SMHC vs Sale HC, Away, 1st October 2011

October afternoons are not supposed to be 26 degrees but hot and sunny it was as the Bees made the short trip to play Sale away.

The Bees made a great start as a poorly hit defensive 16 from Sale found it's way to Greenhough who shot early, pulling a great save from the keeper. Fortunately, the ball rebounded straight back to the Yorkshireman who made no mistake as he lifted it calmly into the net.

The game was back and forth and the heat had an obvious effect on the pace of the game. A chance to go 2-0 beckoned as Man of the Match Rigby played a dangerous ball across goal after nice work on the left but Colasurdo, under pressure from defenders, couldn't manage to make the best of the opportunity.

As the half went on, the next goal could've gone either way, but it was the home team that equalised 10 minutes before the half time break. A contentious decision as the home umpire blew for a short corner which was quickly changed to a goal as the ball rolled over the line.

The Bees began the 2nd half the brightest and got an early, deserved reward. A great ball from Greenhough put Ainsley through on the right who selflessly squared the ball leaving captain Hampton to tap home with the keeper stranded to finish off a wonderful team move.

An injury to Ainsley changed the flow for SMHC and Sale found their rhythm again. The Bees held until 10 minutes before time when a scuffed shot somehow lobbed Bees keeper Lynch-Mathew to tie the game up. With the momentum swinging in the home teams favour, they completed the come back with a short corner goal with 2 minutes to play. After hitting a defensive foot in the D, the Sale strikers were quickest to react to tap home the rebound.

Disappointment all round and the Bees feel they could, and perhaps should, have taken at least a point from this game. Lots of positives, however, and the hopeful return of wingers Stephenson and Reid for the home game vs Chester next week will hopefully allow Rigby to shift into his favoured striker position although after this performance, captain Hampton may have other ideas!