SONNING 4 - 1 BRITISH AIRWAYS
9th February 2008

The last time these two teams met, Sonning sealed an emphatic victory 11-0 at the University. Well, a score line of that magnitude was reserved for Sonning 2's this week, whilst the 3's, mindful of B.A.s improving record of late, were taking nothing for granted.

Imperial College Sports Ground, Sipson Lane, Hayes has benefited from a major refit with two new Astro surfaces courtesy of Chelsea football club despite the fact that they no longer train there. Sadly, hockey is not allowed access to the changing rooms, and these two facts demonstrate neatly the gulf between the state of English football and English Hockey. But changing in the car park was offset by the sunshine which optimised a beautiful Spring day.

Sonning started slowly and were surprised to find that a B.A. team which had hardly even warmed up, immediately began attacking with purpose. Despite the fact that several of the B.A. players were over sixty (as they confided afterwards in the bar), the experienced home team clearly understood the implications of the bouncy surface. No match for Sonning's pace and stamina, B.A. had a simple game plan which utilised the ball control and guile for which Asian players are renowned. B.A. were happy to crash the ball into the Sonning D in the hope that a defensive error would spill the ball and afford the attackers the opportunity of a shot. This tactic proved immediately successful, and Sonning had to fend off several B.A. opportunities in the first 10 minutes before B.A. slotted one home at the left post - a well struck shot from the top of the D to beat the outstretched M'Carthy in the Net.

A stunned Sonning picked themselves up and returned to the script, pressing on into the B.A. half. Despite the handicap of a low bright sun in their eyes, Sonning made in-roads into the B.A. area and some thoughtful pressure produced some short corners from which came the first Sonning goal; a turn in at the left post by the mighty Toon.

Not long after, a drag flick from Butler on another penalty corner was not rewarded with a goal, but it did reveal a chink in the B.A. Keeper's armour. The next penalty and this weakness was exploited. Butler flicked another one directly at the Keeper with the express purpose of finding a rebound, which was swiftly buried by an opportunistic O'Mara.

Half time allowed Sonning to adjust with some small tactical changes, and from the whistle the league leaders began to stifle the home team's play and counter attack with pace. With the sun now on their backs, Sonning midfield were no longer looking to pick out their forwards amongst the silhouettes, and Eighteen and Tagoe were released to find positions higher up the pitch and trouble the B.A. defence with movement into space. Tagoe, moving away from the D to the right, picked up a through ball and, turning his defender inside out, was able to take on the Keeper and shoot to the far post. The sound of ball on backboards made it 3-1, and should have confirmed the points, but a gutsy fight back saw B.A. with a 10 minute spell of pressure in the Sonning half. However, Sonning were patient, and as B.A. tired they became stretched and vulnerable to counter attack. Roberts, Butler and Cheeseman were all able to carry the ball and pressure the B.A. back four, drawing fouls inside and outside the D.

It was from one of these hits outside the left had side of the D that the final nail in the coffin came for B.A. Butler, having drawn the foul, spotted Sandell in the D looking for the early pass.

K.Y.; in the D; what ever next?

Well I'll tell you. Seeing the opportunity, and recognising the strong 'show' from K.Y., the Captain fed in the pass past the retreating defenders left foot to the open stick of the Sonning left back with vertigo. A first touch saw the ball loop upwards towards the goal, and the keeper caught off the line could only watch helplessly as the ball dropped perfectly into the goal. With only minutes on the clock, Sonning used some nouse and played keep ball in the B.A.half.

So the score line remained 4-1 at the final whistle. A more respectable score line to a deserving home team than the last meeting, but ultimately the points were claimed by the visitors.

An acknowledgement to B.A.3's, (formally Hayes H.C.), for their spirit on and off the pitch, and our thanks is extended to them for their hospitality and excellent teas back at the Concord Club.
 

M.o.t.M: Eddie Dingwall-(again-yawn). Strong challenge from Ben Tagoe who is beginning to find his feet in this team.

D.o.t.D: Snape for arriving with no stick, and getting nobbled by an undercut hit from a B.A. defender after 15 minutes. Have fun skiing this week Ben- at least you'll have no trouble icing your bruised arm !