22/09/18- Preston 3s (Home)
The boys were welcomed by pleasantly mild weather to the fortress that is Lancaster University Pitch 2. With high expectations for the forthcoming season, the new 1st team captain Mel arrived with nine of the finest Lancaster has to offer. Lancaster were set the challenge of overcoming Preston 3s which boasted both youth and ‘experience’.
The game was off to a flying start with the Lancs boys earning a short within minutes of the first whistle. With many options to choose from, Lancaster opted for a straight hit with a deflection, narrowly evading Dyl at the back post. Leisure-player, Ollie Pugh found his fitness lacking with a suspected quad ‘pull’ but luckily Bob was around to make up, pestering the Preston midfield all game. Preston quickly settled back into the game and Lancaster opted for a prudent 25-yard press to deter their probing attacks. Eventually, Preston were rewarded for their efforts with a penalty flick. For a few moments, Lancaster hearts were in their mouths as they feared the worst. Their worries unfounded as James Porter put in a brilliant reflexive save to a competent flick.
Preston’s team cohesion faltered, when the generation gap became apparent. Shouting could be heard from far and wide as Preston’s youngest was ridiculed for substituting the oldest player off- a fully-grown man four times his age. Not in the modern game. Lancaster Ultras’ Kent division provided the noise and naughtiness as well as driving Canrod 5½ hours to play the clubs opening fixture.
For the next few minutes Lancaster spirits were raised only to be dampened by fluid play and foot-finding guile from Preston which saw them awarded a short corner which they converted to open the days scoring. The first was quickly followed by a second as Lancaster began to wonder how they might find a way back into the game. Their problems were further compounded by a suspected Preston foot in the Lancaster D which led to a third goal for the visitors.
H/T 0-3
Stern words at half time from the Skip and a masterclass of tactical analysis from glorified ball boy Chags set the lads up for the second half. Under pressure, new chairman Penney launched an aerial over the Preston ranks to find Dyl wide on the 25. A few cheeky skills later Lancaster had another short. From the short corner, Mel took matters into his own hands, led by example and rifled the ball into the bottom corner. Beautiful. Unfortunately, in the game of hockey, quality is no substitute for quantity and Lancaster still had to make up for a two-goal deficit. Adam, one of Anders’ acquaintances, gave us an attacking option. However, a hockey taster session he wanted, a North West Hockey League Division 2 game he got.
‘Overload’ being the Preston game plan, Lancaster found themselves struggling to cope with the number of white-shirts in the box. Determined keeping from James Porter couldn’t prevent another two goals finding the back of the Lancaster net. Not result Lancaster had hoped for, however, they can be proud of the solid shift they put in and look onto next weeks game.
Lancaster 1st IX 1 - 5 Preston 3rd XI
Match Stats:
Dyl- Take-ons attempted/ completed: 11/6
Mel- 100% scoring record for the season
James Porter- Saves/ Nutmegged: 13/2
Anders- Time spent on the floor: 7 mins 28 seconds
Man of the Match: James Porter (penalty flick specialist)
Dick of the day: Ollie (shit shirt, shoes, shorts and socks)
Report by Canrod and Chags
The boys were welcomed by pleasantly mild weather to the fortress that is Lancaster University Pitch 2. With high expectations for the forthcoming season, the new 1st team captain Mel arrived with nine of the finest Lancaster has to offer. Lancaster were set the challenge of overcoming Preston 3s which boasted both youth and ‘experience’.
The game was off to a flying start with the Lancs boys earning a short within minutes of the first whistle. With many options to choose from, Lancaster opted for a straight hit with a deflection, narrowly evading Dyl at the back post. Leisure-player, Ollie Pugh found his fitness lacking with a suspected quad ‘pull’ but luckily Bob was around to make up, pestering the Preston midfield all game. Preston quickly settled back into the game and Lancaster opted for a prudent 25-yard press to deter their probing attacks. Eventually, Preston were rewarded for their efforts with a penalty flick. For a few moments, Lancaster hearts were in their mouths as they feared the worst. Their worries unfounded as James Porter put in a brilliant reflexive save to a competent flick.
Preston’s team cohesion faltered, when the generation gap became apparent. Shouting could be heard from far and wide as Preston’s youngest was ridiculed for substituting the oldest player off- a fully-grown man four times his age. Not in the modern game. Lancaster Ultras’ Kent division provided the noise and naughtiness as well as driving Canrod 5½ hours to play the clubs opening fixture.
For the next few minutes Lancaster spirits were raised only to be dampened by fluid play and foot-finding guile from Preston which saw them awarded a short corner which they converted to open the days scoring. The first was quickly followed by a second as Lancaster began to wonder how they might find a way back into the game. Their problems were further compounded by a suspected Preston foot in the Lancaster D which led to a third goal for the visitors.
H/T 0-3
Stern words at half time from the Skip and a masterclass of tactical analysis from glorified ball boy Chags set the lads up for the second half. Under pressure, new chairman Penney launched an aerial over the Preston ranks to find Dyl wide on the 25. A few cheeky skills later Lancaster had another short. From the short corner, Mel took matters into his own hands, led by example and rifled the ball into the bottom corner. Beautiful. Unfortunately, in the game of hockey, quality is no substitute for quantity and Lancaster still had to make up for a two-goal deficit. Adam, one of Anders’ acquaintances, gave us an attacking option. However, a hockey taster session he wanted, a North West Hockey League Division 2 game he got.
‘Overload’ being the Preston game plan, Lancaster found themselves struggling to cope with the number of white-shirts in the box. Determined keeping from James Porter couldn’t prevent another two goals finding the back of the Lancaster net. Not result Lancaster had hoped for, however, they can be proud of the solid shift they put in and look onto next weeks game.
Lancaster 1st IX 1 - 5 Preston 3rd XI
Match Stats:
Dyl- Take-ons attempted/ completed: 11/6
Mel- 100% scoring record for the season
James Porter- Saves/ Nutmegged: 13/2
Anders- Time spent on the floor: 7 mins 28 seconds
Man of the Match: James Porter (penalty flick specialist)
Dick of the day: Ollie (shit shirt, shoes, shorts and socks)
Report by Canrod and Chags