5s beaten but not down

First home game of the season for the Mens 5s as they hosted the Mens 4s. 5s as home team opted to play in the alternate black jerseys and were met with an unpleasant surprise to find the kit had been festering for a couple of weeks since being put back in the bag still damp with sweat, lovely, an airing on the netball court before push back helped matters but the 5s certainly didn't start the game their usual fragrant selves!

On the pitch though the 5s continued their form from the previous week and controlled large parts of the first half and took a deserved lead when David C drove home from the top of the D at a 5s PC, the lead could and maybe should of been added to but Charlie in the 4s goal was on top form and Toby at centre back was his usual hard to beat.
The 5s knew the 4s would have a potent threat going forward especially with Richard Pulley running from midfield or any penalty corners they were awarded and so it proved to be first a shot across goal from Richard evaded several 5s sticks to find the far corner, a 4s PC made it 2-1 again Pulley with the goal. On another day the 5s might of got to the half with a handy lead but instead found themselves trailing.

Unfortunately the 5s lost influential midfielder Richard at the half with a hamstring injury and the 4s younger legs started to show and were soon comfortably ahead with Pulley pulling the strings in midfield and the 5s struggling to maintain possession. The 5s kept the work rate up though and ended strong but were unable to get a late consolation goal.
So the 4s ran out deserved winners but the 6-1 scoreline wasn't necessarily a true reflection of how close the game was.

Plenty of positive points for the 5s with JC and Tim making impressive 5s debuts and some good team hockey especially in the first half.
The 5s also continued to display their respectful behaviour towards teammates, umpires and opponents alike.

Big thanks to umpires Ed and Lizzie who were both excellent.

The 5s next week are at home (in Falmer) for another 4.30pm start v Hailsham 2s.