Match Reports 2004/05

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

Fri 04-Feb-05

Issue 14

Editing the THD newsletter. It's every girl's dream. Where else would you get a squadful of men's mobile numbers for free?

reports by: Tim Howarth, Chris Coleman, Mark Jones, Graeme Evans, Kate Blumer, Joanna Reynolds, Marie Smith, Katherine Dixon and Michelle Morgan.

22 January 2005

Men's 1s vs. PHC Chiswick: drew 2-2

Further evidence to the school of thought that all Hockey, in the event of a draw, should go to flicks was provided as the 1st team grasped a point from the jaws of three away against PHC Chiswick. The home team set a half court press which, for much of the first half, was difficult to break down, despite THD having the majority of the possession. Patient passing, with a series of transfers through Joel Burrows and Gregg McAlister eventually provided the opportunity to force good saves from the Chiswick keeper, with the dribbling of Olly Morgan proving a constant threat. Further chances came, including a missed flick, which we were to lament later. Other than the occasional break, Chiswick put us under little pressure in the first half, and it was frustrating to go into the second half at 0-0. Eventually the goals came, with Tom Curry and Andy Balchin giving THD a deserved lead. With ten minutes to go, however, Chiswick changed from the defensive set up, pushing more players forward, and pulled one back. With hindsight, we were a little naive. Rather than settling for two goals, we continued to push forward, looking to kill off the game with a third. Tom Curry came close, diving in on a ball after good work on the left by Gaz Weir. However, Chiswick's goal had given them a sense of greater urgency, and with the final touch of the game, they claimed an equaliser. Not a classic, and frustrating to not leave with a victory, but, later on in the bar the consensus was we should not have been disappointed with the performance. TFC. TH.

Team: Andrew Eames, Gareth Weir, David Casement, Oliver Morgan, Chris Smith, Gregg McAlister, Joel Burrows, Tim Howarth, James Ireson, Andy Balchin, David Weir, Tom Curry, Chris Roberts.

Scorers: Andy Balchin, Tom Curry.

Man of the Match: Andy Balchin.

Umpires: were present

29-30 January

Men's 1s vs. Brighton: lost 2-3

With thoughts of promotion postponed until next year following the previous two results, we hosted the league leaders Brighton. The standard of hockey was good, with high quality passing and finishing at both ends. Clichéd football commentators might have reported a 'rough and tumble' affair, with neither team taking a backward step, but it was generally played in a fair, competitive spirit. The umpires, eager to attract the attention of the crowd, made their mark with various flashes of green and yellow. 15 minutes into the game, our normally dependable Aussie touring pro, Dave Weir, had a rare moment of madness, pulling off an interception with the back of the stick, earning five minutes on the side of the pitch for his efforts. In the second half, Brighton's veteran Armenian international, Carlo Missirian was to be given the same treatment as he questioned the clarity of the umpire's thinking - a theme that was consistent throughout the game. At the final whistle it was 3-2 to the visitors, THD's goals coming through the ever dangerous Tom Curry and Olly Morgan, while Chris 'Rab' Roberts provided vital resistance in goal - they shared the man of the match award for their endeavour. Another disappointing result, but to have the league leaders under enough pressure to be throwing the ball into our corner for the final 15 minutes suggests another good performance. TFC. TH.

Team: Andrew Eames, Gareth Weir, David Casement, Oliver Morgan, Chris Smith, Gregg McAlister, Joel Burrows, Tim Howarth, Andy Balchin, David Weir, Tom Curry, Tom Cross, Chris Roberts.

Scorers: Tom Curry and Olly Morgan.

Umpires: Took abuse

Next Match: Saturday 5 February vs. Staines - away

Men's 2's: No game

Next match: Saturday 5th February vs. Maidenhead - away

Men's 3s vs. Old Loughtonians: drew 4-4

It has to be said a ticket to watch the 3s is never a waste of money. We started well and scored an early goal through Nick "if ya gonna score, best make it look good" Harris and followed up by a second through Nick J. Going in at half time two up, we needed to kill off the game in the second half. A trait we don't possess and when they were awarded a flick the whole tempo of the game change. One short corner and a lovely passing move later we were 3-2 down. An equaliser followed in style as Geoff hammered the ball inches over the goal line for a lesson in clinical finishing for any of the young pikeys watching. Step up Nick J to meg the keeper and score what looked like the winner only for them to score in the dying minutes to cap a frustrating afternoon for us. (CC)

Team: Jeremy Porter, Wesley Cole, Thom Ruane, Guy Hodgson, Fergus Jagger, Chris Coleman, Will Atkinson, David Fogden, Nick Harris, Julian Taylor, Geoff Pritchard Nick Jacob.

Scorers: Nick Harris, Nick Jacob 2, Geoff Pritchard.

Next match: Saturday 5th February vs. Maidenhead Mystics - 13.30 @ Crystal Palace Bar Pitch

Tornados vs. Old Loughtonians: won 5-0

Old Loughts cancelled on Friday afternoon so like a 1950s housewife it was a walkover. (MJ)

Next match: Saturday 5th January vs. Maidenhead - 12.00 away

Men's 5s vs. Southgate Goblets: drew 2-2

For a while it looked as if our chances had been scuppered by a 13-year-old. The pocket playmaker is unlikely to be hassling ageing 5th team midfielders for much longer, but on Saturday he relished the opportunity and fired an unstoppable shot past keeper Paul Reid. At 2-1 to the hosts, and with Help the Aged about to be called, midfielder Mark Lay nipped in for a face-saving leveler and round off this entertaining end-to-end encounter. It was probably the right outcome, but a Southgate team packed with kids - and one bloke more our age - performed well above their lowly league position. Their efforts were thwarted by a fine effort from Kiwi keeper Reid and the rest of the defence while Harry did well going forward on his debut for the 5s, scoring an early goal and being involved in some of our best moves. (GE)

Team: Paul Reid, Vish Phakey, Richard Batty, Stuart Craig, Billy Dowie, Graeme Evans, Simon Canter, Mark Annear, Dominic Peyton, Oliver Walton, Mark Nash, Mark Lay, Harry.

Scorers: Harry, Mark L.

MoTM: Graeme

Next game: Saturday 12th February vs. St Albans Citizens - 14.00 away

Men's 6s vs. Old Loughtonians Loppers: won 3-1

Next match: Saturday 5 February vs. Maidenhead - away

Women's 2s vs. Oxted 1s: drew 1-1

A long way from home, on a cold and frosty morning, 12 of us went to take on Oxted who beat us last year and tower 4 places above us. Reinforcement from Martha, EJ and Charley was much appreciated, it was a pleasure to have them. For the entire first half we looked distinctly the superior team, leaving George looking positively chilly in the onion bag. We passed the ball accurately and utilised the back pass to keep plenty of width and depth all over the pitch, stretching them as a team and hence playing our game. The forward line worked tirelessly, however, I lost count of the number of short corners we won and missed mainly due to the fact their goalie had been warming up since Friday night, and was ready for all the great shots we threw at her. We really should have been 3 up by the half time whistle, in fact there nearly was no half time whistle as their umpire knelt behind me to do up his laces on the sideline and I took an almighty swipe at the ball! They were almost one down! Second half proved to be a lot more interesting and nail biting from our point of view. Their coach obviously said something interesting/motivational at half time, coaxing Oxted into a frenzy of attacking power. George was rudely awoken in the first few minutes by much more smooth and positive attacking on our goal. They put a lot of pressure on us, unlike the first half. Half way through the half their short corner took a deflection from the defensive runners stick and was then powered home by an Oxted forward. They continued to pile on the pressure but George responded with the save of the season so far; somehow she scooped the ball off the line from the wrong side of the goal saving what could easily have been the decider. We took the chance to fight back, it was end to end stuff, with more short corners at both ends. Due to the battling mid-field the final minute saw 2 short corners, and with 15 seconds to go The Crawford sent home a well deserved equaliser Southampton style, Kato was twirled round on the sideline and sighs of relief resounded around Oxted. MOTM was George: however, I think everyone was great. (KB)

Team: George Sykes, Alex Crawford, Lucy Muldoon, EJ Barry, Kate Blumer, Claudie Sellers, Liz Young, Charley Williams, Zoey Handforth, Emma Kitley, Rosie Carter, Martha Harvey-Jones.

Scorer: Alex Crawford.

Umpire: Gordon Nurse.

Women's 3s vs. London University: lost 0-6

What has happened to students? This was a 10.30 start. They were supposed to be ragged and hung over, blurry-eyed and half asleep. We wish! And who was their number 9?! It started pretty well. We held them for 20 minutes and did ok, but then started to unravel. Out of the six, 2 were great goals - especially the last. Krystyna played great in goal making some excellent saves. And we had enough short corners - before we were way down - to have scored a few ourselves. But it wasn't to be. We did some great stuff - all of us - but then we gave the ball away. Not sure why. Early morning team we ain't! Jo had an excellent first half, Cath and Lou did sterling work and all the forwards worked hard. For me Harriet was the player of the match - she ran and ran and worked tirelessly for what must have seemed little reward. We will miss you this week. (JR)

Team: Krystyna, Joanna Reynolds, Lou Curry, Karen Dodds, Cath Garvey, Harriet Gallagher-Powell, Jo de Silva, Beth Little, Ros Hornsby, Sarah Conibear, Erica Goldsmith, Sophie Carter.

Umpire: Mark Jones

Next match: Saturday 5th February vs. Woking Vets - 14.30 away at Goldsworth park

Women's 4s vs. Richmond: lost 0-2

Yet another game we didn't deserve to lose, everyone said so - though that is definitely not making us feel better. Everyone played really well again & whether it was that they were more used to the bobbletastic water based surface or just better than us they put two past us. It's getting depressing now but we are not letting our heads drop yet. We WILL have a win this season, less scoring off the pitch ladies and more on it! (MS)

Team: Vix Streatfield (GK); Mel Rees; Nikki Smithies; Anna Stuttard; Rosie Le Voir; Helen Clarke; Lyns Bilsland; Linds McLaren; Adele; Marie Smith; Andrea Vicari (MOTM)

Next match: Saturday 5 February vs. Wimbledon 3s - home

Women's 5s vs. Addiscombe 2s: drew 1-1

Team 5 had been hoping for a resounding win following the disappointing draw on the last encounter. At half time, success looked promising following an excellent goal from Andrea and assisted by Ash. But Addiscombe had pulled up their socks in anticipation of playing the league's legends and the defence lead by Jean did well to hold back the onslaught as Bridget took a surprising fall. In the second half Team 5 reluctantly conceded an unstoppable short. Great games from Sarah and Rachael. (KD)

Team: Ash McDonald, Jean Sutton, Alice, Rachael Fallows, Sarah Smith, Andrea Beattie, Faith, Wendy, Penny, Kathryn O, Bridget.

Scorer: Andrea.

Umpire: Faith's boyfriend

Next match: Saturday 5th February vs. Purley Walcountians 4s - away

Women's 6s vs. Reigate 4s: lost 0-6

Well, I think we get the prize for the most erratic scorelines in the club ! Was a difficult week with a shortage on umpires, goalies and players so we knew that it was likely to be a game of survival rather than glory - Reigate are our main competitor in the league and having beat them last time round it was certain they'd be out to score well against us. Thankfully due to last minute volunteering from Vicki no. 2 and two of our 14 year old juniors I at least turned up to the game with a side of 11 players, including Mae who very kindly offered to goalie. As usual we held out well in the first half keeping them to 1-0, and I think Reigate were a bit surprised and rattled to begin with. Our defence worked really hard and Mae did a couple of outstanding saving dives - very impressive for her first time ever in goals. However, something happened in the second half - still don't think we know what(!) - and 4 goals were fired in in quick succession as Reigate got into a comfort zone. Unfortunately, though we had a few breaks up front we didn't really manage to get close to their D - and were probably getting ourselves entrenched in defensive mode - there's only so many times you can run from the back to the front of the pitch without falling in a heap! The final score was actually 5-0 but by the time it came to sign off I didn't feel that it was worth arguing over - especially as they had provided the umpire - can't really argue with that! Anyway, another lesson learned and hopefully never another recruiting week like last week! (MM)

Team: Mae MacDougall, Tish, Fi Mullender, Gemma Robinson, Kate Straker, Jenna, Laura Matthews, Sam Ratnayake, Vicki, Michelle Morgan, Vicki Wright.

Next match: Saturday 5th February vs. Byfleet Ramblers 3s - 16.30 @ CPB

Dragons vs. Spencer: drew 2-2

A nice late start to a Hollywood blockbuster of a match. Many of the 'usual suspects' were missing, however, the match couldn't have been 'closer'. It was an important match that the Dragons were 'desperado' not to suffer the 'stigmata' of losing again. Spencer had an interesting choice of kit but they looked 'pretty in pink' nonetheless. 'The lost boys', Aido, Lee & JC hadn't turned up by pushback and it was clear that the oppo were made up of a lot of 'young guns' who were 'in a league of their own' but we kept ourselves within 'striking distance'. At half time we went through the usual 'dogma' but after the break we kept 'dead calm' and threw 'the full monty' at them. It was a real 'cliffhanger' and at 2-1 down Aido missed claiming a brace from 'grosse point blank', many thought that maybe this was 'as good at it gets'. Fortunately, EJ made a great run 'north by northwest' and passed to Norris who unleashed a 'titanic' strike to draw level... 2-2 was the 'scream' from the dragons. By the end of the game there was no arguing that 'it's a mad, mad, mad, mad world' but certainly 'it's a wonderful life'. (MJ)

Team: Jeremy Porter (GK), MJ, JC, Aidan Brock, Lee Snowden, James Kirby, Mike Kirby, Gareth Norris, EJ, Anna Stuttard, Lindsey McLaren, Pollyanna Hooley, Sara Smith & Lou Curry.

Scorers: Aidan Brock & Gareth Norris.

Umpire: Si Newell

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