National Premier League
Letchworth 4 v 7 Herne Bay United Kings
Location: North Herts LC; Time: 18.00 Date: 10.10.2010
HBU Kings looked uncomfortable but secured their first away win of the season.
This is the first time United have played at the Letchworth venue for more than 10years. On a rink not much more than half the size of the Pier Pavilion, United’s skating strength was hampered and the initial plan to rain in shots from distance failed as there was insufficient room to create the space or angles to make the shots count. United had to face the frustration of possession with nowhere to go and at risk to the home team’s counter-attack tactic. So, the comfortable win was not on the cards.
It fell to some high-class stick-handling from captain Simon Hosking to break the deadlock and he followed up with 2 more goals in quick succession. After that everything happened in the last five minutes of the first-half.
United took their fourth goal with Joel de Figueiredo finishing well in the top corner from a well built team effort. However United were then caught out by one of many counter-attacks when keeper Jay Williamson was beaten low on the floor by Stuart Langley. A minute later a shot hit Brendan Barker on the chest and the rebound was hit in which Barker, while still recovering, played out with his stick but the ball went over head height and Letchworth were awarded a penalty. Letchworth’s Matt White finished emphatically to bring the score to 2-4.
United looked rattled and it wasn’t till the final minute when United were equally awarded a penalty and a composed Steve Clarke making his debut for HBU’s first team in the Premier League waited close to the full five seconds before striking the ball home. This spurred United on and Karl Smith got his first of the game giving United a 2-6 lead at half time.
After the break United started with some vigour and Brendan Barker scored the first of the half after 39 seconds. This gave the false impression that United had come to terms with the environment but endless possession did not produce opportunities and, with Barker failing from the penalty spot, frustration was coming out on top. Neil Austin was sin-binned and Letchworth’s Stuart Langley got his second from the direct free-hit. Joe Singleton then fell foul in a similar circumstance and also saw the blue card and Letchworth’s Langley again finishing from the spot. United returned to possession to play out the remaining 3 minutes and make sure of the points.
United Kings struggled and had to depend on their versatility rather than their systems of roller-hockey. They were uncomfortable but were not under real threat from Letchworth to cause an upset.
United’s Neil Austin said “it was hard work playing today and we let the lack of space get to us. We were not happy with our performance but we’ve come through it and are happy to have won, we now have to step up a gear for our next two games against Bury and then Manchester.”
United’s President Ron Barker commented “it is good to see the Letchworth team return to the top division of UK roller-hockey but this is a long way from being a suitable venue. It’s far below the smallest size allowed in the rules and it is dangerous for spectators. Last time I was here a spectator got hit and it happened twice today. Many teams will come to Letchworth and struggle and Letchworth could upset some teams and may even take some crucial points. If I were to sum it up – it’s hockey but not as we know it Jim!”
Team Lists: Letchworth: Ian Holderness (gk), Graham Busolini, Matt White(1), Nigel Allen, Andrew Allen(Capt), Stuart Langley(3), Neil Warren, Craig Gibson.
HBU Kings: Jay Williamson, Joe Singleton, Karl Smith(1), Steve Clarke(1), Joel de Figueiredo(1) Simon Hosking(Capt)(3), Neil Austin, Brendan Barker(1), David Garlick.
Faversham’s RHC Invicta were also in action over the weekend.
Other results from weekend:
Middlesbrough 17 vs 4 RHC Invicta
Manchester 8 vs 1 Letchworth
RHC Bury 3 vs 3 Grimsby
Manchester 10 vs 5 RHC Invicta
Grimsby 11 vs 1 Peterborough
Source HBU Kings
