LEAGUE HOCKEY
PLASHET HOCKEY CLUB

Plashet Vs Havering 2

8 - 0

Coming into the game, five points clear at the top of the table, Plashet were full of confidence and flying high. Their next challenge lay in the hands of Havering 2, which from the previous game, was bound to be an explosive show. Havering, who had previously complained about the physical style of Plashet's game, were not winning many games, and they seemed to blame everyone but themselves. Plashet knew what they had to do, and they did it very well.

Plashet definitely started this game a little scrappy, creating many problems for Havering straight away, but failing to convert anything. Havering on the other hand failed to hold any real possession of the ball, and seemed to be searching for their lost form. Whilst Havering were too busy searching for this form, Saleem Sabri pounced at the edge of the D top with a convincing swing on a scrappy mistake from the Havering defence. The instinctive strike from the new boy, saw the ball fly into the corner of the goal, to give Plashet their well deserved lead. If Havering thought they were in for a bad day, they were right.

Plashet had to endure some bad tackles and verbal abuse from Havering, as they began to find their rhythm, and their young players started to create space and goal opportunities causing many problems for the Havering defenders. At times, the home team looked like they were out for a Saturday stroll, as Plashet were dominating the whole of their half. Following some excellent spell of possession and testing the Havering keeper from all angles, Plashet got their second through Inderjeet Singh, who executed a short-corner routine with precision. 2-0 and Plashet were well in control of the game. As if there was ever a doubt, Plashet won themselves another short-corner right on the whistle of half time. So a majority of the team lined themselves up around the D-top, hoping to extend their lead further. The Havering keeper, to his credit, made a great stop from the direct strike from Sukhwinder Singh, but the loose ball fell to Sandeep Singh, who sealed a great first half for Plashet by putting the ball in the back of the net. 3-0 and Havering were sinking faster than the titanic did.

The second half got underway, setting much the same pattern as the first half, the game was virtually played in the Havering half. Plashet did take their foot off the gas, as they concentrated on holding the ball and switching the play as frequently as possible. They still created enough chances to have got into double figures, but the final passing was not as desired. Plashet did eventually manage to clinch their fourth goal, and were en-route to a demolition job.

The warriors replied to Haverings dirty tactics in the best possible way. That reply came through Saleem Sabri, who once again created his own opening, and fired a low hard shot into the backboard. Many more chances followed for Plashet and their defensive line were enjoying a more attacking game, as they were fairly redundant in their defensive duties. Sukhwinder Singh added to Plashet's tally, as did Parveen Singh. Saleem Sabri put in his contention for man of the match towards the end of the game, with a fine deflection, to seal his hat trick.

Eight nil winners and Plashet had put Havering back in their place. The disappointing  sportsmanship of the home team was quite a shock for the new boys in the Essex League. In the previous meeting between the two sides, Havering had compared the 'lows' of Plashet's game, with the 'highs' of the after game teas. Unfortunately, Plashet did not get a chance to compare the two, as Havering not only failed to show any highs on the pitch, but they also failed to provide any teas to the visiting team. Lets hope Havering have learnt to concentrate their efforts on the game, because they failed to concentrate on being hospitable. I can gladly say, that the rest of the teams in the league have shown us a very warm welcome, and it's a shame that there's always one that spoils the mood.