No Jesting

The Statesmen completed the first round of their away games in the Eskimo Cup with a very good win against the MK Jesters (8-5).
The Statesmen started of the more spritely of the teams with a goal from Jon Leslie on 41seconds. The Statesmen then solidified the lead with another on 6mins from Jamie O'Dell (2-0) on a delayed penalty and the Statesmen looked like they could run away with the game. This wasnt to be and the Jesters never lost their heads and battled back to (2-1) after 12mins, the Statesmen then took the advantage again with a goal by John C at the end of the period (3-1).
The Statesmen started strong again in the 2nd with a goal by Ty on 24mins (4-1), though this game was not over by far, with the Statesmen never really being able to shake them off and the Jesters not giving up they scored 2 in quick succession to make it (4-3).
Mark Freitag got a well needed goal on 35mins to give the Statesmen a bit of breathing space (5-3), then a couple of silly penalties and the ref not realising that players will be playing with a bit more ambition when 5-3 down, got the Jesters back into it and the period finishing (5-5) with it all to play for.
The Statesmen started off again the better team and got a goal by Jake Switzer (one of a brace) and another a minute later by Marcus Cast gave the Statesmen the breathing room needed and the period finished off with another by Jake for the win (8-5).
This leaves it all to play for in the cup with the Statesmen 2-1 from 3 games, looks like its going to be a well fought cup and not much between the teams.
MOTM Ty

Cup win v Legion

The Statesmen started the years fixtures with a game against our old rivals the London Legion. With us just getting back to regular training after nearly a year off due to the closure of Ally Pally it was good to get back to training and into a cup game early on.
After a jittery first period, the Statesmens training seemed to pay off with us controlling the game but just not able to get a lot of shots off or score. After not being able to score on a penalty shot, the Legion capitalised off us not marking the points and a deflected goal saw them take the lead (0-1).
The second period saw the Statesmen get into their stride and start shooting more and putting pressure on the Legions goalie, there was some good scoring chances for both teams and the Statesmen finally got on the scoresheet with an effort from Mark Fen (1-1).
The goal galvinised the Statesmen and eventually took the lead in the third period with a goal from Jake (2-1). Ty extended the lead a few minutes after and looked likely to seal the win (3-1), though this was nearly not to be as the Statesmen seemed to go after the best form of defence is attack philosiphy (ie everyone jumping forward wanting to score) and the Legion pulled one back to make it 3-2 and managed to hold on for the last few minutes and held on when the Legion pulled their keeper.
A great win and first of the Eskimo cup.
MOTM Marcus