8 Debuts as Jesmond 3’s lose out to Newcastle

On Saturday an inexperienced mixed group of 3’s and 4’s lost out 3-1 to Newcastle. No fewer than 8 players made their debuts in a match where the team played some excellent hockey but were undone from set-pieces.

Jesmond started brightly with lots of crisp passing around the midfield. However, Newcastle quickly established themselves as a pressing side, which made life difficult for Jersmond's defence, but overall the back-line coped well with the challenges thrown at them.
The pattern of the game was established, with Newcastle retaining most of the ball and Jesmond sitting deep and looking to break. Despite a couple of scuffed Newcastle shots in the D, this tactic paid off well and in the 30th minute a quick break and well-placed through ball from Freddie Potier Godinho found its way to James Ferrier, who calmly finished past the keeper. Newcastle’s possession had not paid off and Jesmond made our way through to half-time with a pleasing 1-0 lead.

However, in the second half Newcastle were quickly out of the blocks. They won a short corner, which was scuffed, but Jesmond had been warned; the next time they were not so lucky and a well-rehearsed routine led to an equaliser for Newcastle. Only a few minutes after equaling Newcastle won yet another short corner, and a lapse in concentration allowed a cross to the unmarked back post where a Newcastle player was waiting to slap the ball home, making it 2-1.

Jesmond made several substitutions and a couple of attacks almost resulted in an equalizer. However, Newcastle managed to break into the Jesmond D and following a rash dive from the stand in keeper and Jesmond Captain Foley;the ball fell to Rory Restall, who was playing for Newcastle due to a shortage in their numbers, and he made no mistake, smashing the ball past the stranded Folley to make it 3-1.

This third goal seemed to spark Jesmond into life and a counterattack similar to the one leading to our goal was quickly on, with Brannen racing down the touchline towards the Newcastle D. Skipping past the challenge of a Newcastle player, her trailing stick caught him round the ankles, pulling him to the floor. The Umpire was over quickly and brandished a yellow card. But Jesmond couldn't make the man advantage count - Newcastle were into their rhythm now and as the game drew to a close they came the closest to scoring with yet another short corner which was cleared off of the Jesmond goal line.

Although the result was slightly disappointing, what mattered was the gain of experience and many players were participating in men’s hockey for the first time against a strong Newcastle side. There are plenty of bright signs for the season to come.

JPC (4-1-3-1-1) Folley (c) – Khosla, Green, Humphries, Hampton – Brannen – Restall, Chapman, Potier Godinho – Johnstone –J Ferrier
Subs: Woodsford, Stafford, C Ferrier, Smeal, Stables