England Hockey Masters

 

 

 

Sunday saw the Nailers face up to the England Masters in the final selection match prior to this years Masters World Cup in Rotterdam.

 

With the Nailers in a competitive mood this was always going to be a tough afternoon for the England men and so it proved.

 

 

 

Playing 3 periods in order for England to look at all 29 players and 2 keepers it was going to be a long afternoon but once the goals started flowing Belpers superior fitness told.

 

A thumping strike from Tom Sherratt on 6 mins started the goal fest, and when Luke Davies slotted home a penalty stroke on 17 mins the dye was cast.  Just 2 mins later Sherratt got his 2nd and on 22 mins it was Nick Morris that popped up to score to see Belper 4-0 up.

 

At times England did press hard but resolute defending kept them at bay with Chris (Bug) Burton making a couple of good saves look easy.

 

First period                Belper 4 – 0 England Masters

 

The 2nd period saw Belper open up and go for goals. On 42 mins it was Tom Sherratt that once again showed class in finishing a superb flowing move to  score his 3rd which was quickly followed on 46 mins by Luke Davies who scored a stunning drag flick PC to double his own tally.

 

Just 2 mins later Chris Beastall slotted home at the 2nd attempt and not to be out done on 51 mins Luke Davies completed the 2nd Hat-trick of the day for Belper.

 

All though the score was seeing Belper rampant England did have their moment when a questionable Penalty Stroke was awarded to them, seeing the CF slot home very well past Slane in goal.

 

But that just seemed to raise the game for Belper as Ben Walton came to the party with 2 quick goals, the 1st a good 2nd phase penalty corner on 60 mins followed by a great strike from the top of the circle on 67 mins.

 

New Signing Joe Paul also got into the act on 69 mins with a great touch past the advancing and now shell shocked England keeper.

 

Belper had stunned England with a 7 goal blast in this 2nd period.

 

Second period               Belper 11 – 1 England Masters

 

As the 3rd period started the temperature dropped dramatically cutting this down to just 20 mins but there was still time for Belper to add to the goal tally with Ashley Blakemore scoring on 72 mins and Aussie Cpt Mark Lamb adding his own mark on the game with a great goal on 79 mins.

 

Final Score                      Belper 13 – 1 England Masters

 

 

Special mention goes to young Ben Hurst who played fantastic throughout the whole game.  This was a daunting experience for someone so young and new to the National league set-up but he grew throughout the day.  Great performance Ben.

 

With 7 players missing from the squad on Sunday we should also recognise that we now have great strength in depth and all the hard work looks to now be paying off as we have scored 23 in our last 3 matches since Christmas and conceded only 2.

 

Well Done Nailers.

 

Tom Sherratt 6 / 19 / 42  (op,op,op)

Luke Davies 17 / 46 / 51  (ps,pc,op)

Nick Morris 22  (op)

Chris Beastall 48  (op)

Ben Walton  60 / 67  (pc,op)

Joe Paul  69  (op)

Ashley Blakemore 72  (op)

Mark Lamb 79 (op)

 

Andy Taylor

Manager National League Squad

Belper HC

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