Sheffield Hallam made an astute and well intended signing when they managed to get hold of Scottish international Jamie Cachia. Planning for the long term, they picked a young goalkeeper with a lot of promise and talent, that is now starting to be properly be realised, and their scouting abilities and forward thinking mindset paid off with Cachia taking the Yorkshire based side into the premier league for the first time in their history. At the time Cachia had been at Bowdon, backing up veteran choice Rob Turner, getting game action in cup rounds, but unable to break into the starting XI on a league basis. So Hallam snapped him up quick and he has repaid them in kind for giving him the breakout opportunity with some solid goalkeeping behind their back four.
And Cachia has been on top form for them as they made the push to premier league team. He has put in some great goalkeeping displays (that any goalie can learn from!) and looking back at his progression from junior to national league starter, he as come on leaps and bounds, being a difference maker for quite some seasons. With Scotland looking to make the most of the Commonwealth Games, the time is now and Cachia is well set for the immediate future, with opportunities at international level coming his way right now (as with the World Hockey League where he and Allan split starts). Ready to fill in Allan Dick's big shoes, he is going to be a strong option for Scotland when Allan does retire (but that's down the line, not exactly immediate!!). Proudly displaying the colours of his homeland, equipment wise he has made the switch from a TK rhp to the Obo hi rebound, making use of its larger surface area for blocking purposes, and still retaining the same stick and ground work technique despite the change in size, especially when logging or attacking in an indoor style, for instance, as demonstrated below.
You can see him in action below in one of the premier league qualifying tournament games, against Southgate in particular, whilst watching be aware of, and note, his positive aggressiveness and vocal presence [edit: can't seem to embed the clip, which is really annoying me!]
Interestingly, he is probably the only starting Scottish goalie in the premier league (touch wood!), but that is until Tommy fights for starts at HWHC as I can't see him wanting to be there simply to warm the bench, especially in this weather!! This season shows a lot of promise for Cachia and therefore Scotland, as he seeks to mark his mark on the league, coming up against talent he has probably paid against already, in international games. And I can see Sheffield managing to stay up through force of will and analysis of opposition and a game plan with realistic targets to ensure they get as many points as possible. They will bring a structured game plan to their ambition of remaining in the premier league for as long as possible, rather looking to rebuild straightaway and Cachia will be well on his way to pushing the Northern side as far up the league as they can possibly go.
And Cachia has been on top form for them as they made the push to premier league team. He has put in some great goalkeeping displays (that any goalie can learn from!) and looking back at his progression from junior to national league starter, he as come on leaps and bounds, being a difference maker for quite some seasons. With Scotland looking to make the most of the Commonwealth Games, the time is now and Cachia is well set for the immediate future, with opportunities at international level coming his way right now (as with the World Hockey League where he and Allan split starts). Ready to fill in Allan Dick's big shoes, he is going to be a strong option for Scotland when Allan does retire (but that's down the line, not exactly immediate!!). Proudly displaying the colours of his homeland, equipment wise he has made the switch from a TK rhp to the Obo hi rebound, making use of its larger surface area for blocking purposes, and still retaining the same stick and ground work technique despite the change in size, especially when logging or attacking in an indoor style, for instance, as demonstrated below.
You can see him in action below in one of the premier league qualifying tournament games, against Southgate in particular, whilst watching be aware of, and note, his positive aggressiveness and vocal presence [edit: can't seem to embed the clip, which is really annoying me!]
Interestingly, he is probably the only starting Scottish goalie in the premier league (touch wood!), but that is until Tommy fights for starts at HWHC as I can't see him wanting to be there simply to warm the bench, especially in this weather!! This season shows a lot of promise for Cachia and therefore Scotland, as he seeks to mark his mark on the league, coming up against talent he has probably paid against already, in international games. And I can see Sheffield managing to stay up through force of will and analysis of opposition and a game plan with realistic targets to ensure they get as many points as possible. They will bring a structured game plan to their ambition of remaining in the premier league for as long as possible, rather looking to rebuild straightaway and Cachia will be well on his way to pushing the Northern side as far up the league as they can possibly go.
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