Team:·Jerry Spencer (GK) Dan Oakes, Simon Reed, Martin Rippon, Dan Negus Stu Hooker, Damien O'Neill (C), Matt Clegg, ·Neil Catlet, Tom Adams, Stephen Wright . Subs:·Jade, Adrian Osbourne,

Goals:  Adams (p). Clegg

MOM - Jerry, DOD - Damo

Easts returned from a weekend off, courtesy of her majesty’s birthday, to face a mid-table Briars team at Concorde.  Having returned to winning ways in the previous game there was a determination to get another three points, and that rarest of beasts, a clean sheet.

The game started at a good pace with both sides fully committed to attacking hockey.  Despite some sloppiness in possession, easts just about edged the first 20 minutes, with impressive interchange and movement between Neil, Steve, Tom and Cleggy up-front.  A smart counter-attack soon led to a penalty stroke, and up stopped Mr Adams to right so many wrongs.  Oblivious to some of the smart-ass comments from his own team, Tom had obviously been taking lessons from Joey Snell http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBq0k71bsho&NR=1&feature=fvwp  1-0 to the mighty easts.

Easts had further chances as the half wore-on, with Jade on his 3s debut putting in a good shift at left-half.  However, the score remained the same going into half-time.

Immediately after the break, Briars pressed men higher up the pitch and pushed Easts back into their own 20.  Having let a lead slip once this season, Easts showed determination and character to contain the impressive home team, with Jerry making key interceptions.  Tempers at this point started to fray as fully committed challenges by both teams went in.  With Easts keeping their shape and composure a swift counter attack saw O'Neill putting Cleggy clean through to convert a clinical second that took the sting out of Briars.

Easts ran down the clock, staying disciplined to ensure they held on to the lead and the precious clean sheet.  All in all a professional job by a team returning to form.