Mens 2 vs Harrow M3

Full Time

As the guest editor and retiring captain (I might try and pull a sicky for my effective sister-in-laws wedding to play one more game but I dont think I'll get away with it) I'd want to focus on how amazing being involved in the m2s has been rather than how our game was. However, a resounding victory and our first home win was the perfect way to leave and deserves some commentary! From the off we outclassed and outplayed Harrow, earning multiple short corners which we were (unusually) composed from, playing round the runners and converting to be 2-0 up after 20 minutes. Top scorer Antosh (with 2 goals per game!) selflessly cut back another good chance for a tap in to make it 3-0 at half time. A frantic/giddy second half ensued where the game resembled basketball more than hockey, as a lot of 2s games do, but Harrow never looked like scoring and we finally added a 4th after a cool finish from Antosh with 5 minutes to go. At the death we almkst got another with a short corner routine I had been sitting on but my deflection flew inches over the crossbar.

Onto what its meant to captain the inaugrual Mens 2s - I didn't (and won't) make a speech but feel more comfortable expressing myself written down. Last summer playing social hockey every week (Thursday 8-9 st augustines, come down!) I was completely swept up with the excitement and enthusiasm of the hockey dads who wanted to get into/back into playing more formally and was more than happy to try and lead this fledgling team through its first season. When it was confirmed we would have the numbers to go ahead due to an unflux of u18s it became a reality, with the exceptional support of Rachel for the organisational skills I am sorely lacking (today I was late to the match because I was locked out of my flat).

Having never played with many of the u18s and with memories of what it was like to be at that stage of Iife I feared the worst in terms of managing the tempers, egos and motivation of teenage lads. This fear was instantly dispelled when I arrived to our preseason match to find them warming up voluntarily(?!) and rehearsing their short corner routines. A lot is made of the crisis of masculinity but every week I was astounded by how supportive, kind and good-natured these lads were and its given me a real hope that the men are ok.

In terms of the season, we were hard to beat. We have had hard-fought draws against the top teams in our league and only lost by more than 2 goals once, in a freak battering by a potentially enhanced Harrow 2s. We beat Harrow 11-9 on aggregate across their 2s and 3s and came from 3-0 down at half time against (another) enhanced west hampstead team to draw in what has been referred to (never by me) as the miracle of brent cross.

It has undoubtedbly been my favourite season of hockey in 16 years and what the ealing m2s has is special and should be preserved! Good luck against Richmond and keep the faith next year✊️

Matt