BDHC 3 v Long Sutton 3

Having waited a week longer than other teams to start their league campaign the thirds were eager to get going on a warm late September afternoon. With the usual mixture of youth and experience, and the unusual benefit of 3 subs, they looked to keep the tempo high and use the subs. Initial exchanges probably favoured the home team, with Jack Langley making a couple of good blocks and a smart save, but the Dragons grew into the task. With the control of Pete Moisey, and the youth of Will Taylor and Kristian Rushworth in the middle, and then the support and runs from the forwards and wide players, Harrison Elliot, Cameron Ross, Lewis Gray, James Gray and Alex Middlemiss this kept the Sutton team increasingly busy, although they still threatened on breakaways. The defensive lineup was not the spriteliest, with Eoin Briggs being the youth policy, the constant chasing and tackling from Karl Tayor and Daniel Burge, and experience of (wise?) old head Simon Wilmot kept the game scoreless until one of the rare instances in the game, a goal from Stewart Dacre! Having taken over the push outs on short corners after a transgression, the first shot from Pete Moisey was saved, but the loose ball was then well controlled and put back into the danger area by Cameron Ross, whereupon Dacre had his first shot saved, but pounced upon this rebound to flick the ball firmly into the side netting past the prone keeper for a one nil lead into half time.

The second half was similar to the first, both teams having chances and good teamwork on show as well. Dragons’ 2nd goal was one to forget for the Sutton team, but showed the benefit of keeping pressure on and sometimes not the best cross can cause a problem. Alex was wide on the right, cut into the D, looked to cross, but didn’t get the best of connections, but the ball deflected off a Sutton defender and past the wrong footed keeper to sneak in at the near post for a two nil lead. This they held onto for a good winning start to the new season.

Team:- Jack Langley, Simon Wilmot, Daniel Burge, Karl Taylor, Eoin Briggs, Stewart Dacre, Pete Moisey, Harrison Elliot, Alex Middlemiss, Kristian Rushworth, Will Taylor, James Gray, Lewis Gray, Cameron Ross.

Scorers:- Stewart Dacre, Alex Middlemiss.