Mens 2s vs Bedford

It was always looking like a free swing of a pre-season game because the squad was comprised of nearly a third new players, but, following an early collective abdication of brain capacity, the Hams started to click and play some excellent attacking hockey.

It was hardly an auspicious start when Michael Acheté (new signing for the 24/25 season from Bath RFC) struggled to find the changing rooms at his new home ground, and Brandon Few (returning from a six month loan to World Wanderers HC) and Ajeet Panesar (another new signing for this season) were both late owing to pedal power issues and the M4 respectively. Added to that, three of the Hams squad, in Arthur Lendon (transferred from Milton Keynes), Will Fieldsend and Jacques Olivier had already played a game, and it showed in the first 10 minutes of the match.

West Hampstead looked initially a little disjointed, which contributed to Bedford carrying the ball through the centre right channel into the circle, drawing a good save from Sasha, and then tucking the ball into the net on the second time of asking.

What followed was a rallying cry (metaphorical and tangible) and the team started to flow, taking the ball from patient possession at the back into quick passes through midfield. There were some classic early season struggles with scoring, whereby the Hams weren't able to tie up the chances as clinically as one might expect them to, but ultimately a clipped shot over the keeper at the stroke of half time from debutant Arthur London made the score 1-1 going into the break.

There were no tactical changes from coach Manjit Meeda at half time, signalling the Hams intent to trust the system and grow into their potential.

The second half brought more good omens, green shoots and selection headaches for future; goals from Owen Baker (new signing from Holcombe) and Kiran Ghosh (imminently to leave on a long term loan to Bath as part of the Acheté deal) put the game beyond doubt, while Ali Fursdon played an effective and destructive game through the centre, Lewis Rushforth (also new from Holcombe, from the JC Superstar stable of players) slotted in seamlessly at the back and Guido Basola accidentally did something that he was trained to do.

At the final whistle, the score was 3-1 and the Hams walked off with a large number of positives, added to some areas for improvement. Truth be told, they probably could have scored 7 through the game, but patchy finishing let them down, and periods of the game became chaotic as West Hampstead struggled to retain possession after turnovers. That can be put down to it being the first game of a new term and time will tell whether this squad of such high potential can hit the heights this season.

Other notable performers were Ajeet Panesar, who broke down Bedford's attacking drives elegantly and frequently, Steve Crean (new signing from The 6s Vortex HC) and Rich Shapland, because the umpires said so in Alice House.

An excellent result and a very bright outlook for the season.

Man of the match - Arthur Lendon