Game 4 in the Centenary Challenge Trophy was always going to be tough with some key players, including Green’s Captain Kev Chester out on second team duty. Yet again, the teams were very well matched and both sides produced some fine attacking and defensive first half play. With the half drawing to a close, it was the White’s who piled on the pressure giving veteran Steve Shipman his first goal, a quick reaction shot from close range.
The second half started with some fluid attacking moves from the Whites, resulting in a penalty corner. Tait Shipman’s strike found Captain Pat Veasey who deftly flicked the ball over keeper Paul Sidwell to make it 2 nil. The Greens continued to push on with some excellent play from Aamir Lockhat-Clegg, Dan Meek and Ewan Moorcroft, but the White’s defense remained resolute. Two goals in quick succession for the Whites almost broke the Green’s resolve. The first, a beautifully executed run and cross from Atticus Walton-Hayfield found Joseph Kendal at the post who cooly steered the ball into the net. The second was a family affair, with junior Tait Shipman slamming the ball into the D for his dad Steve to deflect into the goal for his second.
The Greens may have been 4 nil down, but they were not out of the game.
A great move through the midfield saw Ewan Moorcroft slot the ball through to Harry Whitelegg who steered his shot past the keeper to score on his debut. 5 minutes later and Whitelegg was celebrating again, this time with a rifled shot from close range.
Back to 4 – 2 the Greens pushed hard to reduce the deficit but it was the Whites who were destined to have the last word. This time it was play-maker Atticus Walton Hayfield who found the back of the net with a crisp shot, a just reward for his contribution to the game. The Whites have now edged ahead in the series but with 7 games to play the 100 year old trophy is still up for grabs.