Pre-season defeat for Terriers against strong Newbury & Thatcham side

The final pre-season game saw a defeat for the Terriers to Newbury & Thatcham 5s, a team who will be playing two leagues above the Terriers this season. There were many positives for the team to take from the game, as they took the lead midway through the first half when a short corner strike from Austin Jennings was deflected past the keeper by James Romain. It was a deserved lead for the Terriers, who started well and missed out on a chance for the lead when James Romain was unable to convert a penalty flick that he had earned after being flattened by the opposition keeper when 1 on 1 in the D.

As the first half progressed, Newbury began to take greater control of the game, drawing level through a well worked penalty corner routine to leave the game level at half time. As the 2nd half progressed, Newbury continued to press, and made their domination count with a brace of well taken goals. It wasn't all one way traffic, with Austin Jennings having a good chance when he got behind the opposite defence but shot wide with a first time effort.

A welcome debut for more of the U16s into adult hockey, with Jack Barker and Louie Bowbanks both making their first starts for the Terriers. Particular thanks as well to Kaya Campion who lent his support to the Terriers for a full game having played earlier in the day for the 1s.