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Veterans:This was a big game for
the Veterans, their first time in the Veterans Cup against a Hereford
side that play together regularly and were semi-finalists in this
competition in 2000 and 2001. Six of the Westbury line-up having
turned out for the Warriors this season! Hereford even had an England
Over 60s international in their side as well.
A
big game for the Vets then, and some massive performances from the
players. Hereford had the better of the possession in the first
half with Martin Fey dominating at sweeper, belying the fact that
he hasn’t played competitive hockey for some considerable time.
Brian Nichols, Steve Alger and Austin Sheppard were a solid back
three and kept shots at a minimum for stand in keeper Mike Harvey.
Throughout the game Mike looked the part of keeper and drew praise
from the opponents for saves he made in the second half.
Westbury’s
best chances came on their break-a-ways. Chris Cocks worked the
ball down the goal line after a decisive pass into the D from Dave
Ratcliffe, to slide the ball between the goalkeeper’s feet for Martin
Palmer to score from close range.
Hereford
drew level two minutes into the second half. Shortly after the cheers
went up for Austin Sheppard’s powerful strike from a short corner.
Amazingly the umpire disallowed it for not being stopped outside
the D, when clearly it had been the perfect stop and strike. To
make matters worse Hereford went ahead from a corner where their
number 11 encroached 5 yards into the D and was not blown up for
it. A rebound fell to Hereford who went 2-1 up.
The
midfield worked hard to get us back into the game. Dave Holliday,
George Banting and Mark Crofts battled away valiantly. Andy Fox
made a cameo appearance as a spare pair of legs when the midfield
were getting tired.
An
equaliser did come from a smart move by Chris Cocks and Steve Millman.
Tufty’s square ball to the penalty spot must have bounced. Martin
Palmer was there to slap it into the goal, but it caught a wicked
top edge and flew high into the air. The arc of the ball taking
it over the keeper and down under the crossbar for a freaky goal.
(I later claimed it was a deliberate flick over the advancing keeper,
but no-one would swallow that!)
With
less than 10 minutes to go Hereford were awarded a penalty stroke
that put them 3-2 ahead. Westbury’s attacking options were by now
restricted to the occasional break. Tom Counsell, who had been rotating
into the back line during earlier periods of the game, came back
on in a wide position on the left with about 2 minutes to go. From
near the side line on the 25 he spotted Steve Millman’s run towards
the near post. He drove the ball into the D. Its direction would
have taken it out of play hitting the outside of the goal. Tufty
had timed his run to perfection. His stick caught the ball with
a cleverly judged deflection back across the face of the stranded
keeper into the goal at the far post, this brought a loud roar from
all our supporters. This was a sensational goal to cap a hardworking
display from Steve.
Hereford
still had time to hit the post before full time was called.
The
penalty stroke competition to decide who went through to the next
round, saw Martin Palmer and Steve Millman score (despite both of
them having missed their last strokes). Hereford kept scoring as
well although Mike Harvey was desperately unlucky not to save two
that he got a touch to. Mark Crofts also succeeded from the spot,
but the remaining two strokes were unsuccessful. Hereford scored
all theirs to win 4-3.
This
was a fantastic game to play in, and every member of the 14 man
squad deserves credit for their effort and commitment to secure
a 3-3 draw. Good luck to Hereford in the next round, they played
a sporting game and looked a well-organised team. |
