As we got to Doncaster, we warmed up as usual and found out that the pitch was water based, as exciting as that was, it was a very small disadvantage as not many players on our side had played on that kind of pitch. We got on and started knocking balls around and found that everyone was comfortable with the pitch.

 Doncaster pushed back at the start and we saw a well organised Doncaster side come at us with strength, but the fresh and well spirited Neston side started forcing the game back at them, starting to dominate the first few minutes. We managed to win a corner early on, this set our hopes high as George Roberts stepped up at the top of the D for a strike, the ball came out to him and he rocketed it at goal, unfortunately the ball was deflected just wide.

 After some more good runs from Richard Capes up the right hand side and James Knight up the left, ‘Donny’ as they quite amusingly called themselves came back and managed to grab a goal. ‘Nessy’ (Neston) if we are going by Doncaster language suddenly felt the pressure and heads started to drop, but after encouraging words throughout the team, the moral was boosted and off we went again. Neston won another penalty corner and I (Tom McCurdy) stepped forward for a drag flick. The ball came out well by Chris Hall and I took my flick, unfortunately the keeper was straight behind the flick, and the ton of power behind the ball was no problem for an extremely big goalie. (Had to get that in). Doncaster came back at Neston, showing very good skill and team play against us, having one or two corners and chances, but Neston didn’t stop. The tackles coming from the defence were solid.  We kept making powerful runs through the midfield and giving great balls to the forwards. Unfortunately not many of those chances were finished in the first few minutes of the game.

 As we kept forcing at Doncaster, we won another corner, this time the mighty Arthur Bush, who was having a great game, stepped up for it. He launched the ball at the goal, once again the keeper got behind it, but it rebounded straight back to Arthur, in which he did not hesitate to cream the skin off the ball and smash it into the backboard. I don’t think I’ve heard such a loud bang from a shot on goal!

 Neston’s hopes were boosted once again as we were back in the game! Carrying on playing top quality end to end hockey, Neston worked so hard to keep possession. Chris Hall made some good runs through the middle of the pitch with Arthur, George and I. Jack Rowland came on not too long later and had a very good run, taking on four players and shooting at the top of the D. His terrible hit (sorry Jack) was a ‘topper’ managing to bounce over the keeper with good pace and landing in the back of the goal. 2-1 up and I was thinking about retracting my earlier statement of: ‘terrible hit’.

 I felt Neston sat back a little bit, not quite creating as many chances as they previously had, and that was when Doncaster broke through our defence and took a goal. 2-2 just before the end of half time.

 As half time approached I could see Neston heads dropping, still playing good hockey, but the spirit was not as bubbly as it had been. As half time approached we walked off for a drink and a well deserved rest, unfortunately not lasting for too long.

 Neston seemed to be under the cosh a lot more in the second half, Tom Beaumont had a good game, holding off attacks from down our right, unfortunately when Doncaster did break through they took their chances well. Max Dutton, Charlie Palin and Bruno De Blaquiere all played well, cleaning up at the back. But Doncaster’s skill managed to just about pierce through the defence. Doncaster scored third goal, putting them ahead by one.

 Neston really wanted this, as you could easily tell by the momentum that we started playing with! After trying and working so hard to create more chances a couple came, the one in which we scored our equaliser came from Knighty himself, he had a good run in the D, taking on the goalkeeper putting the ball onto his reverse side. As I saw James’ stick swing up into the air my life flashed before my eyes, with not long left to play this goal was so crucial. I can honestly remember saying to myself, if he misses he dies. But James being James smacked it reverse into the backboard. The uproar from the crowd and Neston players was phenomenal! We had equalised, we were still in it!

 More and more attacks came from each side, and at the last minute Doncaster got a penalty corner against us.  Jack Rowland used his pace to get out, but unfortunately forgot that hockey was played with sticks and not feet, so less then a second later he was walking off the pitch due to a yellow card. The final whistle then blew.

 I feel that our heads dropped completely at this point, whereas Doncaster were ecstatic the they were still in the game. It went to flicks and five players stood up to take them. Unfortunately only Arthur and I scored the flicks, but credit goes to George Roberts, Max Dutton and Tom Beaumont who were big enough to stand on the spot and take a penalty. From experience I can say that it is extremely nerve racking, and that I missed my first flick only a week ago. Warby did a fine job in goal, flying through the air like a raised salmon, saving a flick, another of theirs was disallowed as it was more of a ten yard run up and a five yard drag and then flick.

 Doncaster beat us 3-2 on flicks, and fair play to them, they did a fantastic job of holding off a very good Neston side.

 For those who missed the flicks, you need to bear in mind that it was your first time in match conditions. Sh** happens in life, it’s how you deal with it that determines how good of a sportsman you are, and well done for being man enough in the first place to stand up for one.

 Well done to all players who showed dedication and commitment throughout this tournament. Thanks goes to the Legendary Tony Bush for his superb coaching in the ‘Tony Bush School of Hockey’ and to all those parents who got us around the world and back in time for school the next day.

 Every player and parent should be extremely proud of this squad as we made it to the fourth round, leaving only sixteen teams from sixty four teams left on the first attempt ever at the Boys U15 National Cup.

 It was an honour being a player and captain of this side, and I am so pleased to be able to say that we all did so well. It has never been about  one individual player in this tournament, that doesn’t win games, it’s the fact that we played as a team that got us so far! Well done boys!

Tom McCurdy U15 Hockey Correspondent