Match Report 14/4/07

League :

Leicester Mixed  0  Market Harborough A  2

  On the warmest day of the year so far, Harborough A were grateful for an 11am pushback. The sun shone, and both teams played hockey to suit the lovely day. As suggested by their positions towards the top of the league, both teams were evenly matched, and had to work hard against each other.

  The first half ebbed and flowed, and both teams would have been happy to go to the break at 0-0. Tom Harrold, in for the injured Bobby Read, and Tim Chapman had linked well up front for Harborough, both using their speed and close control to good effect, one particular combination ending in Chapman uncharacteristically shooting over after the men had worked another opening.  But towards the end of the second half, Leicester came back into the game with a series of short corners. Captain Rob Smith Superstar and the ever active Paul Moorhouse aided recent re-signing Paul Taylor to repel the Leicester front line. Keeper Baz Liddle did an excellent job organising his defence, ably supported by Laura Watling, who took a nasty hit towards the end of the half, and debutant Beth Winfield.

  The watching spectators, in need of suntan lotion because of the heat, were worried that Harborough would suffer from their traditional second half slump, but hard work and patience in the midfield from Rob Smith Superstar, Paul Moorhouse, Lisa Coe and Lauren Hand meant that Harborough kept the pressure firmly on Leicester. Captain Rob Smith Superstar had a brainstorm, and made a couple of tactical changes, pushing Ross Gillanders further forward, and sure enough the pressure turned into a short corner. One of several well worked routines resulted in Gillanders with some space in front of goal, and he made sure that Harborough scored the first goal, with an excellent shot.

  Mixed played well after that, but while they had a lot of possession, there was little penetration, Paul Taylor and ‘keeper Baz Liddle dealing efficiently with the majority of balls coming their way. Tim Chapman and Ellie Hand were always available up front, and a short corner won by Chapman resulted in the second goal. Once again, a well worked routine left Paul Moorhouse with a little room, and he made no mistake with an unstoppable low shot.

  Leicester never gave up, and the heat started to tell on the Harborough team, errors creeping into their game up front (best not to mention a certain short corner resulting in a good attack for Leicester) but the defence held strong, and can be proud of their fifth clean sheet. The game wrapped up, and Harborough, who still have to face top of the league Leicester Thursday and the team they replaced in fourth, Bedouins, came off with faces that were ruby from effort and sunburn, but smiling from a job well done!

Gk - Baz Liddle
Men - Rob Smith (capt), Ross Gillanders, Paul Taylor, Paul Moorhouse, Tom Harrold & Tim Chapman

Ladies - Ellie Hand, Lauren Hand, Alice Phillips, Lisa Coe, Laura Watling & Beth Winfield

MOM – Paul Taylor/Moorhouse

From Darryll Gillard