National Division 1: HBU have a promising start.
NATIONAL DIVISION 1
Soham Sun 11/10/2015
In addition to their Premier League side Herne Bay United have entered a team in the 2nd tier of English Roller Hockey.
All but one of the players are part of the successful youth academy with an average age of 16.
On Sunday the team travelled to Soham and faced the hosts in their opening fixture. HBU started tentatively and some organized defending restricted the home club’s opportunities and HBU were ahead 1-0 at halftime. As the 2nd half progressed HBU continued to press and were rewarded with two late goals to win 3-0, a promising start to the campaign.
On paper the 2nd game against a strong Manchester side was always going to be the toughest and it proved to be a hard lesson for the lads. Manchester opened the scoring, only for HBU to convert a fortunate penalty for the equaliser. The first half was winding down and with only 18 seconds to go, defensive errors allowed a Manchester player a free run on goal to finish the half 2-1 up.
The 2nd half saw a disjointed performance from HBU and some poor defending. Manchester scored a couple of early goals while HBU were unable to convert some good approach play with the Manchester keeper on top form.
Late in the game Manchester scored a flurry of goals to run out 9 -1.
A determined HBU side faced an experienced Maidstone team in their last game of the day. Maidstone opened the scoring, this prompted a good reaction from HBU as the pressure started to pay off with HBU scoring to go in at half time xx v xx. Starting well in the 2nd half, some great team play saw the lead extended and the game finish 8-5. HBU played 3 and won 2, a good start to the season at a different level for this young developing team.
Team: Rhys Young(GK), Jack Thomas(GK), Matt Holness(C), Will Parkinson Wellard, Josh Butcher, Jamie McVey, Ollie Hudson, Matt Lawrie and George Daly.
