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Stevenage HC 1st XI 3 - Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead HC 1st XI 1
Playing only their second game since early December Berkhamsted Hockey Club 1st XI travelled to high flying Stevenage expecting a tough game.
Indeed the home side made the better start and put stand in keeper Seymour and the Berkhamsted defence under early pressure. However by keeping a good shape and putting in a lot of hard work they limited the number of chances they were able to produce.
Gradually, the Berkhamsted started to get a foothold in the game. With Hodges starting to pull the strings from the midfield Berkhamsted crafted good breaks through Westly, Barron and Allam. Indeed Barron drew an exceptional save from the home keeper with the ball arrowing into the top corner of the net.
After 20 minutes however Berkhamsted’s concentration broke. A free hit near the half way line was played to the Stevenage right half, he was able to run unopposed to the top of the Berkhamsted D before firing the ball across into a melee of players. An unfortunately deflection off the stick of Jamie Holderness put the ball past keeper Seymours shoulder to give the home side the lead.
This encouraged the home side and it was not before they had extended their lead. This time an attacked down the right looked to be covered however the ball was fired into the D and a great deflection from the Stevenage skipper put the ball into the roof of the net.
Berkhamsted now tried to get back into the game and started to put pressure on the home defence. They were particularly unlucky not to draw a goal back after a great run by Allam drew the home keeper out of goal. He was able to slip the ball back to Barron who unfortunately was unable to control it with the goal at his mercy.
Stevenage then scored a third in a move that came from a very similar move to they had scored with earlier, with a deflected cross again leaving the keeper helpless.
Berkhamsted, now with nothing to lose started to press forward and encamped in the Stevenage half. They won a free hit just outside the home sides D. The ball was slipped left to an unmarked Stanwell. He fired the ball across the D to Love, who got the ball past the keeper, before pushing it into an unguarded net.
This completed the scoring for the half and unfortunately and for Berkhamsted the game.
Although having a much the better second half, Berkhamsted let a number of great chances go begging that would have got them back in the game.
Towards the end, Stevenage also started to create some more chances of their own, but a couple of brilliant one on one saves from Seymour left the final score 3-1.
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