Suttons 2s v Shrewsbury 1s: 2-4

With a late pushback and long journey out to Roman Road Sports Centre (or apparently Meole Brace sports centre just to cause a bit of confusion on arrival), the 2s squad arrived in good time and full of motivation to put in a big performance.

This week's quiz questions:
1. Who is considered the most famous person born in Shrewsbury?
2. They were educated at Shrewsbury school, but what are old boys of the school known as?
Tune in next week for the answers (or just Google it like I did) *legal disclaimer: other search engines are available*

Where were we? Oh yeah, hockey...

Coaches Robin T and Matt FJ stepped out of the changing rooms pre game to briefly discuss top secret tactics - choosing the corridor by the entrance meant it was neither speedy or secret though. Undeterred by this, the team took on board the new tactics and were raring to go.

Sutton started fairly well on and off the ball (oops sorry England Hockey...I mean "in possession" and "out of possession"), although there was some confusion on pitch, and certainly for everyone watching, with Robin relentlessly shouting out his favourite body part and some forwards not having a clue why he was saying it. Once that was resolved, the 2s were playing well collectively and generally retaining possession better, a key takeaway of area for improvement from the Stratford game last week. Despite this, it was Shrewsbury who took the lead from a penalty corner direct to the left slip who slapped the ball into the goal. 0-1.

Sutton responded well to the disappointment of conceding first and equalised from their own PC via PC Jake Doritourner who rifled his flick through the keepers legs (wait...you mean he can flick low too...who knew?!). 1-1 the half time score. Best intensity and pressing so far this season were notable positives from the first 35.

The 2s took the initiative in the second half and took the lead 8 minutes in after a nice move culminated in Sam H (fastest guy in Sutton? He'll race anyone to prove it) calmly lifting the ball over the keeper into the roof of the net after an initial save. The build up play by Brisco (not Briscoe...sorry about that Ryan) included a sublime bit of control reminiscent of Maradona at his peak. Football and hockey differ in their interpretation of whether you can use your chest to control the ball though so the 2s were perhaps a bit lucky to take the lead. (He'd have scored from the free hit anyway I'm sure so it's all good). 2-1 up.

The hosts then had their own large bit of fortune when a foot in the build up was missed and so they equalised to make it 2-2. At least each side had now effectively cancelled out each other's goals that shouldn't have stood, plus this way Sam bagged the fantasy points for his goal.

Sutton had a chance here to right the wrongs of last week having let a 2-1 lead become 2-2. Clearly though if you've read the score at the start of this week's essay you know no righting was done. A bitterly disappointing final 10 minutes with a lack of composure and game management meant that Shrewsbury took the lead. 2-3. This was further compounded by Sutton switching off and not marking from a sideline ball and the Shrewsbury player rolling into space under no pressure before entering the D and finding a teammate to kill off hopes of another Sutton comeback. 2-4.

Despite playing some of their best hockey of the season it was a tough lesson that hockey is about the full 70 minutes and maintaining concentration and composure at key moments in the game. MOTM deservedly went to Sam H. Partial credit for his performance definitely goes to Jake for not forgetting Sam's glove though.

Next week Sutton are home to top of the table Telford 2s who have 10 out of a maximum 12 points. A huge game at Wyndley at 13:00.

Thanks as always to the 5 people that read the match report (probably an overestimate) and fair play to you for taking the hour out of your life to read it. See you next week!