LTHC Men’s 3rd XI 1 vs Northampton Saints Men’s 2nd XI 1
MRHA T2 – East Midlands 1
Saturday 23rd March 2019
An early start for Town who had the opportunity to play on the water base for a change. The match began very cagey with little in it between both sides. Town kept possession well and transferred efficiently through Rory Cook and Mark Dalby. The best chance of the half fell to captain Pete Hayes who shot flew inches wide of the post after a flowing counter move from Lawrie Bayne and Jono Griffiths.
A welcome back to Liam Brown who missed last week due to injury slotted back into the wing back position offering solid defence and attacking aerials to the forwards. Also a nice welcome back to youngster Ollie Jephcott who has struggled recently with a hamstring injury but was able to manage a whole game and ran tirelessly and offered great leads to the midfielders and defenders.
Unfortunately Saints took the lead through an accidental cross coming off a Town Stick into the goal leaving Guy Heywood stranded, who had no chance meaning it was 1-0 to Saints at half time.
After the usual half time team talk from Cook and Hayes the 3rd XI started the second half the stronger of the two sides with good chances for George Gutteridge who wasn’t on usually clinical form. However a classic short corner routine saw Hayes fire the ball in to Gutteridge who deflected above the keeper meaning his tally of goals has now reached 16 which puts him firmly in the driving seat for top goalscorer.
A really open final 20 minutes saw great chances for both sides to find a late winner but neither side was able to convert. A chance fell in the final few seconds of game for Gutteridge but unluckily the ball was saved on the line by a Saints defender meaning the game finished a tight 1-1 all draw. Man of the match went to Rory Cook for a stellar performance in defense.
A good game of hockey played in the right way by two good sides meant Town’s place in Tier 2 East Midlands 1 is secured for next year. The final game of the season is away at Nottingham where Town will be looking to finish the season on a high.
