Yateley 4-2 New Forest

3rd in the league and feeling great after winning away the week before, we entertained New Forest at home in the final game before the Christmas break. Another win here would momentarily take Yatley 2nd with all near us having a game in hand next week to make up ground, so 3 points would put some much-wanted pressure at the top of the table. New Forest looking to take a big scalp started well and throughout the game displayed some good attacks and periods of flair and creativity to trouble Yateley and test their defensive fragility, with captain and vice, both in-form players, Pask and Cundy, out with injuries.

Yateley carved out some early danger getting some close chances under their belts in the first 10 minutes. Nerves were apparent in the New Forest camp with them being stuck in their own half for most of the game. On paper this should have been a comfortable home win. In reality, it was anything but! A close and well fought battled amounted with both teams having plenty of close chances that should have been capitalized! Yateley’s sub captain Jake Morgan leading the side in an exciting and very attacking game of hockey. Yateley bringing heat started of the better of the 2 teams with a couple of short corners and close misses to add further pressure to New Forest. A beautifully strung attack, with pace and skill allowed debutant Chris Hogg the chance to carve his way in and grab yet another short corner. The result… a great injection and sweep to the running right ramp Chris Hedges to draw first blood. Attacking well Yateley were left stunned by a high aerial and an easily converted 1on1 to bring the scores level.
Chris Hogg and Jake Morgan seemed upset by this, displaying several attacks down both wings to keep the Yateley fire burning and eager to retake the lead. Jake strolled past the final defender with ease and slotted the ball across the D to Chris Hogg to score his first goal and give us a 2-1 lead. Jake Morgan upped his stats to 9 assists so far this season.
Yateley pushed harder for more goals and were rewarded with 2 goals in as many minutes to further extend their lead. The defence clearly panicking, Chris Hogg added a calmly slotted 2nd goal to his account and a great run moments later, a beautiful pass in found Jim Boffin who scored with only his 3rd touch of the game after coming on as a substitute. Yateley calm, now 4-1 up began to dominate. As they got comfortable, New Forest chucked another aerial, and in similar fashion to their first goal scored their second. Game on and the following 15 minutes could have gone either way. Credit where its due, Yateley seemed elated to hear the final whistle after an epic battle with New Forest, who gave a valiant effort. Training must surely be on having a collective and composed nature and being more clinical in short corners.

A tougher test than first expected and a true lesson on not underestimating your opponents! A well earnt win nonetheless and a happier Christmas vibe.

Congratulations to Chris Hogg who was man of the match for his fantastic performance. Many thanks to all our wonderful supporters from the ladies and men’s teams (and their families) who cheered us on.