SOHC have a busy weekend on and off the pitch
Sidmouth and Ottery A at home to Okehampton. Ref shsp 08-17TI 7448. Picture: Terry Ife - Credit: Archant
Sidmouth and Ottery (SOHC) men’s first team had a busy weekend as they travelled 370 miles to contest matches at Mid Somerset, Wells on Saturday and Marlborough in Wiltshire 24 hours later.
The match at Mid Somerset saw SOHC make a strong start and their adventurous approach led to a number of chances. However, after half an hour of bossing proceedings without fashioning a goal, SOHC fell behind to a slick counter-attack.
Parity was restored just before the break with Lee Clayden heavily involved in the build-up to a smart finish from Nick Mansfield.
Mid Somerset came out after half-time and soon regained the lead. The SOHC response was good, but, just as had been the case in the first half hour, the away side dominated the latter stages without being able to find the back of the home net!
In what was a terrific all-round display, the only area of the game that was not so impressive was the finishing!
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There was some ‘dressing room humour’ to the defeat in the shape of a broken stick for Ali Slade, who had only purchase the stick on then morning of the match!
The following day the team were again on the road for a match at table-toping Marlborough who had only suffered a single defeat all season.
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It was not really the sort of game the team needed after their collective super efforts just 24 hours before and the home side showed just why they are clear at the top as they powered to a 7-0 success.
There were some excellent individual shifts from the team, particularly Jack Ellison, Henry Mutter and Greg Jolly who stepped up from the club’s 2nd XI. Simon Baker also had a fine game, but the Man of the Match award went to the impressive Charlie King.
Skipper Simon Baker said: “From the outside, looking in, this probably doesn’t look like a great weekend for the first team, but actually the lads are doing a lot right.
“That much was confirmed by the Marlborough players after the game at their place.
“They spoke very positively about our side, the talented young players we are producing and how we play hockey the right way as a club!
“This Saturday we go again and if we keep working hard I am positive we will start moving up the league.”
