You can prepare all you want but the M6 will always have other plans! Despite this causing some disruption a keen bunch took to the pitch and there was nowhere near as much match rust as you would expect for a first game back.

Welcoming Thomas, Barney and Jamie to their first adult games really helped us stalwarts and added some much well received running and energy to the team.

We started a little shakily at the back with the lack of our centre back due to the delay by the previously mentioned M6. But no lack of desire, loud voices from all saw us compete and steadily grow into the game. When the ball came to Joe in the D he made no mistake and cool as you like slotted home and gave us the reward I would say we deserved on the balance of play to go in to half time with a lead.

A half time team talk where we just decided we just needed to do more of what we were doing well and back out we went, with Mike finally beating his nemesis of traffic and settling in towards the end of the first half some calmness at the back prevailed. That was until North Staffs got an equaliser which wasn’t any individuals fault but showed we still needed to work hard and not let heads drop.

At this point we had worked the ball well in attacking areas but didn’t quite have the finishing touches which will come later in the season as we settle more as a squad. That was until a great short corner resulted in a stop on the line and a flick being awarded, Dave stepped up, bottom corner 2-1.

We moved to being a bit deeper to try and close shop and could have gone 3-1 up after the ball was worked to Joe, who rounded the keeper and then thought he was playing football before he could finish.

After a bit of defending a ball across the box hit a couple of Stafford feet and a flick was given against us. North Staffs took the flick and Jay made a great save.

The game then became a bit scrappy with no real flow but we got the the whistle with a lead intact and took our first win of the season.

Credit to all involved for great desire, energy, effort and attitude which saw a decent game but a great result against a strong side. Special mentions to both goalkeepers who made some very good stops and Jay getting our POTM due to this and his general organising.

One quick last point on the aforementioned youngsters who played today, you were a credit to the team today and I am expecting you all to do very well in your hockey journey!