First game of the 2018/19 season and it was a journey into the unknown. The Flames travelled North. Not for us, the traditional venues of Basingstoke, Alton or Aldershot, but a new adventure in the sunnier, glamourous and positively exotic climes of Henley Hockey Club (located in the car park of a Tesco Superstore).
It was clear from the start that the pre-season training had paid dividends as the Yateley shirts were struggling to contain the experience of the older members of the squad.

Not for the Flames, a white board with tactical drawings when 11 balls from the magic sack will suffice. Willy, the most experienced captain at the club this season, set about explaining the 2-3-2-3 formation to the assembled squad. The word triangle was used more than “despite Brexit” on any BBC broadcast.

With the exception of one U16, the rest of the Henley team were clearly more experienced. But armed with our knowledge of triangles and the potential of polygons we were ready.

After a brief warm-up involving many farmyard animals it was time to start.

The Flames controlled the first 20 mins, sticking closely to the Captains instructions. The youthful forward line came close on a number of occasions. With Ollie, the shortest person on the pitch and making only his 2nd full start always finding himself in the right place at the right time.

Beautiful passing, give and go patterns and many, many triangles. Pythagoras would have been proud.

As the half progressed, the game became more open and Henley made it through the back lines on a couple of occasions, hitting the post twice and calling on Ben to make some commanding and acrobatic saves.
A literally breathless end to first half. 5 mins rest was needed.

The second half started and it took 10 mins for the second (and third) wind to kick in. JC broke through the Henley defence at (walking) speed and shot from the top of the circle. The keeper stretched and got his stick to the shot. The ball was saved and rebounded toward a defender, but the keepers stick broke in two. The 5 minute rest while the keeper found a new stick (thankfully Tesco was very close) was just what the team needed.

Total dominance for the last 15 mins, pass and move, and a fluid interpretation of the formation paid dividends. With 10 mins remaining, a masterpiece of teamwork and skill led to a shot from the top of the circle, the ball passed the keeper and was heading at pace into the bottom left hand corner of the goal.

Matthew Carter ran in, making sure the ball, now crossing the line, was indeed over the line. Scoring (stealing) his first goal for a Yateley senior side – Woodsy look out, you have a rival.

The team held on for an impressive 1-0 away win.

Celebrations were held in the Henley clubhouse over an unforgettable tea of cheese, mini doughnuts and sausage rolls.
Given the amazing team performance, it was almost impossible to select the Man of the Match, with a 4 way tie. But after a recount more complex than the Swedish election, Ollie was rightly awarded the honour for his complete performance. Matthew got away with his daylight robbery of a goal with Jon picking up the “other” award of the day. For a goal line clearance straight into the back of Ben’s head and off the post. An impressive triangle Jon created all on his own.