Mens 2s vs Broxbourne 2

The Letchworth 2’s fielded a highly experienced team (average age of c.40) for an away trip against Broxbourne 2’s. Expecting a tough game against a team relegated from the league above last year, we ditched our slippers, put down our smoking pipes and heaved ourselves out of our armchairs, to play some hockey. Using some of our hard earnt pension to buy enough petrol required for a long journey across Hertfordshire, we turned up for a game so late it was nearly on Sunday.

Letchworth used all of their experience and a sprinkle of youthful exuberance for what turned out to be a battle-royale. In fact it was an impressively high quality hockey game, given this was the first game of the season. Letchworth took an early lead through a blistering drag flick from man-on-a-mission, Dave Gentry. Broxbourne hit back with a goal before half time, which was sufficiently uninteresting that I actually can’t remember it. 

The second half became more and more of a war of attrition with both teams clearly struggling with the amount of work being done off the ball. Stuart then decided that we had drawn down enough of his pension for one day, taking up a temporary job as a lumberjack, before being told by the umpire to give up this day job and return to playing hockey. Leon, a man transformed at the start of the season (and potentially hoping Wada aren’t doing any early season drug testing) then broke away to round the keeper and put the ball into an empty net for a 2-1 lead with only around 10 minutes left. Sadly, Broxbourne scrambled a goal over line after a messy short corner, right at the end of the game, making it 2-2. 

Realistically it was an excellent game from all involved, a great start to the season, with a draw probably a fair result. Special mention to MoM Kieran for an excellent debut in goal.