19.01.10 - CONGESTION FOR INDOOR FIXTURES DUE TO WEATHER
Due to the weather the previous weekend the men were forced to play all four of their remaining Premier Indoor League games in one day. To add to this daunting prospect, four key players were made unavailable by the re-arranged date. This offered indoor debuts to Alex Jennings and Leroy Philips and a return to first team hockey for Dominic Camilleri.
Old Loughts faced an undefeated and full strength Loughborough team in their first game and despite this they took the game by the scruff of the neck taking a 1-0 lead, which they added to just before the half time to go into the break with a 2-0 advantage. Loughborough came out strong after the break, but Loughts defensive structure held strong against everything that Loughborough could throw at it, until with 5 minutes to go Loughborough were awarded and converted a penalty corner. 2 minutes later they drew the scores level at 2-2 and for the first time the game looked like it was slipping away from Loughts however with a minute and a half to go James Stedman popped up to score the winner earning a vital 3 points.
In the second game Old Loughts faced St. Albans, a side that like Loughborough were at full strength and not to be underestimated. St. Albans quickly took the lead in the game, but Old Loughts did not panic and quickly drew the scores level. Old Loughts then created several chances, but despite this the game stayed locked at 1-1 until 7 minutes to go when a loss of possession offered St. Albans the lead. A loss in this game would kill off any chance of making Finals Night for the Essex team, and put them into a relegation battle and with this in mind they played without a goalkeeper for the last 3 minutes in the hope that the extra outfield player would make the difference. However St. Albans held firm and scored another goal on the counter attack making the score 3-1 which was how the game finished.
Loosing to St. Albans made the third game of the day against Beeston a must win game. This looked like it was going to be a mammoth task when on 10 minutes at 3-1 down Old Loughts lost their right back and outstanding player of the day Jamie Askam after he was hit in the face loosing several teeth. At this point Old Loughts turned to Dom Camilleri who had not played indoor for the club for 11 years, but his calm head proved vital to settling the team who went into the break two goals down. Fortunately Old Loughts came out after the break like a new side and took the game to Beeston and quickly drew the scores back level. Loughts defended brilliantly to keep the scores level and when the opportunity arose took the lead and then with two minutes to go added another to complete an excellent come back and confirm the 3 points and their status in the league next year.
The final game against Surbiton was the fourth game of the day for the 8 men of Old Loughts and came after a break of just one game. Despite this Old Loughts put in a very gutsy performance and it was only exhaustion that prevented them from walking away victorious. As it was, the game finished 8-6 in Surbiton’s favour.
Whilst Loughts are disappointed not to be going to Finals Night for the first time in three years, they can be proud of the guts and determination that they showed to stay in the league despite all of the obstacles that were thrown at them. The men are now able to focus on preparation for the second half of their outdoor season as they attempt to gain promotion to the Premier League.
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