Match reports - September 29 2007
A mixed first week … but the 1st XI, who are still incapable of providing match reports, beat Walton 4-2, going four up before going to sleep in the last ten minutes and shipping two late goals.
Walton & Weybrdige 3 2nd XI 2
Pulling together a side for our opening encounter proved difficult as both the 1sts and 2nds lost players to holiday and injury. Despite this we managed to put together a decent 11. The importance of a strong start was once again demonstrated as we conceded two soft goals in the first quarter. How much of this was due to the fact we only had 10 men for this period or the alleged 'average' umpiring by the co-captain who was standing in after fracturing his finger the previous week is uncertain. What was certain was that we missed a number of tackles for each and lacked the hunger to keep them out of our D.
The game saw some good hockey by both sides. Unfortunately in our case it tended to be for short spells and we were never really able to string together a concerted period of pressure.
The two goals the first scored by Preston Rutt following a goalmouth scramble -he controlled a high ball superbly and slotted it past the on rushing keeper. The second goal scored by Abs following a typical lucky barnstorming run which released Chris 'the pocket rocket' Tissanaygam down the right hand side - who used his pace to get in behind the defence and drag the ball across the area to Abs who following an average first touch somehow managed to get the ball past the keeper. I think he surprised even himself!
A save on the line by James Armitage from a short corner ensured that the deficit remained one with 10 minutes to go and we looked like having a good chance to get some points. It was Walton & Weybridge who looked the more nervous side and we looked particularly dangerous on the break.
However our inability to use one side of the pitch (worryingly the right hand side!!) and lack of discipline (Porter talked a green card for the finale in a serious of very average 'tackles' into a yellow) eventually ended our hopes of getting the season off to a good start.
If we can extend the short phases of good, controlled play into our regular pattern and keep our discipline we will be a tough assignment for most sides this season... Rob Merry
Ladies 4 Barnes 1
Our opening match of the season was against Barnes, Hounslow and Ealing who, in our match against them last season, proved to be a banana skin for us and so we were keen to make amends. The opening 10 minutes saw some good attacking play from us but no goal. BHE then caught us on the break and a cross saw one of their forwards slot the ball past the diving Katy. We raised our game and the forwards of Dora, Ana and Caz started to link well with the midfield of Jax, Vikki, Nina and Sarah passing the ball quickly around resulting in some good attacking play. A strike from Sarah saw the keeper kick the ball back to Vikki who fired home to level. We continued from the push back at the same level, keen to get a lead before half time. The defenders - Ros, Hels, Helen Merry, Tux, George - were not letting BHE through, extinguishing any attacks they had and quickly re-distributing the ball. We continued to press which led to several short corners and a superb strike from Sarah from a short corner saw us take a 2-1 lead in to half time.
We knew they would come back at us in the second half but again the defence held firm, making some text book tackles and were beginning to frustrate them. Katy was excellent in goal, saving several short corners and as the game went on, we had more attacks and some skilful play saw Dora strike home our third goal. Legs began to tire but we continued to attack and a goal mouth scramble saw Dora get her second of the game, our fourth. 4-1 final score, a great start to the season. We played some good hockey at times, were supporting each other and passing well which, if we keep doing and improving, it should be a great season.
The only concerns from the game was that Rosie didn't make the match - she was last heard of still in France after the England win on Friday having "missed her train".....and a number of the team admitting to being addicted to Strictly Come Dancing on a Saturday night!! Vikki Mottram
Walton & Weybrdige 3 2nd XI 2
Pulling together a side for our opening encounter proved difficult as both the 1sts and 2nds lost players to holiday and injury. Despite this we managed to put together a decent 11. The importance of a strong start was once again demonstrated as we conceded two soft goals in the first quarter. How much of this was due to the fact we only had 10 men for this period or the alleged 'average' umpiring by the co-captain who was standing in after fracturing his finger the previous week is uncertain. What was certain was that we missed a number of tackles for each and lacked the hunger to keep them out of our D.
The game saw some good hockey by both sides. Unfortunately in our case it tended to be for short spells and we were never really able to string together a concerted period of pressure.
The two goals the first scored by Preston Rutt following a goalmouth scramble -he controlled a high ball superbly and slotted it past the on rushing keeper. The second goal scored by Abs following a typical lucky barnstorming run which released Chris 'the pocket rocket' Tissanaygam down the right hand side - who used his pace to get in behind the defence and drag the ball across the area to Abs who following an average first touch somehow managed to get the ball past the keeper. I think he surprised even himself!
A save on the line by James Armitage from a short corner ensured that the deficit remained one with 10 minutes to go and we looked like having a good chance to get some points. It was Walton & Weybridge who looked the more nervous side and we looked particularly dangerous on the break.
However our inability to use one side of the pitch (worryingly the right hand side!!) and lack of discipline (Porter talked a green card for the finale in a serious of very average 'tackles' into a yellow) eventually ended our hopes of getting the season off to a good start.
If we can extend the short phases of good, controlled play into our regular pattern and keep our discipline we will be a tough assignment for most sides this season... Rob Merry
Ladies 4 Barnes 1
Our opening match of the season was against Barnes, Hounslow and Ealing who, in our match against them last season, proved to be a banana skin for us and so we were keen to make amends. The opening 10 minutes saw some good attacking play from us but no goal. BHE then caught us on the break and a cross saw one of their forwards slot the ball past the diving Katy. We raised our game and the forwards of Dora, Ana and Caz started to link well with the midfield of Jax, Vikki, Nina and Sarah passing the ball quickly around resulting in some good attacking play. A strike from Sarah saw the keeper kick the ball back to Vikki who fired home to level. We continued from the push back at the same level, keen to get a lead before half time. The defenders - Ros, Hels, Helen Merry, Tux, George - were not letting BHE through, extinguishing any attacks they had and quickly re-distributing the ball. We continued to press which led to several short corners and a superb strike from Sarah from a short corner saw us take a 2-1 lead in to half time.
We knew they would come back at us in the second half but again the defence held firm, making some text book tackles and were beginning to frustrate them. Katy was excellent in goal, saving several short corners and as the game went on, we had more attacks and some skilful play saw Dora strike home our third goal. Legs began to tire but we continued to attack and a goal mouth scramble saw Dora get her second of the game, our fourth. 4-1 final score, a great start to the season. We played some good hockey at times, were supporting each other and passing well which, if we keep doing and improving, it should be a great season.
The only concerns from the game was that Rosie didn't make the match - she was last heard of still in France after the England win on Friday having "missed her train".....and a number of the team admitting to being addicted to Strictly Come Dancing on a Saturday night!! Vikki Mottram
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