M6 4 : 0 Eastcote 5

M6 4 : 0 Eastcote 5

It's been a tough start to the season; we started this weekend bottom of the table. Not because we've played badly, but we've had some draws that with a bit of luck might've turned into wins, and a points deduction because we could not put out a team in half term.

The standard of play over the past few weeks has actually been pretty high - partly it's the old guard getting back into the swing of things, partly the introduction of some new blood. Last week we lost 3-1 but in the second half we played out best, most cohesive hockey of the season. We carried that momentum into this game and it all went rather well - our first win of the season, four goals and a clean sheet.

There was a lot to be happy about. Distribution from the back is our Achilles heel, but this week Gary, Richard, Michael and Matthew passed it amongst themselves really well, allowing us to get out of our third without breaking sweat. In midfield our diamond worked really well. Steve put in a great shift at the base - his usual aggressive (in a good way) driving balanced with some great passes. On the wings we were having all sort of joy against a team that didn't seem too keen on running (Jago played goalie last week and did extra running on the left to make up for it). And at the top of the diamond Dan was consistently linking the wings and the forwards.

Up front we had a rotation of Josh, Marcus (back from illness) and Ian sporting a lovely 'tache (https://movember.com/m/15089454?mc=1). The first goal was inevitable - saved initially but Marcus in the right place at the right time. We had to wait a while for the second, with Dan slotting it away. The opposition had a few shorts which they bungled, but Andrew had few saves to make. The only negative in the first half was an injury to Josh - hope the ankle gets better soon.

Alex had been out the night before and had not made it back to Reading in time for the first half, but fortunately he was there for the second because we were down to a bare 11 at that point. Over-running the opposition is a lot of fun, but it's exhausting work.

Second half was also great. A plan was hatched to nullify their playmaker and with him effectively out of the game they didn't offer too much - everything they did offer was mopped up by the defence. Another goal for Marcus made the game absolutely safe. And then the fourth - most likely the assist of the season (reverse stick from Dan hard into the D from the baseline) matched by possibly the goal of the season (nick off the end of Ian's stick to drop in *Just* inside the post.

So all in all it was worth getting covered in splashes of muddy water. More of this next week, lads.