SONNING 2 - 2 WEST HAMPSTEAD
29th September 2007

1st league game

And finally the start of the season has arrived... the first real test as to how we will fare, (after promotion) over the coming season. Our opposition, West Hampstead managed to finish a healthy 5th in the league last season so we were expecting a hard game.

Upon arrival; the warm up, pre match speech, customary 5 minute stand about waiting for the oppo, eventually the game commenced. After a first Sonning attack West Hampstead took the upper hand and started applying pressure. A good defence managed to soak up most of the pressure until the oppo managed to slip one past us. Quickly following this, sloppy defending allowed a fantastic shot to be fired in from top of the D, to the top of the net, leaving Dodge understandably stationary as the ball parted his hair at 150 mph.

As always, the next spell of play developed with the Sonning play less defensive. Feeling aggrieved at the 2 goal deficit we managed to turn the tide of play in our favour. This 50/50 play continued till the end of the half with Sonning having several chances but failing to capitalize with them.

The second half started far better than the first with Sonning taking the initiative. This time however we did manage to capitalize with us winning a short corner which was converted by Matt. Mike followed this up by getting one from open play soon after.

There was an occasional attack made by the oppo however this was easily soaked up by the defence which finally formed a solid platform which we were to base our remaining attacks on. Unfortunately we could not capitalize on these attacks and had to settle for the draw.

I'm sure at the beginning of the game we wouldn't have been that fussed with a draw but after conceding 2 goal in the first five minutes we were happy with the result, despite the fact a win was within our grasp!

The goal scorers this week were: Mike Bailey, from a spell of open play and Matt Price from a short corner. Man of the Match goes to Si Cass for a solid defensive play and finally Dick of the Day goes to Mike Bailey for his bird impressions.

H Jnr