Men's 3rd XI beat Burnt Ash 4-3 to go top

2 games + 8 goals (7 different scorers) + 6 points = Top of the league

The less said about the defence the better.

Attacking though the 3s looked threatening from the outset with a sustained period of pressure right from the start leading to a Tom Fantom goal at the far post. Tom should have had a second minutes later, but missed with the goal at his mercy. Suddenly the momentum swung and two shocking goals from poor tracking, marking and keeping meant we had made an average Burnt Ash side look good. Ben 'Rocket' Roberts drew things level with a superb reverse-stick shot from the top of the D, keeping low and going in off the inside of the post before anyone had even a chance to blink. The defence had one more chance to let in a soft goal however and at half time it was 3-2 Burnt Ash.

The half time talk was basically us all wondering how after starting so well we had then played so badly, but we knew the game was far from over even if the captain did only bring one packet of jelly babies along (not that anyone else did either...).

The second half was much better, with the Burnt Ash keeper pulling off a string of saves and Grant Edwards getting his first goal for the club to draw things level. Somehow Mat Thewlis managed to do everything but score, although a string of penalty corners eventually led to a goal-line save with an opponents leg and despite the ball going into the net, Pagey for once got the whistle to his lips quicker than we could moan at him for not blowing! Penalty stroke instead, Will G taking responsibility and putting it high into the net to put the home side in front. It should have been more, but in the end with a goal mouth save from the captain and a last minute penalty corner to the opposition, it all got a little tense and it was a relief when Mr Burton blew the final whistle.

Summary - if we can that badly and win, then we're doing all right. Top of the league and tricky away fixture to Marden coming up next week. The 3s will want to carry the momentum on - especially with the familiar site of the vets breathing down our necks in 2nd place!