Cup Final Awaits Mens O40s Cup team

Portsmouth HC will travel to the final of the England Hockey Mens O40s championship at Lee Valley in the London Olympic Park.

Their sixth win in the cup run saw a potential tricky tie away to Chelmsford. After the 2 plus Hour drive, Portsmouth started in great style, dominating the possession for the first 25 minutes.

The early hard work and running in midfield from Chris Butler, Ed Farhety, Steve Turnbull, Ian Cheshire and Paul Wallis and Tom Boswell paid off as Portsmouth were able to convert an early short corner with a straight strike from Pete Hayward. Niall Gray was then able to deflect the ball into the Chelmsford net from a Stu Avery pass after some great build up play from Paul Wallis and Chris Butler on the left hand side.

Portsmouth kept up the pressure and speed of play and continued to create chances and another superbly created short corner routine saw Niall Gray score his second, Portsmouth’s third, with another deflection at the back post. Paul Hilton, Stu Avery, Pete Wiles and Niall Gray all led the front line, each making great off the ball runs and creating chances to put Portsmouth further ahead. However it was Chelmsford who managed to score the next goal with a short corner drag flick with two minutes to go before half time.

Regrouping at half time, it was Portsmouth coach John Oliver who delivered his team talk, both teams knew the next goal was vital. Portsmouth’s tight back line of Andy Richards, Chris Jackson, Pete Hayward, Jez Bulled, came under increasing pressure each making fine blocks and tackles at crucial moments. John Arnell in the Portsmouth goal again showed hero status with two superb saves, including one dive to his left from a Chelmsford short corner routine.

After adding the pressure Chelmsford finally found their second goal through another short corner. With the excellent 1st running from Ian Cheshire and a solid line of the remaining defenders, they had to mix up the play. Instead of a straight strike , they moved the ball to around leading to a simple conversion near the middle of the goal.

This lead to a tense final ten minutes where Portsmouth managed to hit the crossbar through Steve Turnbull with two minutes to go. The tight playing unit and Portsmouth’s fighting spirit saw them through to a 3-2 win. Dave Simms was standing by to come on to relive the tiring players and to show his quality. However the men in purple were able to hold out.

They will now travel to the Lee Valley Olympic Park Stadium on Saturday 30th April to play against Khalsa Leamington from Birmingham in the National Final.