The Lincoln “Old Men” rolled on to Round Four (last 16) of the EHB Masters Over 50s Cup with a second half demolition of a fairly aged team from the Lake District, who came down Saturday for this Round Three encounter. The pitch at Yarborough Sports Centre was just playable following a severe overnight frost and it was Lincoln who started the game best by camping in the Lakelander’s half of the pitch for most of the first 20 minutes. They were soon rewarded when Kevin White broke into the “D” and beat the visiting keeper with a Lionel Messi style cheeky, but perfectly placed lob flick, over the top of his head. This should have opened the flood gates for The Imps, but despite seven or eight further good chances and a Penalty Stroke saved from Billy Marwaha, they could not score again in the first half and allowed their visitors an equaliser just before half-time. Peter Richards in the Lincoln goal had also kept The Imps in the game with three first class saves during the first half.

A stiff talking too by Andy Wright during the interval, endorsed by captain Marwaha, saw Lincoln come out in the second half and run riot with the Lakelanders defence putting them under constant pressure. This was Lincoln at their best and goals followed from Tony Wing (2), Marwaha and Tim Sutton putting the match beyond the visitors reach at 5 – 1. With five minutes left, a brief cameo performance was called on from sub, Tony Perrin, who, despite taking a good two minutes to get his tracksuit bottoms off, promptly earned The Imps a Penalty Corner just as the final whistle blew. A good ball out from Wing to Marwaha, slipped left to Perrin, and a perfect pass to White saw him score his second and take the spectator’s “Cussons Imperial Leather Shower Gel Man of the Match” award. Lincoln’s performance in the second half has franked the fact that they are serious contenders to go on to win this competition.

President Tony Perrin struggles to get ready for his creation of a penalty corner.
Photograph courtesy of Charlie King

The draw for the next round on 20th January should be made on Monday or Tuesday this week and will be available on the England Hockey Website shortly after. Thanks to umpires Neil McInnes and Jonny Bigham for umpiring of a very high standard.

Team: Peter Richards (GK), Andy Wright, Peter Rushmere, Chris Topham, Vinny Patel, Steve Ward, Billy Marwaha, Kevin White, Tim Sutton, Tony Wing, Steve Seymour, Tony Perrin.