Mens 2s vs Bishops Stortford M1

Harleston Magpies Mens 2s visited Bishop Stortford still looking for their first points of the season. Bolstered by the return of Simon Hipwell and Andrew Bedwell and with Andrew Johnson making his first 2nd team appearance of the season, the Pies went into the game feeling confident. This confidence almost paid off immediately as Ben Brand showed excellent skill and turn of pace to steal the ball in midfield and set up a lightning fast counter attack. The ball fell to Johnson in the D but the keeper was out smartly to deny the striker a dream start to the game. Magpies continued with their attacking intent but despite winning several short corners could find no way past the Stortford keeper. Magpies soon found themselves with another attacking opportunity as Will Dunn, playing in the unfamiliar role of attacking midfielder, took a quick free hit outside of the D. Making sure that he carefully counted out 5 big steps before firing the ball into the D he was horrified to find out that the umpire expected him to move the ball as well as his feet. Stortford took the resulting free hit quickly, throwing a long aerial up the pitch. Charlie Blandy was first to react and, channelling his inner England batsman, sent a thick edge sailing through to the waiting Stortford forward. Nick Moss was fast off his line to intercept however a diving reverse stick shot sent the ball into the back of the net and left Magpies trailing. Despite reacting well to this setback, Magpies found themselves further behind after a well saved Stortford short corner was bundled into the goal on the second attempt. Magpies were left reeling as Stortford scored once again, the long ball into the D somehow bobbling past the Magpies players and finding it's way into the net. Magpies finally hit back with a goal of their own with a beautiful counter attack of quick passing up the pitch before Josh Means was there to tap in and bring an end to his goal drought. Half time came with the Magpies players feeling slightly aggrieved to find themselves 2 goals down so it fell to the level headed leadership of captain Simon Hipwell to calm his teammates down and prepare them for the second half. 

Magpies started taking control in the second half, dominating possession and starting to put together some dangerous looking attacks. Frustration was beginning to show again as, despite some excellent hockey and a Stortford team determined to break down play however possible, magpies were unable to make a breakthrough. Once again it fell to captain Hipwell to lead by example, showing a level of maturity and composure rarely seen on a hockey pitch. Inspired by their leader, Magpies finally had a chance to hit back. The ball popped up from an attacking short corner and Dickon Taylor was on hand to expertly control the ball, laying it off to Player of the Match Jack Haywood to fire past the keeper. With only 1 goal between the teams Magpies started pushing for the leveler. The youthful halfback pairing of Baynes and Bedwell were galavanting up and down the pitch supporting attack after attack. Adam Lascelles found himself room in the D, rocketing his shot into the side netting and several balls were fired across goal but somehow they were not ending up in the goal. With barely any time left on the clock, Hipwell received the ball deep in his own half. Surging forward he managed to fend off several Stortford players who tried to bring him down before winning a short corner. Was this to be Magpies chance? The ball was fizzed across goal, stortford were scrambling, Baynes' eyes lit up as the stortford defender struggled to clear the ball. Tentatively, he reached out his stick to steal the ball but there was a whisper of contact. A yellow card was shown and Stortford were able to clear. The game finished 3-2 to Bishops Stortford but Magpies left the pitch with heads held high after an excellent performance.

POTM: Jake Haywood