Thunder and Bees share spoils and cake

The Bees returned to the 'Thunderdome' two weeks after playing Golborne in a friendly fixture that will be remembered for its feisty nature more than anything. This game would be more known for goals. With eight being scored in what was a topsy turvy match the large support of Golborne got their proverbial moneys worth.

With the Bees wearing black armbands in memory of Holmes's deceased friend they seemed slow out of the blocks. All though the passing was crisp most attacks dried up quickly against a much sterner Golborne defence boasting some players that did not play the friendly. Still it came as a surprise when they went one nil up. Conceding seemed to shock the Bees into waking up and suddenly they were countering and playing width hockey using techniques straight from the training ground as Rigby, Ives and Hornsby slashed down the wings with the full backs of Alan and Scholesy providing support as well as the ever ready to run Ainsley.

The Bees new found confidence delivered an equaliser courtesy of Greenhough. His strike partner Hampton played him the ball in the D and Greenhough finished into the bottom left corner. Continuing his excellent form it was not long before he scored again this time after a nifty run from Lamb drawing the defenders leaving a near empty net for Greenhough to slot home.

With a renewed swagger in the team and the Golborne keeper much more involved in the game it would be easy to forget the sterling work the defensive line put in as Critten and Souter, occasionally supported by Ainsley absorbed the Thunders counter attacks often sitting off the man and making the tackle. It was due to this consistency that the third goal arrived. A quick release saw Rigby storm into the D and shoot. His shot deflected in by Holmes who was having a quiet game understandably who then set off celebrating pointing to the sky in memory of his fallen friend. Maybe the Bees heads were more focussed on cheering on their friend who was obviously suffering but right from the pushback Golborne scored. Their player weaving his way through prodding tackles before somehow a goal was scored just on the stroke of halftime.

Golborne came our the second half much more aggressively. Their centre back who had been a rock and was apparently rehabbing his way back into the first team moved to central midfield and suddenly there was a big change. Heavy pressure and multiple short corners finally broke the resolve of the Bees defence and Golborne equalised. The same player would score again completing his hat-trick with ten minutes left to play. Still the second half the Bees played well in patches with multiple attacks of their own and only the saves of the Golborne keeper and goal line stands of his defenders keeping the Bees at bay. However as time ticked down some heads dropped but the fitness of the South Manchester team shined through. Even as Lamb was taken out in something that was seen more on a Rugby pitch than on a hockey astro they increased their tempo till finally in the dying seconds of the game Holmes received the ball in the D after excellent wing work on the right, he took the keeper out of the game with a deft pass to Rigby whose initial shot was defended on the line however the ball returned to him and he lifted it over the defender to equalise.

The determination and fitness by the Bees showed that they will fight for every game this year and teams should be wary in the last ten minutes. A first game in the new league did not see defeat and things look good for the new year. None of the goals gave the resolute Lynch-Mathew a chance so I'm sure he will be looking forward to this weeks game to show off his amazing skills. Defensively the Bees will continue to improve. Holmes will not have the same worries on his mind and hopefully help his defence and midfield more in the future. Otherwise the midfield and attack played very well. What we can take out of this was we scored goals not reliant on just Greenhough, the game was played in good spirit and we as always Swarm together.

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