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MATCH REPORT - September 18, 2004

OPPOSITION
VENUE
SURFACE

RESULT

GOAL SCORERS

Royston (pre-season friendly)
Away
Astro

Lost 4-2

Adam Reader
Chris Wood

Well, it was our first outing of the season and with only 10 men against a side from the Division above we did pretty well although eventfully going down 4-2.

Having gone a goal behind in the early part of the first half, the team recovered well and fought hard, and levelled things up with a goal from Adam Reader who displayed lightning reflexes in front of goal - quite what he was doing up at the sharp end is anybody's guess! He may be angling for a more active role now that he's in such amazing shape - Andy and Nick beware!

Unfortunately, despite a rousing half-time team talk we came out more than half asleep and within 30 seconds let in a goal so soft the Andrex Puppy would have been proud of it! The team regrouped but went further behind mid-way through the half and despite pulling one back through Chris Wood's fine strike from a penalty corner, we eventually lost 4-2.

Numerous positives can be drawn from the "friendly" including the welcome return of Andy Bye (back after a few years of temporary retirement) and Alan Field (returning to PBHC from St Albans Exiles). The team also defended well for long periods despite being a man short and without a number of key players (through misplaced loyalty to cricket clubs, injury, ill-timed holiday or early retirement!). Being short-handed in midfield also meant that it was difficult to break out and hold the ball - nevertheless the whole team showed good determination and fought hard to the end of the match. The overall performance bodes well for the new season in Division 7.