A close game which Amersham probably edged, but St Albans had opportunities to score and on another day could easily have been awarded a penalty stroke . Pleased to see the welcome return of Mike Fordham and Spenser Winter also making a re turn after a hip replacement. Big thanks to Andy Forshaw for doubling up, and adding an attacking option from right defence. Tim displayed impressive ball skills as well as making incisive runs across the forward line. The midfield three worked well in support of the defence, the 4 man defence looked strong and secure closing Amersham players down, and forcing Amersham to play the ball back wards and denying them the opportunities to run through or play the ball through into our D. There goal came mid way through the second half, just as we were down to 10 players with Mathew hobbling of the pitch. A well hit ball into our D from the left hand side about a foot high got a glancing nick from their centre-forward around the P spot area - a very well taken chance. We continued to play solid hockey and in the last 10 minutes were the better side with Spencer being very influential making space and threatening passes allowing Tugger to push forward Really good to keep the effort going all the way through the game, and could have snatched a point - Amersham were well disciplined and pushed forward with some good interplay and off hte ball movement, so all credit to St Albans defence and mid field to keep them at bay , even when they were able to put 10 players into the St Albans half.
There is room for improvement and adjustment in our play, we need to cut out sloppy passing and speculative passing , at our age passes need to be accurate, and we have to use our time on the ball wisely, and make good choices . We certainly need to play the ball through a pivot there is no problem if a side line ball on the half way line comes back to the deep defender and then out to the wide defender , and this pivot ball has to be available at all locations on the pitch , we shouldn't drive into the D unless its a one on one , we need to have the option to play the ball back 10-15m and across , or slide the ball to allow a run across the base line and work for an upgrade of a penalty corner, or a pull back to the spot or top D
Plenty to enjoy and bits work on, lets keep the spirt and enthusiasm