Monarch beat Wootton away

The Monarchs played some of their best hockey all season to beat a good Wootton team that started the match in second place in the league. The team started brightly and fashioned some good early opportunities. Ollie made a great run in behind the defence which was defending high and received the ball to have a one-on-one only to be foiled by a good save from the keeper. The team were using both wings very well with Cory on the right and Ollie on the left with Richard and Alex solid in the defensive midfield positions. The team were very unlucky to get caught out just before half time when Wootton scored a late tap in. In the second half the Monarchs effectively won the match within the first 10-15 minutes. Viren found Rod in the D who had a very tight angle to aim for but hit a great first time shot into the far corner to get the team back on level terms. Cory then found Viren with a great pass into the D from the right and he finished in the far corner to put the team into the lead. The team had several short corners but didn't manage to utilise them until Alex and Viren worked a good short corner routine to produce a good save from the keeper and Rod was in the right place to finish it off. The team were then put under a lot of pressure for the last 15 minutes having conceded a second goal but everyone dug in brilliantly to keep Wootton at bay. David once again put in a great display as keeper and the whole defence also worked tirelessly with Marc filling in for Mike at centre back with some crucial last minute tackles.
This was a well deserved win that should put the team into joint 2nd place and sets them up nicely for the second half of the season.