BDHC 2s v CoP 3s

No matter what the league position of the respective teams, this local derby is always one that both clubs look out for on their fixture lists at the start of the season.

Bourne Deeping took the opportunity to blood some more youngsters; Roddy Mountain and Archie Meadows joining juniors Ben Brittain, Rafa Parker-Humby and Oscar Morely in bringing down the average age considerably!
The Dragons had the better of the opening exchanges, Jonny Meadows linking well with son Archie down the left, carving out the first real shooting opportunity of the game, while Ben Brittain and Rafa Parker-Humby were finding space out on the right with make-shift right back Graham Brewer pushing forward to support.
However, a lack of discipline has cost the home team on a number of occasions this season and once again the Dragons seemed intent on pressing the self-destruct button. George Collins set the trend with a green card closely followed by Iain Robb who decided to go one better by having his green card upgraded to a yellow after passing comment on the original decision. Not wanting to be outdone, Meadows senior was then sent to the bench with another yellow card for showing dissent towards the umpire.
Despite being down to 9-men, Bourne Deeping actually played some of their best hockey of the match during this period. The Briault, Brewer, Brittain link down the right was clicking well and Peterborough failed to make their numerical advantage count.
With the Dragons back to full strength, they then lost Oscar Morley to injury, but with Roddy Mountain slotting seamlessly into a backline marshalled superbly by skipper Ollie Browne putting in a captain’s performance at centre back, Bourne Deeping continued to limit a strong Peterborough side including England Masters player Adam Drake and a number of ex-National League players to just a handful of chances until a cross was deflected out in front of the penalty spot and Connor Blacket’s slap hit deflected in off Dragons’ defender Graham Brewer’s thigh and high into the net past a stranded goal keeper.
The second half saw more chances at each end as both teams tired. Will Schelpe scored Peterborough’s second, reacting quickest to a rebound in the D. The Dragons then lost Collins to a nasty head injury and with no more subs, the injured Morely was pressed back into service at left back as Collins was whisked to A&E.
Kev Senior in the Peterborough goal was forced into action to deny Andy Briault and Iain Robb as the midfielders pushed forward in search of a way back into the game, but Jim Tansley converted a Peterborough penalty corner to increase the away side’s advantage and when Julian Catto’s shot ballooned up off Morely’s stick and looped over Sarsby in the Bourne Deeping goal, Peterborough were assured of another 3 points.

MOTM – Ollie Browne.