Oh what a game....

It is fair to say the Boys U12 game verses Southampton was the most heart stopping but enjoyable match I have coached and watched since training at the club. End to end shear excitement.

Southampton turned up a couple of players short, but in the interests of getting our junior players playing hockey, two of our players volunteered to help them out so we could play a full side and get everyone on the pitch for as long as possible - thank you to Joshua and Alex both of whom played exceptionally, earning the respect and gratitude of the So'ton coach and parents, and obviously mine and really carrying the flag for our club. A great example.

Being a little short of players for the U12 boys I called on the Girls and U10s to back fill and all stepped up to the mark and shone. Thank you to Pip, Raine, Georgie and Tiana. Pip and T, despite being the smallest of our players, were amongst the biggest performers doggedly pursuing the ball and winning the tackle against others much bigger than themselves.

The game was a real nail biter with action going from end to end and plenty of opportunities at both ends. Up front, Raine, Georgie, William, Ben and Harry were always in the fray leaving their mark on the game with some brilliantly worked breaks and team work. Unfortunately we were unable to capitalise on all the opportunities we made (note to self - more practice shooting at goal needed).

Solid in defence, Will, Tom, Henry and in his first match having just started playing, Freddie, all performed brilliantly working as a cohesive unit playing off each other. Lastly, but not least, Joe had a great first appearance in goal saving some absolute blinders.

Unfortunately, despite us having a little more of the play, So'ton managed to sneak one past the post from a short corning in the dying minutes of the game to take the win.

All in all a brilliant performance that makes my role guiding the team very rewarding. If this is an indication of things to come this season I will be a very happy coach.

So'ton's Players Player was Harry.