In the third Herne Bay United Final of the day it was the seniors turn to take to the floor, with the hope of equalling the Under 13’s and winning the Cup. United have held the National Cup Title for 4 consecutive seasons and were looking for a fifth. The challengers were Middlesbrough RHC a team that has come of age over the last few seasons and were looking for revenge over just losing out on the Premier League title to United earlier in the season. United were without Captain Simon Hosking and first team regular Dendy Hudson due to other commitments.
United drafted in two top performers from the HBU 2 side Steve Clarke and the experience of Nick Barton. United started strong and were playing well and were first on the score sheet with a quick counter attack with Joel De Figueiredo finishing well. United were looking strong and the game settled for a period. However with failed chances and United not pushing as normal attacking the teams they face but were sitting back and Middlesbrough sensing the opportunity began to push United with shots raining in on ‘keeper David Garlick making some fine saves to be finally beaten unexpectedly after an onslaught, the finish by Owen Stewart.
United were again kept pushed back and Middlesbrough capitalised and went 1-2 in front and United now started upping the pressure taking more chances just failed to capitalise in the penalty area. United were given a power play after star Middlesbrough main player Owen Stewart Junior National Player of the year checked United’s Barker into the boards on a breakaway, United’s Barker had picked up an injury from this incident and Neil Austin failed from the spot and United looked like chances just weren’t going to fall without a fight. United thought they had equalised after a penalty awarded, Barker netting the first only to be ordered to retake after a infringement from a United player before the penalty was taken, and Barker failed to finish the second time by hitting the post. Middlesbrough had the lead at half time.
United came out in the second half with a change in defensive tactics which unsettled things immediately but with such a defence it can also create risks and though United had the first chances with Daniel Palmer repeatedly denying them and ending in Middlesbrough taking the advantage from a well executed counter. United never give up but were not looking like the hungry side of normal and the game was more bullish with heavy over played tackles not welcome in Roller Hockey from both teams.
United came back to 2 -3 through Austin and showed some glimmers of hope, but Middlesbrough again opened the gap and left United fighting to just have a chance of getting back into the game. Middlesbrough heaped on the continuing pressure never sitting back and took a further well taken goal and United were on the ropes at 2-5. Again United were given a hope through Figueiredo finishing from the spot. United were awarded a penalty but again Barker hit the frame and was not looking strong after a second knock to the same leg by a unsighted block. United were scrappy and were not taking any chances, looking frustrated and almost resigned to the fact of accepting their fate Barker showing his and being sin binned for two with six minutes left and just as United were back to five players a second blue was awarded to Steve Clarke and Middlesbrough finished from the free hit to make it a convincing 3-6 win and the National Cup in their hands. Middlesbrough were the best we have seen them and deserved to take the cup, today they out played United and showed they will again be playing for the Ultimate trophy the Premier League title and to take this title from United next season.
Brendan Barker said after the game, “we are gutted not to have won today we would like to win every match we play but today we were not in it, let’s not take anything away from our opposition as they were the best team on the day. Now we will take a step back and take a few weeks well earned break. We must take the positives, we’re happy to have retained National Premier League title which is our ultimate goal, and will be again next season. We have players who have been playing with injuries, I will be seeing the physio this week in the hope I can be fit for the National training. This season has been long, and considering The Premier League title was decided four weeks ago, it has been difficult to keep players motivated and training consistently. My own focus now is to get fit for England duty.”
Next Season 2010-2011 Premier League is expected to commence late September/ October and will be Herne Bay United’s final season at the Pier Pavilion before moving to a new purpose built venue at Herne Bay High for the September 2011.
Team List: David Garlick, Jay Williamson (gks), Neil Austin (1), Brendan Barker, Nick Barton ©, Joel de Figueiredo (2), Joe Singleton, Karl Smith, Myles Barker, Steve Clarke.
By HBU Members
