A real end of season/summer league feel to this one. The sun was shining, players drifted in at various times to an empty pitch and a couple of random never seen before umpires all added to the sense that this was the denouement of the 2024/25 season. You wouldn’t have thought that the Academy did actually have something to play for. The situation was that the Academy came into the day bottom of the league but level on points with Old Loughts. With Old Loughts away at Old Southendians (what is it with hockey clubs and the prefix of ‘old?’) and very unlikely to pick up even a point, Southend with plenty to play for, it meant if the Academy could get something from the game, the dreaded bottom of the league would be avoided (and who knows with the hockey leagues always in some form of shake up perhaps even relegation too).

Upminster by contrast just playing for pride. Due to weather cancellations pre-Christmas the gap between the home and away fixtures wasn’t that great and as a side we felt we could have got something from that away trip, so confidence was high.

That confidence was shown in the opening exchanges. For at least the first ten or so minutes it really was all Academy. We were all over them. All the good stuff. Passing, movement off the ball into space, those on the ball had options and execution was right up there. As Upminster were getting a foothold in the game, we did actually get a deserved goal. Now dear reader with a slightly delayed match report and an end of season hockey club ball in between times I have to admit my recollection of said goal is at best hazy. The goals are the best and usually easiest bit of these reports but not today, for reasons only my brain can compute it’s the other areas of the game that stand out more. However, upon seeking clarification it was the captain Chris Minor who put us into a deserved lead delivering a “superbly taken goal. None of that smash it and hope rubbish we saw from Sanders last week (Anon).”

The first half performance I regret to say did however drop off, really quite badly. From dominance to well maybe not under the cosh but considering where we were it was quite the change. Scott Parson probably didn’t have to be at his best to keep out a few of the chances but he did have to be alert. A couple of short corners were seen away, there was a wild reverse hit with the Upminster attacker drifting away from the goal. There was a clearance off the line, but we were fortunate that Upminster really didn’t play the final killer ball that was open to them on numerous occasions.

An easy half time team talk really. Go out and do what you did at the start. In the words of the annoying TV price comparison meerkat - simples.

The second half was a more even affair across the piece. We probably had the better movements and chances, they probably had a bit more possession and territory. We lost quite a lot of ball in midfield areas, playing out free hits, sidelines and 16’s quickly worked to a point but often found the ball coming back at us but when we did get through their midfield we found some joy. One wonderful move involving it appeared to me most of the youth almost ended with the textbook deflection finish by Ati mid-way through the half. All the youth players contributed, Aiden always bright and Sam Severn pulling into good positions playing a little deeper than he has recently. Isaac Kelly was bright throughout in midfield and always looking to progress the ball. Linked well with namesake Minor on a number of occasions. Defensively the Upminster attack noticeably tired in the second half. Never really got in behind us and on a number of occasions we were able to hold firm on the top of the D forcing them to play hopeful crash balls. Charlie Sanders again showed tenacity in the tackle and again saw a lot of the ball on the right side.

I could have put a bit of sparkle on the final result as I just narrowly missed a chance with Rob returning the ball back to me on a short. Last week it slipped in by the width of something extremely narrow and this week it missed by similar. This was inside the final two minutes, so no harm done.

A pleasing way to finish up the season.

Right onto the awards. First up man of this match went to Ati. Last week was his first victory and we are up and running now with number 2. Great performance, on the occasions he lost the ball he worked straight back and rewon possession. Terrific effort and Upminster are not a small side. Showed skill and plenty of fight. Hope to see him again next season.

On the season awards the players, player of the season went to Scott Parsons. Look in terms of league position and points total it wasn’t a premier season but my word it would have been a hell of a lot worse if he wasn’t our consistent goalie. Tremendous first season as an adult player. I’ve seen a few come through the Academy and had the pleasure of seeing a number of new goal keepers taking their first steps in adult hockey one is now the 1’s goalie. Scott will be putting pressure on him in a very short time frame, by far the readiest for adult hockey from the off.

Captain’s player of the year went to Aidan Pass. Again, richly deserved. Always keen and giving 100%, always looking for the ball. Has got a few goals and assists across the course of a difficult season and at times had to work off scraps. Really enjoyed watching him develop, helped by being a consistent presence at midweek training.

My thanks I’m sure shared by the team to Chris for keeping the show on the road. I’ve been part of good promotion seasons and also relegation seasons and I have to say this never felt like a relegation season. There were a couple of exceptions but the team where nearly always in the games played and morale was always high and that’s a credit to Chris. Even in the good Academy seasons there tends to be a game or two, particularly early on that get away from us.

The Academy will go again in September. Fingers crossed for a couple of summer growth spurts.

Team: Scott Parsons, Charlie Sanders, Simon Parsons, Gary MacDonnell, Chris Minor, Isaac Kelly, William McKay, Doug Muncey, Sam Severn, Isaac Minor, Ati Chingombe, Aiden Pass, Rob Sanders.