First points on the board with an emphatic 3-1 win over our old enemies the Football Club, well done everyone!
A tight first half with some good passages of play from both teams yet few out and out chances at either end saw Damage go into half time 1 up courtesy of a goal smashed in from the right of the D from Grant Waldron after a short corner. Valley once again settled into their stride in the second, after a inspirational team talk from coach Tina, dominating possession and cranking up the pressure on the older, less fit Football Club side. A string of well worked short corners from Valley ended with a bullet from Henry Rawson finding the backboard. One of many mazy runs from Clark, which had some Damage veterans looking distinctly nervous, ended in a strike finding its way under the keeper to be finished by Aaron Nash. The only low point of the half being a distinctly ice hockey-esque save and holding on. Unfortunately the resultant face-off was actually a penalty stroke which the experienced Football Club winger cleanly put away. However this was not to stop a rampaging Valley side from claiming a deserved first win of the season.
Other notable moments included Aly showing his attacking credentials with a impressive, yet ultimately fruitless, reverse stick dive, an essential weapon in any experienced forwards arsenal. Some champagne hockey from Clark carving through the opposition defence, followed admirably by some further champagne hockey off the pitch. However I also noticed we were sadly lacking in plus 1 support or oranges during the game, possibly this should become a pre-requisite for involvement in post game shenanigans.
Thanks to all those who came along to the brunch afterwards, an agreeable time was had by all, and of course a big thanks to Aly and Warwick for organising. Good food, good company, terrible wine, what more could anyone want. And Jiten, I think I speak for everyone when I say I hope I never have to see those shorts again, I use the term shorts in the loosest sense of the word. The next Damage social event is also well on the way to becoming a reality, I shall leave it to our social committee to elaborate.
Back to the business in hand. Damage will be taking a short enforced sabbatical from hockey with our next game not coming till Sunday 16th, with a late one at 6.30pm. Once again we will be playing the Football Club, hopefully we can recreate the heroics of this weekend. Now that’s two weekends off, so it is more important than ever to ensure you make the training and keep up the your fitness regime so that we’re still sharp for the next game, no slacking!