Men's Otters vs Basingstoke 5

Scorers : G Redding x3

A fairly useful friendly match to bring together some of the new Otters intake. Making their winter season debuts were Freddie P, Adam S, Stas, Dan F and Hugh K-R in goal.

The rain mainly stayed away which was in contrast to the last time we played at Down Grange and got thoroughly drenched, but we still didn't manage to come away with a victory although a draw would have been a fair result. George Redding had us 2-0 up towards the end of the first half following powerful runs and shots - but 'Stoke grabbed one back shortly before half time as we gave the scorer far too much time and space to pick his spot in the second phase of a penalty corner. 

Basingstoke were the stronger team in the third quarter and scored two swift goals reflecting our lack of defensive experience to take a 3-2 lead. However midway through the second half George secured his hat trick with a well timed strike to give parity and from there we looked like we might take the win but too many times we fired balls into the circle but our forwards were not quick enough to read the play to get the necessary touch. Instead we conceded a fourth in rather scruffy circumstances as an aerial towards the left of our goal was taken down by George, only to tee up a Basingstoke forward who carried the ball to the byline and then somehow put the ball in the net from a very tight angle to ultimately give 'Stoke victory.

We also had both Yang brothers on the pitch for the second half which was good for the nostalgists although Dan took a ball just below the midriff to leave him rolling around on the pitch for a few minutes in agony - and he always used to do that when he was an Otter whether he was hurt or not - to give the team a rest.

Next week we start the league season with an 11am start in Weymouth, so we're all looking forward to that.