Plymouth University 4, SOHC Men’s 1st XI 0

Conference South

Sidmouth and Ottery HC 1st XI travelled to Plymouth University this week eager to prove their worth in this league. Currently sitting near bottom position, the race is on to snap up the remaining points and secure their place next season, writes Bobby Houghton-Brown.

Plymouth University are looking to finish at the top of the table this year just three points off the top spot.

A win for SOHC would perhaps be against the run of form however, they were optimistic having beaten top teams in the past.

SOHC started strongly with some promising spells of possession and kept the athletic students well under control.

As often found in hockey, the first team has a wide age range amongst its side.

A wealth of experience across the backline performed well in the first half when tested by Plymouth, with a solid performance from 39-year-old captain Ian Brown. The youthful strikers; King, Bell and Please kept the defenders guessing but couldn’t find the breakthrough.

Plymouth’s intensity was high and attacked well down the left of the pitch. Scott Rowson used every ounce of his skill and touch to stop them in their tracks.

Unfortunately, one of the umpires didn’t agree with the physicality on show. A double yellow was presented to take both teams to 10 men. With the teams all square at half time, SOHC captain Brown made it clear that it was time to throw down the gauntlet and stamp some authority on the match.

Plymouth Uni also recognised the need to up their game and came out firing.

The home side pounced on some loose passing from Sidmouth to score a couple of quick goals after the break. Plymouth were clinical in attack and found themselves having several easy chances to score.

A spectacular goal line clearance from Peter Baker kept hopes alive and Sidmouth thought it could be a turning point.

In a moment of madness, centre midfielder Matthew Ogborne pulled the ball out of the sky above shoulder height which sent him to sin bin for five long minutes.

Sidmouth became frustrated with their play but so did Plymouth, with another double sin binning after a hard tackle and bit of ‘afters’.

Through errors from the tiring away team, the students managed to score two more simple goals in open play to secure victory by a comfortable margin.

?The 1st XI will continue to battle for their position in conference south with a very winnable match versus ECV Hornets at Sidmouth college this Saturday, 1:30pm start, all support is gratefully received.