The 10-Man Mountain

Well, only managing to get 10 players out wasn't a great start.

The captain insisted on a strong start (to make up for a likely jaded finish) and was absolutely delighted when we got it.

Jock Haggis Jaundice (aka JHJ) and White combined up front for White to score and give us the lead we wanted. A second from White shortly after led to a sense of disbelief but to be honest it was no less than we deserved.

Carnegie attacked strongly but the defense stood resolute with Stuart McCraith-Smith making some tremendous tackles from right back and the combo of Bunker and Ede was flawless in the centre of the pitch.

The icing on the first half of the cake came when Bunker launched a missile from our first penalty corner of the game. There was some debate over whether or not it was going to dip to hit the back board if it hadn't hit the keeper's stick, but quite frankly, who cares? Three nil up at half time!

It should be no surprise that Carnegie came out strongly in the second half but it was a bit disappointing to concede a goal quite so early. Despite some great saves from Miller the defense was unable to keep the ball out.

Retribution was swift and ruthless with Dunbar finding an amazing amount of space down the right, driving into the box and laying off a pass to JHJ who finished with a aplomb.

And then they scored again. 4-2.

At this point it would be easy to see the 10 men crumbling from exhaustion and throwing away their lead. Nope.

Instead there was a superb display of confident, mature hockey that made the most of what energy we had left. Tom Chasm did a fantastic job of closing down their right wing and Robertson was tireless in a midfield that was occasionally stretched to breaking point. JHJ was the ideal target man up front, with great control that gave us the chance to get support up to the front line—great work from the big man.

The final act came when JHJ picked up the ball wide on the left and sent a rocket into the circle for Dunbar to deflect past the hapless keeper.

5-2. Not a result we would have expected at the start, but certainly one we would have accepted.

PS some names have been changed to protect the innocent.