At 9am we had 15 players so it was entirely inevitable that come the end of the game we would be short. We arrived at Bedford early as the venue operators had informed us that we could start as soon as we liked, however the opposition were struggling to get a full team together so we held out for ten minutes. Ultimately we had to get my Dad to umpire by himself as he’s a hero and face the 10 man opposition.
With the numbers in our favour it was only a matter of time before the opposition took the lead via a fast break and some ridiculously good stick skills to keep control of the ball. A neat finish eluded Guinness in goal and Screwbania had the lead.
It then emerged that the opposition had Krista Hopkinson in thier team. This delighted me and of course also struck fear deep into my soul. While a few weeks ago her brother Gangstar Greeg Hopkinson played for us and unleashed his bling-bling ghetto skillzzzzzzz Krista introduced an element of class and elegance. Magnificent. Sadly this proved to be a big issue for us as she is pretty useful at hockey and it was always going to be hard to deal with. But lovely to see her regardless and many thanks to her and her family for being hockey heros. (Her Dad has a beard and calls his wife “Dragon”, LAD!)
City equalised through some nice slick passing play, trying to use the slender numerical advantage to eliminate the opposition. The ball moved around the 25 fluidly before it reached Duncan Fraser wide of goal, his finish across the keeper finding the far corner and leveling the score line.
Minutes later City kept the ball moving until it reached Si Webb who’s cross met Kate Stewart on the far post, her tap in eluded the keeper but the centre back scrambled and retrieved the ball as it was just about to cross the line. In a moment of confusion this resulted in a 16 yard hit for Screwbania and City did not react properly and conceded a goal on the break again.
City were working hard off the ball generally speaking (myself excluded!) and we were creating chances. This however could not be converted into goals. Fraser saw a brilliant chance flash inches wide of the post via his reverse stick effort but there was nobody on hand to tap in on the post.
The second half started minus Phil Robinson who was nursing some injuries sustained overnight with some lucky lady. What a hero. What a ruddy hero. So now the numbers were equal and the fitness and speed of Screwbania really told. Soon after Laurel Tully followed and now City were down to 9 players. BOO!!!
In the first half City won a high number of penalty corners. Vicky Wilkinson and Antonia Morherr did well to eliminate players and get shots on goal, Kate Stewart often on hand to convert the chances but they were denied by a wall of defence that even the Dambusters would struggle to topple. The second half saw the tables turned and Screwbania win a large number. City managed to keep most out but a well worked move struck a City foot as the ball was heading for Hopkinson’s stick. I think she missed it but I’ve got a soft spot for the old girl so I’m going to give it to her (plus it was my foot!).
A few chances came City’s way, with Fraser doing well to provide for Antonia and Vicky but the chances just weren’t converted. I then managed to get one on the reverse that went inches wide but just as Fraser saw nobody for the tip in history repeated itself. BOO!!!
I can’t remeber the other goals we conceded as I lost myself staring at Phil’s incredible physique. He’s so sexy. I ruddy love him. Before the game he revealed himself to be a cretin while trying to grip his stick but I can tolerate that as he’s so awesome. He is the son of Zeus, he is like Hugh Jackman and Mila Kunis had offspring that challenges the very limits of sexitude. Phil Robinson is the sort of guy who could take your mum out for dinner and never ring her again.
So we lost. Really annoying as we looked like we could have been on for a good thing. But sadly no. Screwbania were really handy today. And they had Krista. And we lost Phil and Laurel. These two factors alone were bound to cause us problems.
Monkey gets special mention for playing really well and tidying up on the multitude of occasions we lost possession. Jesus had some good moments, really composed and Dougie was stupendous as ever. Plus Mullers, you were “massive”.
MOM goes to Duncan and Monkey. Duncan for his hard work, goal and creating chances. Monkey for being really good at hockey and shouting at me loads.