Match reports - November 3, 2007

London University 4 1st XI 2 We lost our unbeaten record against lowly London University but deserved nothing more after late cry-offs left us with ten players, a situation made worse by the non availability of Knapp, Stevens and Robson. Stuart Ripley gave us the lead but then we conceded two soft goals from short corners and, chasing an equaliser, left ourselves exposed at the back and inevitably shipped more goals. Eds Copleston’s last-minute strike was no more than a consolation effort.

2nd XI 3 Epsom 1 A good performance earned us the points against an Epsom side who started the day in third. Epsom controlled the first quarter without creating any real chances but the half thereafter was even. We came closest to opening the scoring when a cracking shot hit the upright but we went into the break behind when Epsom’s first shot on target went in with the last hit of the half. We equalised two minutes into the second half with scrambled goal from David Knapp and were the stronger side the rest of the game as Epsom defended too deep, their only other shot on target cleared off the line by Abeed Janmohamed. We sealed the win with a crisp strike four minutes from time and rubbed salt in the visitors’ wounds with a third in the last minute

Old Reigatians 2 3rd XI 3 We remedied a poor start to the season with a hard fought 3-2 win over Old Reightan 1XI. With international duties, injury and a complete lack of organisation marring earlier games, we knew that the Old Reightans' would be expected an easy victory. The first 10 minutes commenced with some excellent pressure on their midfield with Preston and Bruce getting involved. Some early pressure lead to short corners however nothing came from them. As the Old Reightans found their feet, our defence was called into action with Stu Steele and Jock being called into action. It was however against the run of play that a cross from their attacking right and a low mid-air slap beat Nigel H to start us 0-1 down. We continued our pressure with Chaz showing some flair up the right flank with Bruce and Dave offering some problems to the OR defence. Our first break through came as Bruce drove through the defence and from a tight right angle, delivered the ball across the keeper into the back of the net.

The OR team, not to rest on its laurels and although one of their midfield decided to catch a somewhat undangerous ball and then got aggravated when being called up on it, scrambled another goal past an unlucky Nigel.
Although some hard play, OR's had the lion's share of the play and only some strong defensive work from Adam, Stu, Jock and Rich keep us in the game. An inspirational half-time talk with renewed strategy from returning captain Armitage was promptly ignored by all under Stu's strategic advise! With the midfield made us stronger attacks came together and some driving runs up both the left and right flanks provided a lone Dave up front with good opportunities exposing a slower OR defence. A break through came from some quick thinking and a good umpire decision of a slow retreating OR defence providing a short corner. What arguably was one of the weakest shots to go under a keeper, it nevertheless did and Jock brought the same level, 2-2.

Renewed pressure applied, attacks up both flanks and Preston and Bruce creating options and the defence keeping the attacks at bay, the winning goal from a slight scramble for Rich L to open his season's account. The remaining 10 minutes gave the defence the opportunity to excel itself and Will on the left covered a lot of ground in this period. With the final whistle going, we took our first win of the season and Jock took man of the match which he credited to his imminent subscriptions to be paid.

Reigate Priory 5th 0 4th XI 1 Report to follow.

Purley Walcountians 2 Ladies 9 In cricket, a batsman can ‘play and miss’, where as in hockey it's usually something to have a good giggle at, with the poor player wishing the ground would open them up and swallow them. Therefore, the shock of the day was seen at the Purley Arena when Gadget took not one but two fresh air shots. Instead of the reassuring clunk of stick on ball, all we heard was the faint swish and a barely audible expletive.

However, by this time though the game was won. We had raced into a 4-0 lead in the first ten minutes and Purley never looked like getting into the game. Goals from Gadget (2), Nina and Caz, had Jax reaching for her notebook as she couldn’t keep count of the goals bonanza. Totally against the run of play Purley had finally got of their half, by-passed the deckchairs of the relaxing defence and plonked one in the back of the net. Before half time, Manny had belted another one past the goalkeeper.

Therefore, 5-1 at half time and Jax continued to ring the changes, using the virtually unknown luxury of having two subs by allowing herself a nice sit down, whilst her charges continued where they left off in the second half. Another goal, this time from Ana, then Jax went on the pitch, scored a goal, and then went for another sit down. Ros managed to play for 20 minutes before going for snooze in the dug out. There was not a great deal of defending to do as Purley managed to pea roll one in to double their tally. We punished Purley immediately by marching straight up the other end to score again. Midfield generals Manny and Gadget added further goals to make the final score 9-2.

A good performance all round, some great passing hockey on show, and it was important to keep battling to the end especially with so many players with a whole host of illnesses and ailments. It was rumoured that Muriel had dropsy and Tucks was so pale it was thought she was suffering from a bad case of scurvy. Fingers crossed they're feeling better for next weeks game on Saturday at sparrow's fart v Tulse Hill and Dulwich. Barrie David

Vets 3 Cheam 2 The comeback of the day was completed when Andy Eve rifled home the winner two minutes from time, and all after we had gone two down in the first half. Andy Loates pulled on back before half time with a short-corner strike and then Viv Pyne levelled the game from close range midway through the second half. Both sides created chances, the Cheam umpire gave some imaginative decisions (Tommy Trinder might use another adjective) before the tireless Eve secured three points.