Match Reports
January 15 v Herne Bay (away): Drew 1-1
The day started badly when a car carrying three of the squad broke down, resulting in our having to play the entire game with just ten men. We began brightly and had the better of the first quarter without seriously threatening our opponents. However, it was Herne Bay who nearly took the lead when a deflection deceived Alex Pennington in goal but, thankfully, Robert Fleck covered brilliantly to clear the ball just before it crossed the line.
Midway through the first half Freddie Neve made a good breakthrough and put a tremendous ball across the face of the opposition goal but no one could get the all-important touch. And it was Freddie, again right at the centre of the action, when Tulse Hill opened the scoring. His through pass finding Sam Mirchandani unmarked in the circle and, although his shot was blocked by the goalkeeper, he pushed the rebound across to Hugo Avshu to flick in at the far post.
Unfortunately, the advantage was short-lived as Herne Bay pushed forward and scored a rather fortuitous equaliser. A shot from the left deflected off two defenders before looping into the roof of the net, leaving Alex Pennington stranded.
In the second half, both teams had chances but neither could find the net. Another deflection from a short corner nearly put Herne Bay ahead but Freddie Neve was covering and cleared the danger. We were by now visibly tiring but battled magnificently to the final whistle, and were the most threatening team in the last ten minutes. The whole team worked extremely hard and can be delighted with this battling draw. Special mention must be made of Freddie Neve and Jeremy Higgs for their work rate; whilst Edward Taylor-Jones and Robert Fleck had superb games in defence.
Team: Alex Pennington (goalkeeper), Robert Fleck, Edward Taylor-Jones, Jeremy Higgs, Michael Higgs, Freddie Neve, Angus Reynolds, Crosier, Hugo Avshu, Sam Mirchandani.
November 27 v Kenley (away): Won 3-1 (Friendly)
This was a friendly fixture against Kenley who are building a Juniors Section at their Club but have, as yet, not entered in a league. To strengthen their squad, they had a number of bigger boys and the game was evenly contested throughout. Our defensive unit of Obi Sargoni, Edward Jones and Max Colledge played some tremendous hockey and were well supported by Jeremy Higgs, playing as a sweeper, and Alex Pennington in goal. It was Jeremy Higgs who opened the scoring after coming up for a short corner, and Conor Bond made it 2-0 with a well taken shot.
However, and to their credit, Kenley never gave up, and they had the greater share of possession in the second half. Just as the game was looking comfortable, Kenley scored the goal they thoroughly deserved and it looked as though the last ten minutes may become rather tight. Thankfully, with the home team pushing for an equaliser, we broke away down the left wing and, as the ball was crossed, Hamish Cooper came in at the far post to score with an excellent flick which made the game safe. Hamish followed with an extremely athletic celebration of his first goal for the Club.
This was an excellent performance by Tulse Hill both in terms of the quality of the hockey as well as their attitude. The teams were very evenly matched but the determination of our boys ensured a most satisfying victory.
Team: Alex Pennington (goalkeeper), Jeremy Higgs, Obi Sargoni, Edward Jones, Max Colledge, Michael Higgs, Conor Bond, Angus Reynolds, Hamish Cooper, Sam Mirchandani, Tashan Patel.
November 20 v BBHC: Won 9-0
Making up for the somewhat lacklustre performance seven days previously, we enjoyed a rapid change in fortunes this Sunday, overwhelming an inexperienced BBHC side. Although dominating from the start there were many missed opportunities before Tashan Patel opened the scoring from close range after a goalmouth scramble. This opened the floodgates and further goals from Freddie Neve, Sam Mirchandani and Jeremy Higgs made it 4-0 at half time.
The second period was no different and the whole Tulse Hill team put in excellent performances except Alex Pennington, in goal, who was something of a spectator. The ball was regularly worked down the right wing and Conor Bond was a constant threat. It was Conor who made it 5-0, before Tashan found a good position to score his second, and our sixth. BBHC were completely demoralised, and further goals from Conor Bond, and two from Freddie Neve made the final score 9-0.
Team: Alex Pennington (goalkeeper), Edward Wright, Hugo Avshu, Robert Fleck, Max Colledge, Jeremy Higgs, Freddie Neve, Michael Higgs, Conor Bond, Sam Mirchandani, Tashan Patel, Hamish Cooper, Edward Jones.
November 13 v Tunbridge Wells: Lost 0-5
We began the game brightly but could not break down the opposition defence. As the game progressed, Tunbridge began to exert greater pressure and came close to scoring, but good work at the back from Robert Fleck and Alex Pennington held them at bay. Eventually, after twenty-five minutes, the line was breached with a powerful shot from the top of the circle.
Trying to get back on terms, we forced several short corners but it was Tunbridge who broke away and made it 0-2. After this we faded slightly and our increasingly confident opponents took full advantage by making the final score -5.
This was one of our more “out of sorts“ performances, although a five goal margin rather flattered the visitors.
Team: Alex Pennington (goalkeeper), Jeremy Higgs, Robert Fleck, Hugo Avshu, Max Colledge, Obi Sargoni, Alfie Fabian, Edward Wright, Alasdair Wilkins, Liam Wilkinson, Angus Reynolds.
October 30 v Marden Russets (away): Won 3-1
Tulse Hill bounced back from the heavy defeat at the hands of Beckenham & Bromley to register a very impressive victory against Marden. Marden began brightly and created some good scoring opportunities which they were unable to convert. Tulse Hill came into the game more, but lacked width in attack, and struggled to create any clear cut chances. The first half was drifting to a stalemate when a through ball put Sam Mirchandani clear on goal but his shot was pushed wide of the post.
In the second half Tulse Hill managed to keep their shape, in particular more width, and gradually began to dominate the game. After some excellent work in midfield Hugo Avshu found Freddie Neve at the top of the circle and, after cleverly beating one defender, his crisp shot put Tulse Hill 1-0 ahead. At this stage Tulse Hill were playing some good hockey, and Obi Sargoni capped an excellent display by picking up the rebound from another Neve shot and flicking it into the net.
With Tulse Hill pushing forward in search of more goals, Marden launched a counter attack and quickly moved the ball into the TH circle. Although Alex Pennington made an excellent save, Marden had men to spare and the rebound was converted to make it 1-2. A nervous ending was avoided when Tulse Hill went straight back from the restart and Sam Mirchandani found space in the circle to slide the ball past the Marden keeper, and make it 1-3. An excellent team performance with everyone making a contribution to the victory.
Team: Pennington, Neve, Higgs (M), Higgs (J), Colledge, Sargoni, Avshu, Cooper, Mirchandani, Patel, Jones, Fleck
October 16 v Bromley & Beckenham (away): Lost 0-12
This was the first game that Tulse Hill had played this season and it was unfortunate that it turned out to be against one of the strongest teams in the Kent League. Although under pressure from the start the first quarter of the game went reasonably well for Tulse Hill. The defence held steady with Freddie Neve at sweeper holding things together well. However, once the home team found the net they never looked back, and scored at regular intervals in both the first and second half.
Tulse Hill had a couple of breakaways but never seriously tested the opposition goalkeeper. However, the team battled to the end and never gave in, which is a measure of the spirit in the squad. There were many positives to take from the game despite the result and some very good performances in defence, notably Robert Fleck who made many excellent tackles and interceptions. Alex Pennington in goal made some good saves with Freddie Neve and Jeremy Higgs also putting in solid performances.
Team: Pennington, Neve, Patel, Higgs (M), Higgs (J), Fabian (M), Fabian (A), Fleck, Cooper, Wilkinson, Reynolds, Fairs
October 2 v Sutton Valence (away): Lost 0-5 (conceded)
Regrettably, due to player unavailability, and - more importantly - the lack of a goalkeeper, this first match of the season had to be conceded.
Under the League Rules we forfeited the game 0-5. |
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