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Match Report: 27th Oct Mens 1st XI

Match Report: 27th Oct Mens 1st XI

Philippa Messenger29 Oct 2018 - 20:45
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A roooooar-ing read....

Romsey 0-1 Yateley

After an exciting last minute 3-2 win over Salisbury, Yateley were excited to get back to training and prepare for a tough battle with Romsey to try and achieve their second win of the season. Did they achieve it? How did they get on? Who were the star players of the game? Keep reading to find out.

A young, motivated Yateley team arrived at a cold and quiet Romsey pitch on Saturday afternoon, eager to get back on the pitch and chase glory. After walking around a school 2 or 3 times they finally found an opposition player who led them to a room of change. Commonly known, of course, as a changing room.

It was here that the attitude and excitment of the team can truly be seen in the form of relentless banter with zingers being thrown left, right and centre, this continues as the team prepare for battle. Just as quickly as the rowdyness arrived, it is swiftly taken away by the iron fist that is Yateley’s very own mens 1st XI captain, Darren 'one bang' Collins, who commands the room to attention with a sharp but stern, "listen up now chaps". With the team attentively waiting for their instructions, Darren produces a speech of speeches totally gaining the commitment from every player in the room. He instructs the team to get out on the pitch for warm up, with the roar of a lion and simultaneously beating his chest like a alpha silver back. Many felt it but few will say it, but after a speech like that we felt we couldn't ever lose the game.

A short while after the Yateley team commenced their usual warm up in preparation for the upcoming events. Whilst doing so the brave captain shows his class and wins the toss, putting Yateley in the drivers seat for the game. The teams are called to position by the umpires, the whistle is blown and the game commences. With tens of people cheering and watching from the sideline the pressure is all on Yateley.

The first half starts with both teams feeling confident. Both team pressuring high, eager for the ball to be in their possession but as the game goes on the Yateley team can feel the game drawing ever so slowly into their hands and with that the forward line start to win short corners....

The first short corner would leave a frustrating taste in Yateley’s mouth, as the perfectly executed bottom left, straight drag from Yateley’s long term senior player and absolute delight, Dougie Joyce, is disallowed as an unnaturally eagle-eyed umpire has apparently spotted a Yateley player encroach into the D before the ball is injected. Thanks Craig Boorman!

In spite of the bubbling frustration, the Yateley team show great discipline and determination and push forwards to their first goal, another short corner. This time the call for a right ramp was made and the team lined up to execute what would be a text book version of what was requested. The ball is injected by the old reliable, James 'papa' Sealey, stopped by the determined captain, dragged low and hard at the right post by the (as previously discussed) delightful Dougie Joyce and calmly deflected in by no other than the handsome, but not-as-fast-as-Piggy, Craig Boorman. They celebrate with many a roar, fist pump and wheel away to their half to carry on the battle for three points. Thanks Craig Boorman!

The rest of the 1st half went by without any more particular drama and the half time whistle is called.

After yet another great speech from Darren, the Yateley team weere lined up - ferocious in appearance - ready for the second half. The whistle is blown and Romsey this time commence the half.

The half was said to be one of the best in history, with a few cards, backwards and forwards attacks by both teams, some creative whistling and 0 goals. Both teams were really going at it: with stella performances from Yateley’s midfield team and back four. There were star performances from Miles Eva, James Moore, Joe Edwards and many more - which I can't be asked to list - which kept Yateley in front for the rest of the game. The game finished 1-0 and the Yateley team cried out with excitement for the 2nd win of the season.

In an interview after the game the victorious captain said "I couldn't ask for more from this team, the commitment, work rate and pure determination is a joy to be around. This team IS my life and I love each and every one of them".

An interview after the game the old reliable James Sealey said "in my 50+ years of playing hockey never have I been so impressed with a team. Pure excellence! Pure bloody excellence!"

The story continues next week back at Yateleys home groung. The fort of Eversley. Be sure to come and watch.

Further reading