Home win for HHC M2's

This, our first home game, was played in atrocious conditions, with heavy rain and very strong wind. We played against the wind in the first half and, by reciprocal arrangement, we provided both umpires, Mike and Lauren. We are extremely grateful to them for braving the elements.

Our squad of 13 included the welcome return of the evergreen Paul Kirkham in goal, bringing the average age of our back five to well over 60. We appreciated Paul's calling out to defenders when they were not marking tightly enough. COWs only had 10, one of whom was carrying an injury. The match was closely fought, and the first goal took a long time coming. Chris and Scott were combining well up front, and it was the former who opened the scoring, half way through the half. COWs' keeper was kept busy but, partly by luck and partly by judgement, he repelled our further attacks.

With the wind behind us in the second half, we had more of the possession, but many further scoring opportunities were squandered. COWs threw more men forward, looking for the equaliser, but with only five minutes left we were holding precariously to our slender lead. Then another move took the ball out to Tom on the left and his shot beat the keeper. If we thought that, at 2-0, we could rest on our laurels, we were mistaken. COWs attacked and a goalmouth scramble gave them a goal, and a lifeline. There was still time for more frenetic action at each end, and we were relieved when the final whistle was blown.

Tony