Sutton 2s v Warwick 2s: 4-4

With the British weather wreaking havoc the past couple of weeks (or just predictably cold at this time of year) it was time for M2 to reacquaint themselves with Saturday hockey courtesy of a mid table contest at Warwick.

The most recent report's quiz answers...B and E are the two letters from Solihull Blossomfield that are not the letters of US states and the Last Samurai is the Tom Cruise film from which the "perfect blossom" quote originates.

This week's:
1) Warwick castle is the tallest castle in the UK, but how tall is it?
2) How many goals did all Sutton teams that played on Saturday 9th December score? And was it more or less than goals conceded?

Moving on...

M2 arrived plenty early ahead of their 4pm fixture, with Hydey even having time to run errands and still be the first there. Skipper Moss ran through tactics on the board whilst the youth passionately discussed if they did or didn't know any Warwick players (was JT playing in the end lads?!), and even then there was 40 minutes to kill. Brisco's suggestion of The Longest Yard style Mud Bowl warm up was considered but eventually the team settled on taking in the vast Warwick School grounds before some stick and ball on pitch and it was finally time to play.

Sutton started fairly well, adapting effectively to some new tactics (FJs tactical suggestion going a lot better than his aerials to the opposition due to "poor contact lenses"), and had the majority of possession initially but it was Warwick instead who started the scoring when Sutton switched off defensively. 1-0 down. M2 showed good composure and resilience to build back in the game and eventually get the equaliser via what can only be described as a Matt Hyde thunderbolt from a PC - a delicate blend of hitting power and bobbling ball to beat the logged keeper. 1-1. No scoreline was safe for long though at the Kings School pitch and the home side regained the lead from a PC to make it 2-1 at half time.

Sam Haribo (now the self-appointed fastest person in Sutton and Warwick) provided the half time sweets tub (someone else forgot theirs so only Starmix and no Tongfastics on this occasion) and coach Robin roused the troops for the second half siege.

M2 came out the blocks fastest and equalised early on to make it 2-2 from another PC - this time Dan Blanc showing quick hands and composure to slot in after an initial good save by the keeper.

Sutton then took their first lead of the game when the aforementioned Dan beat three players and fired a ball to the backpost, where Max H reacted quickest to the defenders deflected interception and somehow turned the ball in over the onrushing keeper. A wonder goal - (that's how he asked me to describe it here anyway). 3-2 up.

M2 did have more chances to extend the lead, from both open play and PCs, but with neither side able to make it to a lead of 2 at any point, it was Warwick who equalised to make it 3-3 from another defensive lapse. Sutton weren't done yet though, Alex Tanklebreaker went on one of his sick dribbles and sold the keeper with quick hands and got wiped out for his troubles. Penalty flick. Up stepped the Cleaver. Archie knew exactly where to put it. Right down the middle through the keepers legs - it has been a while since our 3 game run of megging the keeper so time will tell if this is the start of another streak. 4-3 up. Warwick also weren't done sadly though and after they decided to go to 11 outfield, the ball fell to an attacker in the D at a messy PC who dispatched it ruthlessly. 4-4.

Some fantastic attacking hockey by Sutton, some costly unforced errors as well - a draw probably the fair result in a wildly entertaining back and forth fixture. 4 goals each for a 4pm pushback feels apt too.

MOTM went to goalscorer and assister Dan White. Fortunately he is available for the first of M2 rearranged fixtures so sweets will be on the cards at Leek 2 next Saturday, 11:30 pb - 90% chance it will be on (or is it still too soon to joke about it Mossy? No point crying over spilt vinegar either way).