29/11/14:
ROBINSONS ‘C’ 2 – 3 MENDIP MEN 1st XI
With no fewer than 5 key players unavailable this week Mendip’s threadbare squad was stretched to the limit for the crucial away match against Robinsons. However, with the welcome return of striker John Lippiatt and with Mike Bristowe stepping up from the As, the 11 that took to the field were more than capable of getting the job done.
Mendip started with supreme confidence and the hockey played in the first 35 minutes was as good as anything they’ve played all season.
Giles Denning and Paul Floyd controlled play from the centre of defence and Rich Briscoe was lively and busy in centre midfield. That enabled Mendip to get their passing game going straight away with Andy Flint and Will Lawton linking up well down the right and firing in numerous crosses for the front guys to feed off.
The Robinsons defence was equal to the test and the game flowed from end to end with both teams playing with flair and style. Mendip worked extremely hard to close down though and the hosts found it difficult to carve out any real goal scoring opportunities.
The pace of the game was relentless with Mendip pressing hard and when a defender faltered under pressure, a quick thinking John Lippiatt stole the ball and immediately off loaded it to Rich Briscoe who was well placed at the top of the D to slot coolly home.
Even with all of Robinsons attacking play the Mendip defence was an indomitable force and generally had matters well under control so it was both unfortunate and disappointing when the ball ‘stuck’ as man-of-the-match Paul Floyd was trying to play his way out of trouble and was robbed of possession deep in his own half, leaving a stranded Leigh Taylor 2-on-1 and with absolutely no chance of keeping the lead intact.
Although on the balance of play so far, 1 – 1 was perhaps a fair scoreline, Mendip pressed forward and put the hosts on the back foot, winning a number of short corners. However, they were not able to convert and it looked as if the break would arrive with honours even when Giles intelligently read a speculative clearance and stepped in front of his man to intercept. Striding purposefully forward he passed to Liam Young lurking on the right side of the D and a first time cross allowed Oli Beechener to sweep home seconds before the half time whistle blew.
It was no surprise when Robinsons came out in the 2nd half with all guns blazing and as the half progressed Mendip began to get stretched all over the pitch as their legs began to tire, but sheer determination and some magnificent goal keeping kept them in the match as they soaked up the intense and continual pressure.
Using the high ball over the top to very good effect Oli and Liam used their pace to break forward and provide some respite but there was not enough composure in front of goal to worry the keeper and the next Robinsons wave of attack ensued.
When Will Lawton took a knock to the ankle and limped off midway through the half the 10 men of Mendip faced an uphill struggle and as errors began to creep in Robinsons were very much on top. Eventually the pressure reaped its reward when a quickly taken long corner allowed a forward to lose his marker and fire in the equalizer.
Will bravely returned to the fold and Mendip dug deep and decided that attack was the best form of defence, mustering the strength from somewhere in the final 10 minutes to rally and gradually the tide turned back in Mendip’s favour as they took the game to the hosts once more.
With a never say die attitude the swashbuckling Rich Briscoe picked up the ball deep in midfield and ran straight at the heart of the defence to get himself into a goal scoring position but his tired shot was off target and it looked as if Mendip would have to settle for a draw. However, one final twist of fate conspired to gift the visitors a short corner and as the final whistle sounded Mendip lined up for their defining set piece.
Giles stopped the ball at the top of the D and feigned to shoot, drawing the defenders to him, he then slipped it to Steve who held his nerve and deftly flicked into the corner of the net for a spectacular last gasp winner giving the entire team a feeling of exhilaration.
The Team was: Leigh Taylor, Andy Flint, Giles Denning, Paul Floyd, Mike Bristowe,
Oli Beechener, Rich Briscoe, Will Lawton, Liam Young, Steve Smith and John Lippiatt.
Andy Flint.
Comments are closed.