OSHC 4 vs Hampton-in-Arden 4

After a run-around last week in rather damp and muggy conditions, it was good for the regular returning combatants to play a “proper” competitive game in bright, dry weather against a side who had come down from the division above. While missing John H, Murray C and Mike B, we were able to welcome Tony Jameson and Harpreet into the side.

Hampton are usually tough opponents and we have not performed too well against them in the past. However, we seemed to settle fairly quickly and, although the passing seemed a bit awry at times, the control being exercised by Shaun and Tony J in midfield and defence meant that relatively few Hampton attacks amounted to much.
Simon, Alex and Andy began moving the ball about well and the pressure led to the first penalty corner which Simon put away well when the ball was moved right to left across the D.

Hampton then began to press forward and won a short corner. Although it was kept out, a short while later they managed to lift the ball over a Sils stick right on the by-line outside the RH goalpost and their centre forward popped the ball at waist height past Yogi.
Undaunted, we took a deep breath and pressed back up the pitch again. Andy’s speed and ball control was soon troubling Hampton again and, after a well-worked move, he skilfully lifted the ball over the Hampton keeper high into the net to put us back ahead.
We kept up the pressure and just before half-time, there was some scrappy play in the Hampton D from which Keith succeeded in getting the ball over the line to send us back to the dugout 3-1 up. This meant that Shaun’s half-time hairdryer was only on a low setting!
Hampton appeared to up their game after the break (not used to being two goals down to the Sils!) and began to press forward with more urgency. We seemed to lose some control and coordination in midfield but the defence managed to soak up all their attacks. Hampton had at least three short corners and several long ones but were unable to capitalise on them due, principally to strong defending from Tony J, Shaun, Craig and Mick.

Simon, Alex and Andy, when the Sils defence did actually manage to get the ball to them, ran tirelessly at Hampton and a strong shot on goal from the right by Alex was just deflected wide of the post by the Hampton keeper. This seemed to fire Andy up who, shortly afterwards, managed to skip through two converging Hampton players on the top of the D and put the ball in the net for Sils’ fourth goal. A great piece of individual skill.

We didn’t exactly play particularly well – a few more square and backward passes needed plus calling for the ball - but perhaps weren’t quite as rusty as we could have been. There was plenty of commitment from everyone and a 4 – 1 win over Hampton is a good way to start the season.

MOM – Tony Jameson

NoteNext week vs Warwick 4ths is likely to be a much tougher test as they finished 3rd in the WM Premier division last season!