After the torrential rain of the last two weeks at the Lane, would a change to clear skies and a change in location see a change in our fortunes? Hockey guru Dave (not me obvs) took a weather eye at the pitch and the sun and sidled over to captain Ari for a word in his ear. Fortune favoured Ari and he acted on Dave’s advice for a change in ends so as the sun was in the oppo’s eyes not ours. Again, the team was missing regulars who’d decided to go and watch West Ham. This time not against the spies of Southampton but possibly the greatest ever side to wear blue and white stripes, the Black Country’s finest, West Bromwich Albion. Sadly your correspondent was unable to get a ticket for the away end. I’ll refrain from mentioning the score!! ….Still business to be done at Ashton Fields.

We started positively with early balls in the D and Kul (great to see him back on the pitch!) and Waheed showing the telepathy of the supervets to link together for Waheed to put it just wide. Defensively strong, what little there was to do, Eli with Ari in front stood firm. Possession though didn’t quite turn into chances. A couple of shorts went begging but just as Kul’s sage hockey brain advised me that now would be the time to substitute Virtue, the ball richoted into the air and Virtue tennis ball smashed the ball past the hapless Crostyx keeper. A glance to the umpire who pointed for a goal! 1-0! Perhaps leave him on for now suggested Kul!

Half-time and a consensus we were playing well. A tactical switch for Adam to man-mark the dangerous 93 and a desire to keep the ball moving. Some momentary confusion to make sure we had 11 on the pitch and we were off. Almost immediately a though ball saw Waheed charge up the left, Ed cleverly pulled the defenders away from goal and Waheed’s ball to the back post saw Woody arrive on cue and score his first M6’s goal. (Jamil – if you’re reading, it was definitely a worldy from the top of the D to the top corner, not a two foot tap in!!).

More Loughts pressure saw several short corners, one when a marauding Seb had been hacked down to earn the Crostyx defender green. However, damage to Seb was temporary who resumed his role anchoring the centre ahead of Ari, Aman and Frank. Play was not all our way and Crostyx broke only to see Eli make a string of fine saves to advance his golden glove position. Though he may owe a pint (of orange squash!!) to Frank who yet again made a goal line save. However, with Adam, Sohan and Esa tigerishly intercepting and hounding the Crostyx attackers, we stayed firm and closed out for a deserved 2-0 victory. Job done and up a place in the table to second. Boing, Boing!