Match reports - October 27, 2007

1st XI 3 Merton 3 Click here for match photos This was probably the best game in which we have played for many years. Should we achieve promotion this year there is no one better to join us than Merton having regard to their style of hockey and the spirit of their play and approach.

Once again availability was a test for the skipper but Heardy stepped in as effectively as ever. Our best patch was in the first 20 minutes when we deservedly took a two-goal lead with two sharp strikes from Knapp having been set up by Rippers, the product of two incisive moves down the right. Cookiey had a chance to make it three but an excellent save from their keeper probably ensured that Merton stayed in the game. In addition we did not make the most of our four short corners with only the third threatening which was taken off the line a little fortuitously by the post man. As the half went on Merton pressed forward and we made the mistake of allowing our half court to become more of a quarter court and the initiative swung towards the away side. Bruce became more isolated on the left and Merton played well in pressing the left-hand corner. Nevertheless Merton did not create any chances until the last minute of the half. We had a chance to catch Merton cold on the break that should have made it 3–0 but Knapp mistrapped a ball that broke away and although the initial play was broken down a lapse in concentration left a Merton forward free on the base line and a superb deflection reduced the arrears.

Merton’s best spell then followed in the first period of the second half. We tired and Merton pushed up but were still unable to create any real clear cut openings. Eventually a loose clearance put us under pressure and somewhat luckily the ball was deflected home to level the match. Afterwards Micky, the Merton manager, admitted that the ball was popped home from above the striker’s shoulder but no complaints from us as at this point they deserved their equalizer.

At this point we would have settled for a point but Merton scented victory and it was no surprise when they picked some pieces from a short corner to take the lead with five minutes to go. A change in our formation suddenly gave us more security at the back and Will moving forward crashed the ball into the circle and Cookiey managed to get a touch that could have gone anywhere but shot into the roof of the net – levelling up the scores and the fortune.

In the final analysis a draw was probably a fair result but Merton should have taken all three points at 3 -2 with five to go and who knows the effect of this result on both sides come April.

Credit must also go to David and Arran with the whistle who umpired a hard encounter as well as any umpires we have had since coming into this league. No sign of any cards or any chat from either side which enabled the game to be played in a perfect spirit. We look forward to the return fixture in February. David Knapp

3rd XI 2 Camberley 3 Illness, injury and international duties seriously curtailed the 3rd XI squad for yet another week. Struggling to integrate new players and coming off the back of a heavy defeat the previous week, we decided to keep it tight moving to a 4-3-3 formation instead of our usual midfield diamond. This meant less support for the hard working Preston up front but gave us a strong platform from which to build. Tommy Trinder and Andy Eve started the game brightly, controlling the midfield. Quick minds and slick passing allowed us to dominate the opening exchanges, taking the lead after Chas pounced on the loose ball after a frantic goal mouth scramble.

The team work was strong, players all over the pitch showing great willingness to work hard for each other and more chances followed. Camberley, to their credit, stuck to their task and slowly came back into the game. A powerful run from their central midfield set up a great counter attack shortly before half time. The ball was played at pace diagonally across the D from left to right. With the entire defence facing their own goal Adam could only watch in horror as he deflected the ball into his own net under pressure from the left wing 1-1. As the first half came to a close, fitness began to take its toll and Camberley began to apply a lot of pressure forcing a mistake from a free hit, their centre forward nipping in and making it 1-2.

A half-time rest seemed to galvanise the troops and a couple of tactical changes saw Jock propelled higher up the field (well as high as normal just without the having to get back bit!) with a sick and tiring Bruce dropping into defence. The OC’s continued to dominate possession forcing a number of short corners. The routines worked well and Jock got his just reward hammering in the equaliser.
The win looked possible but as everyone tired once again we were hit on the break after another strong run from the Camberley number 13. Feeding the ball into space behind the right back, a first time ball across the D, the centre forward was mere inches ahead of Tim deflected the ball home. This killer blow could have broken the spirits of lesser men but with eight minutes to go we rallied. 100% effort from the whole saw a number of chances fall our way. But it was not to be and the game ended 2-3 to Camberley. James Armitage

Merton 3 Ladies 0 A match moved due to Dora's wedding in March, this was due to be a tough one as Merton were riding high in the Division, with three wins out of four. There was a slight shuffle of the pack with Viks dropping into a more defensive role, Mezza moving further up the right flank to play mid field and Dora dropping into a more central mid field/ attacking position.

We started well with some good attacking moves down the left with Ana teaming up well with Jax, but the team failed to capitalize on a number of short corners midway through the first half. Merton were pushing us hard especially through the middle of the park, but with some stoic defending especially from Tux and Rosie, the back line held fast. Keeper Kate had some great stops from players that managed to break through and a number of short corners were dealt with cleanly.

The second half was a little less composed, with Merton breaking the deadlock about 10 minutes in, with a well struck short corner which we could do little about. The team held fast for a further five minutes, until a Merton attacker turned quickly and slotted a second home. Nursing a few bruises by that point, and with a man down due to a slight altercation, we pushed hard to get a goal back which nearly came from Nina and Dora as they exchanged passes round the keeper only to be thwarted by a player on the line.

The third Merton goal came with five minutes to go, Kate saving well from a cross shot from the right, only to see it cannon off a Merton attackers stick and into the goal. Again we pushed on with Helen going on a late run up the pitch with some great passing hockey with Ana and Viks. Dora had some great interceptions in the dying minutes but it was too late to make up the defecit.

Thanks to Alan who umpired for us and to Nige our sole supporter. Onwards and upwards girls! Ros Pateman

4th XI 0 Merton 1 A well-fought tussle against ten men ended in defeat, the goal coming from a crisp short-corner strike three minutes from half-time following Nigel Hawes’s yellow card for a sliding tackle five yards outside his D. Steve Harmer, his stand-in, clearly took to heart the stand part of his description and stood statuesquely as the shot rifled past him.

That aside, we had the lion’s share of the possession, as might be expected with a one-man advantage, but failed to do much with it. We managed two shots on target during the entire game, and neither of them threatened to burst the net. Only Louis Strover looked dangerous up front but he was simply not given enough chances. We played the ball round well, passed well, defended well, but failed to perform where it mattered.

Merton kept nine men behind the ball with a lone striker, defended and tackled well, and created the better chances, twice forcing Hawes into good saves. It was a fair result against a side who controversially adopted a reverse Kolpak approach and decided to play two Englishmen in their otherwise South African dominated ten. It is an unacceptable trend and Merton need to take immediate action if a trickle of English players is not to become a flood.