Defeat to fellow promotion hopefulls

The Men's 1s finished the year with a disappointing defeat against fellow promotion hopefuls Bourne Deeping. It was one of those days when the team just did not quite click.

Despite having more possession than Bourne Deeping the Men's 1s found themselves 3-1 down at half time. The half was typified by plenty of S & S possession and quick break outs from Deeping. The first Deeping goal came as a result of a defensive error which Keeper Pete Houghton could do little about. S & S were soon on level terms, Chris Fell converting well from a Penalty corner after a sustained period of pressure. Goal two for Deeping came as a result of confusion in the S & S defence, with no one taking responsibility for clearing the ball much to the Deeping forward's delight. The final goal of the half for Deeping came from a well finished Penalty corner.

S & S started the half well and soon pulled a goal back, Fell on hand to lift the ball into the goal from close range. S & S were soon after back on level terms, a slick 3 man multi pass Penalty Corner routine was well finished by Stuart Robson. Normally when S & S are back into a game like this they go on and win, but today it was different. For the Deeping fourth goal, a Deeping midfielder was allowed unchallenged to drift across the S & S D, before finding a good pass in to a forward for an easy finish. S & S continued to have plenty of the ball and a number of Penalty Corners with which to level from, but it was Deeping that caught them on the break for number five. Deeping collected their sixth with the last touch of the game to deservedly take the three points.

A disappointing result for the Men's 1s, but what a fantastic first half of the season. After two years of consecutive promotions to be involved again at the halfway point of the season in another promotion push is incredible and reflective of the progress this team has made over the last three seasons. A combination of excellent coaching and an investment in bringing through young talent and giving them their head, in a side with some good seasoned players, has worked wonders to give the club its highest ever standing in the East League.