Grimsby 8 – 5 HBU
Location: Grimsby
Time: 12.15
Date: 30th Jan 2010
Herne Bay United travelled to Grimsby at the weekend in the National Premier League. United are currently 2nd in the table after dropping valuable points at Bury in their last league game with a draw and giving the advantage to the current league leaders Middlesbrough.
United made the trip with a bare squad of only five out players allowing them only one possible substitute. This was due to team members work commitments being unable to make the journey.
To add to the difficulties a motorway closure delayed their journey meaning a late start and having to go straight into the game. However United started strong and scored after 1 and a half minutes. The game settled somewhat, United kept on the pressure but failed to score their chances. Grimsby started to get stronger scoring through Johnson and levelling the game. United soon regained the lead through Hosking scoring from a penalty and Barker scoring straight after a time out. United seemed to now have some control. Grimsby became rattled and their physical aspect of the game came out. However the referee’s failed to reward United for the fouls and Grimsby’s tactics began to work with a string of errors from United, Grimsby scored three weak goals in the remainder of the half going into the break with a 4-3 lead over the champions.
United failed to regain any control in the start of the second half and with the referee’s missing numerous fouls began to destroy what should have been a good hockey game. Grimsby came out first with a goal, putting daylight between them and the champions. United as usual showed passion and though their finishing was not that of what you would expect they battled and scored a forth and when finally rewarded with a much deserved penalty equalised 5-5. United seemed to be turning it around against all odds with a good team and the referee’s against them. But after a foul by Hosking who was unbelievably the first to be carded in this physical clash under the new rules aimed at making the game less physical was only awarded the card after asking for it.
Grimsby now with a power play and a direct free hit scored regained the lead. United failed to get back into the game and against the tide with players obtaining injuries let the game go losing 8-5.
A point to be noticed is the injuries obtained that weren’t self inflicted and the fact in the first half 7 team fouls were made by Grimsby and 3 by United how is it possible the referee’s awarded not one team foul to either team in a much more physical 2nd half from a point of a spectator seems impossible and would hope the NRHA looks in to these referee’s understanding of the new rules and are we playing them only some of the time as it suits? The New rules were introduced with the explanation of bringing the physical side of the game down yet in the UK it seems to have had the opposite affect. This game was closer to an Ice Hockey than a Roller Hockey one.
Now have United lost the edge they once had and the majority of the players this weekend being over 30, is this the turning point? United lost to Grimsby away last season and now again to what was once a comfortable fixture for them. United have now dropped 5 points this season.
Can United turn it around? It is still within their grasp but every game is a final and no more slip ups can be afforded. If United can win all their remaining games with only one being away they will retain the title. The biggest game for United’s season comes this weekend when the travel to Middlesbrough, the current league leaders. If United win this they will show all is still to play for and take
the challenge back to the other teams in the league to come to Herne Bay and take the title from them in their home rink the Pier Pavilion.
United again won’t be at full strength and players carrying injuries, but will play for the win and the hope of putting this seasons campaign back on course to win their 16th premier league title.
HBU Manager Phil McVey said: “Take nothing away from Grimsby, they deserved the win. However what I witnessed today was not a game of roller hockey, it was a game of roller hockey from 20 – 30 years ago. The game was much more physical back then. If you watch a game of football from 30 years ago, that too was a much more physical game where defenders were allowed to kick lumps out of their opponents. Well that was what we saw today. Personally I would have loved to play in the match, I used to enjoy that type of hockey, however that is not what roller hockey should be now. The game has moved on, and cynical physical defending should be a thing of the past. The World body is trying to eliminate that behaviour from the game. Unfortunately some of the referee’s have no idea what the new rules are, and they don’t know how to implement them. They are destroying the sport we love.
I don’t want it to sound like sour grapes, because HBU should win no matter how bad the ref’s are. I would be making these exact comments if we had won the game. When the new rules were introduced at the start of the season I told all who would listen that the directives the English Association sent out to all the referee’s was wrong, and that there would be no consistency from the ref’s, and the result will be players will have less respect for both the game, and the referee’s.
At the moment we are involved in 2 premier leagues, one where the game is reffed correctly and any cynical physical defending results is punished, and one where it is condoned and rewarded. HBU have not given up on the title, it is still in our hands, if we win all of remaining games we will win the league. That is our plan.”
Herne Bay United: David Garlick (gk), Joel Figueiredo, Simon Hosking(Capt)(1), Neil Austin, Dendy Hudson, Brendan Barker(4), Jay Williamson (gk).
Phil McVey
