Green Machine Keeps On Truckin’...

Forget Super Sunday... there was only one top of the table clash that the fans (all 3 of them) really craved. The mighty Didsbury Northern Men’s 4’s welcomed Leyland & Chorley, knowing a win would provide a 7 point cushion at the top of the table and loss would put an end to hopes of a perfect [removed by superstitutious captain].

It was a much changed 4s side with a few missing due to injuries and holidays, but we soon gelled quicker than a group of backpackers finding themselves in an Australian hostel.

The game was off to a fast start, and showed the general pattern of play that was to follow, Didsbury playing on the counter with quick breaks and Leyland playing territory and searching for short corners.

Dids struck the first blow on a counter after a string of lovely passes from the midfield to the Duracell bunny that is Andy with his pass fortuitously finding Robin at the back post for a tap in.

As the old saying goes you are most vulnerable after scoring, which proved true and Leyland scored with 2 minutes of conceding to level the scores.

A few minutes of sparring ensued with each midfield battling for ascendancy and over the course of the game the wily trio of Harper, Weyers , and Trystan winning the battle. Leyland then won a short which they despatched to go 2-1 up. Dids continued to pepper the goal and their keeper putting in an inspired performance even kicking a ball short to Robin asking if he pulls like his sister only for him to skew the shot wide and high for six and earning him the DOD award.

Eventually the pressure told and we won a short corner, and with Keats back in the side we had someone who could push the ball straight (speedy recovery Paul x) and resulted in Grim dragging one into the bottom corner and we ended the half all square at 2-2.

The second half started fast with Dids scoring off another 2 perfectly executed shorts, with Grim flicking one into the bottom corner and Robin getting a tap in after a deflected drag. Dids were well and truly on top and the solid defence of Keats , Craig, and the two Bens gave a timely reminder of why we have the meanest defence in the league with a very solid second half performance.

Dids managed to go 5-2 up with Robin completing the his Hat Trick from a lusty blow from the top of the D earning him MOM. Choas ensued for the rest of the game as the oppo went in search of a few cards and but did manage to score a goal.

“Cool heads, full hearts can’t lose!”

Dids closed out the game with some good possession and corner play with Andy having some useful touches in the D but needed reminding it is hockey and not football limping off the field, but was probably the only time the Duracell bunny was not running !

The perfect start to the season continues 8 wins from 8 games, 37 goals scored, 6 conceded, and 7 point gap opened up to second.

The big green juggernaut keeps on truckin’!

FINAL SCORE: Didsbury Northern 4s 5-3 Leyland & Chorley 1s

MoM: Robin - goals, goals, goals
Honourable Mention: Andy Devine - Duracell bunny

DoD: Robin - classic 4s stitch up / South Africa World Cup gloating
Honourable Mention: Paul Atherton - drinking Rose wine