Men's 1 v PHC Chiswick 1 (A)

By Laurence Kimberley

Chastening experience in the capital

A motley crew of youth and experience, alongside some new and familiar faces assembled in West
London for the season's opening encounter. Slough were looking to replicate last season's promotion
campaign with newly appointed Ricky at the helm to guide them.

A combative game was expected, and was duly delivered by the home side from the off. Slough found
it hard to get the transfer going and were often outnumbered and outmuscled in midfield during the
opening stages. Despite this, Chiswick could not create many chances and, largely due to the inspired
Gurlal, were wasteful on the occasions they occurred.

It was not all one-way traffic however, but the boys in black will rue the two missed short corners in
the first half. Sunny Rai also produced some absolutely monster aerials to tee-up Bobby and Kuli but
were also unable to convert as the opportunities arose. Dependably, Slough went into the break 1-0
down courtesy of a well placed flick from a short corner.

The match turned with a little over 5 minutes played of the second half. Kuli received a red card after
an off-the-ball altercation. The score was soon 2-0: the immediate effects of the deficit looked
ominous.

Remarkably, the pink and blacks soon upped their collective games and began to play some good
hockey. Monty and Arjun linked up well in midfield and once again, Slough had several short corners
from which to convert. Alas the chances went begging, and a frustrated and desperate style of play
crept back in as the game wore on.

All credit to Chiswick who withheld our forwards and who, despite the best efforts of Laurence and
Arun, finished clinical counter-attacks to slot their 3rd, 4th and 5th goals past the helpless Lenni.

Squad: Lenni Bobzien, Paul Brown, Gurlal Singh Buttar, Jazz Rai, Kieran Sandhu, Inder Dagger, Monty
Panesar, Kuli Matharu, Bobby Bansal, Sunny Rai, Harj Sandhu, Laurence Kimberley, Arun Brar, Arjun
Thind.

Man of the match - Arjun Thind.
Dick of the Day - Kuli Matharu.

Report by LK