As the rain thrashed down on Brooklands hockey club the men's 2nd XI looked to bounce back from a more than disappointing outing at Preston and firmly establish their place as top dogs and get one step closer to escaping the depths of the North West Prem. Today they faced an 8th spot Formby side but league position means nothing in this league as the 2s found out the week before.
After a routine motivational talk from Big Head Khares they donned the white blue and red hungry for the 3 points.
The stage was set.
Shortly into the first half the side found themselves with the dream start .1-0, THE CANDYMAN ,having emotionally recovered from Shukla piping his roommate he neatly tucked away a back post tap in, firmly establishing himself over the self proclaimed back post merchant of last week @cal. Assisted by the bald boomer Bradley King who was sick of losing and enjoying himself far more than his deserted 3s squad away at Crewe.
However, it was all too good to be true as the side began to reminisce over grand victories in the past and forgot how to defend shortly after scoring. Some tension had clearly been brewing between the two full backs as the half injured Simpsons lookalike reclaimed the captains armband from the Cuttlefish causing a terrible defensive mix-up leaving the man mountain Erlam helpless to Formby’s attack - 1-1 - and a strong reminder to the 2nd XI that not every team in the league will give up after going 1-0 down to the mighty Brooky.

The rain continued to pour late into the first half but it wouldn’t dampen the spirits of the home side as the scrum hat wearing old man sensed victory for the first time this season and felt a youthful revival setting up the newly turned 18 year old knock off ed Sheeran who exquisitely finished off a tidy Brooklands move with a clean strike from the top of the D. 2-1 ! And a firm grasp on the 3 points as the half came to a close.

Megamind led another infamous team talk to spur on the boys to take charge and secure the win as they all knew the opposition wouldn’t go down without a whinging fight

Formby's early efforts of an equaliser were thwarted by the meat cleaving weapon Sam Jordan claims as his stick as he chopped down player after player seemingly unnoticed by the sorry excuses of umpires. Where Jordan lacks in brain cells and haircuts he certainly makes up for in winding up the opposition…
Although the 2s dominated possession for the entirety of the second half they couldn’t seam to string more than 2 passes together any time they entered Formby's half with few noteworthy chances to mention other than 2 identical opportunities for the fearsome Lavers who preferred aiming for the tennis courts than the back of the net.
Tensions were rising as Brooklands couldn’t find the safety net a 3-1 lead would provide and formby sensed a chance to steal a point away from home. Had it not been for the valiant efforts of 10 pint Hirsty running down every short corner the 2s may have found themselves in a very different scenario going into the last 5 minutes of the game.
Following another horrendous call from the umpire Formby won yet another short corner.
Picture this … 2-1 down with a chance to equalise from a short corner for the away side, it would of been the dream comeback had it not been for the long legs of the Terminator in goal keeping their ambitions at bay

Laver's could take it no more and took it upon himself to seal the deal and acquire the 3 points by making a fool of the Formby defence, slotting the ball in at the front post surprising everyone but himself as he erupted into a dreadful rendition of a celebration he’d most certainly been practising in front of his bedroom mirror.

Shortly after the final whistle was heard. The home side had ground out a hard fought victory maintaining their top spot in the league heading into next week

MOM - Ed Sheeran… no Seb Yates SORRY Ethan HB. I get confused between all these shite ginger haircuts
DOD - Sam Jordan for attempted murder and an abysmal tracksuit flip flop combo.