This weekend saw Knutsford Hockey Club’s Mens 2s look to defend their unbeaten record in North West Division 6 (South Central). The Deeside Ramblers visitors were riding high from their recent up-tick in form, having beaten upper table hopefuls Whitchurch last weekend.

It was clear from the start however that Knutsford were fielding a strong and experienced team and quickly took control of proceedings. Fast interplay between the midfielders Lawrence, Pedlow, Wasilewska and Lambert, soon saw multiple balls heading Jamison and Price’s way up front. There was early blood to Knutsford as Wasilewska tore through the Deeside midfield and bagged the first goal for the home side.

Rallied by their early success Knutsford continued to create wave after wave of attack, but bad luck and rushed play led to many attempts on goal being unrewarded. Such was Knutsford’s pace that often the two of three Deeside defenders found themselves surrounded by four or five Knutsford players. However at the 25 minute mark, as other Knutsford players pulled the defenders aside, Pedlow found the backboard from the top of the D. 2-0 to Knustford.

With Hammersley now joining the midfield the onslaught continued. A fine example of running, scanning and perfect passing precision from Jamison found Lambert in the D on the right-hand side of the goal. A strong narrow shot finding its way over the goal line, leaving the Deeside Keeper sprawled on the ground, and the beaten defenders dejected.

There were some spells where the skills from Deesides’ young attackers started to shine through, but in reality the Knutsford defensive unit of Comline, Goldsmith, Starr, Jones had little from Deeside to challenge them through the game.

Jones amused himself by tossing balls high over the players in the middle of the park, and goalkeeper Harvey applied his usual spirited motivational speaking to encourage the team.

The half time team talk was a light affair, with chit-chat about the weather and such. Little did we know…..

Special mention to our much loved and appreciated umpires; the smartly dressed Holah, the eleventh hour ‘save the day’ stand-in Routs and debutant Hints who undertook her first foray into umpiring mens hockey. We couldn’t play this glorious game without you folks.

The second half continued in much the same vain, albeit at a slightly more leisurely pace, but it wasn’t long before further goals came Knutsford’s way, with textbook demonstrations from Price and Jones taking the score line to 5-0 in the home side’s favour.

It was after around 50 minutes of play that ominous dark clouds had formed over the pitch, so dark in fact that the floodlights needed to be requested. But floodlights were not enough to allow any semblance of hockey to be played 10 minutes later as the heavens opened in biblical fashion. Very quickly the pitch flooded and with the ball unable to travel through the puddles, 22 drenched player very quickly concluded that the game was done. A quick ‘three cheers’ and a sprint for shelter back in the leisure centre ended the match.

Overall, a handy result for Knutsford, parking them second in the table after 4 matches. A break next week for all teams means that your next chance to come and support the team will be by travelling away to Golborne on 29 October. Although given that journey the spectator attendance record may remain unchallenged in October.

Att: 5