Hampton Wade in with a win

Hampton are a pleasure to play. They have some great chaps, play good hockey and are sociable after. However, they also possess a 5 foot goal machine with a five o'clock shadow and a killer edge.
It was a strong side that assembled. Perkins was back, Oppenheimer had survived another mid-life crisis on the piste, and there was also a welcome return to the redoubtable and increasingly aggressive Danks. It felt like a good side with lots of goals. The game started at a fast pace, and the dearth of defenders meant that the Sils were attacking from the off. This did leave us somewhat exposed; and with at least 30% of the back 3 only one tackle away from a mental breakdown, the risk was there that we would ship goals. However, we placed Hampton under pressure, and several shots came close to beating the 8 year old in the Hampton goal. There was danger at the back though - and Wade had come close twice before he accelerated away from the Sils defence to slot home. 1-0. Donald Trump would claim it was fake news - but then it was confirmed as Wade appeared again like a midget version of the Grim Reaper to slot home from a PC. 2- 0 and it felt like a long way back.
However, we still played some lovely hockey, Thurman and Stephen are strong at the moment, and Danks was mixing falling over with some combative moves. There was also the sight of Chairman Tabb (is he related to Chairman Mao?- Ed), attempting to keep pace with Mr Wade. Depending on your angle, he was either overtaking Wade or at least a postcode behind. Still - it made for a taking point.
Half time - 2-0 - feeling aggrieved and wanting a win. The 2nd Half started well. We looked threatening, then the little b******r Wade appeared again. He took two shots which Goldstraw saved - and then slot a third in from a quick break. We looked doomed. Then suddenly, the clouds rolled away and we suddenly banged three goals in courtesy of the Chairman and the evergreen Danks. I think the Hampton keeper was being read a story but it meant we were back in it. Could we hold on - or even better win?
No - Guess who appeared at a short corner like a bad smell and score his 4th? Well it wasn't the Virgin Mary that's for sure. Wade is a fine player - and a pain in the jacksie and it felt like we needed Quentin to deal with him. In the end it was 4-3 and it felt like we had played some of the best hockey for a while. The chat in the bar was good, and the food excellent. MoM was close between Thurman and Danks - but it went to Danks as he had pushed over one of the oppo and scored two goals. We have a busy few days with fixtures against Khalsa in the cup; and then a trip to Blakey and his mates next week. It's a laugh a minute in the Vets.