2017-18 Season: Epsom (5s) 2 – 1 Berrylands

So near ….. and yet, so far ……. #2 This game provided two significant points of interest ….. first, our goal came from a penalty flick (well stepped up, Nikki!) and second, Epsom’s umpire’s fetching red headband, rather John McEnore-esque. Which teamed with his rather too short shorts, was a rather bizarre appearance on the hockey pitch! He green-carded an Epsom player for ‘back of the stick’ work but did over-ride Gerry to award us a pflick, the ball having been blocked (unintentionally) on the goal line by a defender’s shoulder off a deflection from Lucia’s stick.

Epsom’s first goal came early in the match when their forwards broke through our defence and the ball was passed into the goal and hit on the half-volley by the young centre forward giving T no chance. Play went back and forward with no clear chances for either side until Berrylands pushed forward, there was a shot on goal which Lucia managed to get a stick on and the ball rebounded off the defender’s shoulder. Gerry awarded a long corner but was overruled by Epsom who insisted on a penalty. Nicky remained calm and flicked the ball to the right of the keeper. 1-1.

At half-time T warned us about stick-tackling as she feared the umpire was about to produce a card which he duly did in the second half, ruling that an Epsom player illegally used the back of her stick which even Gerry thought was a bit harsh. It’s Surrey Div 9, not the World Cup! Epsom produced some fluent, well-practiced moves to penetrate our D but T made some great clearances to keep the ball out. To be honest, I can’t remember their second goal but Berries kept the pressure up right to the last few minutes but were unable to capitalise, several shots going just wide of the post.