1s Match Report. Birkenhead 1s 6, Southport 2s 1
What a win. The bare 11 of Birkenhead welcomed the full 16-man squad of @SouthportHockey. We came out 6-1 winners with goals for Kohler x 2, Danny x 2, @edd_thomas and @__DaveyBee. DOTD to Gary “Tinsel” Mckay. Bring on the rest of the season (coronavirus permitting) pic.twitter.com/Hm9J8UnIkV
— Birkenhead Hockey Club (@BirkenheadClub) December 5, 2020
As the ban on team sports was lifted, Birkenhead Hockey Club’s first post lockdown game yesterday was a success, resulting in a 6-1 victory for Birkenhead 1s over Southport 2s.
The game started with early pressure from Southport, but Birkenhead held strong. Within a few minutes, Birkenhead had their first chance with a fierce low fired driving ball. It zoomed past two Southport players and Adam Kohler was there with a flat stick to edge it past the keeper.
This was a perfect start for Birkenhead, who won a short corner a few minutes later. Up stepped Dan Brennan who fired home a low, powerful drag that left the Southport players stunned.
There was great passing between Brennan and Kohler who slipped it to Edd Thomas who had made his way to the right-wing to score an outrageous reverse: 3-0 within 10 minutes.
Another short corner was well earned and again up stepped Danny Brennan with a replica of his first but sent it the other side. The Southport keeper was left standing around looking bewildered.
The 2nd half started with Birkenhead 4-0 up, but Southport were out of the traps first. Some high-pressure play paid off with them earning a flick. Southport scored leaving the scoreline at 4-1.
The 2nd half was a bit different from the first half with Southport pressing higher, but having 3 subs helped them. The tireless efforts of Birkenhead’s forwards and midfield were a good match for them and kept them at bay, leaving the defence to mop up any loose balls.
David Christopher Brereton-Browne was his tireless self on the left of midfield. He never stopped running and was rewarded with a goal in the depths of the 2nd half.
In the closing minutes there was a classic Birkenhead breakaway with Kohler scoring an absolute piledriver past the keeper.
As the final whistle blew, the score was a deserved 6-1 to Birkenhead 1s. Man of the match went to Daz Brett for his tireless performance in midfield.
2s Match Report. Birkenhead 2s 2, Bebington 3s 1
The Birkenhead 2s first game back after lockdown was a game against a team which resulted in a 1-0 defeat earlier on in the season. That game was a close battle, so both sides knew it was going to be tough from the get go.
However, the first half showed Birkenhead were dominant throughout with some excellent passing the movement. Unfortunately, Birkenhead 2s weren’t able to capitalise and the half ended 0-0.
The second half was a different story and this is where all the action happened. With goals and cards coming in thick and fast, it really was a game of two halves.
There were some good points and other utterly poor moments. It all started with an excellent goal for Birkenhead 2s, scored by Ollie Jones after new debut Adam played him through.
This was followed by a wonder goal from Robert Delius. Unfortunately, there were several sendings-off and Birkenhead were down to 7 men. This resulted in conceding 10 short corners in a row the last one of which resulted in a scrappy Bebington goal.
It was a classic Bebington v Birkenhead game and overall a great performance by the Birkenhead side and things are looking this season for the team.