THD M2 3 - 0 Wanderers M1
Saturday 6 January 2024
Dulwich College
Match Report
After a Christmas break filled with eating, drinking, and no sign of any more postponed fixtures, the 2s returned in 2024 looking to polish off a stellar first half of the season with a win that would see them return to 2nd in the league.
The week began strong for the team with some ridiculously strong numbers turning out for training on the 2nd of January. All things considered, and with a 2-day hangover still lingering amongst the boys, we prepped well ready to take on Wanderers 1’s, a strong outfit that wouldn’t be giving us any chances to falter in the game.
Straight from pushback, THD settled into a very strong defensive set-up, transferring the ball well round the back and retaining the ball for long periods in the opening exchanges. Soon the pressure began to mount, with Kyle Meeser and a returning Will Thompson finding cracks within the oppositions midfield. Long balls mixed in with a Xavi esque solo effort from Will saw the M2s have their first few big chances of the game.
A few penalty corner saves later, Jared Oliver unleashed a beautiful tomohawk reverse towards the far post. Reports after the game suggested the ball was creeping in but to avoid any doubt, Ruairí Gillespie was there to clean up the scraps with a lovely deflection to put the boys 1-0 up. Soon after, the opposition defense began to open up with more and more chances building for the boys.
Step up, Harry Willetts.
One things for sure, this team doesn’t lack desire at all and with a forward line hungry to avoid fines for not scoring, a perfectly executed high press and counter attack left Harry with the ball in what seemed like an impossible angle to even consider going for goal, but that didn’t stop him producing a strike that would easily rival some of Matt Le Tissier’s premier league goal highlight’s, into the far side netting of the goal. 2-0 THD going into the half time break.
A strong team talk at the interval accompanied by the usual orange slices had the 2’s locked in and ready to see the game out. Soon after the half began, Wanderer’s came out hunting for goals and after some strong attacking play, the pressure built with the M2s facing a barrage on penalty corner attempts to defend. Notable mention to Will T for some fearless number one running throughout the game.
With the pressure continuing to mount as the half went on, up stepped GK Aidan Basini-Rogers. Save after save from the talented young keeper kept our hopes of a clean sheet alive. This exceptional performance between the sticks was capped off by what can only be described as a triple save for the ages. Shot after shot and the goals just wouldn’t come for Wanderer’s.
As the match approached the final ten minutes, THD were eager to grab another goal to leapfrog Spencer into 2nd place and that’s exactly what they did. Some lovely team build-up by the defence followed by an exquisite sequence of passes saw Ruairí cap off the match with another poachers goal at the back post, taking his tally up to two for the day.
A well deserved victory for the M2s as the quest for more wins this year begins!
MoM: Ruairí Gillespie for his goal contributions
DoD: Ross Lunn for not receiving any cards, and apparent administrative errors