MATCH REPORT VALLEY D VS. SHAHEEN B

Going to keep this match report short, cause Qs 1-3 were a bit of a blur.

Sunday saw the last game of a crazy season for Damage - one which was riddled with covid interruptions, quarantine, and unfortunate injuries.

However true to Damage’s spirit, never once this season - no matter the score line and adversity, did we ever let up and not give it all on the pitch. Sunday was yet another fine display of this Damage spirit notwithstanding the ultimate scoreline.

Prematch brief from coach Kelsey was (1) Damage needed to find a way of containing Shaheen’s ex-national playmaker - and if this means we have to foul him, do so outside our D; (2) watch out for the overhead flicks; (3) and try to get more results in the D.

Unfortunately for Damage, Kelsey’s prediction on the threat from Shaheen’s playmaker became all too true when, despite the best efforts of the entire squad (including our tireless strikers and midfield - Ced and Dave especially), he became too difficult to reign in. This led to Damage conceding an open play goal in Q1 and 3 other goals from PCs (of which there was a string of them) between Qs1 to 3 - all of which were scored by him.

This was not to say that Damage didn’t push back. Throughout the game, regardless of the score line, we were generating plenty of opportunities whether by quick counter attacks (notably from Ced, George and Mudge) and from direct long through passes from Jonno and Gareth. Best chances in the game saw Dave doing extremely well to generate a one-on-one with the keeper who just managed to block Dave’s well timed flick; Coco hitting the side post off a PC, and Dan almost converting from a PC strike.

Defensively, Damage was also stubbornly refusing to let go. Flemmo, Guy, Jonno, and Wongy were each making crucial interceptions and blocks throughout the game (all the way up to the final whistle even after we were down 0-5). Special mention goes to Ice Ice Mike who should win the “best escape award” for not getting booked (not even a green!) for body checking the Shaheen play maker right outside our D when he was through on goal - Kelsey no doubt was very proud to see her instructions flawlessly executed.

In terms of bookings Dave got two greens for chat (tut tut tut) but then also for “hugging” a shaheen player after over shooting his tackle and being unable to put the brake on in time (which we all agreed was very harsh).

The real crescendo of Damage’s game came in Q4 when after we all collected ourselves and focused on just playing Damage hockey, we became much more fluid and creative in attack. Unfortunately we just could not convert in Shaheen’s D and the game ended with a 0-5 loss for Damage.

A key takeaway from Sunday’s game was that despite the score line, at no point did Damage let off trying to play our game. We did not give up, despair, and stop enjoying ourselves and each other’s company. Contrasting this with our opponents who, for some reason, seemed to become more frustrated the more goals they scored, I definitely know which team
I’d rather play for.

We have Country of Origin (in honour of SuperFaya) coming up and a huge farewell party to throw for coach Kelsey for everything she’s done for us and the club.

Lastly and as ever - Go Damage!!!

- written by Coco -