LX  CLUB v HARLESTON SUPERVETS

Sunday 25^th March 2007

Result  3-3 

In a very sunny East Anglia, the LX club team lined up on an excellent water based pitch, with a well balanced formation, determined to reverse the result of the previous two annual encounters.  However, it was clear from the ‘Magpies’ defence, that with John Festell as Sweeper, plus David Alexander and Robert Stimpson (1^st team Manager), Harleston would again prove formidable opponents.

The LX team was soon attacking the opposition’s goal, and had good opportunities to score with David Simms and Graham Martin narrowly missing the net.  With John Ingram-Marriott in the LX Club goal, having an excellent game, it was against the run of play, when following a penalty corner, the ball rolled agonisingly over the goal line after a shot from David Alexander for the ‘Magpies’.

After half-time, the backs for LX Club Nigel Steed and Mike Gale tightened their resolve, and with the tenacious Bob Clark and David Young at wing halves, plus Sudesh Nayar using his excellent stick skills, a penalty corner led to Gary Goodchild equalising for LX.  David Wright at centre half continued to push up and slid a precise pass through to John Grinham (on loan from Bury St. Edmunds Vets together with Gary Goodchild), who scored with an accurately placed shot to put LX 2-1 ahead.

Harleston promptly replied with a tremendous goal from an unstoppable shot from John Young into the top corner of the net to level the score at 2-2.  Immediately David Young  fed the ball to Graham Martin, who with a long individual run, slotted the ball into the opposition’s goal to give LX a 3-2 advantage. With an LX Club victory in sight, Harleston made one last attack and John Young again scored to make the final result a very honourable 3-3 draw.

Harleston completed the day with their usual high standard of hospitality.  Tony Williams, the LX Club Match Manager, was warmly thanked for his excellent organisation, including selecting two very well balanced teams.  Graham Ramm and Tom Farrar very competently umpired, and the LX team travelled home well satisfied that the statistics for this enjoyable annual fixture had marginally improved to five wins to Magpies, three wins to LX Club, and now two draws.

Finally, it was good to see John Gordon from the LX Club and Ipswich HC, who came along to watch, with all the other LX Club supporters.

Team:  John Ingram-Marriott, Nigel Steed, Mike Gale, David Read (Capt), David Young, David Wright, Bob Clark, Gary Goodchild, John Grinham, Graham Martin, Sudesh Nayar, David Simms.

Match Report: David Read