Sonning Mens 1XI 2-1 Oxford Hawks 3XI

One could be forgiven for assuming that this game would be a relatively un-interesting end of season affair at Sonning Lane. This is because our Mens’ first XI, who are realistically unable to finish higher than third, took on an Oxford Hawks 3rd XI who similarly are comfortable ensconced in mid table.

This was borne out in the opening exchanges, with Hawks having marginally more of the ball and showing plenty of attacking endeavour. Sonning did however look dangerous on the break and the game quickly settled into this pattern. Sonning did have an early scare with Hawks finding the back of the net; only to be pulled back for a foot foul that was eventually called by the officials.

This jolted Sonning into a more concerted effort, which resulted in the first goal of the game two-thirds of the way through the first half. A short corner routine that was executed to perfection wont be described in any detail here lest our future opposition devise a suitable response! Congratulations must go in particular to Jonathan Sharp, Thomas Sampson and Ian Gallagher however. This concluded the interest in the first half with both teams unable to create any significant chances thereafter.

The first 10-15 minutes following half time were much the same – and then what had been a relatively sedate affair exploded into life. The drama started with a slack ball across the face of the Sonning D that was cut out by a Hawks striker. This presented him with a one-on-one with Sonning’s number one, who subsequently committed what to many was a professional foul to prevent a certain goal being scored. Fortunately for him and for Sonning – the official saw this as only obstruction and awarded a short corner, much to the chagrin of the Hawks players.

They may perhaps have sensed that this was not to be their day, when from the resulting short corner, the same keeper produced a wonderful stick save off a flick to deny Hawks once more. Their misery was compounded by Sonning turning the ball over from a long corner immediately afterwards, breaking down the field at pace and winning a short corner of their own. This was duly dispatched by another well-worked short corner routine to increase the lead to 2-0.

To Hawks’ credit they continued to make a game of it, pushing men forward in search of a way back into the game. This resulted in end-to-end hockey with Sonning’s back line under increasing pressure, but equally with big gaps up field allowing Sonning’s attacking players the freedom to exploit opportunities. The best of these fell to Matt Poulton, who was unable to turn a cross D pass into the back of an empty net at full stretch.

Finally with less than 10 minutes on the clock, Hawks breached Sonning’s defences with a well-worked goal stretching the defence left and then right to create an opening that the Sonning keeper was just unable to keep out. The goal ensured that what was already a frantic affair became frenzied with both sides contesting every decision made and with some decidedly dodgy hockey being played.

Sonning ultimately held on for a narrow win which was sealed by defending a short corner on the final whistle, the Sonning keeper able to clear the ball from the D at the third attempt to end the contest. Pretty decent considering both two sides had nothing to play for and ensured that honours were even between the two sides over the course of the season. Hopefully next years’ games will be as captivating.

MOM: Alasdair Allan
DOD: Matt Poulton