3XI vs Bodmin 1

The 3’s game against Bodmin 1 started as a fairly wet and windy affair.

We expected a tough game and we needed to avoid the slow start that had set us back in our last game. We welcomed to the fold Seb Brook and Will Buckthought for their debuts.

Our focus this season has been to transfer the ball from the defence around the pitch and in the first half the opposition gave us the ability to do so without pressing too high. We needed to overcome this approach and some gallant running from the front three meant that we started to move the ball down the channels and caused them problems defensively.

Bodmin 1 did create a number of opportunities but Paul Marchant and Tom Douie kept them away from goal. When they did get through, Isaac Whittaker made some great saves to keep us in at halftime 0-0.

Special mention to Ben Pennington for being the only player I’ve seen to shout at an umpire and then talk himself out of a green card (how did he not get DOG).

A stirring halftime talk from Tom Langrishe, encouraging the team to keep playing and to trade blows against this Bodmin 1 team. A victory was a possibility!

At the start of the 2nd half Bodmin went a goal up. Frustratingly assisted by the Umpires foot!!

However, the 3’s pushed forward urges on by Will Cairns and Charlie Irish. A quickly taken free hit was fed through to Ben Pennington who crossed for Simon Kerr to bring us back level in the game.

As Bodmin tired we pushed forward looking for the win. We were conscious of the break but as Bodmin rapidly lost players (green and yellow cards), we pushed on looking for the winner. Some great interaction between Simon, Paddy Acharya and Freddie Garstang almost brought a chance at goal.

In the end, a draw was probably a fair result, but We felt that there was a chance for a winner.

Special mentions to Bev - for his tireless running; Joe Easterbrook for some fantastic skills and a good duel against opposition left back; Seb Brook took the Player of the Match award (very well deserved); Tom Rodgers for great support in defence and attack; and Will Buckthought (Will usually a keeper but had an opportunity to play some minutes of mens hockey for the first time ever).

Well played everyone. We go again next wkd away at Bude. It will be a tough game so please confirm availability as soon as possible. 👏👏👏