Men's 2s win against all the odds!

Eastcote 3s 3 vs Henley 2s 6

The game started nicely with Henley moving the ball around and dominating the opposition. Ed Hughes-Burne dominated the midfield and got the first goal of the game when he smartly decided to have his shot deflected in the air, the wind speed then confused the keeper and the looping ball nestled into the Goal (1 assist to storm Gareth).

The second goal was a classic Nico Jean Jean strike from a penalty corner.

And the third another Ed Hughes-Burne strike as the ball broke down from a penalty corner. This time he went conventional and fired low into the corner. Fine finish!

At this point Henley were cruising but little did they know the news worthy headlines were yet to come.

Eastcote struck back with a drag flick from a PC of their own. 3-1!

Shortly after Henley lost the use of their Goalkeeper Dave Bowyer. They lost the use of him because the umpire sent him off (red card). We were and are still all unsure as to why the umpires sent him off as were the other team. They made him take off his kit and leave the pitch/AstroTurf area. Dave’s composure to not lose his patience in the face of what was a very unfair situation to be put in, was commendable and showed true Henley fortitude!

Eastcote fired the resulting penalty corner high into the net 3-2 game on.

Henley regrouped and decided to play with a kicking back - Kevin Jones decided this position was literally built for him. He asked if he even needed the stick anymore but apparently everyone has to have one.

10 v 10 on pitch for the rest of the game with no goalkeeper. Even with this disadvantage, Henley outclassed Eastcote in every facet. They out worked them. Out passed them and most importantly out smarted them. The defending gang of JB, Brendan, Churchy and kicking back Kevin Jones barely let Eastcote in the D.

A goal before HT from Jody Measures gave Henley a 2 goal cushion at the break.

Eastcote struck back just after half time to make it 4-3.

But goals from Cpt R. Woolfrey and Dan Herbert sealed the game. In truth it could have been more. Henley missed a P flick and hit the woodwork a number of times.

There was just time for Kevin Jones to deflect a drag flick from a Penalty Corner over his own bar and over the fence.

Henley finished the match on top and very pleased with the dramatic afternoon! Hockey is way more fun with awful decisions and lots of goals.

The End

Henley: R Woolfrey, D Bowyer, K Jones, E Hughes-Burne, J Hughes-Burne, J Baker, J Measures, R Church, B Smith, A Price, N Jean-Jean, T Herbert, D Herbert