Terriers Down But Far From Out After Abingdon Defeat

There can be no more fitting line of poetry for the South Berkshire Terriers than that written by Sir Henry Newbolt, "Play Up, Play Up, and Play The Game!". Because Sir Henry never wrote "win at all costs", or "grind out a dull 1-0 victory in a dour display". And those words would never be spoken by captain Neil Badley to his Terriers squad young or old. The Terriers are not about winning at all costs, it is always about developing hockey skills both individual and within the team, which will help the younger players progress through their hockey careers. Which is a long winded way of saying that whilst the Terriers tasted defeat at home to Abingdon 3s at the weekend in truly unpleasant wet conditions, the result was far less important than the positive manner that the team played against the strongest side they have faced this year, and who belied their position in the bottom half of the table.

Victory was certainly not in the minds of the Terriers barely a minute into the first half when a wayward attempt to send a ball across the back fell instead to an Abingdon player who picked up the opportunity and slotted past Jake Rouse in goal for an early lead. Whilst it was disappointing to give away a soft first goal, it is better to concede trying to do the right thing and get the ball moving quickly across the park to begin an attacking move down the right hand channel, than it is to give away a goal through playing a poor style of hockey.

It was the first time that the Terriers have conceded so early for many of the team, and it definitely threw some of the team off their usual poise. Whilst the ideas were right, the execution of some passes was missing at times during a well balanced first half. For the Terriers, Tony Heaver brought a bottomless tank of energy and drive in the middle of the pitch as he completed a full 70 minutes for the first time in many seasons (!!!), whilst Dominic Harvey had another strong game mixing some rapid stick skills with a good poise to pass and not always try and take on just "one more player". On the right Alexander O'Keeffe was rock solid defensively whilst regularly starting off the Terriers attacking moves, feeding the lively Jack Barker who was never afraid to take on and beat his marker.

Terriers attacking flair was rewarded midway through the half, when the ball broke on the right side of the D and Monty Neave surged into the area before unleashing a fearsome shot which was heading in the the general direction of the goal at fast pace and waist height before it ricocheted off the keeper and in. Despite protests from Abingdon the goal stood, and the Terriers went in level at half time.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first. The Terriers attacked well and created opportunities, but will have been frustrated not to convert any of the penalty corners earned. At the same time, Abingdon made full use of a core number of players with drive and skill not often seen in MBBO League 8 to create some chances of their own. Perhaps most frustratingly, it was the same pattern as the first half when it came to what was to be the deciding score, as the Terriers conceded another soft goal.

The Terriers came out fighting, hitting the post, seeing two balls whizz across the goal and securing a last ditch penalty corner on the final whistle. However, there was not to be a glorious equaliser, as Abingdon's excellent and experienced keeper was able to turn the shot from Paul Harvey away and out to bring a good contest to a close.

Only the 2nd defeat of the season for the Terriers, but going back to where the report started - results are far less important than the way that the hockey is played, and this was another good performance from the Terriers. After perhaps a little lack of composure having gone behind to an early goal, the Terriers settled and stopped chasing too frantically and began playing their style of hockey. There won't be many stronger teams faced this season, but this sort of performance will definitely see plenty of opportunities for the Terriers to secure a "W" in the future.

Last but not least, a quick mention to ex-Terrier Justin Stanger who was back once again to help the Terriers, but with a whistle and set of cards as he undertook his umpiring assessment. Joining him was Daniel Ray, fresh from playing alongside Justin for the 2s. It goes without saying (but still should be said) that we couldn't play without umpires, and for the young Terriers in particular, getting players who are playing at a higher level in the club along to umpire or to support Neil Badley coaching is always appreciated.