LATEST MATCH REPORT: MENS 1ST XI

27/01/07
Bournemouth - 'Simple's Return'

Somewhat reminiscent of my previous match report, ie having just played Old Kingstonians the week after Woking... what a difference a week makes.

So there we were, on the back of a fine performance and revenge at Haslemere, we rocked up (some earlier than others) at fortress Battersea Park on a fine January afternoon to play the lowly Bournemouth, a team we had previously put to the sword with a last quarter five goal rally to win 5-1.

First, there were the obligatory absentees..Ash (mixed hockey broken finger), Clarkey (mixed hockey torn hamstring), Captain Warrender (chasing the big bucks) and Jan Van (family trip?).  On the upside, there were a few solid performances out there. Boydo put in plenty of good running and is sure to start finding the net again soon, new goalkeeper Mike made some good saves and Piers maintained his solid form of 2007. Performances of particular note were a fine come back match from Rob after a 2 year absence, and most
impressive was 'The Rock' at the back, Big Bird putting in a display that deservedly saw him win this week's Man of the Match award.

Alas, in the main, The Mighty Wanderers showed their less mighty side...

Harry brought his hangover.
Yogi didn't bring his fitness.
OJ remembered how to pass to the opposition. Liz needs another word.
Schwarzy remembered how to sulk and be tired.
Ash was on the sideline (arguably enjoying his best
game of the season)
Clarkey looked his sharpest (very slick pink shirt and
v-neck combo)
Will got very tired. Very quickly.
Litchy just about made it there.
Simple made it there, but only in body.
Simon wasn't there (neither was his customer).

There were some lows particularly worthy of mention. As ever, Simple's return brought with it his unique brand of high tempo, high quality hockey.. such as the shot that went wide of the football goal (good job the umpire had already blown) and then the attempted turn that produced a comedy fall and self-substitution..injured...??...nope, just cramp. There was the unfortunate moment that a crease in the turf prevented one of the few passes that Oj made to his own team making it to Simple who was clear through with the goal at his mercy. And who could forget the short corner routine when the slip left to Squidgey went harmlessly behind him and off the side of the pitch as he raced towards the far post. Combine these moments with the late show of the Cavendish road crew (note to Squidgey, get up earlier)  and the second 'post start time' arrival of the boy Litch in the last 3 games (once again saved from himself by Oj's moment of hockey (non)genius) ..and you paint a fine picture of a professional hockey unit.

We did have our chances when only one goal down, and we did rally in the last 9minutes after Squidgey thumped a short corner rebound away, but to be frank, it was a below par performance all round and we always looked second best to a team that simply looked sharper than we did.

Hopefully, in the see-saw season of team Wanderers, we should now be due a fine performance on Saturday when crucially we need the 3 points, and even more crucially, we need the bragging rights.

Result - Bournemouth win 2-1.

MOM - Big Bird (leading from the back)

DOD - Oj (we do not, and have never, played in black)

Goalscorer - The boy Squidge

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