Hockey Nirvana Achieved

The 2s travelled to second placed STRATFORD on Saturday, sitting in a relegation battle thanks to a last minute league restructure, with 4 teams being relegated! Maybe I missed something, but I'm sure it was only 2 teams going down the week before!?

Meet time was early for a change with a 12pm push back, enabling time after for socialising, being with the family, watching football and even early Mother's Day shopping!! The players met in the changing rooms, names were placed on the white board, arrows and crosses were marked and Captain DOVEY told us not to defend like the VETS?!!

The team was inspired, up for the challenge of playing possibly the best team they'd played before Christmas. Off the lads went for the warm up...wait a minute..."WHAT YA DOIN' LADS" came a strong SOUTH AFRICAN accent for the pitch, "YOUR GAME DOESN'T START TIL 2?!" WWWWHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A SOUTH AFRICAN couldn't be lying (his words, not mine!!).

NOBBY!?!?!? Apparently the "YES, 2PM START" email was misinterpreted.

Off to HENLEY the 2s went...the pub was calling! Several cokes, chicken skewers, salads, soups and garlic breads later, it was back to STRATFORD. Everyone was full, bloated and ready to rock!

Both teams started well, but THE SILS had the best of the opening exchanges, STRATFORD's keeper making some smart saves, keeping it 0-0. However, on 15 mins, Nick OPPENHEIMER turned from villain...to not so quite villain, smashing the ball into the bottom corner after a fine ball from Mark DOVEY. STRATFORD tried to make a quick reply, but THE SILS were strong in defence, with the whole team cutting out erratic passes, marking well and suffocating any attacks. One such attack on 25 mins was intercepted by OPPENHEIMER. He ran from the half way line, ignored a great run by KENT down the left flank and slammed in his second goal on the second attempt after another good save from STRATFORD's keeper. Villian...to not quite so hero!

Half time 2 - 0 to the underdogs!

At half time, THE SILS expected a backlash from STRATFORD. It never came, as the whole team put in a shift and a half. THE SILS clearly wanted it more and on 40 mins, Mo HADIAN grabbed his first of the afternoon, flicking the ball from a tight angle over the floored keeper. 5 minutes later, Max LEVENGER made it 4-0, hammering a THOR like effort into the bottom left corner. THE SILS were on fire and shortly after, Andre TCHAKHOTINE deflected a goal bound shot passed the helpless keeper. Adam KENT then added to the score line, flat footing the keeper as his bullet flew into the bottom left corner. THE SILS were dominating all over the park and towards the end, Mo HADIAN grabbed his second with a straight strike from a well worked short corner. STRATFORD had no answer and thankfully, O'MALLEY had nothing to do all game! When the final whistle went there were shouts from the home side of, "GLAD WE'RE NOT PLAYING YOU NEXT SEASON."

Full time 7 - 0!

Massive last game of the season coming up! Winner takes all game vs KINGS HEATH.