Mens 2s Match Report

Before the smell of hockey was in the air the day held promise: a 1-2 victory for the Bees at Man City guaranteed Arsenal top spot at Christmas!

The troop that is North Norfolk 2’s congregated at the required 14:15 (or maybe 14:30 ish) on a balmy November afternoon in Sheringham. Warm-ups concluded, both teams payed their respects on Remembrance Sunday, observing a minutes silence: our tribute to those who sacrificed on our behalf.

Push back and action! It was a balanced first half with North Norfolk perhaps gradually exerting a level of control. Mike (later to be voted MoM) began to dictate from the middle of the park and our defensive unit was showing no sign of waving the white flag. The team showed resilience when the DoD (yours truly) saw green for a ‘robust’ challenge which left their striker hampered (my apologies and best wishes to him for a speedy recovery). Half-time 0-0.

Water and wise words shared, the momentum from the first half was carried into the second, with all 13 making a worthy contribution. If Simon had been more committed and dived, a back post chance would have given North Norfolk a deserved lead. Thankfully no need for sounding of the last post, as Lord Walpole took centre stage. He resisted the temptation to juggle repeatedly and produced a clinical finish set up by some wonderful aerial control. 1-0!

Confidence spread and a second followed: Simon demonstrated guile and poise to take advantage of defensive confusion and ‘hammered’ a second into the backboard of the goal vacated by their ‘BFG’ with the pads. 2-0!

Our DoD felt it appropriate to mirror the 1st half discipline issues with a second half yellow, but this could not prevent the inevitable: 2-0 at the final whistle and a well deserved win!

The keen eyed amongst you will note an absence? Simon despite on field poise and guile demonstrated a somewhat agricultural attempt at table folding when the victory celebrations had reached their conclusion (perhaps a starting point for next weeks votes?!)

We meet Nomads 2 next week hoping for more of the same. Until then….