10-Man Leicester Defeated In Warwick
Promotion-chasing Leicester City Hockey Club Men's 1s arrived in Warwick in good spirits and eager to make up for last weeks chastening defeat.
Unfortunately, what looked like a strong 11 on paper was reduced to 10 as Mike had elected to stay in bed.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, City started brightly and Rahul slipped the ball just wide of the near post after some nice play from Henry and Ross down the right flank. Another early chance saw Declan test the ‘keeper after debutant Liam picked him out with a long accurate ball over the top.
The home side hit back and saw a goal disallowed for a foot in the build up. Encouraged by the near miss, Warwick really started to pressurise the visiting backline who were reduced to hitting it long to the hard running David M.
An already outnumbered City were stretched further when Luke injured himself slipping over and Dec took a hit to the knee which required some ice and a change of position for the visiting captain.
The home side took the lead towards the end of the first half, a quick counter left the visiting backline exposed. Stand in 'keeper Dan did well to save the first shot but the ball deflected back to the home forward whose scuffed shot wrong footed Boyce and bobbled in to the net.
One down at half-time, City switched to a 3-5-1 formation in the hope of gaining a foothold in midfield. Unfortunately the change didn’t have the desired effect and the home side doubled their lead shortly after the restart from another pacy counter attack.
City pushed forward and Boyce came close to scoring after playing a neat one-two with Jamie but couldn’t strike with enough power to trouble the home ‘Keeper.
Gaps started to appear as the visitors desperately looked for a way back in to the game and Warwick took full advantage to score a third from another quick break. The home side fashioned a number of chances to increase their lead and only some last ditch defending from Liam prevented any further damage to City’s goal difference.
MOTM - Liam, so many vital blocks, interceptions and tackles.
DOTD - Mike, staying in bed and then rocking up at the 2s game.
Team - Dan (GK), Liam, Boyce, Luke, Henry, Ross, Dec, Rahul, Jamie, David M
