Driffield started much stronger than their opposition, applying a lot of pressure on the Sheffield goal. Sure enough, it was only a matter of time before both Danny Marsh and Man-of-the-Match Danny Clarke scored to take Driffield into a 2-0 lead. Sheffield’s only danger man, their key striker, eventually broke free into space into the Driffield ‘D’, being taken down by Tom Hardy to concede a penalty stroke which ‘keeper Danny Coates could do nothing about. Driffield showed their determination to strike back and regained their 2-goal lead through Marsh again. Jack Oxtoby later dispatched a fantastic penalty corner strike to bring the half-time score to 4-1 in Driffield’s favour.

Sheffield started the second half with a little more vigour than the first and were unlucky not to claw back a second goal. Eventually though Driffield’s dominance and pressure proved too much as they scored yet more goals. Marsh claimed another 2, taking his personal tally to 42 goals this season. Clarke added his second and Oxtoby fired another good shot in from a penalty corner.

Captain Adam Saltonstall slotted home an excellent through-ball from Oxtoby and Driffield completed the goal-fest after an excellent passing move which started from Ali Stokes’ free hit in their own half and worked through Marsh and Clarke before Will Walker fired home. Driffield could easily have claimed more had it not been for some good goalkeeping from the Sheffield ‘keeper. Some excellent work by Russ Lee, Charlie Hall and Hardy, supported by Stokes, Tasker and Knapton out wide ensured that Coates had little to do in the second half. This also ensured that Driffield Men’s 2nd team protected their unbeaten record for the season, completing a cup and league double for the 2nd season in a row with 175 goals scored and only 25 conceded after 24 league and cup games.

Thanks to everyone who played in the game for their hard work and also to everyone who travelled to Sheffield to support the team.

Thanks to Cherry’s Country Hardware of North Frodingham for their continued support throughout this very successful season on behalf of everyone at Driffield Men’s Hockey Team.

Man of the match: Danny Clarke

Clown of the week: Mark Shephard/Danny Marsh.