Mens 2nd vs Norwich City 4

A bare 11 traveled to Norwich for a late afternoon pushback, producing an efficient win from a challenging match.

With no subs, the travelling 2’s were keen to be as efficient with the ball as possible, and not reduce their numbers through injury or cards, a trait they have form for.

The home team had a strong mixture of experience, guile and classic angry centre-forwards.

The travelling team had Joe.

The villagers started brightly against the Citizens and saw some smart play culminate in a Kirkham slap into the back of the goal. 0-1

The hosts rallied through a short corner, the height of the shot being called into question, but ultimately the goal given by the umpires. 1-1

Sudbury strode forward once more. Will finding Farran, who jogged from the half way line with the ball glued to his stick, beating his opposite number, he sauntered into the D, checked his watch, the weather, and inquired if the rugby had started, before their goalkeeper decided to anticipate his next move and try to block the cross to Charlie. Who, in this time, had broken his neck to arrive in support. Kirkham then took the sensible option and merely pushed the ball into the vacated goal. 1-2

The citizens retaliated, but were thwarted by the resolute defence of Hodge, Bull, Ponsford and Tozer.

Nothing of much note really happened during this period of pressure from the home team, to be honest. Their centre-forward gesticulated a lot about being impeded in the D, and threw himself on the floor in what can only be described as tantrum-like behaviour. They were awarded a short corner, but Kenny the Keeper - representing Sudbury CC in his maroon shorts and smock - was equal to it.

Some more advanced play by Sudbury saw them awarded a short corner. Hunter’s cross rebounded back to him, but he made no mistake with the second chance, slotting in the corner, the resounding, reassuring thud of the backboard resonating across the pitch. Punctuating the air like a punk-rock-sequel double-fingered salute that pierced the home team’s bubble. 1-3

However, the citizens were not to be outdone, and a short corner for the hosts saw them close the gap on Sudbury, imitating Sudbury’s routine to smash a low-fired shot past Kenny and Mike at the near post. 2-3

Half time.

The second half saw a continuation of the battling style of the first, but Sudbury sunk their teeth into the neck of their prey through Kirkham once again.

Enterprising play down both flanks through Guy and Charlie on the left, and Tommy and Matt on the right, culminated in Farran tomohawking a loose ball at the top of the D into the bottom right of the goal. The keeper had nothing, and Kirkham had his hat trick. 2-4

Sudbury then invested in as much anti-hockey as they could to run the clock down and walk away as eventual winners of a hard fought draw.