Devizes A used the inspiration of the famous Olympic Gold winning GB hockey team to sneak a 1 - 0 win away at Marlborough on Saturday. No, we're not talking about the exploits of Georgie Twigg and Sam Quek, but more the generation of Imran Shirwani and Sean Kerley 28 years ago in Seoul! With an alternative take on youth policy Jon Anstee de Mas made his return to DHC to join Messrs Church, Sherman and Gompels to provide a silver glow to the otherwise youthful Devizes team.

Brimming with confidence after their recent County Trophy final it was Devizes who bossed the first 10 minutes of the match. A strong midfield centred around Callum Lavens and Oscar Gompels were able to spread the ball wide developing some good forays into the Marlborough 22. Unfortunately chances on goal were not quite so forthcoming. Marlborough fought back and were soon pressing into the Devizes half forcing a flurry of short corners and shots on goal. The heroics of Joe Edwards kept Marlborough at bay and with Nick Gomples and Kofi Pegden staying strong in defence the scores remained goal-less going into half time.

With four on the bench Devizes were able to cycle their players to good effect and keep Marlborough stretched, the clever ones in particular making the best of the changeable weather and dodging the worst of the heavy showers with great skill. With both sides struggling for the breakthrough composure and discipline started to wain and a few green cards were wielded to bring order to the proceedings. The match looked destined for a draw but with 2 minutes to go Devizes managed to work the ball wide to the right once more. A superb cross in saw Jon Anstee de Mas get in front of the Marlborough keeper and deflect the ball in for the winner. "Where were Malborough, who cares" as someone nearly once said 28 years ago!

After the match Captain Nick Gompels was keen to praise his hard working team "It was a pleasure to captain such a young, well mostly young, side today. Everyone worked hard and the eventual victory, although late, was well deserved. I was especially pleased with how the players stayed focused on their tasks today. Unfortunately this focus didn't carry forward to matters after the game when Callum failed to notice the big shiny lamp post behind his car and proceeded to test how strong its foundations were".