Back to Winning Ways

On cold morning at Goodwin the 3s aimed to bounce back from the previous week’s defeat and it was Sheffield University Bankers 7s in the firing line.
Following a hectic week for Boss Hogg there were a few players missing. Tomahawk Bandit and Chuckle#2 had been promoted and were tripping the light fantastic elsewhere. Flavio was also missing and the Boss himself, following a visit to A&E after the previous match, had dropped to the bench nursing a sore wrist. There were welcome returns for Bambi (who only treated us to one fall all day), Gina G and Tom ‘Texas Ranger’ Walker.
On a fast pitch both teams struggled to get into their stride. Passing inaccuracy saw possession being squandered and defenders started the game on top. Typhoo was looking composed at right back and provided an outlet to launch attacks down the wing. Chap were able to gain a penalty corner and Bambi’s shot was like a bullet. Unfortunately it was well above backboard height and the ‘goal’ was correctly disallowed. Next it was Bankers turn to have a penalty corner opportunity but the excellent running of Fitbit ended the chance before a shot could be fired.
It was to be Bankers who took the early lead with a well worked goal. The move started with a free hit just outside the 23m line. The ball was worked to the left of the D where the resultant cross was swept into the goal for the penalty spot leaving Gandalf no chance.
Chap replied by going on the attack. Mad Max playing left wing was combining well with Von Ryan and a further penalty corner was gained. This time there was confusion with the injection and the chance was wasted. Out on the right young Texas was settling into the side well, playing some composed passes both inside and down the wing and he contributed when the scores were levelled shortly after. With the ball coming from the right Chap loaded the D, and after an initial chance was blocked, Iceburg was on hand to coolly lift his effort into the left corner of the goal.
The second half started with Chap on the attack and a disallowed goal. Following a stick tackle in the D the ball broke to Gigolo who promptly carried the ball two yards before slotting past the Bankers keeper. Unfortunately umpire for the day Moonpig had ‘done a Reg Hollis’ and been a bit keen on the whistle blowing, signalling a penalty corner before the shot had been taken. The resultant penalty corner was flashed wide by Bambi with several players cm’s away from applying a deflective touch.
Bankers were not without their own chances and Chap had to be thankful to Gandalf’s keeping on several occasions to keep the scores level, including a toe ended stop from a penalty corner that was heading inches inside the post and a point blank save that Shep was able to tidy up before the rebound could be followed up.
The game was to be decided by a piece of late drama. Gigolo pinched the ball from a defender and found himself bearing down on the keeper. The defender, unable to recover position, attempted to tackle through Gigolo’s legs as he was preparing to shoot, taking the Chap forward down. Moonpig instantly signalled for a penalty stroke. It took a minute for Gigolo’s voice to become less high pitched but once recovered he took responsibility himself. Gigolo’s stroke went right, and though the keeper got a good hand to the ball, it dropped into the goal to give Chap a 2-1 win.
After match refreshment saw Gandalf voted the MOM Starblazer for some excellent saves. The DOD Hotdog was a tight affair after Fitbit, Typhoo and Gina G all managed to leave equipment in various places with Typhoo nicking it as the shirt bag was deemed the most important item.