out was that of Kieran. However this was for both MoM and DoD (upright reverse conversion and that awesome swing and miss).