SELF-ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE FORCES ADDERS INTO WHOLESALE CHANGES FOR FRIENDLY AT STREETLY

NEW MANAGEMENT STRUCRURE IS HOPING TO LEAD TO 'STRESS-FREE' PLAYERS IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES

ATHERSTONE Adders hockey bosses are hoping its new management structure will keep players "stress free" as the nationwide spike in Covid-19 cases impacts on the club.

As Boris Johnson announced a raft of new restrictions on Tuesday amid apocalyptic scientific predictions of 50,000-a-day infections by the middle of next month, the TQEA-based organisation is already having to come to terms with losing players to the virus.

Three first team players were affected ahead of the Adders' friendly at Streetly last Saturday – with coronavirus forcing the trio to withdraw before the fixture.

Teenage sensation Will Currie had to isolate as one of his bubble at school tested positive; Keelan Ford was ordered to quarantine after returning from holiday in Greece; and Ben Holder's children were poorly and while awaiting test results he was forced to cry off.

New Men's Firsts' manager Mick Thomas said: "I think it's going to be like this for many teams over the coming season." Certainly the Prime Minister is talking about the new measures lasting up to six months. The club's first team – still basking in their victory in Tier 3 of England Hockey's knockout competition – have set about restructuring its management. Team coach Thomas, a stalwart with more than 40 years' service at the Ratcliffe Road club, has moved up to a role of manager while former first team skipper Martin Webb is the new coach. Lloyd Crowley steps into the post of team captain. Mr Thomas, 66, told Nub News: "In the new set-up myself and Martin are concentrating on the playing side, match tactics and their implementation. "I'm here to offer advice on selection and manage match-day substitutions. "We are hoping by spreading the workload it means players can remain stress free." He said it was "working well" so far – with this month's EH Cup champions' result under their belt. Last weekend Adders enjoyed a share of the spoils in a 10-goal friendly thriller at Streetly bwho play their hockey three leagues above the TQEA-based club. Coach Martin Webb impressed on the side that this was an opportunity to learn as a team and for individuals to match themselves up against a more experienced and skillful opposition. The game started with some good possession from the Adders with the back four confidently moving the ball from side to side. However it was Streetly who took the lead with the first short corner of the game before the Adders struck back with a Martin Webb goal from a short corner of their own. The well-drilled Streetly side always looked dangerous in attack with the Adders midfield and defence constantly being asked questions but holding firm. A questionable penalty decision gave the visitors a chance to take the lead, which they held for another 10 minutes before Ben Matthews struck to level the scores on the stroke of half time. In the second half Streetly began to assert themselves on the match as the Adders started to run out of steam in the hot afternoon's sun. Two well taken goals and another short corner strike gave them a seemingly unassailable 5-2 lead with seven minutes left on the clock. However, the fighting spirit of the side showed through as they scored three times – through Webb, Josh Wagg and an own goal – in the last few minutes to level the scores at 5-5. Indeed, the Adders may well have won the game with the last move of the match as the ball skimmed the outside of the post from a routine Adders short corner.