29 Sept 2018: A tough first away game of the season for the young guns of West Bromwich vs Walsall & Aldridge 1st. Coming into the season with the youngest team in living memory. There is a quiet confidence about this team. Very focused and a steely grittiness.

Last season West Bromwich lost this fixture 11-0 but that was never going to happen today. The progression from the end of last season is sensational . 

The first half was very tight with all of the West Bromwich players working hard to restrict the experienced oposition to only a few chances. Although we did not dominate possession the Sandwell side manage to calf out a couple of decent chances themselves.

Brad Frost the young West Bromwich & Black Country keeper pulled of three tremendous saves but was powerless to stop the opening goal from Walsall & Aldridge five minutes before the half time break.

Tremendous defending from Paul Moore, Alex White, Manny, Ravi , Troy all kept the score respectable. 

The Second half started well for the home team with two quick goals as they romped into a 3-0 lead. West Bromwich last season would have capitulated, not this team. They picked themselves up and battled back.

The away team rallied and  a calm, assured Tom Clarke neatly finished from close range finish.

Game on, the Sandwell Giants now hit there grove and attacked, wave after wav the relentless running of Ethan, Alex & Tom Clarke,  Jaggy,  Troy, and Shiv pulled the home teams defence and midfield out of position and Walsall & Aldridge started to look a bit ragged at times.

A mention for Harry and Vikesh who held there Shape in the centre of midfield and supported both defence and attack.

Vikesh & Alex White communicated well with the younger players and motivated the youngsters to up there game and fitness levels especially in the second half. West Bromwich forced a number of short corners but could not take advantage of the goal scoring opportunitys they created.

West Bromwich changed there short corner routine with Vikesh inserting to Alex White the ball going to the left for Striker Shiv Ram Kapoor bury the ball in the right hand corner.

3-2 momentum with the Sandwell outfit.

West Bromwich held a high line at the back and pushed for a leveller. 

Unfortunately late in the game countered catching two defenders against four attackers , 4-2.

Fantastic game to watch, overall Walsall & Aldridge deserved the win but West Bromwich were the pride of Sandwell with a sterling performance.  We are very proud of our young charges and also the fantastic youth development system.  We have some real talented hockey players who are not quite ready for the first team but are not far away.

There is a good balance with experience and youth in the first team and the older players show great patients. 

Man of the Match Striker Shiv Ram Kapoor,  showed some tremendous pace with outstanding stick skills. Could have easily scored a Hatrick. Brad Frost was not far behind with some sensational goalkeeping. Both players are 15 years old ! Look forward to next weeks game with baited breath.

 

Rocco Mancini, President West Bromwich Hockey Club