2018/19 - A mixed season for the 3s with a lot to look forward to ahead
The legendary pride, despite being bolstered by some exceptional new talent thanks to a solid fresher intake, they were unfortunately put on the back foot from the start. Through no fault of their own the pride shafted before the season even begun, the unelected bureaucrats at BUCS decided some ‘league restructuring’ was a fantastic idea, leaving the pride in a league with 5 other teams, and no repeat fixtures... as if this wasn’t enough, the pride didn’t get their first scheduled game until a month into the season, and despite a convincing friendly win a few weeks earlier against Chester 2s, first opponents Bolton 1s(also expected the prides main rivals for top spot) had already been warmed up with 2 league wins under their belts.
Facing an uphill struggle with the away disadvantage at the sorriest excuse for a hockey pitch known to man, unfortunately despite being the better team a combination of factors including, woefully biased umpiring, zero visibility, and rogue fireworks exploding in our players faces led to an undeserved 2-1 loss.
After the initial disappointment, the pride only went from strength to strength. Convincingly winning all of their subsequent league games as they settled in to the team dynamics, even dominating a higher league team (Man Met 1s) in the cup, but unfortunately losing on penalty flicks. Racking up goal after goal, and beating all opponents by far larger margins than rivals Bolton did. Unfortunately it was not enough, as Bolton won all their games, and only one team was to earn promotion. However I am absolutely certain that had that Bolton game been played on a real hockey pitch in Lancaster with real umpires, or had the ridiculous league structure allowed for 2 games vs each opponent, the pride would’ve earned the win they deserved.
After concluding the league, the pride then set their sites on the big fish. Roses. Having narrowly lost away, and won at home the previous 2 years, the pride were confident they could improve their away roses record, perhaps even pushing for a convincing victory. The game was intense, exciting and very competitive, resulting in a very respectable 0-0 draw, a satisfying result from the notoriously difficult away roses fixture. I do believe that had we played a league with the usual higher number of games, the pride would’ve had more of a chance to develop skills and team dynamics to have earned the victory that day, and I’m sure they’ll be in with a good chance next year again.
It was a pleasure to lead(babysit) such a cracking team, despite the undeserved handicaps thrust upon us. Signed by old el capitano Pughy, passing the mantle onto a capable Matthew of house Hill
The legendary pride, despite being bolstered by some exceptional new talent thanks to a solid fresher intake, they were unfortunately put on the back foot from the start. Through no fault of their own the pride shafted before the season even begun, the unelected bureaucrats at BUCS decided some ‘league restructuring’ was a fantastic idea, leaving the pride in a league with 5 other teams, and no repeat fixtures... as if this wasn’t enough, the pride didn’t get their first scheduled game until a month into the season, and despite a convincing friendly win a few weeks earlier against Chester 2s, first opponents Bolton 1s(also expected the prides main rivals for top spot) had already been warmed up with 2 league wins under their belts.
Facing an uphill struggle with the away disadvantage at the sorriest excuse for a hockey pitch known to man, unfortunately despite being the better team a combination of factors including, woefully biased umpiring, zero visibility, and rogue fireworks exploding in our players faces led to an undeserved 2-1 loss.
After the initial disappointment, the pride only went from strength to strength. Convincingly winning all of their subsequent league games as they settled in to the team dynamics, even dominating a higher league team (Man Met 1s) in the cup, but unfortunately losing on penalty flicks. Racking up goal after goal, and beating all opponents by far larger margins than rivals Bolton did. Unfortunately it was not enough, as Bolton won all their games, and only one team was to earn promotion. However I am absolutely certain that had that Bolton game been played on a real hockey pitch in Lancaster with real umpires, or had the ridiculous league structure allowed for 2 games vs each opponent, the pride would’ve earned the win they deserved.
After concluding the league, the pride then set their sites on the big fish. Roses. Having narrowly lost away, and won at home the previous 2 years, the pride were confident they could improve their away roses record, perhaps even pushing for a convincing victory. The game was intense, exciting and very competitive, resulting in a very respectable 0-0 draw, a satisfying result from the notoriously difficult away roses fixture. I do believe that had we played a league with the usual higher number of games, the pride would’ve had more of a chance to develop skills and team dynamics to have earned the victory that day, and I’m sure they’ll be in with a good chance next year again.
It was a pleasure to lead(babysit) such a cracking team, despite the undeserved handicaps thrust upon us. Signed by old el capitano Pughy, passing the mantle onto a capable Matthew of house Hill
