After a strong pre-season’s training, Driffield HC M2s finally got their season started, welcoming Harrogate M3s for their opening game of the season. And it was clear from the off that all their hard work in pre-season would come good as they took full control of the game. After several attempts of the Harrogate circle in the first 5 minutes, forward Mark Robson’s chasing earned the home team a penalty stroke which was duly dispatched with aplomb by Mark Shephard who, in his own words “gave him the old no-look!” Driffield maintained their high press and domination only for a young Harrogate winger to outpace the home defence and create an opening which was confidently finished to make the score 1-1. However, if Harrogate thought they were back in it, they were very mistaken The home midfield’s marshals of Clarke, Hardeman, Shephard and Richardson battled hard to regain possession if the ball was lost, whilst the defence of Rothwell, Saltonstall, Beachell and Hickie showed some good controlled transfer work at the back to create the spaces to attack. Driffield continued to dominate and soon found 3 penalty corners in quick succession, again with Shephard scoring at the 3rd attempt. Half-time: 2-1 Driffield.

After a quick re-group and some words of focus from the sidelines, Driffield again launched several waves of attack with Shephard completing his hat-trick from another PC, which was to later earn him a well-deserved Man of the Match award. Jack Hardeman thought he’d got himself on the scoresheet midway through the 2nd half with a cheeky deflected goal, only for the umpire to judge he hadn’t touched it. As the game pressed on, the legs of Billam, Hogg and Moss found space down the wings, creating space for Rothwell who had found himself on the edge of the Harrogate D to turn and fire confidently at goal; 4-1 Driffield – the pure shock in his celebration told everyone that even he couldn’t believe he’d bagged his first senior goal in 3 years! Hardeman then got the chance to amend his disallowed goal after his shot was stopped on the line by a defender’s foot, again finishing his penalty stroke well to the keeper’s left. As the game petered out to a conclusion, a mix-up at the back saw Hickie collided into by Rothwell to allow Harrogate to grab a consolation 2nd; also resulting in Rothwell receiving the coverted ‘helmet’ for his error! An unfortunate late concession for Charlie Hall who had stepped in in goal at the last minute who had put on a fabulous display of shot-stopping when called upon throughout the game. However, the game was far beyond the reach of any kind of fight back, ending 5-2. Captain Ash Ewbank has his first 3 points of the year, a convincing 5-2 win over Harrogate M3s.

Additional thanks to Miller and Usher for their time in umpiring, Match sponsor: York Wolds and Match hospitality sponsor: The Spread Eagle, Driffield.

Final score: 5 –2 to Driffield M2s. Scorers: Shephard (3), Rothwell, Hardeman

Man of the Match: Mark Shephard

The Helmet: Kirk Rothwell