Drawing on all our strength!

Saturday in Stockton by DC
Memories from last season’s long trip to Stockton through snow and sleet and wind and waves were immediately dispelled when the curtains were opened to a glorious sunny October day. 9 players of JPC 1st XI left with no idea what was happening to the other players. One crucial DM (no names mentioned... ending in Athers) once again left his holiday early travelling what was rumoured to be 19 hours by foot, train, car and then foot again just to play (Wikipedia, 2016). Though, realistically this was probably exaggerated by the unreliable source. The other less crucial DM, arrived late too. 11 players v Stocktons 14.
A short warm up led into another shaky first 15 minutes for the Parisian’s (Jesmond Parish Church), with a series of short corners from the hosts. Eventually a well guided drag flick cannoned off the post into the goal. 1-0 Stockton. Mathers remained on the post practising his square cut like a batsman who refuses to walk when clearly out.
Nevertheless this kicked the Parisian’s into action as we have seen several times this season. Some good pressure from Davison led to a tackle of the oppositions DM in dangerous territory. Davison then had the composure to skin one player before guiding a fantastic pass across to the back post for Allen (not Joe, Steve) to score a nice deflection. 1-1.
JPC remained on top for the rest of the half, creating a few good chances. Some more excellent pressure from the front 4 (Davison, Allen, Robertson and Patrick) led to another turnover in possession with Davison and Allen each having a couple of shots at goal before the ball dropped kindly to Robertson who with one yard out and an open goal could not miss...... could he Craig Duffy. 2-1.
Half time.
The half time team talk consisted of Nick and Jonny giving some excellent advice as always. Let’s stay on top. Sharp passes. Defend as a team.
1 minute into the second half – many of us including myself (the author) had already been careless enough to not heed the advice. A couple of weak passes, led to a dangerous turnover and gifted Stockton a way back into the game. 2-2.
Little did we realise how to play hockey in the first 15 minutes of the second half, Stockton scored another goal. However, after giving the ball away yet again the ball was fired in to the box with Heyward forgetting that he was actually playing a solid game at CB decided to dink the ball passed Greenshields. Huge celebrations from the opposition meant the goal stood. 3-2 Stockton. An opportunistic goal. Needless to say the man who travelled 19 hours from somewhere, (perhaps South East Asia) was not happy with the Stockton response. Neither were the rest of us.
However, JPC rallied together to fight for the game. With several minutes to go. A ball was fired down the touch line to Robertson, who managed to round his player a feed the ball to Davison who, with some silky skills, managed to get the ball free for a cheeky reverse shot that crept into the goal. 3-3.
The final few minutes led to JPC having a few good efforts to steal the win. Shots from Davison, Allen, Robertson and Clarke led to some cracking saves from the keeper. Both keepers had kept their respective teams in the game today. Some fine saves from Greenshields throughout had kept JPC in touch of securing a point when the going got rough. One save in particular was point blank chest out for a long corner – epic (if only Sunderland AFC could get a keeper like him).
Full time. 3-3.

Special mentions –
Toby – being ill for three days and then deciding he will play due to lack of players – great first game.
Heyward and Wise – unusual CB’s – did a job.
Patrick – potentially his last game for the club – enjoy Harrogate, thanks for first part of the season at JPC. Come back!

Goals – Allen, Robertson, Davison.
MoM – Allen – tirelessly winning battles down the right flank. Got fouled countless time. Was wiped out by a naughty fella who earned a yellow card. Scored a goal. Preseason is over.
The crowd was heard singing “Steve Allen’s on fire. Your defence is terrified” as we left the field. Though maybe that was only Mathers (and perhaps his family).