Men's 1s get off to winning start!
Slow start followed by improved second half showing
Our Men's 1s squad kicked off their season coming away from Tynedale with a clean sheet and all 3 points.
Enjoying the late summer sunshine and a great Steve Allen warm up the squad were all set to make a strong start to the season. However this didn't translate into the sort of hockey that had been on show in our pre-season games. Too much haste was often the issue, with passes being forced down the middle giving lots of opportunities for Tynedale's strong spine to get on the ball. Chances were at a premium at either end with a couple of efforts just wide at our end, Greenshields saving from a drag-flick at a comfortable height as Tynedale pressed for an opener.
A better spell at the end of the first half saw increased fluency emerge, with opportunities developing down the flanks. A pair of short corners brought an opener, the first deflected up dangerously, the second, a strong finish low and left from Dan Clarke. Half time, 0-1 to Jesmond.
The second half brought improvement further still with a number of chances not quite converted. Tynedale continued to threaten, particularly through the use of an aerial ball, one leading to a one on one, the keeper doing just enough to force the striker wide on to the reverse to make the finish too difficult. Having weathered a spell of Tynedale pressure, Jesmond broke through in the last 20, the first through a scrappy goal, Michael Davison in the right place to convert from short range. Our final goal was the pick of the bunch, a Stephen Robertson shot skilfully deflected in from the right of the goal by Andrew Cockerill.
In the late stages Jesmond did enough to preserve the clean sheet, first Nicholson then Greenshields combining to keep a late short-corner effort out. The final score 0-3 to Jesmond.
The game was contested throughout in a fair and competitive fashion with very little foul play or dissent, any incidents well umpired by Rew and Beeton. Thanks to Tynedale for being great hosts and an excellent start to the teas season too!