Fri 11-Dec-09
Issue 11
Match Reports | New Kit Discount | Subs | Dragons Drinks
This week was very good overall for Tulse Hill and Dulwich. More wins and draws on the board for many of the sides
The Women's 1s start their indoor hockey campaign and faced some tough opposition against East Grinstead 1s. Next week, they play at The Edge Leisure Centre in Surrey. It is their annual indoor tournament day. We wish them all the best!
A few of the teams seem to be in the festive mood. See the match reports of the Women's 3s and Women's 6s. In particular the Women's 6s re-wrote a recent Cheryl Cole hit, and they have included a link to the video, so you can listen to it in the background.
The coming week is the last week of games for the remaining teams before Christmas. See you all in 2010. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Ramana Thirumoorthy - Editor
Training has now ended for 2009 - Training starts again w/c 04-Jan-10
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12-Dec-09
Dragons Xmas Drinks
Time to celebrate as the year is almost at a close and the hockey has ceased for the winter break. Why not come along a make a different kind of pass!?! All welcome... you don't have to play mixed to join in the fun!
Drinks: The Florence, Herne Hill
Dodgy dancing: The Swan, Stockwell
From 7.30pm in the Florence... or earlier!!!!
For further information contact dragons@thehockeyclub.co.uk |
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Last chance for discount on New Club Kit...
The new kit is optional for the 2009/10 season & will become compulsory from the start of the 2010/11 season.
The kit is discounted until the end of 2009 to encourage people to make the switch as soon as possible - last cahnce to get your kit at a discount.
Purchasing Kit
To purchase any items....
Kit |
Price |
*New* Home Grays Shirt |
£24 |
*New* Away/Mixed/Dragons Shirt |
£24 |
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FINAL NOTICE
Subs are OVERDUE
Anyone with unpaid subs CANNOT play!
The deadline for subs has now passed. Anyone who has still not paid their subs needs to contact their respective club captain.
Full details at http://www.thehockeyclub.co.uk/aboutus/fees.shtml
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This weeks match reports from the THD Teams in action.
Reports by: Andrew Mowat, Mike Killen, Wesley Cole, Charlie Krasun, Billy Dowie, Mark Annear, Oliver Clark, Kate Selway, Georgie Phillips, Lindsey MacLaren, Helen Fermor, Sarah W & Bridget Easton.
Mens Section
Mens 1s vs. Maidstone: Lost 3-4
The crowd were treated to a 7 goal thriller on Saturday, unfortunately resulting 4-3 to the opposition.
The match was delayed by 45 mins as one of the umpires failed to turn up, meaning even with the '12th' man of our very own President umpiring! (Gordon did a great job stepping in at the last minute in all seriousness), we still failed to capitalize on home advantage. This certainly was not through a lack of trying though.
THD got off to a terrible start, and we found ourselves 3-0 down within 20 minutes. A few tweaks here and there to the THD tactics, and we clawed ourselves back into it with a patient well worked goal finished off by Matt H. However a couple of more tweaks in the hamstrings of Brownie and Mowser, meant THD had to face the second half with only 11 men and no substitutes.
THD M1's did us proud in the 2nd half. Some fantastic build up and switches of play largely due to our fullbacks, Gavin and Smudge, pushing up to be more attack minded, coupled with the unquestionable work rate of Matt H in midfield and Simon B, Tom and Fred holding the ball up much better, saw THD really pin back the opposition and ensuring 70/30 possession in our favour 2nd half. THD really hammered the Maidstone goal, with high intensity play and incredible skills on show in the final third creating chance after chance, and dominating the game. Goals from Fred and a superb finish from silky Simon B, were not enough in the end, as the clinical opposition secured another fast breakaway goal to seal the win, and THD were left to rue their below par first 20 minutes.
If THD can continue to learn how to dominate games as a team unit, especially right from the first whistle, and play every week like we did in the 2nd half on Saturday, then there is no reason why we won't climb the table and eradicate the inconsistency that has only managed a bottom half points tally so far. This inconsistency, arguably, has been a product of the painful yet necessary steps forward that we have been taking each week under Hoppo's guidance in terms of the gelling of the team, the vast improvement in our style of play and the increased confidence in ourselves and our team mates so far this season.
A 2nd half performance to be proud of, and a big step in the right direction in terms of dominating the play. Let's focus on repeating that in both the 1st and 2nd half next time! (AM)
Squad: Piggy, Smudge, Browny, Hoppo, Will N, Mowser, Matt H, Gavin, Simon B, Gougho, Fred, Bino, Tom A
Scorers: Simon Broadway, Fred Foey, Matt Hann
MOTM: Fred
TFC: Tom (turned up wearing top gun shades and pyjamas)
Next match: Away vs. Banbury
Mens 2s vs. Old Loughtonians 2s: Lost 0-3
This week we hosted the league leaders who were looking to complete the
first half of the season's fixtures undefeated. A neutral looking at the
league table would definitely have called an away win but having executed a
smash and grab victory in pre-season on their patch the visitors were
surely aware that that they weren't going to pick up points with ease this
week.
Conceding a short corner within 10 seconds was not part of the match plan
but that went unconverted and THD then produced easily the best half of
hockey seen this season. Seeing the team finally playing to their potential
was a thing of beauty and the opposition were clearly rattled by the
bossing they were getting from South London's finest. Unfortunately the
half time scoreline did not reflect the reality. A ricocheted shot smacked
straight into Mike's knee resulting harshly in a flick being awarded and
duly despatched. Then just before half-time a slight lapse of communication
resulted in soft goal from a broken down short corner.
The two goal cushion seemd to provide the visitors with some confidence and
the home side lost some of the patience that was prevalant before the
break. Chasing the game we won numerous short corners as Andy worked his
socks off in the middle of the pitch but rather uncharacteristically we
failed to convert any of them. At some point they got a third - the details
of which elude me - and that was the final nail in the coffin.
0-3 is a scoreline that is disappointingly incongruous with the performance
and if we use that as a springboard then this team will finish comfortably
in the top half off this league.
Team: Sheldon, Coleman, Robby, Seamus, Guy, Mike, Bungle, Andy, Ginge,
Timmy, Butty, Fez, Nick
Umpires: Jonesy and Aido
MoM: Andy
TFC: Ginge
Next match: Home vs. Surbiton 3s, 1230hrs, DC
Mens 3s vs. Old Loughtonians 3s (Foresters): Drew 2-2
As with many of our games over the last few weeks the winner was not us. However despair not as with each week we continue to find form and occasionally discover the answer to life's big questions. This week we were close to finding the location of the Holy Grail and the meaning of life but instead we discovered something far more important. How to silence Snowy.
Yes that's right, listen up all umpires, players, barmen, friends and countrymen.
Early in the first half of a tough encounter which we lost 5-2 in preseason, the game started to hot up. Heavy handed tackling in midfield raised pulses which brought the first tirade of commentary from Snowy towards the umpire. The umpire's response was unique. "**** *** you little **** you were in no way near the ball, now **** *** and don't say a word to me again all game". Special.
But it worked in our favour. We respected the umpires from then on, the oppo didn't so much and landed themselves in trouble in the first half when their centre forward had a rant and launched his stick 30 yrds over the baseline in a fit of rage narrowly missing Tim and Wes.
Short corners sealed us two goals and we were caught on the break on two occasions leveling the scores. Snowy and Sparky drove the right well causing their left back issues. Wes and Darren peppered the D with crosses from the left but couldn't break a tough Loughts defence. A controversial THD goal was ruled out with ten minutes to go as our short corner was lifted into the defender and from then on it was a stalemate.
So halfway in the season and we find ourselves in the same position as last yr, 2nd bottom. We need to convert the draws into wins to close a tight league down.
Thanks to Old Loughts for a good encounter and for watering the pitch with sewage turning my kit into mould. (WC)
Squad: Steve (GK), John, Tim, Wes, Snowy, Foggy, Ducky, Sparky, Rob, Darren, Sam
Scorers: Rob and Snowy
MOTM: Darren for an excellent, hard working job both up front & in midfield.
TFC: Wes for striking the ball so cleanly in the 2nd half but never actually finding anyone & almost losing his face to the kid's flying stick!
Next match: Away vs. PHC Chiswick 2s
Tornados vs. Old Loughtonians 4s: Won 3-2
Another frustrating performance but, for the first time in 3 weeks, a result. We started slowly but, even at 70 percent, passed our way part an ageing OL team for rob to convert. 1-0. Then, as ever, we got lazy and nervous and threw away two goals... one admittedly to a classy finish.
As is now customary, strong words at half time. There were three proper incidents in the second half: wilsh being hit sickeningly on the knee, a good calm goal from zesh and, almost immediately, the winner after a counter from the left. Far be it from me to dwell on the killer ball that played rob in... Hold onto your stick. Won 3-2.(CK)
Squad: Si Bailey, Charlie, MJ, Tom, Wilsh, Pully, Big Fish, Ben Protheroe, Rob Tuer, Alex Bristow, Zesh Sadique, Wardrobe, Fents & Aido
Scorers: Ben, Rob Tuer (2)
MOTM: Rob Tuer
TFC: Ben Protheroe
Next match: Home vs. Surbiton 5s, 1100hrs, DC
Diamonds vs. Old Loughtonians Gunners: Drew 1-1
A hard-fought draw against a Gunners side (who would have been top of the division if they'd won) only emphasised our erratic form. We set off with a new formation and found ourselves comfortably on an equal footing throughout the game. We built from a base of rock-solid tackling at the back and down the middle, and Marc in particular revelled in the space he found in right midfield.
Chances were few and far between - hardly surprising as our new set-up was intended to strengthen the back and midfield - but on this form, they should come more regularly against lesser opposition. 10 minutes into the second half, Phil found James at the top of the D; he worked himself some space before striking a sweet drive just inside the post to give us the lead. We held on to it until four minutes from the end, finally succumbing to a ten minute spell of intense Gunners pressure, with a string of shorts and hits inside the 25.
As Tim said after the game, it's difficult to know what to attribute our improvement to - the new formation, the three new faces in the line-up, or our known propensity to play properly against better opposition. Time will tell.(BD)
Squad: Steve Butcher, Tom Illingworth, Trem Parvin, Rob Patrick, Graeme Evans, Marc Antoine, Adam Smith, Phil Fishwick, Tim Harris, Irfan Begg, Joe Del Greco, James Casey
Scorers: James Casey
Umpires: Billy Dowie
Next match: Away vs. Old Loughtonians 4s
Royals vs. THD Saracens: Lost 1-2
First, the plaudits - the Saracens fully deserved to take something from this match. They played as a team, as their excellent keeper Joe Boylan described "with fireworks up their arse", and were vastly a better side than that we had met some seven weeks ago. Their defence was better marshalled, their midfield always on hand to assist, and they rode their luck to a creditable result.
Having said this, the Royals still retained enough composure to lay siege to the Saracens' 23 for almost the entire second half, luck and fortitude ultimately denying us the chance to level and, theoretically, take the lead. It might be no exaggeration to suggest that, in terms of chances had (and chances profligately surrendered), the Royals had vastly the better of the play. We were just unable to make that count.
Of course, this is never the end of the story - as ever with matches the Royals are involved in there was a hidden subtext. In this case, luck played a part - but then as so ever, you make your own luck. Had we run out to compete at that short corner which was awarded when a Saracens player lifted the ball first into his own body and then into Tim's foot, we might not have conceded the initial goal; had Ed and I played to the whistle rather than stopping at the critical ball-on-to-foot obviousness that gained the attentions of everyone in the vicinity apart from the two people who - at that moment - actually counted, we ought not to have conceded that second; had we, in a microcosm of our season thus far, cared about the match as much as our opponents then we might have got more of a result; had more attention been paid to what was going on, then the midfield would not have turned into a bloody war of attrition and flailing weaponry for which we - ultimately - paid the bitter price.
Disappointing barely covers it. It was just poor. (MA)
Squad: Jon Bayliss (c), Ed Taylor Jones, Oli Carruthers, Ollie Norris, Keith Howick, Adrian Leung, Tim Smith, Adam Bond, Steve Walsh, Rob Thomas, James Perrott, Robbie Fleck, Lee Tearle, Mark Annear (14)
Scorers: Steve Walsh
MOTM: A good match had by the opposing goalkeeper, Joe Boylan, who earned praise from the Royals. Similar recognition was won by Steve Walsh, scoring on his return to the side, James Perrott who ran a lot, and Mark Annear. Winner though was Ed Taylor Jones, with a creditable performance at both right back and in midfield.
Special Moment of the Match: Unfortunately the entire Royals squad was "special" on this occasion, not least the attack who singularly failed to convert more than one of their chances. James Perrott's especially special game in midfield and Rob Thomas' very early special waft and miss saw them edging out other team mates for this special award - although they were clearly not the most special people on the pitch. Thierry Henry and Martin Hansson were not involved in this match, but it might have felt as if their examples had been followed to the D. Life must go on, and the lessons learnt from this most ignominious of matches.
Umpires: Simon Wilshire and Mark Pulford
Next match: Away vs. Southgate Goblets
Saracens vs. THD Royals: Won 2-1
Troy vs. Greece. David vs. Goliath. Sparta vs. Persia. All of these epic conflicts have one thing in common; they all pale into insignificance when compared to Saturday's crunch match between the Saracens and the Royals.
Learning from our defeats over the last couple of weeks, the pre-match talk was focused on doing the basics and doing them well. Despite the new magnetic tactics clipboard (thanks Tim), we went for a no-nonsense 4-4-2. We were given pushback and started strong and quickly, mounting up pressure immediately. After a scuffle in their D about 10 minutes in (off a short corner I think?) Ben eventually got the ball over their line after 2 others had tried about 5 swings at it each. This settled us and we then proceeded to play the sort of hockey we have been trying to play all season - everyone put in tireless work to support the man on the ball and offer the easy pass. We were not afraid to play backwards and build an attack rather than just smacking the ball speculatively up the pitch. A couple of times the Royals threatened as they were very good at attacking on quick breaks if they turned over possession, but our defence held firm and again provided us with a base on which we could mount an attack. This pressure eventually told and after their keeper saved a shot, Ladi was there to clean up the rebound and slotted home our second.
The Royals were down but by no means out and a couple of minutes before half time they won a free hit just outside our 25. Their centre mid threaded a very neat ball through to one of their forwards who got an amazing touch on it which sent it just round Joe into the very corner of our goal. Awesome skill or a gift from Lady Luck - the jury is still out on that one. Anyway, that left it 2-1 at half time with everything still very much to play for.
In the second half we played as we had in the first, with everyone continuing to work hard to offer simple offloads for the man on the ball. However Jon must have given the Royals some of Asterix's magic potion in their half-time water, because they came out all guns blazing in what we decided must have been a 2-2-6 formation. This mean they were camped in our 25 for large periods of the half as we struggled to get the ball out to our forwards and relieve the pressure. This formation left them a little vulnerable however and we put our pace to good use with a couple of quick breaks which resulted in 2 noteworthy performances - firstly Ladi ended up 1 on 1 with the keeper and thought the sensible thing to do was try to score over by the corner flag. Enjoy the Pink Headband of Shame (see DoD section below.). The other ended up in the ball being played to Nick who was completely free and past the keeper on their far post. If only he had connected with the ball.
Time and again the Royals surged forward, only to crash on the cliffs of the mighty Saracens defence, any of whom would have been a deserving Man of the Match. Ali put in many hard yards running 1 for our short corner defence until he ended up wearing one of their shots and had to go off. Niteen performed a textbook square cut to bat away yet another shot off the line and keep our goal un-breeched. Rob seemed to be able to get to any attacker who dared to possess the ball, and Mark and Tim rotated on the left to keep the wily Ollie Norris under wraps. Top work all round lads. Another honourable mention goes to new James who had an excellent debut at left wing.
Let's keep this momentum into next week - if we play like that every week then we can beat any team in our league. Bring on promotion! (OC)
Squad: Joe (GK), Mark, Rob, Ali, Tim, Niteen, Ben, Laurie, Oli (C), new James, James T, Ladi, Nick
Scorers: Ben, Ladi
Manager/Supporter/Team Captain: Ian
MOTM: Rob for his excellent defensive work, but it could have been any of the defence or in fact anyone who played!
TFC: it was a close call, and no-one really deserved it, but Ladi got it for getting lost in the oppo 25
Umpires: Wilsh and one of the other Tornados whose name I have forgotten - sorry! Thanks guys. (- Ed. It was Mark Pulford! See Royals' match report.)
Next match: Home vs. Spencer Spitfires, 1400hrs, DC
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Womens Section
Indoor
Womens 1s vs. East Grinstead 1s: Lost 3-9
For some reason our league organisers think it is sensible to have a 2 month gap in the middle our season, and therefore we have to occupy ourselves between 28th November and the 30th January. Obviously Christmas is a useful distraction, New Year can be fun and there is always skiing I suppose but unfortunately none of that stops us from piling on the pounds. And believe me the new skorts are tight enough....so we entered in the South League Indoor Hockey Tournament to be held on the 12th December in Haslemere. Thinking that it might actually be a little silly to just rock up at that tournament will no real clue of what we were doing we thought we would enter a friendly warm up tournament in East Grinstead on 6th December and recruit some expert coaches to take along with us.
Yes that would have been a nice idea. Instead 8 of us set off for East Grinstead with Timmy and Piggy in tow dressed very smartly in shirts and ties and bowler hats, and drinking White Russian from their water bottles. So picture the scene, if you will. The National League teams we were playing in the tournament all had squads of 16ish, rolled on and off continuously and had a plethora of coaching staff and white boards on the sidelines directing them. There were 8 of us and we had Timmy and Piggy applying tour rules through a White Russian induced fog so that you only got a break if you were injured / cocked up / begged.
Suffice to say we did lose all 3 games but do you know what, we were not bad at all. I would even go as far to say we were looking good by the 3rd game... managing to score a load of goals and looking pretty awesome at times. However, I can't really remember the results as the only thing that sticks in my mind is Timmy and Piggy's inspired moment of comedy. The umpires had informed them prior to the tournament starting that as coaches they could call a "Timeout" at anytime. They were allowed to stop play and have 2 minutes with their team. So there we were, 2 mins and 16 seconds from the end of the final game against the well polished East Grinstead National League Indoor side and trailing 7-3. Suddenly Timmy and Piggy called a "Timeout" and burst on to the pitch resplendent in their shirts and ties and smelling of milk. East Grinstead were suitably baffled and their entire squad huddled together to discuss tactics whilst viewing multiple whiteboards. Timmy declared we needed to score 5 goals in the remaining 2mins 16sec of play in order to win. We thanked him for this fabulous information and quizzed him as to why they had called a "Timeout"?. The answer was obvious when you think about it..."Because I could". Nice touch.
Next week we are off to the Indoor South League but much to our dispair will be without our two favourite looney bins...will let you know how we get on! (EJB)
Squad: Dulcie, Julia, EJ, Kath, Clare, Annabel, Bee, Ellie
Results: Lost 3-1, 9-3 and can't remember
TFC: Timmy and Piggy who were magnificent. You can be my wingmen anytime.
Next match: South Clubs' Women's Indoor League, The Edge Leisure Centre, GU27 1QB
Womens 2s vs. Cheam 1s: Lost 0-1
On a dark and windy late afternoon in Cheam, the 2s battled valiantly to reverse their recent fortunes. Much appreciated assistance was had from Dulcie, Kath and Sophie on the pitch, and from Will and Gemma on the sidelines. Missing from the back line-up was Muldoon, serving out her red card suspension away from all things astroturf and umpires.
It was a hard fought contest throughout. Not long into the first half, as Dulcie shouted authoritatively "Mine!", I fumbled indecisively with the ball and watched helplessly as it dribbled past Dulcie into the goal. The nearest Cheam themselves got to a goal was a few minutes later when Ellie bravely placed her head in the firing line and stopped dead a certain goal. just north west of her left ear. She will tell you she was ducking to avoid it, but it looked like a definite Glaswegian handshake from where I was standing. Dulcie saved the flick and in the succeeding minutes dealt decisively with the other attacks that came her way.
We ramped up the pressure in the second half, notching up half a dozen short corners to their zero, but failing to capitalise on any of these set piece opportunities. Several near misses in open play only added to our collective frustration. Biba played like a woman possessed in the last 10 minutes of the game. The Cheam defenders struggled for composure as the world began to turn in on them. But they were saved by the whistle and we must turn to our Christmas festivities with the uncomfortable truth that we are lying 8th in a table that we were topping this time last year. (KS)
Team: Dulcie, Kath, Sophie, Kato, Ellie, Jeavs, Biba, Rach, Alice, Tash, Harriet
Umpire: Mark Jones
TFC: Will & Gemma, Rach's parents, Steve Carter
Next match: Christmas Break
Womens 3s vs. Purley Walcountians 1s: Won 2-1
Some urgent points were needed on the board by the 3s this week so with this in mind there was no messing around.... time to get serious!!!
With the dream team consisting of only 11 members this week we set out with only one thing in mind... WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN!
Fantastic team work, skills and short sharp passing saw us dominating the game with the majority of possession and numerous shots on goal. A sneaky pass and skillful pop around the keeper by Julia saw our first goal before half time. Little did most of us know until teas at the clubhouse but Purley's goal shortly afterwards (which from the midfield position I have to say looked pretty impressive) was in fact scored by none other than our own Lindsey McLaren!! Nice one Linds! Luckily for her Julia was able to pull another one out the bag in the second half and secure our 2-1 win... phew. Great calling from the back by sweeper Lucy and immense pressure and marking from Linds, Kat and Emma ensured little possession and much frustration for the Purley forwards.
Well played everyone. I am very proud! (GP)
And here's a festive little number! (to the tune of 'The First Noel').
The First Goal,
That Purley did score,
Was a bad little flick from McLaren, oh no!
Out-field we played on and passed like a dream,
Which resulted in Julia diving for the team,
Goal, Goal, Goal, Goal
Drawn, it remained at the half-time whistle.
The Second Goal,
That we put away,
Was ingenious hockey that sealed victory,
From the backs, to the mids and a nice little pass,
Meant Julia dribbled around the keeper's pads
Goal, Goal, Goal, Goal,
No points for Purley at the final whistle. (LC)
Squad: Linds, Ellie, Lucy, Kat, Julia, Sunny, Helen S, Helen M, Emma B, Emma P and Georgie
Scorers: Julia (2)
MOTM: Julia (2)
Umpires: Tim Sylvester and Mark Annear
Next match: Home vs. Old Cranleighans 1s, 1100hrs, JAGS
Womens 4s vs. Barnes Hounslow Ealing Vets: Drew 1-1
Unfortunately the 4s have found themselves in a losing rut, so every game we hope we can get out of it and return to the winning form we had earlier in the season.
So you would think we would rock up with bags of enthusiasm, but alas the xmas season is upon us - so you can just picture the 4s turning up post xmas parties with hangovers and the oppo all completely hangover free (they have a decade or two on us and rather than bring hangovers to the game they bring their kids).
Now you might be thinking the age difference would go in our favour, but the vets are currently sitting 2nd in the division and are pretty much unbeaten. This shows straight away, as we find ourselves having to work hard in defence to keep close to our players. They certainly like running around a lot and are pretty good at making quick runs on goal. The hangovers seem to be under control though and we make life difficult for them. Our passing is back on form (the last few games it has been missing) and we have plenty of attacks on their goal. We then get a deserved goal and special mention has to go to the goalscorer Mary, who 30min before was asleep in the changing room and could hardly even speak let alone get a goal!
The vets were a little ruffled and in turn their game got nasty. They are known for their love of stick tackling and trying to trip the oppo up. They succeeded in tripping me up, practically landing horizontally where they lifted my feet, and then 10 mins later doing the same to
Lynne - not the two girls to pick on really! Amongst the shoving they broke through and had a good strike on goal which meant we were now one all. Half time passed and for the rest of the game we kept on at them, worked hard, and spent most of the game in their half but the winning goal eluded us. Final score was 1-1 and it was good to get a point from a strong team. Next week has got to be a win if we can play like that again. Big thanks to emily who was our goalie, she did a great job.
Team: Ash, Susannah, Helen B, Lynne, Alanna, Mary, Lucy, Abi, Helen F, Charlotte (Gk) Kirsty, Michelle
Scorer: Mary
Next match: Our postponed game against Camberley and Frimley Saturday 12th Dec at 2.30pm away
Next match: Christmas Break
Womens 5s vs. Bank of England 1s: Lost 1-5
Firstly, it's going to be a struggle to write a match report due to a my slight lack of memory of the game…It's easy to momentarily forget why one ought not to play when hungover /and/or drunk.
It was a hard game, for a team that don't train together, Bank played very well and, they instantly initially took hold of the game. They passed fluidly and they passed around us and continually switching the ball around the back which caused a lot of problems, causing our defence to fall to pieces.
Some quick 'encouragement' from Katie of “get on your player”…”no closer, stand on her” tightened our defence and we started to get opportunities to a break down their attacks and get into their half.
At half time we were down 5-1 (I think) but we all felt that this no longer reflected the balance of play and the morale was low. By the second half we had got a grip of the game and started to dominate, keeping hold of the possession and opening space with our passing. The goals, however, did not come, we could not get the ball in the net, partially due to an interesting selections of forwards who consequently missed some absolute sitters. (For which they were duly fined later!).
All our defence had an outstanding game particularly in the second half when no goals were scored (again I'm not sure if that correct but it sounds good).
Laura's hard work was rewarded with player of the match and Flo came a close second. A fact she would not drop later at our xmas meal, it was despite it being pointed out that 2nd place is in fact first loser and she was beaten by a someone half her age, who outshone her with technical ability and just generally made some effort.
Although we lost, a lot of positives came from out of the game. In the in our second half we played quality hockey and we are starting to function effectively together as a team. I'm sure the New Year will bring us some more victories. (Sarah W)
Team: Kate S, Katie S, Heidi , Flo, Vikki, Zoe, Rachael, Emily, Laura, Charlotte, Clare, Andrea.
Scorer: Vikki
MOM: Laura
Next match: 9 January (Friendly)
Womens 6s vs. Old Georgians 3s: Drew 1-1
Fight For This Game
*Read to the tune of Cheryl Cole's 'Fight for this Love'
Too much losing can make you sick, even we were getting bored. Made it hard to get up each week, but finally the forwards are starting to score.
It's getting better, well not worse, we're no longer in reverse, and we're getting good at passing backwards.
Now there's only one way for us to go, our scorelines gonna grow, 2010 will be a real show.
Staying in division 9, is sure enough worth fighting for, quittings out of the question, when we get back we've got to fight some more.
We got to fight fight fight fight fight for this game,
We got to fight fight fight fight fight for this game,
We got to fight fight fight fight fight for this game,
If it's worth playing it's worth fighting for!
On a serious note, our last game before Christmas saw the Women's 6s draw for the second week in a row. Old Georgians put up a tough fight but the promise of mulled wine on the side line kept us focused and fighting until the last minute. We kept the score line even until the second half when OG got a lucky goal but thanks to some great passing and utilising our 2-on-1s we equalised shortly after. We break for Christmas on a high and ready to start winning when we return in January. Big thanks to our supporters on Saturday and Hayley for her grand return!! (BE)
Squad: Ellie, Clare M, Hannah, Len, Olivia, Katie, Kate S, Katie S, Sarah, Mags, Ellie, Claire D, Hayley, Bridget
Scorers: Bridget
MOTM: Olivia
Umpires: Chris & Ferret
Next match: Christmas Break
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Mixed Section
Dragons: No match.
Next match: Home vs. London Edwardians, 1230hrs, BP
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