Match Reports 2003/04

Since 2003/04 the club has produced a weekly newsletter, during the season, containing match reports from each of the games played that weekend.

Thurs 02-Oct-03

Issue 01

So THD move into a second season as South London's funkiest club and there's not much evidence of a hangover yet. They will come, no doubt, especially as the men's 1s start their league games next Saturday, but for now some pleasing early season wins. Good to see the Men's 3s and Women's 4s so quick off the blocks and the mixed machine move smoothly into gear. Bettina Wolff scored the first hat-trick of the season in the Women's 1s first league game against Havant a fortnight ago, but, until I find the report, you'll have to make do with reading about their second successive victory below. Before you do that, don't forget to tell your captains that you are coming to the club dinner on 18th October - Mel needs to know. It will be a night to remember (well, possibly) ......

reports by: Guy Hodgson, Graeme Evans, Kath Sowter, Kate Blumer, Karen Dodds, Marie Smith and Ash McDonald.

Men's 3s vs Southgate: won 4-1

After overcoming the initial confusion of appearing to have stumbled into a school match THD - average age of all sixteen of the opposition about half their THD equivalent - we decided that experience was going to be of more use than our legendary speed. We settled into the game well and for a change actually passed to red shirts, leading to a number of scoring opportunities. 15 minutes of pressure finally lead to some short corners, where THD opened the scoring in what can only be described as a text book routine. The remainder of the half saw us continue to press, despite worryingly early signs of fitness problems - Warren having returned from his usual summer intensive toning regime - although the score remained at 1-0 at half-time. The second half mirrored the first in continued THD pressure and 2 more goals followed from well-constructed moves. Southgate scored on the break but soon after our 3 goal cushion was restored. A good start from all.

Team: Kit Bennett, Neil, Guy Hodgson, Simon Wilshire, Nick Harris, Warren Holme, Ryan, Lee Snowden, Clifford Brown, Duncan McCulloch, Mark Pulford, Paul Kirkland, Andy Potapa

Scorers: Guy, Duncan, Cliff and Pottsie

Next match: Saturday 4 October vs Old Loughtonians - away

Men's 5s vs Southgate: lost 0-2

First game of the season and TH&D 5ths were having trouble even locating the barn door. Despite enjoying most of the possession, the newly promoted 5ths - reprieved after relegation last season - barely made an impression on the Southgate goalkeeper. Frustrating stuff, although the second half display offered encouragement ahead of another challenging season. Southgate took an early lead but in the end the game boiled down to two penalties - one each for umpires Riley and Wilshire. Prior to Graeme Evans' none-too-subtle challenge to concede the second goal, Lawrence Mockery captured the newly inaugurated Magic Moment award (weekly prize: Foxy's 9.3% very special import from Cooper Breweries), for his failure to send the keeper the wrong way from a few yards out.

Team: Peter Adams, Rich Batty, Billy Dowie, Stuart Craig, Graeme Evans, Rob Thomas, Rich Fenton, Ian Cooper, David Eacott, Stephen Ireton, Lawrence Mockery, Rupert Grass.

Next match: Saturday 4 October vs Old Loughtonians 5s - away @ 4pm

Women's 1s vs Bracknell: won 1-0

With EJ and Wards in sexier and sunnier climes respectively, the rest of us were subjected to an early alarm call on Saturday morning for a 10:30am pushback at Bracknell. The focus of the team is such that even Charley was there early and we set about our task of getting 3 points from one of the strongest teams in the League last year. Our work rate from the outset was excellent and Ali was dominant in the centre of midfield. We put together some good attacking play, complemented by a solid defence. Despite our dominance, we went in at half time at 0-0. The second half continued in the same vein, and we deservedly took the lead from a superbly struck short corner from Rach. Amy and B were close to scoring as Bracknell went in search of an equaliser. In Pipes we have one of the best keepers in the League and she pulled off some classic saves to keep Bracknell out. Hils was a calming influence at centre back and Lucy and Spence both had great games in the wide defensive positions. Another excellent performance by every single player resulted in us taking all 3 points, and we have started the season with 2 wins out of 2. On a more sombre note, this was Imma's last game for the Club as she returns to her native Spain this week. She will be missed, so we will just have to go on tour to Barcelona!

Team: Jo Malkin, Lucy Partington, Hils Collins, Kath Sowter, Clare Spencer, Rachel Lander, Ali Rendu, Lou Morgan, Charley Williams, Amy Gardiner, Bettina Wolff, Imma Lopez, Jacqs Brayer

Scorer: Rach Next match: Saturday vs Hounslow & Ealing - 11.00 @ Alleyn's

Women's 2s vs Cheam 1s: lost 1-4

With a lot of new faces this year, the 2s had a lot to learn and quickly. Once we had established who was not called Kate or a derivative of it, we were away. Cheam came out hard and fast from the whistle and shocked us with their fitness and efficiency on and off the ball. In all honesty, they dominated the first half exploiting our new line up in defence, apart from Phoebe who was kept busy and impressed us all - surely they won't miss her at university if she were to stay and help us out? Within twenty minutes, Cheam had scored twice, both goals disallowed (on the second occasion it was only thanks to Alex C informing the umpire that the opposition's first crack at goal was at head height, that he disallowed it). However, we could not keep them out and they scored twice more and legitimately. We regrouped at half time and came out positively. The defence looked more solid and we began to penetrate their half with gusto, Kate Selway looked lively up front, getting us a short, which Alex C converted with bullet-like speed. We carried on in the same vein, Alex C again converting a short, but the umpire disallowing (we begged to differ, but his decision stood). However, Cheam scored twice more once due to a late decision from the umpire, secondly from a well-deserved open play goal. Our team has great potential and we will build on this loss - bring on Reigate, and let the winning commence!

Team: Phoebe Arnold, Alex Crawford, Emma Matebalavu, Catherine Gillard, Katie Cherrill, Kate Blumer, Sarah Longair, Alex Hardy, Strings, Josie Sanders, Liz Young, Kate Selway.

MOTM and scorer: Alex C - well deserved (her Mum was so proud)

Next match: Saturday 4 October vs Reigate Priory - 2.00 away

Women's 3s vs Purley Walcountians 2s: drew 1-1

Before our first league game of the season we held a minute's silence in memory of Cath Ferguson. We started the game aggressively and moving the ball beautifully to players in space. The movement around the back was especially impressive, it looked as though we practised it every week. PW did well in ensuring that we moved the ball to the left but Lizzie was there showing commitment and enthusiasm and PW were unable to capitalise on having the ball on their strong side. Susie too had a storming game at centre back in a "they shall not pass" way, with Joanna as ever calmly issuing instructions. We scored after a lovely move from Chantel down the right, with Chantel actually finishing the move by putting the ball in the net. PW did get an equaliser before half time. The game continued to be finely balanced and Melissa made some important saves in her first of two games.

Team: Melissa Bastin, Anna Barrett, Joanna Reynolds, Susie, Karen Dodds, Rosanna Carter, Roz Hornsby, Lizzie Gillett, Lizzie's friend Sonya, Ruth Pratt, Chantel Kleingild, Charlotte Rayner, Harriet.

Scorer: Chantel

Next match: Saturday 4 October vs Epsom 2s - 3.00 @ Crystal Palace

Women's 4s vs Woking 2s: won 4-1

Last time we played this lot we won courtesy of half a lager each before the game. This time we tried it sober... it should have been 7-1 minimum but we struggled to capitalise in the first half even though we were all over them. After they managed 2 goal line clearances, we went into half time 1-0 up after an Emma B classic goalmouth scramble. At the beginning of the 2nd half we decided not to put ourselves out too much and not run until the oranges had settled nicely in our tummies. In less than a minute they had evened the score. But we weren't having that - the famous 4s fighting sprit meant we came back to give them a proper shoeing. We love the new short corner rule - and Left Post Anna does especially as she managed to bag 2 backboard breakers from our newly invented (in 5 mins before the game) routine! Our final goal was scored by Claire Whitehead thanks to a run up the right and last minute cross from Marie. We had plenty more chances and everyone had a good game - special mention to Rachel Fielden in her last game before going off to Uni on Sunday. And for Amy who managed to recover from a first half heart attack to play the rest of the game.... Man of the Match was a close run thing between Lindsey, Anna and Catherine Garvey but Linds' laid back attitude and hard tackling clinched it in the end.

Team: Mel Bastin (GK), Mel Rees, Lindsey McLaren, Catherine Garvey, Anna Stuttard, Amy Auton, Emma Billsdon, Rachel Fielden, Andrea Vicari, Claire Whitehead, Marie Smith, Yorkie Soquar

Scorers: Emma Billsdon, Anna Stuttard 2, Claire Whitehead

Next Match: Saturday 4 October vs Purley Walcountians 3s - away (time TBC, praying it's not too early!)

Women's 5s vs London Edwardians: lost - 1-8

Saturday was a bit of a goal fest but unfortunately not for us. The match started badly with our umpire failing to turn up although Holly did a great job standing in until we persuaded a young man from the sideline to help as we were missing Holly in defence. We were a very new team having never played together before but there were definitely signs of potential. Special mentions must go to Jo for playing in goal and making some great saves and to Steph for an excellent goal. Not a great start to the 5s season but hopefully it can only get better!

Team: Jo Hillyer, Jean Sutton, Katherine Dixon, Mel Clarke, Holly Sardeson, Kathryn Farthing, Ashley McDonald, Louise Gloster, Sarah Flach, Steph Kee, Vicky Wright, Vicky Woodbridge, Susannah Harvey-Jones.

Scorer: Steph Kee

Next match: Saturday 4 October vs Wanderers 4s - 2.30 @ Alleyn's

Mixed: Battersea mini-tournament

It was another awesome performance. We won the tournament, despite the organisers confirming that we only scored 5 goals (it was 8 in total) and playing with only 4 lads outfield. First game against Daqs saw a slightly disorganised start - Lou just hadn't had quite enough time to finish doing her hair before it all kicked off. We settled quickly and the girls showed the way, Rebecca and Claire notching up one goal each. Second game against Old Cranleighans saw a much more disciplined performance - in spite of a bit of handbags in the middle from the over competitive short man against the slightly taller Will. Another 2-0 victory saw OC's off. Then a break during which some of the keener beans decided a jog round Battersea Park (for fun) was just the ticket (a chance to impress the coach, we ask ourselves?). Coach was rather overwhelmed by keenness (sp?) and his own hangover, and elected not to lead the jog. Second two games (against UCL and Real Battersea) were memorable for Nick exhibiting his usual pace and nearly running a couple of opposing defenders into an early heart attack, Rebecca showing both teams how to score goals, and Riley taking the ball perfectly off several opposing attackers - and then very graciously giving it back to them. Well, it's a team game, isn't it? Great team performance - congratulations to Kit for keeping a clean sheet (makes all the difference, those glasses). Thanks to all who turned up and "WHAT HAPPENED?" to those lads who didn't......

Team: Lucy Partington, Sarah Longair, Charley Williams, Spence, Lou Morgan, Will Nurse, Holly Sardeson, Rebecca Ridgeway, Nick Jacobs, Claire Whitehead, James, Simon Riley, Kit Bennett

Scorers: Rebecca (5), Claire, Will, Nick

Next match: Sunday 12 October vs Edwardians - 2.00 @ Battersea Park

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