The last home game of the season for the Bourne Deeing mens 4th team saw a visit from already relegated Ely City 2nds. In a flip from this fixture first time round, the first half was dominated by a slick passing Bourne Deeping team with Jon Oakley, Aaron Waters and Mac Gatward-Clarke taking really good care of the ball in the middle of the pitch. This was backed by a staunch defensive line of Chorlton, Phipps and Curtis, barely giving the opposition a look in at goal. Lee Langley in goal had a quiet first half. To round off a sound 35 minutes, up top, the likes of Vartan and Pelech, shared three goals between them, with another controversially ruled out from a short corner. All in all a very pleasing half of hockey and three nil up.
A decisive change of tactics at half time, re-shaping to a back three and also a front three, was an attempt to test the versatility of the squad, with the game and three points already safe. Oh how that backfired with Ely winning the half one nil. The structure was persevered with as it had to come good. Same players, full of confidence from the first half, but no. Lesson learned.
The men’s 4ths travel to Louth next weekend for the finale of the season, looking to end on a high.