Sutton 2s v Stratford's 2s: 3-3

Shakespeare's Stratford, fresh off their first win at Blossomfield 1s, came to town this Saturday to face a much changed 2s lineup due to limited availability across the club. Talking of the bard... your starter for 10...in which Shakespeare play does Sutton Coldfield feature?

Back to the hockey!

After a cagey start, it was Sutton who could've taken the lead from a penalty corner. Alas, a comedy of errors ensued: Matt Hyde took to heart the message of "either score or scare them" and opted for the latter with an unintentional 7 iron hit high into the net. Stick stopper Jack R roared with delight at the outcome, perhaps forgetting the need for the first hit to be below backboard height? A Stratford corner later in the half was also destined for top bins before Archie Cleaver picked the flick off the line keeping the score 0-0.

A to and fro half didn't lead to any goals until the half time whistle despite a number of chances for the visitors. It was Sutton though who took the lead through a perfectly placed drag flick by Cleaver from a penalty corner. 1-0 up with only 3 D entries in the half. Clinical.

The second half would prove to be a higher scoring affair. Stratford equalised to make it 1-1 via a crash ball to an unmarked player in the D who calmly slotted the ball in the goal - a very soft goal to concede indeed.

Sutton re-established their lead however with another Cleaver flick to make it 2-1.

It felt like this could be the week that the 2s would finally get their first win with only 15 minutes to play...but Stratford matched the 2s measure for measure with an equaliser following a Sutton player's intriguing decision to gift the ball to Stratford in the D. Bonus fantasy points for the assist?

The away side then completed their fast scoreboard turnaround shortly after to make it 2-3. Alls well that ends well for Stratford? Not on Archie's watch! Hat trick completed with a third drag flick goal with only 3 minutes left on the clock. 3-3.

A win, a win, my kingdom for a win? Not on this occasion. Although the end of the game wasn't without incident with a Stratford coach getting a yellow card for expressing unwarranted opinions to the umpire. It might have been more prudent to leave in silence at that point...instead he carried on and so the Stratford skipper was carded too! Much ado about nothing really.

With neither side able to get a winner, the points were shared. MOTM went to Archie C. A hat trick and MOTM as a defender...take note fantasy managers!

Whilst no team has a 100% record in the league following this weekends results, Sutton's next opponents Shrewsbury 1s recorded a 9-0 win away at Blossomfield 1s so it will be a great test to see if the 2s can tame the Shrews! Pushback 15:30 at Roman Road Sports Centre in Shrewsbury.

Quiz question answer: Henry IV