Mixed vs Stevenage Mixed

And so the rollercoaster comes to a halt. 

Twists and turns, highs and lows, thrills and spills, tears and laughs.  New friendships forged, a new chapter of HHC irrevocably opened. And for that, kudos to Coley and Yaz, the Phil and Hollie (no, bad example), the Matt and Mollie (topical cultural reference for the young folk there) of HHC mixed, for bringing together three formerly separate parts of little old HHC into something that is inclusive, positive and progressive.

And that’s more important than Sunday’s result, a disappointing 6-2 defeat at Stevenage. That said, your correspondent is currently lobbying the government to have all cup ties played on Sunday replayed, whether that’s England Hockey Mixed or the FA Cup, so will let you know how that goes Coley. #COYS.

Anyway I digress. Though the score sounds pretty conclusive, actually the game was much more even than that. Possession, if anything, was shaded by the lilywhites, but the hosts were more ruthless in the D and but for another fine performance in nets by Andy, it could have been more. 

An early goal put the hosts ahead and, with a team boasting a host of first teamers and no juniors - boo what kind of club are you?! - it rather felt like it might be a bridge too far for Harps.

We need to talk about the juniors. Half of Harp’s outfielders were 6th formers, who have grown in confidence and ability immeasurably over the season.  Charlie Mox made his mixed debut and was a constant threat up front, while bravely putting his dodgy quad on the line to put in a great shift. Charlie K’s buoyant personality is a real galvaniser; the boy is a born leader, small in size but huge in personality. Oscar’s work rate was relentless and he was a constant thorn in the side of the Stevenage defence. Then the girls… Amelie won her personal duels throughout, while showing versatility to play about five positions. Evie’s hold up play bought time for reinforcements to arrive and gave the defence respite. Emily is the smiling assassin, nice as pie but the oppo won’t get the ball off her and she’ll snap into tackles like her life depends on it. And Lilly’s confidence has grown so much, demanding the ball from senior teammates and bringing drive,  dynamism and squeals to the midfield.  Shout out to the HHC junior programme here; these kids were made on a Sunday morning at a frosty Woollams. (Except former tangerine Mox, but he eventually saw the light.)

Anywho. The game. 1-0 soon became 2-0 and at the break, passions were high but calm heads were needed if the whites were to get back into it. A reshuffle saw Mobbsy and Kelsey switch positions, the former providing a real thrust down the right flank with the latter minding the shop at centre mid. Reedy, Coley and Henry played 10 yards higher up, putting the hosts under more pressure and making it harder for them to transition, and it seemed like the next goal would be Harpenden’s. Unfortunately, and very much against the run of play, it wasn’t, and at 3-0 with 20 to go, moral could have nosedived. Instead, Harps raised their game, forging a succession of short corners, from one of which Mobbsy slotted home to give the whites hope. 

With George’s tireless running up front providing regular outletting opportunities (before he took his foot off the pedal to save some energy for his Real Tennis match in the evening… could he BE any more  Harpenden?), and Yas’s ferocity in the tackle belying her diminutive stature, the whites were a threat. Just a minute after their first goal, Harps were just a goal down at 3-2. Oscar Hared after a super ball down the line from Mobbsy, kept it in, skinned a couple of defenders before pulling out a tomahawk trick shot that inadvertently looped over a defender, straight to Emily for an overhead smash into a gaping net. Not necessarily one off the training ground, but gleefully taken.

Just for a moment, it felt game on. However, almost directly from the restart, Stevenage restored their two goal advantage, taking the wind out of the white sails. Two further goals rather flattered the hosts; it was never a 6-2 game but in fairness Stevenage deserved the win. They can keep their win; we’ll keep our camaraderie.

Up the whites!