ANOTHER close game, this time at Guildford!!

So, after wanting to get along to watch some national league games for the chance to watch and analyse some elite goalkeepers, I've managed to make it three in a row. I call that sir a hat trick!! And it was also snowing (well, at least when I left, it wasn't in Guildford!) but it was a chilly venture. Mason was keeping himself warm shuffling, bouncing and running around in the cold. With hockey SO strong just south of London, it just goes to show how conveniently placed I live and how easy it is for me to get to a game, as I ventured not so close to home since EG and Oxted were both away! I also managed to watch Mason self pass and 'punt' it up the pitch which was worth the trip in and of itself!!

Again, it was another close affair. And again, I turned up late (really need to work on my timings, still feel like a student, even though I graduated nine months ago, but it was a midday, 12 o' clock start, at least, that's my excuse!!), but it was 0-0 at half time.

As far as I know, this is Skinner's first full season in between the sticks in the national league, since his days at Beeston when he deputised for Pinner who was busy in the Bejing Olympic year being involved in the GB set-up (as much as I know/have to go on!). And he looked the part in spite of this. Bossing his defence (as any goalkeeper should!) and looked comfortable and confident for a Bath team that are pushing for the top of the table in between four times (!): Cardiff, Guildford and Exter and obviously themselves! He showed the need and appropriate use to log against a short corner given away, but conversely showed when not to as he was beaten by a well executed deflection that is becoming a popular move for the Guildford side.

Skinner used to wear TK but is in all Obo (except the helmet/cage combo which is proving a little popular in the EHL right now for some reason!) foam, with a nice blue/pink colour combo and hi rebound glove proved for blocking reasons, also showing technique means it's possible to log effectively with it! Mason was wearing a set-up including the not-so-new (!) Mercian continental style rhp and the Mercian body armour with shoulder caps (blue extreme one I think!) and the low grading club shorts by Mercian interestingly (more movement etc.?) Reebok ice hockey elbow pad on the right arm; think Skinner wears elbow pads on both arms.

Mason cuts an imposing figure, a gigantic yet athletic figure, a lot like Max Weinhold, standing heads and shoulders above some of his team mates! He also looked calm and casually commanding, but seemed a lot less vocal, even if he was happy to walk up to the 25 to chat to defenders during Guildford's short corner opportunities! Mason is one of those goalkeepers who can literally steal you a game but didn't seem to be one of those games, even though he was definitely on form.

Watching him in person, it looks like he is in a little bit of a time warp. And that's NOT offensive (hope it doesn't read like it is!) because Martin Brodeur plays his own game in the NHL (ice hockey) and STILL comes out with the goods, plus, it totally confuses shooters that are expecting you to do something preprogrammed and routine! Yes, he is the oldest starting goalkeeper in the EHL and pretty much plays his own style (very hard to copy or emulate for youngsters learning the game!), but he has incorporated new into his game, like with the new Mercian rhp, so watching his low glove stance and such seemed pretty different and such but he is also a trend setter with the self pass 'punt' kick (at least, I think he started off using it before Isaacs at Havant!)!

Skinner 'logging' for the corner save.

Skinner going in for the tackle (arguably a hard challenge as the player got bundled over!).

Mason sprints off his post to challenge.

Mason wandering around to chat to his defence up close and personal!

Didn't manage to get an action shot of Guildford's goal as I was drinking coffee (as usual, as pointed out earlier!!).

Goalie ratings

Can't decide on how to analyse their performances and don't want to be seen too over critical but... !

Skinner 4.5/5 
A lot more vocal than Mason weirdly and very commanding. Did well closing down attacks; he come out to make a crucial tackle, and made a quality save that I couldn't get a picture of (that ALWAYS happens to me and was just starting to drink the coffee bought to keep myself warm!!. However, think he may have been better to stand against the deflection and waited to 'log' before going down, versus the goal that he conceded at one of Guildford's corners.

Mason 4.5/5
I'll give him brownie points for the self pass and its accuracy, not getting too near to anyone for it to be called dangerous by the umpires and close enough for a player to latch onto (plus it went beyond the half way line and right near where I was standing!). In my opinion, he could have dived to stop the pass that gave away the goal or gone over to cut the angle, if being perfectionist (but aren't we as goalkeepers?!). That being said, nothing else got through him afterwards and he did a lot coming off the post early and shutting down attacks aptly. No corners to face in the half I watched, so can't really comment on that!