LEAGUE HOCKEY
PLASHET HOCKEY CLUB

Plashet Vs Havering 2

4 - 1

Robert Clack Leisure Centre in Dagenham welcomed Havering 2’s to face the league leaders Plashet. Plashet had the psychological edge, coming into the game undefeated so far in the season. Havering on the other hand, were doing just as well, with 2 wins out of 3, and a draw.

The game started at lightning pace, with Plashet playing the ball swiftly around the Havering players, and having an early shot on goal, which went narrowly wide. Havering knew they had a game on their hands, and had to adjust to this amazingly unpredictable change of pace. Whilst Plashet continued to move the ball around, and play attractive hockey, Havering’s game grew into a more physical and aggressive style. Plashet accustomed to his kind of behaviour, drew upon their team’s weaknesses, and attacked the Havering goal, winning themselves a short corner. This was Plashet’s chance to take the lead, and Sukhwinder Singh stepped up to put Plashet ahead with a strike from the D-top.

Havering looked shaken, and their discipline started to let them down. The challenges became more reckless, and the game seemed disturbed. Much to the amazement of all the Plashet team and supporters, the Havering umpire still did not deem it fit to punish any of the Havering players. Plashet answered to this injustice by playing good disciplined hockey, and scored shortly before the half time. Plashet were in command.

The second half continued pretty much in the same manner as the first, with Havering disturbing the flow of the game with malicious challenges, which the Havering umpire failed to acknowledge. Plashet lifted their spirits, and despite all the decisions going against them, managed to clinch another vital goal. Havering was like a sinking ship, and the panic was evident within the team. The umpire was giving every decision their way, almost aiding a revival, but the Plashet team dug deep, and defended tightly. The Havering followers tried desperately to intimidate the Plashet players, with verbal abuse and negative comments.

The final blow came when sloppy defending from the Havering fullback, saw Himmat Singh pick the ball up from the half way line. Himmat Singh made no mistake, with a convincing run half way up the pitch, and almost walking the ball around the keeper, to give Plashet a four goal lead. Plashet were on their way to their fourth consecutive win.

Havering managed to score a late consolation goal from the penalty spot, which was gifted to them by the Havering umpire. The game saw Plashet reach another learning curb in their quest to win the league, with valuable lessons on discipline and composure. The four out of four wins, mean Plashet remain at the top of the table.