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 15-Jan-04

Issue 13

So THD emerges from the haze of New Year hangovers and Constitutional matters with goals aplenty to blow away those January Blues. More wins than losses (outdoors) mark this report out from the standard fare served up so far this season. JT is bolding leading the Men's 3s into feasts unknown with 2 wins on the trot to whet the appetite for the months ahead. And Lucy P is finally whipping the mixed team - and Banners -into shape.

Reminder: End of Season Dinner Date - 20th March. More details to come.

Reports by (in order): James Terrett, Lucy Partington, Aidan Brock, JT again, Vishal Phakey, Simon Riley, Richard Taylor, Kath Sowter, Marie Smith and Jules O'Hara.

Saturday 13 December: Men's 3s vs. Southgate 3As: won 8-0

Regular readers generally expect us to get stuffed every week. So, it's with elation that I bring you tidings of cheer and a performance eclipsing England's 5-1 drubbing of the Hun on September 1st 2001. Despite three squads of players to choose from, and an excellent performance last week, I had to beg to get eleven out for this encounter. Although our opposition hadn't got a single point yet, I was worried that our scratch side might sacrifice the 3 points I have craved since becoming captain. In fact the match was a massacre. We were out of the traps quicker than Ballyregan Bob in his heyday, pinging the ball through our midfield duo of Andy and Lee Snowden who provided more chances than a game of Monopoly. But we were very selfish in the final third and were only 2-0 up at half-time, scoring from a well worked short corner from Duncan, with Clifford netting the second. I exploded at half-time but luckily Paul Harvey calmed things down, reminding us to enjoy the second half. We then played extremely well, particularly in front of goal with further strikes from Clifford, Phil and Duncan. Excellent defensive performances from Vish and Bruce kept Southgate's chances to a minimum. Such was our dominance, Warren produced the record for four consecutive 360 degree roundabouts whilst being challenged by three players. The big idiot. Man of the Match goes to our hero of a goalkeeper, Gavin, who having said he was too injured to play, rallied to the call and produced a miraculous double save in the first half and maintained the first clean sheet of his THD career.

Team: Gavin Lawson, JT, Vish Phakey, Bruce Haines, Warren Holme, Phil Hines, Duncan McCulloch, Paul Harvey, Andy Potapa, Lee Snowden, Clifford Brown.

Umpire: David Eacott

Scorers: Duncan McCulloch 3, Clifford Brown 3, Phil Hines 2

Sunday 4th January: THD Dragons v Old Cranleighans: won 4-0

Another decisive win for the mixed team who are - despite late changes in personnel due to flu (acceptable), injuries (acceptable) and parties (unacceptable) - returning to winning ways. After a sluggish start, newcomer Simon Williams (Charley's brother, Spence's squeeze) reminded us how to play and we put some passes together. They were decent, and perhaps had the edge over us in the first half of the first half. But some steady play from the unflappable Aido at the back and some cracking saves by George in goal kept the sheet clean. Then Gareth slotted our first goal and we were away. Simon made some great runs down the wings, carving up their defence and scoring our second. We had more chances in the first half but chose not to embarrass the oppo too much. Then enter Will - again to irritate the short man playing opposite him - perhaps because although much closer to the ground than Mr. Nurse, he didn't see much of the ball after that? The situation was settled down by the umpire, the soul of calmness himself, Mr. Banwell, never known to say a harsh or rude word on a hockey pitch. In the second half we hit our stride - Charley and Wilshire put in great tackles to disrupt OC's attacking play, and the hard-working midfield of JC, Will and then Aido created some swift attacks on the break. Kate Selway at centre forward laid the ball off to build our passing play, and was then rewarded for her unselfishness by slotting the next one in. After some gratuitous showboating from Nurse (who seemed surprised to hear about the rule that says you can't scoop the ball over 2/3rds of the pitch), it was left to the Irish hooligan up front to put the last one in the back of the net. With thanks to the Williamses and Will for turning up at very short notice, Gordon for taking Kate's mum home and allowing her to play, and my hero (always) Banners, for umpiring. Get well soon to all in bed with flu, and bring on the second half of the season!

Team: George Sykes, Holly Sarderson, Amy Partington, Charley Williams, Lucy Partington, Kate Selway, Aidan Brock, Simon Williams, John Craven, Will Nurse, Gareth Norris, Sam Parkhouse, Simon Wilshire.

Umpire: Banners

Scorers: Gareth 2, Simon, Kate S

Next game: Sunday 25th January vs. Sinners - 15.00 @ Battersea Park

Saturday 10th January

Men's 2s vs. Indian Gymkhana: lost 2-6

Congregating on a pitch which started where Heathrow airport's runway stopped, the initial signs looked good. A full complement of players, all with the right number of limbs required to play hockey, and only the Keeps showing any signs of Christmas excesses (I'm trying to be imposing, cover more of the goal, you see). Even my scribblings on the whiteboard (still top scorer, by the way) were not met with the perfunctory blank looks. Was this the turning point we'd all been waiting for?. It was, though unfortunately it coincided with a game against the undefeated league leaders, bolstered by a smattering of their first team National League players. >From the off, the boys got stuck in and we were 1-0 up within 5 minutes, thanks to a perfectly executed short corner from the Rhino. Hockey purists might not agree with me, but the plan had always been to undercut the ball wide of the goal straight at the opposition skipper's knackers and have him deflect it onto the backboard. Boosted by our early lead and with the defenders' ears ringing from shouts of "hold, don't dive in!" from our demented keeper (who had an inspired half interspersed with some fantastic saves, so I'm told!), we went in at half time deservedly drawing 1-1. We continued to press in the second and the work rate was superb, nevertheless the silky skills of our oppo began to pay dividends. The scoreline flattered and it is testament to the determination of the defence and midfield that only 2 of their goals came from open play, though we do need to sharpen up our second phase short corner defence (only 1 of their goals came from a top D strike). Potty got a consolation score for us near the end and we should have made more of the chances we created, but hey, at least we were finally creating some. All in all, the best performance of the season and on this form the rest of the league should be quaking in their astros.....

Team: Aidan Brock, Chris Coleman, Mark Pulford, Neil Happs, Wes Cole, Paul Harvey, Will Atkinson, Nick Harris, Ferg Jagger, Clifford, Andy Potapa.

Scorers: Mark Pulford, Andy Potapa

Next match: January 17th vs. Bromley - 12:30 @ DC

Men's 3s vs. Old Loughtonians: won 3-2

If the scoreline was about effort, then we'd have won 20-0. It was great to see everyone working really hard after the Christmas lay-off. We were also short of a few regulars but luckily had the excellent Nick Thomson, Geoff Pritchard, Conor Macklin and Lee Tearle loving their club and producing superb performances. There was some dodgy umpiring from the opposition, but Toby kept things calm and the swearing down to below Tourette's levels. We took the game straight to Old Loughts and to be frank, they just couldn't cope. Another high energy, bounding performance from Lee S in the middle meant the opposition simply couldn't get the ball and looked like they were trying to pin down a kangaroo on a trampoline. Whenever the opposition got a break, they found a back five who were quite simply colossal. Guy, Mike, Rob, Nick and Lee Tearle were like a human Panzer division, steamrollering anything that came their way. Our opener came from a short corner, with Phil deflecting the shot goalwards. Old Loughts pulled one back from another short and in then came Geoff's moment of truth. The quick-thinking Warren smashed a free hit into the D where Geoff lurked. His eyes bulged like the belly of a hungry chaffinch, and he angled the ball into the roof of the net. We all kept working tirelessly throughout the game, with some excellent running from Conor and Ryan, and got our rewards when after two parried shots, Lee Snowden slotted in the rebound. Not wanting to play out the last few minutes in boredom, we gave them a goal from another short and then Lee Tearle saved magnificently to claim the points and was subsequently voted MOTM in the bar afterwards.

Team: Lee Tearle, JT, Guy Hodgson, Warren Holme, Ryan Hubbard, Phil Hines, Lee Snowden, Nick Thomson, Rob Levine, Geoff Pritchard, Conor Macklin, Mike Tyrell.

Umpire: Tobias Wheadon

Scorers: Phil Hines, Geoff Pritchard, Lee Snowden

Next match: Saturday 17th January vs. Bromley - 12.00 away

Men's 4As vs. Richmond Stags: lost 0-5

We let ourselves down in the first half. Poor marking and a complete lack of structure in midfield resulted in Richmond catching us on the break far too easily. We finished the half 4-0 down. Arguably it should have been 4 -1 as we did have a goal from a short corner disallowed on the basis that it was struck from outside the D. Stuart claimed otherwise but the umpire did not share his view. To our credit the second half was a lot better and we played some decent hockey at times and created some good chances but failed to convert. Many thanks to Aidan and Clifford who helped us out in the second half.

Team: Gavin (GK), Vishal Phakey, Stuart Craig, Timothy Parker, Adrian Meredith, Dave Eacott, Bruce Haines, Ben Lones, Norman Doyle, Ed, Harry Dunlop, Aidan Brock, Clifford Brown

Next Match: Saturday 17th January vs. Bromley - home

Tornados (Men's 4Bs) vs. Chiswick: match postponed due to double pitch booking

Men's 5s vs. Old Loughtonians 5s: won 3-2

The mighty 5s romped on with a stirring performance against the Essex Boys. Buoyed by guest stars from days gone by, the men in red started brightly enough. Silver Fox led the forward line running through their defence at ease, midfield maestro Richard bossed the centre of the park and Thom Ruane was a rock in defence against one of the 'bulkiest' (and I'm being polite here) forwards in the land. In typical THD fashion, the Christmas charity period extended into January and twice we allowed Loughts to take the lead, only to peg them back through Loz's reverse stick flicking. His second, a nifty piece of work to drag the ball out from the keeper's midriff and lift it into the corner after Tom Alexander's short corner strike was saved. 2 apiece at half time and looking good. The 5s are renowned for their 2nd half performances so after stirring talk from Ian the boys went back into battle. Loz and Richard tried to dribble the ball up the pitch themselves from the pushback: a 1-in-100 chance of success and, boy, was Lady Luck on our side. 10 seconds later Loughts still hadn't touched the ball and we were on the edge of their D. The ball goes out wide to the skipper who smacks in a hopeful cross which their keeper - confused by their generosity of his defence in leaving it to him - passes to your guest report writer, 2 yards out and contrary to popular belief, I do score those more often than I miss. Naturally, we then decided to practice defending for the following 34 minutes. Reidy, Thom, Rob, Bill and Tom stood firm at the back, assisted in no small part by the Smudgemeisters, Graeme and Mark. Mere seconds remained on the clock and the Essex lads were desperate for an equaliser. So desperate, they thought they could get away with not allowing the ball to exit the D before flicking it goalwards. The eagle-eyed umpire (Si Newell) wasn't having any of that and rightly disallowed the goal prompting an almost Arsenal-like torrent of abuse. Seconds later, the game was over and another win over the old enemy. A fantastic team performance and the best possible start to 2004.

Team: Paul Reid, Rob Thomas, Bill Dowie, Thom Ruane, Tom Alexander, Graeme Evans, Mark Smith, Matt Ruane, Richard Fenton, Ian Cooper, Simon Riley, Loz Mockery.

Umpires: Simon Newell, Richard Mead

Scorers: Loz Mockery 2, Simon Riley

Men's 6s vs. St Albans Tribunes: lost 1-7

Not the start of the second half of the season that we wanted, but we lost to a far superior side. To say St Albans were very good is a slight understatement for our league. The top of the league side showed why they are there. They played with speed, determination and aggression. We were a little slow out of the blocks and before we knew it we were 1 nil down. I'm not sure any of us actually touched the ball before they'd scored. With this wake up call we began get involved in the game but another attacking phase for them resulted in another goal. More determined than ever, we then ventured for the first time into their half. Mehraab collected the ball well in the D to turn and shoot. It was 2-1 and we'd only played 10 mins of the first half. This however was our last real attacking opportunity of the half. St Albans dominated and got their rewards. The second half started much like how the first had ended with St Albans scoring. Some were well worked goals, others were fortunate. As the match went on we were able to apply more pressure on St Albans defence and were unlucky not to score again ourselves. Gin, Tom and Mehraab all played well up front and never tired in trying to get the goals. We can learn a lot from the way St Albans played so let's put it in to practice this coming Saturday. Thanks to Mike C, Mike Mc and Richard M for umpiring.

Team: Peter Adams, Richard Mead, Keith Howick, Matt Crane, Andy Bond, Tim Smith, Richard Taylor, Nick Phipps, Colin Leeman, Mike Clyne, Tommy Cairns, Mehraab Nazir, Gin Lee.

Scorer: Mehraab.

Next match: Saturday 17th January vs. Old Loughtonians Loppers - 13.00 away

Women's Indoor vs. Various: lost 0-1, 3-4, 2-4, 3-4

A fantastic sports facility at an army camp in Aldershot is the venue for this year's National Indoor League Division 1 tournament. Every year we try and compete with the big girls and so far we have managed to just about hold our own. Hold our own we did all weekend, but as the results show, that is not necessarily enough at this level, and we finished the first weekend still to obtain a single point. Our first game against Sevenoaks was one of those rare games of indoor where despite 40 minutes of continual play, only 1 goal was scored. We were unlucky, particularly as Sevenoaks proved against other opposition that they are one of the favourites to win the tournament. Next came Woking and their junior internationals. Far too young and keen, but again we matched them and were unlucky to end up on the wrong side of the result. Sunday pitted us against the very physically fit Army girls and the most bizarre umpiring display in history - 3 flicks against us, when only one was justified. Pipes did us proud and they scored only 1. A different umpire (preferably one who doesn't resemble Mrs. Doubtfire) and we would have at least drawn. Finally, to what could turn out to be the crunch game of the tournament when we played Bracknell, who had also not picked up any points. We were 2-1 up with 10 minutes to go, but we conceded 2 goals at corners late on and Rach had a perfectly legitimate goal disallowed. It was very frustrating to play so well and come away with nothing, but we still have 4 games to go. This coming weekend we play Hounslow & Ealing, Harlesden Magpies, Old Loughtonians and Wimbledon and desperately need to scab at least one win to stand a chance of avoiding relegation. Lou Morgan and Amy Gardiner join the squad in place of Martha and EJ this weekend - no pressure girls.

Team: Jo Malkin, Rachel Lander, Kath Sowter, Hilary Collins, Emma Ward, EJ Barry, Martha Harvey-Jones, Sleapy, Boggie

Scorers: All of the above, except Pipes, who saved loads...

Next matches: Saturday/Sunday 17th/18th January - North Camp, Aldershot

Women's 4s vs. Old Kingstonians (friendly): won 3-2

A good display considering the sheer volume of mince pies we all had to run off. It's always a good game when you have 2 pure comedy brilliance goals and at the end of it all you manage to pilfer their goalie to come and play for us next season! Pretty much everyone had a good game; lots of good work in defence, and a special mention to Catherine G - welcome back to Left Back - please don't get injured again, we need you! Thanks to the few non 4's players who volunteered for a game, and to Francis for volunteering to play (far too well, I thought) for the oppo. Despite levels of unfitness we scored first, thanks to some hard work by Isabel and Rachael F down the right. The ball fell to Marie who somehow managed to bobble it over several sticks and then the goal line from the edge of the D. We had a few more chances from shorts which went unconverted and they managed to pull one back in the 4's standard straight-after-half-time lapse. And then something truly amazing happened. The attack started in our defensive 25 and approximately 6 or 7 one-two passes between Marie and Anna later it was in the back of the net and everyone was shocked at such a piece of champagne hockey! And then just to prove that it wasn't a fluke, they did exactly the same thing again! OK's didn't think that was as hilarious as we did and so bagged another one while we weren't looking (or still in shock). 3-2 final score - we celebrated in usual style by showing the clubhouse how to drink. MOTM went to Mel Bastin for some amazing saves, classy dives and her general chirpy countenance - we love you Mel! Now we just have to play this well in the league...

Team: Mel Bastin (GK); Anna Stuttard, Lindsey McLaren, Catherine Garvey, Andrea Vicari, Emily Halliday, Isabel Drewe, Marie Smith, Rosanna Carter, Francis Baker, Rachael Fallows, Susanna Harvey-Jones, Kate.

Scorers: Marie "One-Two" Smith; Anna "Left Post" Stuttard

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