Surbiton HC M3A 1 - 3 THD M2

Saturday 14 October 2023

Surbiton HC

With the earliest pushback of the season in their sights, the M2s set off on match day 4 with the hopes of 3 points of their minds. As the team arrived at Surbiton Hockey Club, the morning dew was still clearing, with a few slightly too keen opposition players getting in a quick pre-match fitness session. A strong warm-up from THD set the tone for what was a pivotal away match at the beginning of the season. Picking up another 3 points here was on everyone’s mind after coming off a slightly sub-par home performance the week before. Home fans worthy of making the travel south through various U-LEZ zones were pleasantly surprised as the sun started to break through the clouds just in time for the 10am pushback. With the coin toss lost, THD’s new skipper Ross Lunn looked to use this come out firing with a nice strong press from the on-set. With a few defensive injuries this week, former M2s stalwart Fergus Neve was back in the side today looking to put in a performance of the ages.

With a strong and disciplined warm-up, THD settled into the game nicely with both teams quickly engaging in some questionable chat with our umpires for the day, trading a few questionable fouls in the opening minutes of the game. Looking strong in attack, THD took control of possession early on in the match earning them several chances on goal. However, as the minutes ticked on, Surbiton held strong defending multiple penalty corners preventing THD’s Jared Oliver from adding to his goal tally this season. As the game approached the 20th minute mark, cracks started to show in the opposition midfield, as some well calculated and patient build-up play saw THD get off the mark through none other than the player/coach maestro that is Jared Oliver. A strong drag-flick straight into the bottom corner put THD into a 1-0 lead. Despite this, Surbiton were left unfazed. 

As the next five minutes unfolded, Surbiton were quick to show their quality as THD were reduced to 10 men following a soft but fair green card shown by the umpire. A quick fast break, followed by an untimely slip from THD skipper Ross Lunn put Surbiton right back in the game with a soft equaliser just before half time. An unfortunate mistake highlighting the fine margins between teams in this highly contested Division 2 South. 

1-1 at the interval.

Fuelled by the sweet nectar of some exquisite half-time oranges, the M2s were driven to push on and deliver an early 3 points, and they did not disappoint. As Surbiton began to pile on the pressure in the opening second-half exchanges, THD produced some stunning outlet play unleashing the halfbacks on a tear down each side line and it was looking like only a matter of time before Surbiton’s defence would be beaten again. As the chances began to build, THD’s midfield and forward line started to get a taste of goal, and a after few trademark sitters on the back post missed, Harrison Jones provided the Midas touch in the D finishing off a lovely, worked team goal from a few yards out. A scrappy goal, but 2-1 nonetheless, bosh. 

Hungry for more, THD put their pedal to the metal and are straight back on the front foot. Announce, Fergus Neve. As the game shifted in our favour again, Neve produced simply a second half display for the ages. Being unleashed from his usual centre back role onto the wing, Fergus had the opposition forward line on a string, producing some outlet play that was sensational. Make no mistake about it, Surbiton didn’t know what had hit them. And as the pressure mounted, so too did another goal. Determined to get his name on the scoresheet, Joe Bloxham got on the end of a delightful assist from Neve and found the net in the closing quarter of the game, closing out the match at 3-1. 

A well-earned away victory for the 2s as they continue to add to their impressive start to the season, pushing them back up to second in the league.

MoM - Fergus Neve for his Jordi Alba esque performance bombing down the wing

DoD - Joe Bloxham for a questionable card and ghost hat trick

Match report written by Ross Lunn