Plashet Hockey Club win English Vase Trophy
MEN'S VASE NATIONAL FINAL
PLASHET HOCKEY CLUB WIN ENGLISH VASE FINAL
On the morning of the game the Plashet supporters coach got trapped on a low bridge 1 mile from the venue. This meant they would miss the start of game. Plashet couldn’t have got off to a worse start when after 2 minutes South Cheshire fired a speculative ball into the penalty area, as the ball was not touched by an attacking player in the area it was left by all to go out of play, however it rebounded off the post and whilst the Plashet players left it to each other to clear, an opposing forward snuck in and found the net. The local crowd was given a real lift and began raising the noise levels with every South Cheshire touch.
Plashet then began to play and after a series of attacks finally won a penalty corner. This was duly converted by Indie Panesar who evaded two advancing defenders before sliding the ball past the keeper. 1-1 parity restored.
Plashet continued to dominate possession as the half progressed. Then after good work by Tej Singh in winning back the ball, Sanjeev Sharma released right winger Sant Matharu who squared for Indie Panesar to bundle home for his second of the game in the 14th minute. A minute later the Plashet supporters arrived banging their drums and giving the team the boost they needed.
Plashet continued to mount pressure as the half progressed, with a short corner effort from Sharma saved by the keeper and with 3 minutes of the half remaining neither Matharu, Panesar, or Himmat Sembi were able to find the decisive touch in a dramatic goalmouth scramble.
The half time message to keep playing simple, Sukraj Jabbal was brought on to solidify the defence and he performed valiantly. It was his tackle that released Indie Panesar to bamboozle the South Cheshire defence with some electrifying stickwork before firing a reverse stick effort narrowly wide. Minutes later a driven pass into the area by Sanjeev Sharma was deflected by Himmat Sembi only to be saved by an outstretched keepers glove.
All the possession and missed chances were making the team and supporters nervous giving South Cheshire an opportunity to come back into the game. They won two penalty corners and saw a goal disallowed after a long aerial pass into the Plashet area was converted with a stick above shoulder height.
In the 50th minute Sanjeev Sharma was sin binned for a mistimed challenge in midfield, this was swiftly followed by the temporary dismissal of a South Cheshire player for dissent.
As the game progressed the Plashet team began to show their class, keeping possession for long spells, much to the delight of their travelling supporters. They then created a golden opportunity to settle the match, a well worked team move had the defence carved open and with the goalkeeper flat on the floor, Sant Matharu somehow managed to loop the ball over the bar bringing gasps of astonishment from the crowd.
As the final whistle drew closer the game became quite intense, with both sets of fans roaring their teams on. Some big tackles, and sloppy play from both sides made it a nervous ending, but Plashet held on to be crowned England Hockey Vase champions 2010
