Location: Pier Pavilion; Date: 25.04.10; Time: 11:00 am
HBU (2) 3 v 9 Middlesbrough
HBU veterans faced title contenders Middlesbrough on Sunday morning. United’s hopes of causing an upset were quickly dashed as Middlesbrough scored 5 unanswered goals in the opening 10 minutes. United then changed their defence to restricted man 2 man. The change worked and United stopped leaking goals. As the half went on they began to exert some pressure of their own. With 2 minutes left in the half Nigel Mills scored from close range to make it 1 – 5.
United were now getting into the game and the second half was a much closer affair. However United could not sustain enough pressure to reduce the deficit. Goals from Richard Walker and Chris Espejo kept United’s hope alive, but 2 missed penalties from United saw the end of their challenge as Middlesbrough ran out comfortable 3 – 9 winners.
Following the game HBU player Phil McVey said: “Well done to Middlesbrough, they deserve the win. Our box defence did not work and they scored 5 quick goals as a result. Once we changed systems to man 2 man restricted, we did much better, we only conceded 4 but scored 3 in this period. As a team we are on a learning curve. Every game we play we adjust our game and tactics. Whilst we are disappointed with the defeat, Middlesbrough are title contenders and a very good side.”
HBU2 – Garrett Priestley, Jason Robertson (gks), Paul McVey, Chris Espejo (1), Nigel Mills (1), Richard Walker (1), Phil McVey, Nick Barton, Matt Barton, Jon Barton
Phil McVey
