BOE 2nd XI have made a steady start to the 2013/14 season with a number of new faces adding to the quality already on display from last year. One of the key's to the 2's start has been consistency of play and selection. With 6 wins & 2 draws in all competitions & preseason, thus far, the clubs second string can be very happy with how they have gelled as a team.

Captain Derwin Baillie has been a stalwart of the club for many years but he has been encouraged by the additions of youth and quality. Baillie said recently that 'this is the best group of players we have had for a while but it will be hard work and commitment that really gives us a chance'. BOE aim to build from the back and in Erik DeWit, Scott Dow & Mark Ison, Baillie has the right players around him to implement that plan, not to forget the cameo's of Nick Gough & Mike Earnshaw. The midfield of Tom Orange, James Morrison, Dan Moore and new boys Greg Broughton & Andy Clover, have been a delight to watch and their mixture of attacking play and defensive intent has been the focus of BOE's 33 goals in just 8 games as a group.

Putting chances away is not always easy but in player/coach Edd Thorogood and another new recruit, Tom Piesold, BOE have a potent attack that has seen these 2 score 14 goals between them already. In a recent interview Piesold said 'BOEHC is exactly what club sport is about. The team is passionate, formidable and dynamic on the pitch. Social and light-hearted off it. Training is intense and the organisation is enacted with military precision. A thoroughly enjoyable experience!'. Chris Brown, Adam Malvanny and the last of the new boys, Rob Noble, add extra fire power to the attack and it won't be long before they too are putting goals away regularly. New boy Noble added 'I joined to play a decent standard of hockey and I havnt been disappointed. There is a good competitive atmosphere and training is well organised and certainly beneficial'. The movement up top has been exceptional so far, this can only improve by the game and the famous front 5 will be hoping to score the goals that keep BOE 2's towards the top of the league.

Any team is only as strong as its strength in depth and with the 3rd XI in the same league, competition for places will be high throughout the year with no player able to rest if they wish to hang onto their place. BOE will be disappointed with the 2-2 draw at Burnt Ash in the first game of the year but since then they have put BBHC to the sword 5-0, dumped Brighton & Hove out of the 2nd XI national cup and defeated their own 3rd XI 4-2 in the Meadow derby just this last weekend. The squad have an exciting cup game vs Southgate to look forward to in the coming weeks but all focus will be on this weekend fixture as Holcombe 4's come to College Meadow for an early push back.

The intentions and desire of the club is clear but the underlying message of hard work, team cohesion and well thought out performances will be the key to any success this team achieves. Coach Edd Thorogood added 'Thus far things have been good but no one will want to let up on Saturday. As every game goes on the team appear to be learning both tactically and as a group. There is no excuse for not working hard and I believe we have the spirit where by the boys will put in a shift every weekend to get the desired result. Things are never easy in any game and we wont always play as well as we wish, but if we keep working hard and focusing on the team outcomes this could be a very enjoyable season. I have no doubt that Holcombe will bring a very good side on Saturday and we will need to be at our very best if we are to get any thing from the game'

Bring it on