The early morning slot found the captain very much in a rush I struggle with the 9am carb loading. Still the footballers are always finishing at 11 the match will start late, they picked this day to complete training by 10.45.

Losing Paul Colman in selection on Monday was a blow but I was happy with the squad assembled. We beat them away, we can beat them at home was the pre-match chat. The Academy set a marker out early doors, taking push back and stringing together at least 20+ passes, it seemed to me that everyone got an early touch of the ball. We settled in well and made the early running. However perhaps the clearest of the opening chances went to East London as we were thankful that Kris Spurling was focusing on the hockey and not his set list for the evening.

The Academy took the lead. A short corner routine went a little bit wrong. The call was to get the ball to Richard Doyle, top left for the strike. Harvey Ashton did not find the right target but Andrew Pearson, Gary MacDonnell kept things moving and the ball eventually finding its way to the planned target who made no mistake. Richard Doyle could have a couple more goals with two further shots later in the half that missed by not very much.

East London gradually found their range. They clearly play with a settled midfield which tends to be the Academy’s rotation point. Their settled unit against our unit playing together for the first time and their greater understanding showed. They were able to get a foothold in the game to high up the pitch for my liking. However, they found Ian Forbes, Carter Trett and Jack Payton in excellent form. Eventually though they were able to find space and force a goal for a deserved equaliser.

Half time and 1-1 probably about right. The messages were keep doing the good things that we were doing but we needed to be more hockey aggressive by coming to the ball and more ball pace in our passes.

The second half again followed a similar pattern. The teams evenly matched. They probably had better chances and better territory, we probably shaded possession and had the short corner count in our favour. Stephen Brown had a go, I had a strong shot from the top of the D saved. These match reports would be so much improved if Optica covered division 8SE hockey. The word count alone would drop significantly by the removal of the word ‘probably.’

However, it was East London, with about 15 mins left, that had the short corner execution. It was annoying as we knew it was coming. The corner before the chat on the line was to watch the ball back to the injector. Forbie had it spotted, and Lewis Southcott lined up to defend it. Its one thing knowing its coming but short corners are prime attacking opportunities for a reason – forwards have the advantage and the move worked with the ball scrambled in. Unfortunately, that was the end of Lewis’ game as his knee took a knock in the melee of bodies – hope it isn’t as bad as it looked knowing that Lewis is working his way back from a serious knee issue.

After that it was all hands to the pump to get back into the game and get the equaliser. I was so pleased with the teams response. We threw everything at it and a reasonably controlled and sensible manner. George Mortlock came into his own excelling defensively and dealing with a couple of counter attacks single handily. Jack Payton nearly set up an excellent attacking threat with a lung busting off the ball run. Carter Trett always an outlet. Ian Forbes prompting the team, set me up for a first time shot on the turn just wide. We knocked but couldn’t force the door open. Last chance was a short corner at the end. Ball out and over to Forbie was the call. He got the ball into the goal but into the net from the first shot. Game over.

All in all this was an Academy performance. Lots of good things, players showing improvement and development. Shae Nelder suddenly looks more confident on the ball. Harvey Ashton working hard off the ball, George Mortlock looks like a strong player he’ll need to be moved around to see where his extensive skill set is best utilised. But plenty for us to do better. Better ball pace, move towards the ball.

East London were a good team to play against. We went back to the club house and swapped stories about how awful Romford are.

Onwards and upwards. Who have we got next week? Ah yes the Millwall of the hockey world.

Team: Kris Spurling, Carter Trett, Ian Forbes, Jack Payton, Lewis Southcott, Gary MacDonnell, Shae Nelder, Brady Doyle, Richard Doyle, Stephen Brown, Andrew Pearson, Lucas Curley Sanchez, Harvey Ashton, George Mortlock

Man of the Match: Jack Payton.