Firstly lets go back to October and the Super Sevens first game of the season. A team with a number of players that were new to hockey or coming back from injury managed to achieve a close loss that saw . “The Pride of RG4” concede the only goal of the game in the dying minutes.

The Sevens have come along way since then but so have N+T who have barely dropped a point all season. It was going to be a tough fixture against a young team. Simon Coombstock was returning from injury whereas Andy Staig had injured his knee in a “non hockey related incident” and was at least 2 more weeks away from returning.

First Half
Phil Cooper lost the toss (11-3 career tosses) but the ‘Ning pushed back. It was clear from the start of the game that the real battle was with the sevens’ winter fitness regime which was non existent at best. N+T had a mixture of youth and experience whom also supplemented this in the first half with possession and territory. N+T were ringing around Sonning’s 16s and getting the ball past the halfway line was proving difficult. Sonning conceded an early goal and a second was also conceded midway through the half

Second Half
The “Boys in Royal Blue” brushed off the cobwebs and started using the flanks more. Finally there was movement off the ball during Sonning’s own 16s and they were looking threatening in the oppo’s territory. Jeremy in defensive service got himself a nasty blow to the head and had to take 10 minutes off the pitch. The Newbury keeper was forced into making a triple save which was finished off with young Jay Churchill hitting the post from a tight angle.

After a well deserved run of play Phil Cooper, whilst in possession, went tumbling over an outstretched stick (8.7, 8.8 and 8.8 on the judges scorecards) which led to a short corner. Ty took the corner which was deftly finished off by Matt Price.

This goal lifted the ‘Ning and gave them an instant burst of fitness. The defence was looking tight and the Midfield were energetic. The Boys of The blue and Gold could feel another goal coming. The last five minutes were spent in the N+T end of the pitch with Sonning being awarded an array of set pieces. Tensions were heightened and not helped with Matt Price getting his handbag out on multiple occasions but the umpire kept his cards in his pocket.

Analysis
The pressure continued but time ran out. Another heart breaking loss against a good Newbury and Thatcham side.

Next Week The Sevens have an away League against the Reading Rascals (put in link) Who have not conceded a goal all season. The last result ended 6-0 and the Sevens task will be to attain a better result than this and maybe even make the young Reading side concede their first goal of the season.

There will also hopefully be another edition of The Match Report Podcast to supplement this.