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Whitchurch HC v University of Exeter, Saturday 20^th Sept 14

Match Report by Rory Gorman

Whitchurch went into this Saturday’s game against high flying Exeter Uni looking to make up for last weak 11-0 defeat at the hands of NOW:Pensions Men’s Conference West defending champions Cardiff & Met. Despite the loss Whitchurch remained in high spirits showing signs of a team who are clearly not just in the league to make up numbers. Whitchurch started strongly from push back and within the first few minutes good work from Phil Wilkinson and newly turned striker Alex Bourn had the ball in the opposition ‘d’ but failed to test the keeper. 

Both sides seemed edgy but it was Whitchurch who grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and started to play the free flowing hockey coach Greg Mill has been asking them to play; the midfield in particular were dominating the game with captain Dougie Young breaking down play and thwarting the opposition on several occasions with robust tackles. In what seemed to be a half mostly played in midfield Rhys Welsh found space to deflect a strike at goal but the Exeter keeper matched his efforts with a fantastic save low down to his left. Just as Whitchurch had gotten into their stride the half time whistle had gone with neither teams really testing each others goalkeepers. 

After a few inspiration words at half time Whitchurch came out in a fighting mood and almost instantly youngster Manyonage Muliro broke past a few weak tackles and into the ‘d’ but failed to test the keeper. At the other end the Whitchurch defence were holding strong, in particular Mike Adamson and Alun Welsh were putting in tackles to stop a very skillful Exeter team. Even when they evaded those tackles first choice keeper Iwan Williams was at his usual best making numerous saves. Then a breakthrough; Whitchurch ran straight up the field from defending a free hit and won a short corner. Alun Welsh flicked it low and hard into the bottom corner where after a few bobbles off sticks it landed to Hassan Noor who tapped in in back post. It was a well earned goal for Noor who had a fantastic game at centre mid on Saturday. Sadly after the goal Whitchurch found themselves being reduced to 10 men and then 9 men with several players showing poor discipline and receiving yellow cards. Exeter pushed hard making their 2 man advantage count with keeper Williams in inspired form at the back, but eventually it took a moment of class when an Exeter forward took the ball past several Whitchurch players and finished with the ball in the roof of the net. 

This only spurred Whitchurch on and at times it looked like Exeter were down to 9 men as Whitchurch pushed on with Wilkinson making several runs down the channels and  Gareth Thomas linking well with the full backs to start attacks. In a second half that seemed to go on forever with a massive 8 added minutes on by the umpire Whitchurch and Exeter seemed to be throwing everything at each other, it was end to end with Jon Collis diving head first to clear the ball of the line at one point. In the end both teams seemed to run out of steam as the final whistle went, Whitchurch were the happier team showing that they are a team to be feared this year due to the fact Exeter finished 2nd last year. Whitchurch mens first team would like to thank all the fans and sponsors for Saturday's games as well as R E D photography for the photography. Next week the 1st team travel to Bath and are hoping to add to their points tally.