LUMHC 2nd XI 4-3 UYHC 2nd XI 2nd XIXI 4-3 UYHC 2nd XI
Roses 2016 kicked off for LUMHC in the sports centre on Friday afternoon, with the men's indoor 2nd XI looking to start the weekend in positive fashion. Having lost every indoor game during Roses 2015, the boys have been hitting the sports hall hard every Sunday morning throughout the year to ensure that we produced a better performance on home turf. Thanks again must go to Nick and Dan, our coaches, who have helped the team make huge strides in indoor hockey throughout the year.
As indoor hockey is only a 6-a-side sport (news to some within the club), both teams included a strong-looking squad packed with talent. For the 2s this included ever-present goalkeeper Robbie Kaiser, who would be first team goalkeeper in almost every other university hockey team in the country, drag-flick specialist Kelvin Knight (Cletus) and the mercurial Robert Chitty, better known by his nickname Leggings.
A sizeable crowd had packed into the sports hall as the game begun, (no doubt helped by the wonderful publicity efforts of Haggis and Pete in the week leading up to the game) with the York contingent drowned out by the support from the LUMHC old boys in particular. The decibel levels inside the arena only increased as the 2s raced into an early 2 goal lead, with Michael Holmes (Chaz) delivering the decisive blows with well-taken finishes. However, the excitement was short-lived as York drew the game level before half-time, momentarily quietening the boisterous home crowd.
As the second half begun, it was plain to see that the 2 goal setback hadn't mentally influenced the Lancaster lads, and they started the 2nd half just as they had started the 1st, on the front foot. Once again, credit must go to Nick for making sure that the team remained level-headed and realised how well they had played in the first half. The first action of the second half saw good patient build-up play leading to an incisive pass into the D which hit a York foot, resulting in a short corner. With short corners being such an integral part of the indoor game, it has been something that has been worked on meticulously during practice. They say that practice makes perfect and it certainly seemed the case, as the ball was fired to the top of the D where Cletus was waiting. The ball had hit the bottom left corner of the backboard before the York defenders had got anywhere near the self-styled Wizard, or before the keeper had moved for that matter. Soon after the push-back, William Bowyer went on a mazy run, looking to finish the game off himself, nutmegging a few opposing players before his shot was well saved by the York keeper. Having pushed up to support Bowyer, the Lancaster defence was left exposed, and York almost took advantage, firing a warning shot across the face of the home team's goal.
As indoor hockey is only a 6-a-side sport (news to some within the club), both teams included a strong-looking squad packed with talent. For the 2s this included ever-present goalkeeper Robbie Kaiser, who would be first team goalkeeper in almost every other university hockey team in the country, drag-flick specialist Kelvin Knight (Cletus) and the mercurial Robert Chitty, better known by his nickname Leggings.
A sizeable crowd had packed into the sports hall as the game begun, (no doubt helped by the wonderful publicity efforts of Haggis and Pete in the week leading up to the game) with the York contingent drowned out by the support from the LUMHC old boys in particular. The decibel levels inside the arena only increased as the 2s raced into an early 2 goal lead, with Michael Holmes (Chaz) delivering the decisive blows with well-taken finishes. However, the excitement was short-lived as York drew the game level before half-time, momentarily quietening the boisterous home crowd.
As the second half begun, it was plain to see that the 2 goal setback hadn't mentally influenced the Lancaster lads, and they started the 2nd half just as they had started the 1st, on the front foot. Once again, credit must go to Nick for making sure that the team remained level-headed and realised how well they had played in the first half. The first action of the second half saw good patient build-up play leading to an incisive pass into the D which hit a York foot, resulting in a short corner. With short corners being such an integral part of the indoor game, it has been something that has been worked on meticulously during practice. They say that practice makes perfect and it certainly seemed the case, as the ball was fired to the top of the D where Cletus was waiting. The ball had hit the bottom left corner of the backboard before the York defenders had got anywhere near the self-styled Wizard, or before the keeper had moved for that matter. Soon after the push-back, William Bowyer went on a mazy run, looking to finish the game off himself, nutmegging a few opposing players before his shot was well saved by the York keeper. Having pushed up to support Bowyer, the Lancaster defence was left exposed, and York almost took advantage, firing a warning shot across the face of the home team's goal.
The game was end-to-end at this point, with LUMHC looking to deliver a knockout blow. With York on the ropes, quick play down the left hand side by Ben Foreman (Disco) led to the ball being fed into Bowyer, who played the ball onto a York foot. The ball fell to Cletus who deftly flicked it into the net but the umpire had already blown for the earlier offence, dampening the premature celebrations that had started on the touch line. These celebrations were thoroughly muted when the Yorkshire side equalised for a second time in the game only moments later. Back-to-back short corners were given away by the home side, and they were made to pay as a goal-line scramble after the second short resulted in the ball being swept into the back of the home side's goal. The mental fortitude shown by the team at this point was exceptional, as they didn't seem fazed by being pegged back for a second time. They once again looked composed at the back, with Jack Hobbs (Gaston) in particular controlling the tempo of the game. Alex Gilbert (Bin) provided some much-needed impetus from the bench, and with good sharp stick skills won a short corner, which unfortunately came to nothing. With the game entering its final stages, the pressure mounted on the away side again as successive short corners were won. The final whistle blew as the second was about to be taken, meaning it would be the last play of the game. The short corner routine worked perfectly, as it could only be prevented from going into the goal by a York foot on the line, resulting in a penalty flick for the home side.
Looking for the third goal to complete his hat-trick, Chaz confidently took the ball and placed it on the penalty spot. An expectant hush fell around the sports hall, knowing that the game would be decided in the most dramatic fashion. Showing nerves of steel, Chaz stepped up and confidently sent the keeper the wrong way to spark wild celebrations amongst the Lancaster team and their supporters, as LUMHC achieved its first victory of the weekend through a last-gasp 4-3 victory. Congratulations to the team, who's hard work throughout the year was rewarded, you did the club proud with your performance.
LUMHC 2s - UYMHC 2: 4-3
Holmes (3), Knight
Starting 6: Robbie Kaiser, Jack Hobbs, Michael Holmes, William Bowyer, Robert Chitty, Alex Gilbert
Subs: Ben Foreman, Kelvin Knight
MOTM: an obvious choice in hat-trick hero Michael Holmes. Not only was his finishing of the highest order for his first two goals, but he helped control the tempo of the game from the back with Gaston. Chaz is always one of the last ones to leave training, always practicing his drag and penalty flicks, and it certainly showed with his impeccable technique from the spot to win the game. However, he also showed the mental toughness to stand up and take responsibility in a pressure moment, and for that reason he was voted as man of the match.
Looking for the third goal to complete his hat-trick, Chaz confidently took the ball and placed it on the penalty spot. An expectant hush fell around the sports hall, knowing that the game would be decided in the most dramatic fashion. Showing nerves of steel, Chaz stepped up and confidently sent the keeper the wrong way to spark wild celebrations amongst the Lancaster team and their supporters, as LUMHC achieved its first victory of the weekend through a last-gasp 4-3 victory. Congratulations to the team, who's hard work throughout the year was rewarded, you did the club proud with your performance.
LUMHC 2s - UYMHC 2: 4-3
Holmes (3), Knight
Starting 6: Robbie Kaiser, Jack Hobbs, Michael Holmes, William Bowyer, Robert Chitty, Alex Gilbert
Subs: Ben Foreman, Kelvin Knight
MOTM: an obvious choice in hat-trick hero Michael Holmes. Not only was his finishing of the highest order for his first two goals, but he helped control the tempo of the game from the back with Gaston. Chaz is always one of the last ones to leave training, always practicing his drag and penalty flicks, and it certainly showed with his impeccable technique from the spot to win the game. However, he also showed the mental toughness to stand up and take responsibility in a pressure moment, and for that reason he was voted as man of the match.