Too much Christmas Pud

CHC 4ths returned to league action on the top pitch at HQ. The skipper had a full squad of 16 to call upon so plenty of cover. A minute silence was held before the start of the game for Ashling Murphy. This was the teams first match since the end of November and it showed. All the basic skills were awful. Stopping, tackling, passing, ball speed and decision making. When you add to that that Mullingar's firsts weren't playing and they had a few skilful speedy midfielders it all was a recipe for disaster and was. 2 soft goals had the reds 2-0 at the end of the first quarter. More were to follow in quarter 2 with Hugh St Legers country cuz running riot. 6-0 down at half time with the skipper responsible for at least half of them. It was looking daunting and double figures looking a possibility. But after a mutiny on the Bounty at half time, a rejig of the formation and the vast majority of the elder lemons on the bench a damage limitation exercise took place. Playing down the hill 3rd quarter no goals were scored on either side. Encouragement. The final quarter had Tim King having a rocket of a shot saved by the keeper and Guy Banton rattling the backboard before the keeper moved and we won the last quarter 1-0. So a 6-1 loss the final result. Positives to be taken from the game we reduced the goals against by 2 from the away game and reduced the deficit by one goal. Well done to Ben Phelan who told me after the game that it was his first ever hockey match and you would not have known. Next up next week bring your passport and your Covid Cert we are traveling to de Nor side.