HBU Saturday Night Hockey: Premier League United Stunned as Taylor Hits 7, Under 9’s United and Herne Bay finish on level ground.
Premier League: Date: 16th Nov 2013: Venue; Bay Arena.
HBU had their 3rd Premier League match of the season this weekend, and were hoping to go top of the table with a win, however Letchworth had other ideas. United have faced Letchworth once already this season and won by narrow margin at Letchworth rink. Letchworth drew first blood and it was Taylor to make his mark on the game 3 minutes in. HBU regrouped and were looking to get back into the game but what was to be the tone of the match for United was being set and Captain Joe Singleton was Blue carded and sin binned for a trip that United were left bemused by and Taylor made no mistake by getting his second of the game from the spot. United again remained moving forward and playing confidently and United’s Fabio Vicente was to score twice for United to put the teams level, both goals were well-worked and United back on level terms and all to play for in the 2nd half.
United stayed as they were with no changes over the break and looking to start to take control of the game but Taylor had other intentions scoring 5 minutes in from his second direct of the match after United committed 10 team fouls, which was shortly followed by a penalty which was awarded in the space of a minute when Matt White of Letchworth looked to have been tackled on a counter but its not clear to whether this was clean tackle but it looked like the Referee got this one wrong, Taylor continued his 100% record from the spot to get his forth of the game against HBU goal keeper Eddie Mount. United kept on looking to finish some of the chances that were presented with but were failing to finish many any of these. United’s Barker got his first of the game in a goal mouth scuffle but to give United a glimpse of daylight out of the tunnel they were caught in, but it was short lived thanks to Letchworth’s Matt White for getting his first of the game and Taylor scoring shortly after with a nice individual effort from behind the goal to go 3-6 up with 12 minutes remaining.
The game leveled out and United got their first direct of the game after 10 team fouls and Barker securing his second goal of the match making it 4 – 6 with 6 minutes remaining and every possibility for United, but it wasn’t to be as Taylor scored a slap shot from distance and a further Direct Free hit to give Letchworth a 4 – 8 victory. United had no answer and with under 2 minutes remaining.
James Taylor’s return to UK from Italy has given Letchworth the difference they needed. They are a well-balanced team that now has that little extra in these two new additions from Italy. Taylor was clinical in front of goal scoring 5 dead ball opportunities which is exceptional. In terms of positives for HBU; in open play the result was 3 – 3 and by no means is the score line a reflection on the match and how close it was. United are 3rd in the League but it is very early into the season and it is without doubt Letchworth who will trouble many teams this season. United’s Brendan Barker said after; “we are gutted by the result today we wanted the win and we had the chances to do this, but as with sport some days the decisions just don’t go your way, and today it was one of those days. We lost to five goals not in open play, I have never seen that and it is rather unbelievable. The team is in a good place as a whole and we will continue with our plan and prepare for the next match, today was Letchworth’s day.”
United will face Kings Lynn ‘away’ next in the Premier League, but if you want to get some local Hockey the Kent League starts again this weekend at the Bay Sports arena from 7:45pm.
Team List HBU: Eddie Mount (gk), Joe Singleton(Cap), Karl Smith, Danny Butcher, Lewis Greenwood, Simon Hosking, Neil Austin, Fabio Vicente(2), Brendan Barker(2), Daniel Barton (gk)
Under 9’s: Match Sat 16th Nov 2013
Before the main event of HBU v Letchworth Premier League there was a match HBU U/9 v Herne Bay U/9 which was set to be a close game, HBU had lost to this team the previous weekend in a SECHRA league match 6 – 2 but wanted revenge. HBU started really well not letting Herne Bay get that many shots in, but what shots got through HBU goalie Will Hosking stopped. HBU were getting more chances and took one with Jaspar Dobson scoring and shortly after HBU scored again through Joseph Barley. HBU were looking the better team with some great passing and defending. Then another goal for United scored by Finley Kay put United 3 up at half time.
Herne Bay started the second half looking a different team getting more chances and scored 2 goals through Brandon Eynon bringing the score to 3 – 2. This seemed to wake up HBU’s players and they got their 4th goal coming from Jaspar Dobson, Herne Bay goalie Harrison Waters was busy in goal making some great saves for them. Herne Bay then started getting more of the ball and with another 2 goals from Brandan making the score 4 each. With a minute to go HBU made their 5th team foul giving Herne Bay a direct free hit which luckily for HBU they missed and the game finished 4 all. This game was a great show case for what the future holds for both clubs some great young players coming through.
HBU Team list: Will Hosking, James Wiffen (gks), Jasper Dobson(Cap), Joseph Barley, Dougie Epps, Jake Croft, Jack Bloyce, Finley Kay, Rhys Dean, Bryn Davies.