BDHC 2s @ Norwich City 3s

By Graham Brewer

Wonder goal not enough

Not even an Andy Briault wonder-finish was enough to get the win for the Dragons this week as they shipped another 6 goals against a Norwich City 3s side.
The Dragons may have been on the losing side of this 10 goal thriller, but it certainly gave the crowd plenty to cheer. Norwich went ahead when a deflection off Brewer rocketed past Sarsby, but were soon level from a well taken short corner, and when a 2nd short corner deflected high, emergency striker Briault was there to execute a superb cricket style pull shot to blast the ball into the roof of the net (he wasn't just trying to get out of the way - honest!)

This was end to end hockey with neither side able to get a grip on the game and string more than a couple of passes together. Poor defending meant a glut of penalty corners for both sides. Somehow Bourne Deeping made it to half time still 2-1 to the good, with Sarsby making several key saves.

The second half continued in much the same vein, neither side confident in their defences so just slugging it out end to end attack. A penalty corner drag flicked high to Sarsby's right made it 2-2, but Bourne Deeping responded with their own drag flick off a penalty corner for 3-2.
A 2nd Norwich drag flick made it 3-3, a quick counter attack saw them take the lead for the first time in the match at 4-3 before Bourne Deeping levelled it up at 4 when a rebound from the Norwich 'keeper was blasted goal-wards from Ben Brittain and Will Cook found himself in the right place for a well taken deflected goal.

Four all and still no time to take a breath; Ben Brittain was on fine form, terrorising the Norwich back line with his runs from right midfield, and the Dragons missed 2 clear open goal chances before an aerial into their D was nicked by the Norwich centre forward and misjudged by Sarsby as Norwich took the lead at 5-4. Pressing high up the pitch there was still time for a 6th from Norwich in a game which could seriously have finished 8 a piece.
All in all a great game for the forwards if not for the defenders. End to end stuff but perhaps exposing some of the frailties in both Ds which sees these 2 teams propping up the division.

MOTM: Ben Brittain.