EXPERIENCE REPLACES YOUNG ENGLAND PROSPECT IN LAST LINE OF DEFENCE FOR SEMIS CLASH

400-MILE ROUND TRIP AS TOWN CLUB'S RISING STARS BID FOR MORE SILVERWARE

ATHERSTONE Adders are hoping where there's a Will in their last line of defence there'll be a way through to a second successive final of hockey's equivalent of the FA Cup.

Change of personnel between the posts has come at a critical time for TQEA-based club as they head off to Sussex on a 400-mile round trip for today's Tier 3 English Hockey Cup semi-final against Lewes.

Adders became the 10th club for new keeper Will Murphy who signed from Chesterfield just in time to make his competitive debut in place of departing teenager Will Parsons.

And the vastly-experienced Murphy – a former captain of Derby HC and current chairman of Derbyshire Hockey Association – will have a lot to live up to as it was England prospect Parsons who kept the Men's Firsts in the competition at the beginning of March – way back before Covid played its hand.

The 17-year-old performed heroics in Adders' last 16 clash at Berkswell and Balsall Common – producing a string of saves during normal play which ended 3-3 and then kept his nerve in the penalty shootout phase with two crucial stops from flicks as the away side went through 4-2 on penalties.

Parsons also helped the cause of the 2019 beaten cup finalists in their quarter-final clash against Southampton HC on March 15.

Adders' Firsts twice led by a four-goal margin before allowing the visitors back into the game. In the end they hung on – with more fine shot-stopping required by Parsons – for a 6-5 victory after cruising at 6-2 with 15 minutes to go.

Parsons, already in the England and GB Colleges under 19s side as first-choice keeper, has now parted company with his home town club in order to keep his burgeoning career on track towards full international status.

First team coach Mick Thomas told Nub News that the youngster's England pathway will be helped enormously by his transfer to Stratford up Avon HC where he is expected to go straight into the first team.

Saturday's held-over semi-final at Burgess Hill (push back 1.30pm) will certainly be a test for both sides coming out of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions with a whole host of new regulations to adhere to England Hockey guidelines.

The newly-promoted Atherstone Men's Firsts warmed up for today's cup clash with a 6-6 thriller last weekend in a friendly at Bromssgrove.

At training on Wednesday, new keeper Murphy admitted it was "good to get rid of the horrors" of letting so many past him before adding: "It wasn't the best of starts shipping six goals but I think I saved more than I conceded."

At the other end of the pitch, Adders skipper Martin Webb will be trying to ensure the team's 34-year-old keeper doesn't have to worry about how many he stops.

The free-scoring forward, with more than 60 goals to his credit last term, was also called up to represent his country in the World Cup for over 35s. Unfortunately the August World Masters Hockey event fell victim to Covd-19.

The Firsts have already benefitted from its youth policy which has seen the Currie brothers as one example of huge emerging talent. Adders will be without their England veteran Simon Thompson today, as he is involved in an over 40s final.

As Adders prepared for their big game, skipper Webb said after midweek training: "It was a really positive session and great to get the squad together and see people challenging each other to make progress.

"I'm excited to see where this leads this season."

The Warwickshire Hockey Association is willing on Adders to make the final. It tweeted: "Massive good luck guys – all of Warwickshire is behind you."

The last word goes to new arrival Murphy, who began his hockey journey as a 15-year-old at Crewe Vagrants. His simple rallying cry: "Bring on Saturday."