Men's 1st XI vs Blueharts M1

After rescuing a win last week with a brilliant second half performance, the 1s were looking to put together a 70 minute performance, as they welcomed Blueharts to Newport. The game had added intrigue, due to a familiar presence on the opposition bench.

Following a disjointed warm-up, Walden again failed to start with anything like the intensity, composure and quality they show when at their best. An up-for-it Blueharts side came out hard and disrupted Walden, winning the ball high up the pitch and causing the backline some issues with their structured attacking approach once they did get on the ball. This pressure led to outcomes, and despite a stunning Nick Chandler’s save onto the post from an early penalty corner, he was beaten by another that snuck through the defensive runners, leaving him unsighted.

Despite Blueharts deserving their lead, Walden looked dangerous on the break an could have been level on a number of occasions, seeing shots sneak past the post, good opportunities pulled back by umpires and scuppering opportunities from penalty corners. Walden's wastefulness proved costly, as Blueharts extended their lead before the break.

Unlike last week, the 1s knew there were no tactical changes needed at half-time, just a shift in attitude and going back to basics. After a rousing team-talk from coach and captain, Walden made a blistering start to the 2nd half. In a 15 minute period of hockey that would dominate against any team in the league, the 1s turned a 0-2 deficit into a 3-2 lead.

Within 30 seconds of push-back, Walden attacked down the right and immediately won a penalty corner, from which Spencer Hill powered in a drag flick. Dropping deeper and deeper into their own half, the shell-shocked visiting side could only watch as Walden continued to enjoy a period of dominance, creating numerous chances and hitting the post twice in quick succession and other opportunities narrowly missing. Eventually, this pressure led to the desperate defending side giving away a penalty stroke, Hill again on hand to convert the flick. Walden didn’t relent after drawing level and another slick move down the right-hand side of the D from Alex Newitt and George Pitfield eventually made its way to Alex Flynn arriving on the back-post to tap into an empty goal.

 After all this excitement and buoyed by a noisy home crowd who had vociferously propelled the team on, Walden went into game-management mode as Blueharts began to rise to challenge, without necessarily causing Chandler too much trouble in the home net. However, back-to-back penalty corners in the final moments of the game provided some drama. After propelling a corner with 30 seconds to go, Walden broke at typical speed and Hill emphatical completed his hat-trick, crunching the ball into the roof of the net.

Next week the 1s travel to play a Cambridge Uni side who, despite their pedigree, are winless so far this season. However, they should not be underestimated, as they are typically slow starters and will not be so forgiving if the 1s continue their run of poor first half performances.