BDHC (3) v St Ives (2)

Having conspired to throw away a 4 goal lead last week at St Neots to lose 5-4, there was a new found determination in the Dragons' side this week as they battled hard for every ball, determined not to give St Ives a sniff. After a bobbly shot early on in the game which was dealt with by goalkeeper Langley, St Ives did not register another shot on target from open play for the remainder of the game as a defensive line of Fowkes, Macbeth and Brewer pulled up the drawbridge.
However, in modern hockey, if you have a decent penalty corner routine, you're always going to be in the game, and after Ben Brittain put the Dragons ahead with a deflection which looped over the St Ives 'keeper, Ives were back on terms with their first corner of the game. The Dragons had 2 efforts cleared off the goal line and the St Ives 'keeper made a couple of great saves, but it took a great team goal to break the deadlock just 2 minutes before half time. It started from a defensive tackle on the edge of their own D which Callum Howitt slipped out to Joseph Moisey who swept up the pitch before putting the ball invitingly into the path of the onrushing Fowkes who finished first time.
The second half again was a very even contest, with both defences putting their bodies on the line. It was indeed a St Ives body literally lying on the line which blocked James Watkin's goal bound effort , and Joseph Moisey who stepped up to convert the resultant penalty flick for a 3-1 lead to the home side.
Again that St Ives penalty corner routine remained a threat, always a menace, and with less than ten minutes to play it struck again. Langley made the initial save but the ball looped up with goalkeeper and defenders left motionless as it dropped over their shoulders into the back of the net! Cue the chance to exorcise the ghosts of St Neots. Be brave. Be resilient, and this time the Dragons were; defending well and hanging on to see out the game 3-2 winners and back up to 3rd in the table.
MOTM: Graham Brewer