SV held by spirited Burnt Ash

Honours were shared after a hard fought 70 mins. SV move on, rueing missed chances in a game they dominated throughout. Burnt Ash will feel fortunate to head home with a point.

Having congregated at the agreed meeting time, the SV players were in discussions as to who would have to disappear and a join a different game being played elsewhere. The outcome; no one?

And so to the usual pre match ritual. Jog round the pitch; stretch; hit the ball back and forth in pairs; "warm-up the keeper" by trying to decapitate him; and then reds versus the rest in the corner. The final group huddle before the push back, agreeing how to play and what to do before executing the exact opposite for the first five minutes.

It's no surprise SV were not ready from the off. Quickly squandering possession for no reason, the first gift of many for the travelling team, then on the defensive. Burnt Ash applied some pressure early but SV were able to regroup and regain possession, and a sense of control. Max Ife stepped in at right back and had a good game surging forward, and working hard to get back and keep Ife senior going. A slight lapse in concentration earned him 2 minutes spectating time, which gave him time to think of an excuse for not having anything for his Dads Birthday! And so to Rob Ife, on his 159th birthday, playing a crucial central role and ever audible in his frustration over anything poor; hockey, umpiring, air quality and American presidential candidates.

SV settled into a game of cat and mouse chasing a game they didn't need to, mostly up the centre of the pitch in an unexciting adventure pixelated by moments of good hockey and individual skill but lacking the team effort that saw them dominate the first period the previous week.

In defence the ever resilient back four were able to thwart each Burnt Ash offensive: In attack SV were lively but lacked that final cohesion to find a goal or short corner. Tom Willson played well in an attacking midfield position and came agonisingly close on a number of occasions. Elsewhere in midfield, Tim Wilcher somehow managed to keep going through bipolar moments of extreme energy. Dribbling the ball around opposition, team mates, umpires, and even his own shadow. Russell Blanchard came close to clubbing the ball away, but a deft shimmy from Tim saw Russ perform his infamous 1st tee practice swing.

Brett Angel worked hard all afternoon covering in defence and pushing forward in attack. Finding at one point unable to tear himself in two and mark both opposition players in his vicinity, took to patrolling the space in between. This however did not sit well with the Skipper who gently persuaded Brett to mark the player casually walking behind him. In reposte Mr Angel pointed out to El Capitan his predicament and a polite exchange took place while the rest of us carried on.

SV continued to surge forward and were finally rewarded for their efforts in the latter stages of the first half. James Pasco controlling the ball in the air off a defenders stick, and with his back to goal casually knocking round the side and into the net much to the bemusement of the visiting keeper.

SV regrouped at the break, one nil up and in agreement who the better team was and deserved more than a one goal advantage for their efforts. The second half started in very much the same vein as the first. SV's attacking pressure earning them three further short corners in the half (one more than the first half) but the same routine proved predictable and attempts closed down or saved. The visiting keeper played well saving several efforts in the second half and was solely responsible for his team's point from the game.

Similar to last week's second half, SV generously gave-up possession after possession building the visitors confidence in chasing the game. They pressed forward, often choosing a longer ball to their centre forward but clinical tackling time and time again by Steve Parker stopped him in his tracks. This particular duel had lasted the whole game and, frustrated at never getting past, the forward was heard lamenting "Why do I always pick him!"

Then it happened as so often is the case with a one goal lead. Burnt Ash were awarded a short corner in the 69th. SV's first runner was deemed to have gone early by the opposition' umpire leaving one less defender for the re-take. The visitors switched left, back to the middle and scuttled the ball under the flailing SV keeper. Burnt Ash were jubilant while SV were stunned and with no time to respond.

If SV are to replicate the success of the previous season, they need to start from the off, take their chances and maintain possession. For a side training weekly this wouldn't be a problem, but with only a few able to make training then the team must make the most of their time together before the match to practice as a unit, simulating game situations.

Next week's game is away against New Beccehamian 2s.