News Report

Coaches thoughts

Coach Cliff give his thoughts on an amazing weekend

• admin
• 15 November 2023

Hi Chieftains fans,

It feels good to be writing one of these pieces after a 4 point weekend, and it was thoroughly deserved, every player on the roster played their part in a pretty satisfying weekend from a coaching point of view and hopefully from a supporters perspective as well.

Saturdays game against Invicta was a case of having to remember what happened last time we played them and rectifying those errors, the main one being that it had to be a 60 minute effort. We got our noses in front early and whilst I think we could have put the game to bed slightly earlier, we got there  in the end with a couple of late goals that slid the score line well and truly in our favour. We had scoring across the team, all lines contributed as did the D and when that happens it’s quite satisfying to be a part of.

On Sunday we knew we would have to grind one out, tired from the night before against a fresh Oxford team in a rink that is hard to play in for visiting teams. Again we had a good start and got ahead then it seemed to go flat for quite a while and again a couple of late goals made it look a little more comfortable than it was, although we were always in control and the shots on goal totals demonstrate that.

I don’t often single individuals out for praise but I feel I have to comment on the weekend Dominic Rae had in the pipes, Dom joined us a few weeks back and has been impressing in practice and patiently waiting for his shot, I think everyone who watched the games will have been as impressed by him as I was, it’s certainly refreshing to see an 18 year old take an opportunity with both hands like that. 

The tough games just keep coming and this Saturday we make the trip to Streatham which we all know will be a huge test, over the past few years not many teams have visited that building and come away with anything to show for it, so we will be looking to buck that trend and come home with the points. 

Thanks a lot for reading, see you at the rink,

Cliff.