HHC IIs: The Story of 2003/4
Second team skipper Fraser Tant with his thoughts on the season just gone...

So, that's another season done with. Thanks for your commitment over the last 6 months or so; I hope that, despite mixed results on the pitch, you've enjoyed yourselves and found it more rewarding than spending your saturday afternoons in B&Q, and will be back for more in September.

My overall view on this season is that we probably underachieved somewhat. Notwithstanding the shocking umpiring that blighted many matches, I think we suffered early from poor availability, a spate of injuries, movement to and from the 1s, and from some individual errors that are the kind of thing we should be ironing out at training. We struggled to replace Bernie in centre midfield, although PK's performances there in the last half of the season look to have solved that problem. I also think that certain first teams we play against have one or two excellent individuals on whom it's hard to keep tabs for 70 minutes and this costs us. Offensively, we simply didn't score enough goals to be a threat; I know that as the centre forward much of this is my responsibility, but our scoring table (attached) shows how few goals were scored thoughout the team. But, we showed great spirit afer Christmas, the highlights being great comebacks against first teams from Cheshunt and Stevenage. If we can all put the work in at pre-season training this year, and if the first team injury situation improves a fraction, I really believe our squad is good enough to get us in to the top two, and promoted!

Here are my thoughts on the runners and riders for Player of the Year. Players' votes will be collated and the winner will be announced at the End of Season Annual Ball.

Ben Brind (Played: 21, Goals: 0)
The ginger fella played all bar one game for us this year, and that was because he got called up to play for the 1s when Clarkey was suspended. A number of our draws would have been defeats, wins would have been draws and defeats much more comprehensive had not Brindy been on the top of his game this year. A number of oppo skippers and centre backs who have been marking me have commented how good our keeper is.

Andy Lunn (Played: 22, Goals: 0)
Ever present, which shows great commitment, but Lunny's quiet contribution has been much more than this. He's Mr Versatile, having played right across the back four, and at times in midfield and up front too, and he never complains about not having the opportunity to specialise in one position. His tackling has been superb, positionally he's been very strong and distribution has got better and better throughout the season.

Neil Liles (Played: 20, Goals: 0) and Dave Munton (Played: 17, Goals: 3)
Adams and Keown are solid, and it's only right that they are listed here as one entity. Perhaps could have done with more than three goals from Munts, although to be fair to the big fella, he's not always been on short corner duties. Stoic and much appreciated vice-captain work from Pilesy, too.

Pete Kneale (Played: 15, Goals: 1)
Pure class on the ball, v hard to dispossess, full of energy and still the first name on the teamsheet. Good availability this year from PK, too - the move back to the 'den has paid dividends already.

Niall Blackwell (Played: 16, Goals: 2)
When Crossin' Blackwell scores, we win. Simple as that. Blacky's been a welcome addition to the team this year, giving us real skill and width on the right and chipping in with the goals in two 1-0 wins against Royston and West Herts. Expecting great things from the lad next season!

Tommy Vickerton (Played: 13, Goals: 1)
Another new recruit, who's got better and better throughout the season. Tom should also come on leaps and bounds next year, with young legs helping the old geezers that surround him.

Dave Waters (Played: 12, Goals: 0)
Don't know how much we'll see of everyone's favourite mumbling history teacher next season, who spent much of the second half of the season swanning about with the 1s. Genuine quality, never gives the ball away and, as he became fitter as the season progressed,
Muddy was always only ours until Emo got wind of it!

Dave Francis (Played: 12, Goals: 0)
The late Davey F, now departed for Brighton, was our most improved player until he moved away. Solid tackling, good positional sense and ALWAYS, without fail, at training.

Ben Thompson (Played: 19, Goals: 6)
For a player who we all thought had played his last game for the blues, the salt-and-pepper-headed financial maestro was well and truly back in action this year, playing in all bar 3 of our games - most of which he was on time for... Quite often playing out of position, Thumper's work rate and commitment are always admirable, and though he's not been in the D as often as he would like, when he has been within range his shooting has lost none of the ferocity of old. Really grew in to the attacking CM role in the second half of the season.

Niall McAlister (Played: 12, Goals: 1)
Hampered by injury, when available the QC showed us that he hasn't lost it. Could have done with troubling the scorers are few more times, but an on-form (positive!) McAlister is a real asset to the side

Fraser Tant (Played: 20, Goals: 14)
Don't want to blow my own trumpet, but I'll at least let you know that I've got one! 14 goals is better than the last two seasons, 4 goals in the great team comebacks against Cheshunt and Stevo were the highlight.

Not sure what the official rules are, but I think that one ought to have played in half our league games to be eligible both to vote and to be voted for. But, a special gold star goes to...

Neil Lunn (Played: 8, Goals: 0)
Lunninho rightly had a spell in the 1s, but they had a very tough season and this perhaps didn't prove the stepping stone for Lunny Jr we all hoped it might. Had he joined a first team that's winning more games, I'm sure his confidence would have rocketed and he'd have improved no end. But, back in the 2s, he's shown what a great talent he is. Make sure you keep playing up at Uni Lunninho, you're the next off the Danny B/Davo/Matty Horn/Emo conveyor belt!

Ben Turner (Played: 9, Goals: 0)
A combination of injuries, long-haul holidays, umpiring commitments and helping out the 3s saw Mustard play fewer games for the 2s than he might have done. His enthusiasm on the pitch is matched by his tremendous commitment to his role as Honorary Secretary.

Nigel Timms (Played: 80, Goals: 3)
Good old Flimmsy... Having been a 2s stalwart for a number of seasons, Nige got promoted to the 1s for the first half of the season before finding himself back in the 2s after Christmas, where his pace was always a threat. Tremendous socks, too...

Rich Stock (Played: 10, Goals: 3)
New this season, Gravy made an immediate impact in the 2s and got the nod for the 1s post-Xmas as they looked in vain for a solution to their problems in Div 1. Grew in confidence and should be a banker for a hatful of goals in Div 2 next year.

Player Profiles

2003-4 Results