Mens Hockey - Blueharts vs Brentwood - Division 2 South

Blueharts 4 - 2 Brentwood

Brentwood travelled to Hitchin in a top of the table clash against Blueharts, with both teams recording big wins in their opening couple of games. Brentwood started the game with lacking intensity and looked lethargic. Poor passes and lack of composure on the ball left the door open for Blueharts to punish them, and it was only a matter of time before the home side slotted the first goal. The frantic start continued, and Brentwood conceded a penalty corner, which was duly converted with a good drag-flick from the Blueharts centre back. The pressure continued and a strong save from keeper Arwyn James was not dealt with by the defence as the rebound went straight to the waiting forward for a tap-in at the far post. This seemed to be the wake up call for Brentwood, who began to relax more, stringing together more passes and gaining greater territory on the pitch, however they rarely looked threatening to the scoreboard. As the half began to draw to a close Brentwood fired the ball across the face of the goal and last years captain Simon Teale bundled the ball into the goal to claw one back for Brentwood going into the close.

Brentwood seemed revitalised after the break, knowing that nothing less than a strong performance could pull it back. It was a marked improvement from the first half, which paid off with several penalty corners awarded to Brentwood, however they failed to convert these opportunities, with short corner specialist Steven Naven absent due to other commitments. This persistence however paid off, with a powerful strike from Henry Woollaston firing in off a defender to reduce the deficit to one. However fatigue began to kick in for Brentwood and sloppy play crept in. Going forwards and looking for the levelling goal left Brentwood exposed at the back and in a breakaway attempt, Blueharts followed up on a rebounded shot to score in a goal-mouth scramble. This was the final nail in the coffin for Brentwood as the final whistle sounded, in a disappointing game for Brentwood.

They face fourth placed Bedford at the fortress this Saturday.