Harlequins Mens Hockey Match Report
Harlequins Hordes Horror At Harsh Decision
By A.Mathewson
Harlequins(E) 0 - Waterford (B) 1
Division 3
4th November 2001 at 2:30pm
Sunday the 4th November was a day when I impressed myself with the
power of the computer. Yes the computer is even mightier than the phone.
(In most instances…except when you are trying to sell table quiz
tickets).
Little did I know that when I sent out the email to let everybody on my list know
about the match on Sunday that I would get such a good turnout. We got at
least 16 players as well as Jim Burfield, (who was still unconscious from
his ‘stag’, and would only manage to bring himself along to join in
the post match revels in the bar). I am sure that this mass participation
had nothing to do with the fact that the other two matches that day were
supposed to take place in Galway and Limerick.
The game was played against Waterford B, who had incidentally beaten our 4th
team 3 or 4 – 1, depending upon who you talked to. In any event with
last weeks result still instilling us with great confidence we started to
play and the pace of the game was fast to say the least. However, with
almost a team of replacements this probably should not have been such a
big problem.
The signs from last week were still there! Good skills level and nice
interchanges and passing. However, I thought we had less penetration than
we did last week and the defenders and midfield were prone to hold onto
the ball longer than was good for them, which made the forwards a bit
frustrated. We had the better
of the first half without a doubt and felt that we could win. Richard
Clarkeson did injure himself in a diving tackle which eased my
substituting duties a bit although was probably a bit more uncomfortable
for him get well soon Richard! Peter Payne and Eamonn Hearne both had
shots saved, which would normally have resulted in a goal in the league we
play in, and in general their goalkeeper had an excellent game. He was
unfortunately very consistent throughout the match.
After half time and a few substitutions, the game went quiet for a bit with a
lot of midfield messing about and people running into empty spaces
(Unfortunately the ball never went there either). I guess this was because
I tinkered with the team in order to give everybody who had turned up a
game (except Jim the stag). Groovy Joie had a shot that should have gone
in, but the keeper saved with a lunge from his stick after being beaten on
the ground. I honestly don’t remember them having a shot and I was
watching intently for most of the game.
Then the controversy arose! Mick Duggan, who has relations in Waterford (although
I’m sure that had nothing to do with his decisions), looked as if he had
given a stroke for a fairly innocuous tackle. His arm was in the air
although he seemed from the evidence to have given a short corner, which
the wall defended admirably. Then within minutes he actually did give a
stroke. I think it had been praying on his mind and he just had to go for
it. I asked what it was for after the game and was told that Quinton took
his player out unfairly and that getting the ball was no excuse. Clive
tried hard and dived the right way etc., but didn’t save it and although
we applied pressure for a lot of the game subsequent to the goal and got
four or five sort corners, the people who had been practising them on
Tuesday night were all standing on he sidelines having been substituted at
one stage or another. They didn’t get another shot either by the way.
We will have to do better but practice makes perfect. Make sure you come up
to training!
We are looking ok though and will get a win eventually. Next week we get the
chance of a bit of revenge over C of I (4ths)...
|
