The first game of the County Cup saw the majority of the 3rd X1 with the addition of Matt Lee and the Wheelhouses purporting to be the 1st X1. And to be perfectly honest, they did not disgrace themselves. In actual fact if the Oldies had done their job properly a shock result could have been on the cards. As it was Beeston started quite well and coped with the opponents style of play without too much difficulty. When Beeston attacked at speed the opposition's defence looked decidedly shaky. Where Beeston let themselves down was in the desire to suddenly slow the game down in their opponent's 25, when this was the time and the area in which to accelerate. With the speed of Tom Keysell and the guile of Colin Wheelhouse it was a little disappointing in that the final pass was not up to their usual high standards. But midway through the half Beeston cleverly won a penalty stroke. To say the stroke was missed would be an understatement. To say the keeper saved it would be to praise him for falling over. " One of the worst I've ever taken " admitted Phil Hall. It seemed to temporarily knock the stuffing out of Beeston but with Matt Lee controlling the middle, and Alix Rotton again looking a quality player, Beeston held on until halftime.
In the second half Beeston tried to apply pressure by slightly changing the system but Sikh Union held firm until Tom Keysell injected some pace into the attack. Running straight at the defence he found himself with just the keeper to beat, he strolled round him to score into the empty net. Unfortunately Beeston did not retain the lead for too long. An infringement was given against the Beeston defence, yet another dubious decision, and from the penalty corner Sikh Union equalised. Worse was to follow soon after, as they gained a second when poor marking by the right midfield gave their left midfield so much space that on entering the circle he fired unchallenged into the far corner. Try as Beeston did they could not find an equaliser. a few half chances went begging, before they fell further behind. In the end it was probably an unfair result but Beeston must learn to capitalise on their speed in attack plus better teamwork.
Team : Ali Hartley
Phil Hall
Alix Rotton Brian Blackmore Gary Steeples
Mark Wheelhouse Matt Lee Clive Biddlecombe
Graham Bentley Colin Wheelhouse Tom Keysell
Goalscorer : Tom Keysell
Subs : Steve Brooks, Robin Schmidt, Robert Taylor, Richard Kirk
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September 23rd : MANSFIELD 1-3
The second game of the group in the County Cup saw a few minor changes from earlier in the day, but no change in the result. This was a totally different style of hockey from earlier as Mansfield showed a commitment to hard work and continual pressure. Beeston found themselves being hurried in all aspects of their play, not only by Mansfield, but also by the Umpires. It now appears to me that umpires have got to use common sense in applying the Rules of Hockey. There are guidelines to assist them and they do have a difficult job to do but assumption is NOT one of them. A good clue is usually the ball which tends to go in the direction it is hit. On occasions Beeston players appeared to be penalised for no reason, but they stuck to their task and slowly but surely began to force Mansfield onto the defensive. Midway through the half Mansfield took the lead. Beeston had a quick free hit but when Mansfield won the ball unfairly there was no whistle. Play continued but the damage was done with players slightly out of position and could not recover. Before half time Mansfield had increased their lead but Beeston were by no means out of it. Certain changes took place at the break and Beeston came out full of spirit. After about 10 minutes they reduced the deficit from the penalty spot, this time taken by Colin Wheelhouse. Continual pressure failed to bring the equaliser and Mansfield regained a 2 goal margin courtesy of Beeston greed. From a promising attack down the Beeston left, a failure to pass saw a successful Mansfield tackle lead to a breakaway goal from which Beeston never recovered.
Team : Ali Hartley
Phil Hall
Mark Wheelhouse Brian Blackmore Gary Steeples
Michael Williamson Clive Biddlecombe Robert Taylor
Graham Bentley Colin Wheelhouse Tom Keysell
Goalscorer : Colin Wheelhouse [ PF ]
Subs : Steve Brooks, Robin Schmidt, Alix Rotton, Richard Kirk