FIRST COMPETITIVE GAME IN 167 DAYS FOR TQEA-BASED CLUB GETTING USED TO A 'NEW NORMAL'

AND MEN'S FIRSTS START WHERE THEY LEFT OFF BEFORE COVID BY STICKING HALF A DOZEN GOALS PAST THE OPPOSITION

BROMSGROVE HC 6 ATHERSTONE ADDERS MEN'S FIRSTS 6

ATHERSTONE Adders welcomed back their first competitive hockey for nearly six months with a crazily-scorelined friendly staged under the limitations of playing through a pandemic.

The return of the Men's Firsts to action after a 167-day Covid-induced hiatus was all done with the serious intent of preparing for next week's England Hockey Cup semi final against Lewes in Sussex – held over from last season.

But the real challenge for a much-changed side turned out to be getting used to the "new normal" arrangements of social distancing, tapping sticks when goals go in, no touching the ball at any time – and no entertaining visiting teams with chilli con carne and rice after the game.

But at least the thrilling 6-6 result aside had a familiar ring to it as the last time they were on the pitch the Adders also ran in six goals against England Hockey Association Knockout Cup quarter finalists Southampton on March 15.

On that occasion the TQEA-based club raced into a 6-2 lead with a brace from skipper Martin Webb – only to end up hanging on at the final whistle after the visitors hit three goals in the last 15 minutes.

In Saturday's friendly the sides were much more evenly matched throughout the game.

Both Bromsgrove and Atherstone gained promotion from their respective leagues last season and were looking to see how they fared against tough opposition.

With several changes to the Adders side due to non availability and transfers, it was time for the Adders new recruits to shine –and they did exactly that.

Young Will Currie showed no signs of nerves as he scored his first Men's Firsts hat-trick and he even set up his brother Robert for a goal of his own.

However it was the more experienced Josh Wagg who opened the score for the side with a superb near post deflection from a pin-point cross from newcomer, Jamie Roberts.

It seemed that every time the Adders scored Bromsgrove hit back straight away.

They did this throughout the high scoring match despite some excellent saves and blocks from the new Adders keeper, Will Murphy and some desperate defending from the reshaped Adders defence.

Midfielders Rory Kobrin and Ben Matthews were excellent support for Simon Thompson, who controlled the game in the centre of midfield.

Thompson came in for some rough treatment from the home side but he still managed to weave his way through tackles and prompted the majority of the Adders' attacks.

This was a game in which both sides displayed signs of brilliance, and also showed signs of lack of match practice - definitely one for the spectators - even though they were not allowed pitch side due to the pandemic.

Scorers: W.Currie(3), D.Johal, R.Currie, J Wagg