Men's Twos Claim First Point of the Season

League leaders Ashby visited fortress SMP looking to continue their 100% start to the season but Leicester City Hockey Club's men's seconds put a strong side out and were confident of earning the second team’s first points of the season.

Pushback was delayed as Sandy had to help goalkeeper Harry squeeze in to an orange tankini in the absence of a smock that didn’t clash with the home team’s black shirts.

With tankini snuggly fitted and a quick check that the debutant ‘keeper could still breathe, the whistle blew.

City started off the stronger of the two teams, with most of the game (first half) being played in the opposition's quarter. The midfield passed it around in lovely triangles courtesy of Paul, Sam and Jamie, who in turn fed the forwards Mo, Ryan and James; all of whom were all eager to get on the score sheet.

City seemed to squander chance after chance trying to score with a 'Hollywood-style' hit, rather than just keeping it simple and getting it on target. The home side then had some defending to do as they were reduced to ten for a couple of minutes when Joseph was shown the green card for not retreating

The half ended goalless, with the half-time oranges and Haribo left inside (now dubbed full-time treats). The gents listened to what Elsbeth had to say and took to the field for the second half with Harry now modelling a particularly fetching day-glo pink smock.

Unfortunately it did not stay goalless for too long with the traveling side winning a short corner. The initial shot stopped by a post player and the spin on the ball taking it away from his stick forcing the 'keeper to kick it straight to a forward, who reacted with killer instinct and slotted it in the back of City's net.

With the seconds ticking away, the home side started pushing for an equaliser. With four trusted defenders and the midfield seemingly merging with the forwards up front, it was only a matter of time before one of the counter-attacks paid off and a late foray in to the opposition D saw the ball reach David D, who weaved his way past a couple of defenders before calmly slapping the ball into corner of the goal.

MOTM - Sam - great work at half-back

DOTD - Joseph - picking up a lazy green card

Team - Harry (GK), Conor, Paul, Sam, Spencer, Joseph, Jamie, David D, Boyce, Mo H, James, Ryan and Sakil