Moulton Men’s Hockey Academy 1stXI 8 – 0 Holy Cross College

Goals: James Knibb (5), David Marriott (3)

“If at first you don’t succeed try and try again”

Saints forward James Knibb stole the show in Moultons emphatic victory against Holy Cross.

After a break in fixtures the Mens 1stteam were back in action in the BCS Cup in a rearranged fixture against Holy Cross College from Huddersfield.  After a good warm up and a slight adjustment in tactics it was Moulton who asserted their dominance once the whistle went.  Early possession led to early chances for Antony Condon and Danny Foster however both unable to find the back of the net, a penalty corner broke down leaving the game still completely open.  Inevitably Holy Cross came back and forced Ed Holt to come right across his goal to make a save on the back post, sparing Moulton’s Blushes after so much pressure at the other end.  David Marriott swapping bodies temporarily with Ashley Jackson, going top left from the left hand side baseline, thumbing the crossbar on his occasion. 

The Moulton College team starting to get frustrated with the lack of that elusive goal, relief came after the Moulton team kept their composure in the D and a good unselfish lead run away from goal by David Marriott made space for James Knibb to use his eliminating skills in the newly coined “Green Zone” beating the defender and powering the ball pass the on looking goalkeeper on his Reverse.  With 10 minutes left in the first half Moulton continued to push and after Ed Holt reminded the Holy Cross forwards who’s D they were in, by boldly rushing out and making a great top of the D save, it was good work this time from Antony Condon and this time in the coined “Happy Area” on the left hand side deliberately slipping the ball to James Knibb on top of the circle who calming slotting the ball home, 2:0 at half time.

During the half time talk the team were given the statistics; they got in the right areas 15 times but failed to produce an outcome on 9 of those occasions.  More composure was needed and to keep doing what they were doing especially as the game went on and fatigues set in. 

This was obviously understood and the game turned in to one way traffic and it was not long until Moulton got back in that “Happy Area” resulting in a 2 on 1 on the GK for David Marriott to open his account for the afternoon.  Praise has to go to Sam Bigely, Stephan William, Lee Thompson and debutant Will Glover who stopped every attack Holy Cross attempted to mount and turning it in to a counter attack situation.  Second debutant Danny Foster used his pace well tormenting the Holy Cross defence and as he game went on fatigue was definitely setting in and it was James Knibb and David Marriott who took full advantage of this taking it in turns to score.  James Knibb completed his Hat-trick with a well-executed PC drag flick, followed up by David Marriott soon after by James again, who then fittingly set up David for his Hat-trick again with great work getting to and composure in the “Happy Area”.

The great team spirit on the day saw Moulton not content with 7:0 who pushed and were then rewarded with the 8:0 coming again from James Knibb, his 5thof the day capping off a very professional team performance.  Thanks to all those involved in the fixture.

If you're interested in joining the Hockey Academy at Moulton College then please contact Brett Holland:

Tel: (01604) 491131 ext 412

Email: Brett.Holland@moulton.ac.uk