After a week of things not going to plan - this week saw the restart of the EHL season.

Due to some administatrative confusion with England Hockey, a number of our new players were not able to play in this game - leaving us with a squad of 13, including two goalkeepers.

On a warm day at the High School, Whitchurch started brightly and dominated the early exchanges, enjoying the lion share of 1st half possession. Laith El Khatib opened the Whitchurch account for the season, completing a flowing move with a cool finish. A defensive error then led to Whitchurch conceding a sloppy equaliser against the run of play.

This did not deter the home side and who continued to play some constructive and fluid hockey, resulting in a Jamie Westerman goal, to take a 2-1 lead. Having forced a number of penalty corners, Aleax Keating latched onto a well struck corner to deflect passed the keeper for a 3-1 half time lead, which was well-deserved.

Unlike previous campaigns, Whitchurch continued in a similar vain at the beginning of the second half, playing good controlled hockey and asking questions of the Kent team. This was until our characteristic dodgy 15 minutes materialised. Doug Young was sin-binned for a rash tackle and Joe Naughalty for dissent - leaving the nine men to weather the Bromley & Beckenham storm. During this period the Kent side scored four goals without reply, taking a 3-5 lead and obliterating all the good work previously achieved by Whitchurch.

Following the return of Young and Naughalty, Whitchurch regained their assurance and control - pressing to get something from the game, which was clearly deserved. With 10 minutes remaining, debutant Mark Whatling scored from a penalty corner to set up a tense finish to the match. Naughalty made amends for his enforced rest by equalising in the last minute, with a sweetly struck backhand.

Manager, Naz Mohammed commented; "we were disappointed not to come away with the win after the way we played in the first half. But we did well to come back and get at least something from a tough match."

Squad vs Bromley & Beckenham

Williams, Brotherton, Keating, Benjamin, Hingston, Young, Westerman, El Khatib, Whatling, Naughalty, Potter, Gierak, Fisher