Match Report

Match : 1st XI v Ballymena
Date : 2009-01-24
Venue : A
Score : 0-7
Scorers :

By Kriss Leslie

East travelled to Ballymena showgrounds on Saturday with a ten man team. That ten man team was a weak one aswell, with a few more youngsters than usual. However, we managed to keep the score at 2-0 at half-time. Not bad considering the circumstances and the fact that we were up against a decent Senior 2 side.

During the game, East basically soaked up Ballymena pressure, and the goals which made the scoreline what it was came in the last 10 minutes of the game when our hardworking ten man team fitness and stamina levels were depleted.

At times we did go forward, though very rarely. We also managed to play good some short flowing hockey aswell. We were actually praised for some of the hockey we played by some watching and umpiring the game. Unlike other teams who play the long ball, we try and ALWAYS WILL TRY to play good short and neat hockey. Other teams seem to be getting more success out of playing the long ball, but if we keep playing the way we are capable, we can and will become just as clinical.

Second eleven youth players Matthew Bill and Robert Currie worked tirelessy and made good use of the ball when it came thier way. Furthermore, David Tumilson, second eleven captain, put in a good performance, rarely giving the ball away. Also, Stevie Cummins, kindly helping us out by once again by doing nets, put in another solid goalkeeping performance.

Nobody likes loosing 7-0. But we must realise the circumstances in which we played the game in - only ten men, and on top of that an understrength squad compared to what we can field any other normal week. Everyone who played on Saturday can be proud of themselves. We battled and battled until the last minute in a match in which five minutes before the game the odds were stacked heavily against us.

Next week is a free week as the Irish Hockey Challenge Trophy matches are being played. The week after however, I would like everyone to make themselves available, consult the teamsheet on THIS website, and then confirm your availability straight away to me. If that is done by each and every one of you individually we hopefully wont end up in the same situation as we did on Saturday. Enjoy your weekend off and I will see you all at training!!!

Stevie Cummins
Ronnie McDowell
Thom Russell
Leon Currie
Kriss Leslie
David Tumilson
Alan Russell
Johnny Orr
Matthew Bill
Robert Currie