Competition: EH Tier 1 Plate

Round: Quarterfinal

Opposition: Sevenoaks HC

Venue: Fortress Trent Park

Weather: not bad

 

There it was, the next round of the cup competition, the usual round where pretty much every team gets a bye but us. Anyway, by now being used to the very generous allocation of matches by EH to our U18 boys, we decided to not let that deter us from making our way into a second National Semifinal in as many years.

 

The game plan was as cunning as it was simple: score more goals than the opposition and man, I love it when a plan comes together! From the start the boys in red dominated possession and the match. Pinpoint 75 yard passes followed by neat trickery and the opposition goalie was starting to run hot early on. 15 minutes into the match the first penalty corner was earned. With brute force having worked well in the previous match, we decided to again revert to Jeremy Clarkson’s favourite theme – speed and power. The resulting drag flick from Lucas Jaehnig almost burned a hole into the side netting giving our U18 boys the deserved lead.

 

Not even 90 seconds later it was time for the Reggie Hopson show to commence. Part 1 – Vivek Dongha, having run rings around his defender,crossed the ball towards the goal where Reggie neatly put away the rebound having seen his initial deflection somehow saved by the keeper. 2-0 it was at halftime and the coaching message was as simple as before – keep scoring goals. Not long into the second and it was time for part 2 of the Reggie show – Josh Malique entered the circle along the baseline at what felt like 100 mph, found Reggie at the P spot, a quick hit, bottom corner, 3-0.  Part 3 should follow soon. This time it was Leonard Schröer’s turn to dance through the opposition circle and his textbook back foot shot was nicely deflected by … Reggie.  The final goal came from a PC again, Lucas J. saw his low drag flick just about saved and Jonas Ploss  found with great vision Scott Ramsay at the far post for the rebound tap in.

 

Next up the National Semifinal away vs Sutton Coldfield. Any supporters up for a field trip ?

#RoadToNottingham

#MissionDefendOurTitle

 

Result: 5-0 win

Goals: Reggie Hopson (3), Scott Ramsay, Lucas Jaehnig

MoM: Reggie Hopson