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Sat 26 Sep 2020 ·  Mens Division 1
Upminster 1
Men's 1st XI
6
3
R Matthews (5'), (10'), T Everton (15')
BDHC v Upminster
Graham Brewer26 Sep 2020 - 17:25
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0-1 / 1-1 / 2-1 / 3-1 / 4-1 / 4-2 / 4-3 / 5-3 / 6-3
A new look Bourne Deeping Dragons got their league campaign off to a start with a trek down the M11 to Upminster, one of the teams who came down from Prem B with them last season.
New signing Ryan Matthews got the Dragons off to a flyer with a penalty corner drag flicked low to the 'keeper's right after good work from fellow newcomer Tom Everton, but Upminster responded with 2 goals in quick succession, both from the same playbook; a ball flashed into the D and the barest of deflections past Adi Portlock in the Dragons' goal.
Bourne Deeping rocked, but soon steadied through the influence of Bob Slack and Scott Downie in the midfield engine room, always available for an easy pass to ease the pressure when needed.
A 3rd goal just before halftime was well worked as Upminster broke quickly and got round the back to set up a finish from close range.
At halftime the Dragons discussed the need for an improvement in their reaction to turnover, and went into the second half knowing the importance at 3-1 of getting the next goal. It was a huge blow then, when within seconds of the restart, Upminster won a penalty corner which was switched left and dragged right with Brewer on the line only able to deflect it upwards into the net.
Scenting a rout, Upminster stepped on the gas and the Dragons had to buckle down to withstand some good pressure from the home team; Andy Briault could only block a goal bound penalty corner effort with his foot, but the resulting penalty flick was hoisted wide of the goal. This reinvigorated the Dragons and gave them time to regroup, and though Upminster came at them again, Portlock was on fine form and his saves breathed new confidence into his team who pushed forward once more.
4-1 became 4-2 with a second Matthews short corner, and playing with nothing to lose, they attacked with fearlessness, Mark Cox caused no end of problems with his direct running, playing a great through ball into the stride of the overlapping Alex Hutton who drove the baseline before laying the ball on a plate for Everton to slap it home at the far post.
4-3 and Upminster were twitching, but Bourne Deeping could not sustain their pressure, and Upminster snatched a 5th after a good press on the Dragons' defence, and a 6th in the dying moments from another short corner saw the home side victorious.
MVP - Alex Hutton - Strong and aggressive in defence and attack.
New signing Ryan Matthews got the Dragons off to a flyer with a penalty corner drag flicked low to the 'keeper's right after good work from fellow newcomer Tom Everton, but Upminster responded with 2 goals in quick succession, both from the same playbook; a ball flashed into the D and the barest of deflections past Adi Portlock in the Dragons' goal.
Bourne Deeping rocked, but soon steadied through the influence of Bob Slack and Scott Downie in the midfield engine room, always available for an easy pass to ease the pressure when needed.
A 3rd goal just before halftime was well worked as Upminster broke quickly and got round the back to set up a finish from close range.
At halftime the Dragons discussed the need for an improvement in their reaction to turnover, and went into the second half knowing the importance at 3-1 of getting the next goal. It was a huge blow then, when within seconds of the restart, Upminster won a penalty corner which was switched left and dragged right with Brewer on the line only able to deflect it upwards into the net.
Scenting a rout, Upminster stepped on the gas and the Dragons had to buckle down to withstand some good pressure from the home team; Andy Briault could only block a goal bound penalty corner effort with his foot, but the resulting penalty flick was hoisted wide of the goal. This reinvigorated the Dragons and gave them time to regroup, and though Upminster came at them again, Portlock was on fine form and his saves breathed new confidence into his team who pushed forward once more.
4-1 became 4-2 with a second Matthews short corner, and playing with nothing to lose, they attacked with fearlessness, Mark Cox caused no end of problems with his direct running, playing a great through ball into the stride of the overlapping Alex Hutton who drove the baseline before laying the ball on a plate for Everton to slap it home at the far post.
4-3 and Upminster were twitching, but Bourne Deeping could not sustain their pressure, and Upminster snatched a 5th after a good press on the Dragons' defence, and a 6th in the dying moments from another short corner saw the home side victorious.
MVP - Alex Hutton - Strong and aggressive in defence and attack.
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