Burnt Ash had won the league already with 19 wins from 20 matches.

The earlier fixture between the sides, which finished as a 5-2 reverse, had felt a harsh result where GW were looking towards securing something until players and umpires came to misunderstandings. This was the opportunity to right those wrongs and show who the better side was, 11 vs 11.

The home side discussed tactics similar to their previous approach with emphasis on clearing keepers pads. Wingers would be playing like wing-backs covering their fullbacks who were expected to be occupied by the hefty BA forwards and the GW forwards pivoting around to help the spaces.

The home side were missing their regular Vice Captain Si Bradley to back problems and up stepped Rich Atwood to fill the role. They were also missing their gunning forwards Andy Simpson, recently concussed and umpiring today’s game, as well as Jordan Jenkins who had been in such blistering form. In replacement, a return for James Bonner for his first game at this level this season.

At the coin toss BA opted to change ends; if it was designed to upset the home side it didn’t – they had already decided if they won the toss they wanted the ball!

First tactical play of the game – Steve Caulfield from the push back would launch the ball towards the Burnt Ash 23-line with the forwards chasing. It meant the opening passages of play would start at the BA end with the forwards chasing everything before them and the visiting side struggling to bring it out.

Within that opening 5 minutes, John Booth would bring the ball forward ducking tackles off 2 or 3 BA players before squaring to Caulfield who had tracked him all the way. Caulfield one-stepped into the D and launched a screamer into the top right of the net with Elliott poised and unmarked back post in case it went across goal instead. 1-0 to the home side!

There was end to end play before a short corner to Burnt Ash saw them level things at 1-1.

The home side still felt like they had the upper hand despite the equaliser and moments later they would earn a short corner.
Their usual taker Caulfield was off the pitch. The captain looked around at the players at his disposal and first called for Jimbo to take it – met with an honest refusal due to being rusty. Matty Lucas would be the man instead and the decided play was to launch it back post for Elliott. Sumeet Dhinsa injected the ball in and Lucas gathered – trying a disguised pass to Elliott he messed it up a bit but sent it goalwards only for it to bobble following a defenders touch and find it’s way to the backboard. 2-1 and a great time for Lucas to add to his tally this season.

Not too much time later and another short corner – Caulfield still off the pitch. This time the decided play was left slip to Jimbo. Out came the ball, Lucas dragged it right a couple of steps with the defenders following – he sent it left for Jimbo who had time to touch to set himself and fired home a peach of a goal against the backboard. 3-1.

Burnt Ash became really fired up now but everything they sent forward was ably dealt with by the backline with Rich Atwood mopping up and Eren Basch having a storming game.

Half-time 3-1.

The home side congratulated each other on the tremendous effort and highlighted the hard work the wingers were putting in but asked for just a little more. The team realised when they had turnover sometimes the forward passes weren’t there because players were not getting forward. Understandable! But that little bit more was demanded from them and every other member of the team. To win this game that was what it would take.

The second half restarted end to end again with Atwood calling everything from the back and Chris Bradley enjoying a battle with the BA forwards.

Frustration was creeping in and the Burnt Ash players were becoming a little antsy while GK Dan Stapley was also making some incredible saves.

A mix-up at the Burnt Ash end saw the 2 GW forwards bearing down on the BA goalkeeper but with Ollie Simpson unable to find the goal or Bonner for what would surely have put the game out of reach at 4-1. Expecting a whistle might have influenced the play. Had they hit the goal it felt like Burnt Ash were ready to fully implode.

Another half-chance saw some beautiful play spread around a raft of 5 or 6 players before it would disappear off the backline – they really were turning it on!

More intelligent play saw Simpson bring the ball onto his stick and bounce it while on the run but another attack was snuffed out without a real chance at goal.

Competing for the ball in the Gravesham end Burnt Ash were awarded a short corner.
The initial attempt was saved but unable to fully clear they were able to spin around and find the back post for a tap-in. 3-2.

All hands now was the call and Elliott would find himself back in the home D helping to cover before pushing forward again to help the play out. Ollie Simpson probably put in one of his best performances for the harrying he was doing chasing everything down.

Then the equaliser came for Burnt Ash – from another short corner after a string of them had been dealt with and cleared. 3-3.

The drama wasn’t done yet.
As the clock ticked down a short corner was awarded to them to regain their lead at the death, only for it to hit a foot in the D and the final whistle was blown.

Jay Chima, Jesse Bradley and Stu Marnham in particular had put in a stonking performance with running their wings and defensive covering play like they’ve never done before.

The Burnt Ash team were visibly delighted to get a draw from the game and on balance it was probably the fair result. Had GW taken one or two chances the game might have gone out of reach but running as hard as that makes those chances just that little bit more awkward.

The result meant GWHC2s secured an unbeaten home record of played 11, won 8 and drawn 3. The performance meant the clubs second side really should be aiming for a top 4 finish in the coming season and a double promotion may even be an outside possibility.

A season that saw the clubs fourth team challenging for promotion. with the clubs first team finishing the season strong, their youngsters in the Unicrons development side enjoying some decent results, and their third team winning their league potentially as the Invincibles – hockey in Gravesham looks rather positive for the future!