Mendip A 1 – 4 Old Bristolians B (24/10/2020)
Goals Scored: Daniel Holliwell, MoM: Edward Whittaker
Written by: Edward Whittaker
7 long months. Just 3 points off of clinching a truly deserved title after a monumental season. The celebrations would have been just as monumental. Alas, although victory was still claimed, our celebrations were cruelly taken away. Mendip sat on top of the league but a feeling that we deserved more. Clocks kept turning, days turned to weeks turned to months but finally we were back on the pitch. Not to finish what we had started, but to prove that we deserved our title, our promotion and our celebration. It was only 4 seasons ago that our first team graced the league of West Central 1 but now our two’s got the chance to play there. This will be no easy season but one all of us have look forward to for so long.
On a blustery, damp day we welcomed a fast, technical side in Old Bristolians to Chew Valley. A full contingent for our yellows as 16 men kitted up to start off the season with a bang. The words of Adam Forsyth ringing in our ears, we all knew what we had to do and what we were capable of. Now was the time to show it!
Both teams started off quickly, with the defensive back four of Michael Bristowe, Andrew Flint, Edward Whittaker, Sam Le Page and Ben Elkington spreading the play well. Old B’s, however, had the lions share of possession and pinned us back into our own half for large chucks of the first half. The midfield worked hard with Toby Green, Liam Young, George Sage, Jacob Stocker and Tyler Wiltshire running tirelessly in their stints on the pitch.
We had a few chances but nothing deserving of a goal and despite matching them defensively, Bristol finally broke through and slotted a good goal home. Half time and 1-0 the score. A few traditional jelly babies to keep energies high and we were back to it!
Mendip came out stronger and managed to get a few early chances to forwards George Lippiatt, Tom Cassidy, George Smith, James England and Daniel Holliwell but the final pass always seemed to be just lacking. Old Bristolians soon woke up and used their pace to good effect forcing some brilliant saves from Leigh Taylor but he couldn’t stop them all. 2-0 about 10 mins into the half and a third 5 mins later.
Undeterred, the yellows continued to play great hockey and finally a break through was made. Daniel Holliwell slapped his first competitive goal home to great cheer from the sidelines and on the pitch. A second goal looked assured moments later when George Lippiatt had an open goal in front of him, but he couldn’t get the ball out of his feet and their keeper scrambled to make a decisive save! George Smith then had a one-on-one with the keeper who again came out on top. It just wasn’t to be.
Mendip’s luck had run out and Old Bristolians put the final nail in the coffin with their forth goal and despite a late short corner for Mendip, where George Sage forgot the rules, the yellows had no response. The final whistle blew. 4-1 the score, but a cracking game all round.
Old Bristolians were very encouraging to our young squad, as a team who could be serious title contenders, we could take great positives from our first game back.
MoM – could have gone to any of the back four who all had solid games. In the end I was voted Man of, thank you boys!
Dod – a few great contenders: Stocker for his headband and hand in their 4th goal, Le Page for channelling his inner Hoff, George Sage for trying to fight me pre match and his dodgy short corner but in the end there was only one winner. George Lippiatt for being shot in the warm up and his open goal miss
Great game to play, onwards and upwards! #MightyMendip
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