Match Report

Match : 1st XI v Saintfield
Date : 2004-01-03
Venue : A
Score : 4-3
Scorers : Currie(2), Porter, Burgess

By David Menaul

East travelled to Saintfield with their strongest side of the season,and it showed.East played good quality gravel hockey and controlled 80% of the game. East were first to the ball strong in the tackle and most importantly we battled for each other on the pitch. East were 1-0 up at half time after a good solo goal from Jonathan Porter at the edge of the circle before he turned and hit a good shot past the Saintfield keeper.

East had a bad start to the 2nd half when they conceded in the first 5 minutes. Instead of giving up and arguing among ourselves East players stucked together and played even harder hockey.East got their rewards with two quick goals scored by Leon Currie, one of which I have to say is the best worked team goal I have ever seen by any hockey team I have watched. It started with East winning the ball in their own half, 10 seconds and 15 passes later the ball was in the back of the net - SUPERB.

East went on to take a 4-1 lead when Alan Burgess hit a shot which took a lucky deflection and went in over the keepers head (but they say good teams created their own luck).

East went on to lose two late goals thanks to what can only be said to be some dubious decisions by the Saintfield umpire (the least said the better). A great team performance by the lads sets us up nicely for a local derby on saturday against Larne.

Could I thank our V.P. Stuart Wallace (virtual prick) for umpiring. As usual he gives the decisions the way he sees, something as players we appreciate alot. Cheers.

G.Cooke
D.Menaul
G.Reid
A.Murphy
G.Gillespie
D.Caldwell (c)
A.Burgess
N.Hermon
J.Greer
J.Porter
L.Currie

G.Reid