Commitment

Posted by Joseph Cliffe on 25 November 2021

So, Jason, why weren’t you smiling in the recent Third Team photo that proved such a hit on Facebook?

“I was thinking about our upcoming fixtures against Coalville, Ashby and Oundle.”

“So what makes you such a successful captain?”

“We’ve certainly got an excellent record, but it’s players that make the team successful. 2 losses out of the last 34 league games played and we’ve won seven out of seven so far this season. It’s going really well. At the start of the season we knew we could be competitive and the aim was to try and get into the top 4 before Xmas and assess over that period; we  are currently joint top with Oundle. We’re playing them in 3 weeks, and it will prove to be a good competitive game which is what we want. They are a good side, and we enjoy playing against them, but we have two very important games coming up and the focus is on these games as we speak.”

Jason is clearly excited about this game, and so is Oundle’s player coach, Pete Ellis, judging by his recent comments on Facebook.

“We have to work extremely hard on the pitch every week to be in the position we are in and the players give everything for the club on the pitch, their commitment and determination is second to none and that’s credit to each and every player that has played. I am a proud to be their captain. Captains and coaches go through quite a lot during the week leading up to match days which is kept away from players but seeing the way the team perform on a Saturday makes it all worthwhile.”

“We’ve blended well after four years as captain and having a core ten players week in, week out helps. We have youngsters in the team and we can certainly help and support their development over time. I arranged about eight matches during the summer months and these players gained good experiences and have been playing higher than the Threes which is great to see. It’s so  important for them to enjoy their hockey and have good pitch time. We need to treat them carefully and not burn them out, but ultimately, they need to understand their roles in the team and come off the pitch knowing they’ve had a hard game.”

“On the pitch, we have a structure and players in positions they are comfortable with, which is key. We like players to have confidence on the ball and express themselves. We have a strong spine, we work hard on the pitch throughout the team, and we are all totally committed.”

Jason admits to being outspoken. He has his beliefs on and off the pitch; he wants to look after the youth players and has his own views on selection. Some say he’s a big softy at heart, but he demands teamwork, commitment, structure, positivity, and enjoyment. 38 goals scored to seven against tells its own story.

Last weekend the threes beat Loughborough Town 3-0. Simon Chambers provided the match report and he’s a lawyer so it must be true.

Loughborough Town v Saints 3 – 20 November 2021

Result: 3-0 win

Scorers: Dan Rose (2), Lloydy

Saints went into this fixture on the back of a perfect start to the season – 6 wins out of 6 and top of the league. Loughborough were second bottom, with only a win against rock-bottom Coalville. On paper, an easy win for Saints then?

Not according to skipper Jason Hillier. His extensive scouting network had identified that Loughborough  star player had only recently returned from injury. He was expecting Loughborough  to be a lot tougher than their league position suggested.(which was very much proven) The game started with a Saints push-back. Some slick passing from the forwards, into the circle, and Dan Rose smashed the ball home for a 1-0 lead within 30 seconds. So much for the scouts, surely the easy win was on after all? Unfortunately not.

Despite the early goal, Loughborough proved to be solid and difficult to break down at the back, and their skilful midfield moved the ball around well. However, Saints’ well organised defence was up to the task. Despite having the majority of the first half possession, Loughborough created few chances and won only a single short corner. When they did get a sight of goal, keeper Gavin Lyon could not be beaten, even saving the deflected short corner with the grille of his helmet.

The half-time team talk was constructive with the emphasis on not going into contact.

Saints started the second half looking to be more positive. The change in emphasis worked, and Saints were rewarded with a well taken second goal half way through the second half,The defensive line played the ball quickly wide then down the wing to Lloydy, who passed to Dan Rose to score his and Saints’ second.

Saints began to dominate possession and spent a lot of the second half camped in Loughborough  end of the pitch. Eventually the pressure told, and Lloydy kept his composure to knock in the third, past an advancing Loughborough  keeper.

With the win all but secured, Saints midfield may have relaxed slightly, and Loughborough  almost hit back with a couple of breaks leading to one on ones with Gavin Lyon, but that was as close as they got.

Saints put bodies on the line to maintain the clean sheet. The fully armoured and protected Gavin Lyon inexplicably came of worse in a collision with one of his own defenders. Later Jeremy Ansell was forced off after taking a blow to the kneecap from a Loughborough stick, and replacement Jason Hillier ended up covered in blood despite only spending 15 minutes on the pitch.

All in all, a deserved win against tough opposition, and Saints’ perfect start continues but know there are tough games ahead.

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