BRADFORD Hockey Club boys' squad had a baptism of fire but learnt quickly at the National Under-16 Indoor Championships in Wolverhampton.
Ten teams had qualified to compete at the Aldersley Leisure Village venue and what was a very young Bradford party – seven will still be eligible for next season – faced a stiff opener against eventual finalists Wycombe, who included three England internationals and won 8-0.
Knowing that they had to up their intensity, pace and passion, Bradford showed their adaptability in an excellent 1-1 draw against Taunton Vale in a match which should have yielded a victory.
But they really put their lessons into practice on day two when they faced the major power that is Cannock.
But for the illegal intervention of a defender with 30 seconds left when the score was 1-1, heading a delicate lobbed goalbound effort over the crossbar, it would have resulted in a notable victory.
The resulting penalty flick was, unfortunately for Bradford, well saved by the opposition keeper but it was undoubtedly a moral victory for the proud West Yorkshire club.
Such was the effort put into this game, however, that the youngsters ran out of steam in the final game against a very strong Old Loughtonians outfit and were soundly beaten.
Bradford squad: Joe Moore (goalkeeper), Alex Stewart, Matthew White, Mark Roberts, Seb Shaw, Ben Craig, Ethan Kensett, Charlie Sorton (captain), Jordan Hardaker, Tyler Illingworth, Esa Naseem, Matthew Wilson.
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