A beautiful day for the start-of-the-season game at Coldhams Common. Nomads entertained Spalding Threes who were a team that pressed the top of the league last season, so we anticipated a competent outfit.
Donkey of the day was immediately scooped up by Moots for forgetting his astros - hat tip to Barry to saving him from using his brogues!
The opening quarter saw Nomads have the edge in possession and territory, resulting in a short corner. Arthur managed a deflection from Paul's strike which dramatically clonked the cross bar - unfortunately, the deflection clipped both his stick and foot, so wouldn't have won any glory anyway.
Nomads' first notch again came from a short corner just before half time: Paul's rising flick was glancingly deflected at shoulder height between keeper and post man by Arthur, as the injector - delightful, even if the Editor does pat himself on the back :)
Nomads' second goal came from a fluid, passing play early in the second half, starting with new fella,Tom on the 23m line who passed to Julian and / or Mel on the baseline, who slipped the ball across the pads of their keeper to Ellis waiting to slot in.
Julian scored our third with his now-legendary reverse stick strike from the edge of the D. Paul scalped Nomads' fourth just before full-time: a square pass found Paul with three (if not four) on one with their keeper. With this team mates baying for the ball, he looked up, picked his spot and calmly dispatched onto the backboards. Hurrah!
In the post-game analysis, this was a super start to the season - Nomads possessive, passing play was particularly please to watch. We took authority of the game - it was fantastic to see Ollie stepping into the Sugi 'fast legs' role up front and to benefit from Mel's quick mind and stick in laying off passes which opened up the Spalding defence. New recruit, Dom, played well in his first adult game of hockey - much potential to come. And Leo consistently snuffed out any threat from their right side.
New fella Tom, won MoM for his harrying hustle off the ball in the middle. Worthy mentions to Rick for his commanding 'Timmy' role as defensive midfielder and to Rich for this authoritative command of our D in the final minutes, when Nomads soaked up some pressure. And astonishingly Moots didn't bag anyone else's goals!
Bring it on!