CROSTYX BLUES

 Blueharts 4  Crostyx 3

Our first encounter with Blueharts earlier this season finished with Crostyx stealing the match with a goal in the dying minutes to give us a 4 - 3 win.Yesterday the tables were reversed and Blueharts took all three points with a 4 - 3 scoreline.

This was a fast and skilful match with both sides playing some excellent fluid hockey.  Crostyx started the stronger and applied much pressure to the Blueharts defence. In fact Crostyx played some of their best hockey during this opening spell. Their efforts were rewarded in the seventh minute when some brilliant interplay down the right flank resulted in the cross being slotted home by Hunn.  Crostyx remained dominant but all the time Blueharts were gaining confidence and it was no surprise when they equalised in the twentieth minute. This setback spurred on the visitors and their second short corner was despatched by Ingram to make it 2 -1. Any hope of a first half lead for Crostyx disappeared in the thirtieth minute when a drag flick from a Blueharts short corner was expertly buried. Half time 2 - 2. 

The pattern of the second half was much the same as that of the first. Crostyx scored after twelve minutes when Hunn, receiving the ball in space just inside the Blueharts 25, drove into the 16 and hit the ball past the advancing keeper and into the net, 2 - 3. Not to be outdone from the restart Blueharts attacked and won their third short corner which was again drag flicked into the goal. Crostyx had had the lead for two minutes. Now it was 3 all.

Taking heart from their quick response Blueharts moved forward and three minute later went 4 - 3 up when Crostyx failed to clear the ball from the top of their 16 and a Blueharts attacker pounced and hit it sweetly into the Crostyx goal. There was still fifteen minutes for Crostyx to equalise and take something from this match. The chance came five minutes later when Crostyx were awarded a penalty stroke.

At this point came a most bizarre situation. Crostyx penalty taker was resting on the bench. The Crostyx player on the pitch but nearest the bench was immediately taken off and the bench player put on to take the penalty. This was a wise move as the person in question had not missed a penalty in the last two seasons and, although not certain, was likely to score this one. In stepped the umpire to tell us that we could not make a substitution at a penalty stroke. Reference to the 2009 rules of hockey, paragraph 2.3 section a, will show that statement to be incorrect. In a nutshell the rule states that "substitution is permitted at any time except within the period from the award of a penalty corner until after it has been completed ....." 

Needless to say the keeper saved the penalty and the point which was so richly deserved was lost. (Or maybe not, depending on the alternative flick)

Blueharts, 4 - 3 winners yesterday, were unlucky in our first meeting but all was squared up in this meeting. Never the less an excellent game of hockey.

Thanks to umpires Henry Wanchoo and David Hill who, for the most part, had a good game. 

Man of the Match was Dan Hunn for his first two goals of the season and Dick of the Day was Demi Vasilliou for the penalty miss.

Crostyx Team: Neal Lofthouse (GK), Simon Blockley (C), Ed Murphy, Joe Whitehead, Ian Dunnett, Wayne Bishop, AJ Vasilliou, James Ward, Demi Vasilliou,  Shuhel Malique, Dan Hunn ,Gareth Ingram.