BDHC v Sudbury

BDHC 1s v Sudbury 1s
This bottom of the table clash saw both clubs desperate for a win to give them a much needed morale boost. Unfortunately the quality of the hockey from both sides means neither walked away feeling particularly upbeat.
Sudbury for their part were left bemoaning some umpiring decisions they felt didn’t go their way, in particular a first half goal chalked off which would have seen them take a shock early lead. While Bourne Deeping felt that although the 3 points were very welcome, it was almost an anti climax seeing how they have played so much better against higher opposition this year and yet been soundly beaten.
As often happens in these kind of games, a mix of poor discipline and a catalogue of almost comedic individual errors at times lead to a disjointed affair as players tried to force the issue rather than simply play the level of hockey they are capable of. Another raft of changes helped with the issue of tired legs in the latter stages of the game, but exacerbated the problem of cohesion in a team yet again fielding a dozen changes in personnel or positions.
Bourne Deeping started well, and should have taken the lead within the first 10 minutes. A great save from the Sudbury goalkeeper and a superb goal line clearance from a penalty corner saw the Dragons scenting blood in the water, but then Sudbury caught the Dragons’ back line napping and as the ball hit the backboard only a contentious umpiring call to disallow the goal for an offence in the build up could save the home sides blushes.
This seemed to enrage Sudbury into a different gear, and the game became scrappy as both sides struggled to complete more than a handful of passes.
Man of the match Andrew Kind then produced a magnificent individual effort, controlling the ball in the air just inside the opposition 25, holding off challenges from 3 Sudbury defenders before calmly sliding the ball past the goalkeeper.
A welcome half time lead, should have seen the Dragons settle and look to push on, but they looked so desperate to hang onto a rare lead that they just invited pressure from the away side who equalised through a short corner. Missed challenges, mis-trapped balls and wayward passes were the order of the day from both sides, neither team able to assert any level of control over their opponent.
Chances came and went at both ends and it really could have finished 4 a piece, but in the end, with just 10 minutes remaining in the game, another controversial decision left Bourne Deeping with a penalty corner which Tom Everton converted to take a 2-1 lead. Sudbury still had time to fashion at least 2 clear chances to equalise, but Adi Portlock stood firm in goal to ensure the Dragons took away their first win of the season.