Men's 2nd XI vs Newenden Nomads M1

After a 5 week lay off we were back in action against the league leaders, who were undefeated this season and have won 4 back to back promotions.

Last night 12 of us were due to travel down to Cranbrook for a 10am pushback, this morning we were down to a bare 11. After a long drive to Cranbrook was time to get changed for the game, no changing facilities! For those who usually have their PMD they were greeted with 2 portaloos on the side of the pitch.

Ville started far the better team pinging the ball around and were taking the game to the league leaders. Inside the first 10 minutes Ville scored with their 2nd penalty corner. The plan was a left slip but the oppo seemed to know it was coming so instead Perks slipped it back to Dave Hooper who'd injected and at the 2nd attempt managed to lift it over the keeper. 1 - 0 Ville! A few minutes later Ville were down to 10 temporarily after JB took a ball flush on the kneecap, the ball imprint and bruise was instant. 5 minutes later the skipper returned. It stayed this way right up to half time with Ville continuing to dominate. However on the couple of occassions the Ville defence were called upon they dealt with the danger brilliantly. A great 1st half from Ville but we knew Newenden would come out with more in the 2nd half.

Nomads were level after 10 minutes with a goal from a penalty corner. A pathetic drag flick which just about made it to Hughes in goal dropped down and Newenden were quicker to react than Ville and managed to fumble it over the line to make it 1-1.

This didn't take the wind out of our sails as moments later Jack Field was charging forward towards their D juggling with the ball mid air when he was scythed down. Penalty corner? No umpire only gave a free hit. Dave Hooper played the ball quickly to Sidders on the baseline just outside the D who fizzed the ball into the box and found Jack Field. He beat the 1st defender, switched it onto his reverse and unleashed a shot into the corner and their keeper had no chance. 2 - 1 Ville!

Nomads were chasing the game now and kept coming but the Ville defence continued to hold strong, in particular Max Hooper who was magnificent all afternoon despite being asked to play in an unfamiliar position at centre back.

Nomads were awarded a very dubious penalty corner after a Hughes clearance which went off behind but almost made it to the sideline before crossing the line. Nomads converted the resulting penalty corner with a near carbon copy of their first scrappy goal. 

With 5 minutes to go a draw looked the way it was heading and would have been a fair result. Their umpire had other ideas unfortunately. A free hit looked like it has been given to Ville, so we pushed forward then all of a sudden he seemed to reverse his decision. Mr Field questioned the change in decision and the umpire decided to send him to the sin bin, very harsh! Things got a little heated at this point. Nomads were able to take advantage of the assist they were given by their umpire and scored yet another scrappy goal in what seemed a very long 2 minute sin bin. 3 - 2 Nomads. That is the way it finished, gutting to not come away with atleast a point which was throughly deserved. Even their other umpire said a draw was the right result. 

Despite the disappointment Ville can be proud of their efforts and recent run of form and look forward to the 2nd half of the season. If we can carry on as we have over the last 4 or 5 games there is no reason we can't be pushing ourselves up the table and challenging for 2nd place.