4ths Captain
Mike Kaye

Jan 06 - enlarge

25th Feb - Nottingham 5 Leek 2

Beeston 2 Nottingham 4

Beeston splattered by pearl necklace.

The verve, the power and the sheer passion let loose by Team 4 was way too much for Beeston. And, if truth were told, their umpires were a bit flummoxed by some of it too. Even with Teams 2 and 3 taking Oliver, Byrne and Young, this is a side that is capable of playing some excellent hockey – anyone who fails to look beyond the rumbustiousness of the side, and yes, there is some of that, will miss this crucial point: Team 4 are currently THE side that best demonstrates the flair and the maverick quality Nottingham Hockey Club have in abundance. Indeed, it has been suggested in some quarters that the first eleven come and watch us – en masse. For any new players who are still a touch unsure what Nottingham Hockey Club is about, come and watch Team 4 – who knows you may even pick up a trick or two? Above all, you will see a team give its all. Some may have chuckled to see this side described as the Jewel in the crown of Nottingham Hockey Club, but, for now, they are just that. Reluctant as I am to single out any player for special praise, if there was one who exemplifies the never-say-die spirit, one who typifies the form they are currently displaying, it is Sven Lagerberg. This man was, once again, quite simply awesome – his appetite for the ball, his running and his ability to open up defences bely his years. Some wither with time, whilst others continue to flower and if he has lost any pace, then he must have been like shit off a stick when he last augmented the first eleven. Ally this appetite and workrate to the wondrous quality of his stick skills and eye for goal and you have a teammate with whom it is a joy to play.

The game began. Gift the opposition a goal in the first two minutes? Yeah, why not? Will it matter? No, will it fuck.

A late start seemed to suit James Marks – who quickly settled into the right wing berth – for once, he seemed to be awake and alert to the game and the movement of the players around him. Inevitably, Rogers equalised.

The home side somehow went ahead once more but again, like a fart in a wind tunnel, they couldn’t hold on to it. With Gallagher relishing the midfield tussle and Fairbrother ( a young man making a promising debut for the side) finding his range, the second half was Nottingham’s. Llewelyn deflected home a splendid Llagerberg strike and Rogers hit two more to complete his hatrick. With 17 league goals, this makes him the club’s top scorer and it would have been more were it not for some excellent saves by their keeper.

The watching members of Team 3 stood slack-jawed as Team 4 – the pearl necklace in the cleavage of Nottingham hockey club – sprayed the ball around and toyed with the boys of Beeston. When you lie in the gutter you can only admire the vast firmament above and this was a team performance that sparkled and glistened under the rising moon. Wonderful stuff.

Report: MJK

And by popular demand -
Captn Kaye's last report from the archives. Leek 12th November
Bridg victory (DL) - Bridgford 26th November
Edge 1-0 loss (MJK) - Egde 10th Dec
Barford 1 - 8 w (DL) - Barford 14th Jan
Cannock 2 -1 L (MJK) - Cannock 21st Jan
Bridge 5 - 2 w & night out (AG) - Bridge 28th Jan
Brum Uni 6-0 w (PY) - B'ham Uni 4th Feb

League Updates available at MRHA