Match reports - December 15, 2007

2nd XI 1 Old Kingstonians 6 This match was rearranged following the earlier postponement due to frost one early Saturday morning a few weeks ago. Our thanks to Old Kingstonians who agreed to play at 4pm – the only slot available. With the table in our league very congested in the middle this gave us a real chance to jump to just below the top half of the table and then a couple of wins from the top 2 or 3.

The start was frenetic, with us trying to string together ambitious moves when in hindsight we should probably have stuck to basics. We defended well to keep out some good opposition attacks, and begun to settle in attack. However we were then struck by the all too familiar soft goal and momentum swung back to the opposition.

Our failure to close down the man with the ball and another couple of soft goals left us with a deficit of 4 at halftime. The second half begun brightly but as the pitch begun to get fairly icy we managed to concede one more. We did manage to get one consolation goal in a well worked move, which supplemented the numerous passages of play that we did demonstrate what we were capable of.

Unfortunately as it became increasingly cold things heated up on the pitch. A mixture of a few poor tackles by the opposition, a few missed decisions and most of all frustration in the way we were playing began to lead to questioning of decisions. This eventually led to the skipper being yellow carded for his failure to control his team and another left seconds later for chat.

In truth this had little impact on the game as there were only about three minutes left. It was however a very disappointing end to a game that had actually been played in a good spirit by and large. We need to understand that umpires are human and that they do make mistakes and that they selflessly give up their Saturdays for our enjoyment!

We now have a decent squad and have showed in patches what we are capable of. Hopefully 2008 will start on a brighter note. Rob Merry

Guildford Ladies 0 Ladies XI 1 Our last match this side of Christmas saw us at Guildford playing their ladies 2s. We started well piling on the pressure and moving the ball about well. It was not long into the first half before they were getting rattled. Our forwards of Mez (who had an awesome game despite playing slightly out of position!), Dora and Vikki were working hard getting straight onto their hit outs and doing well at intercepting the ball and pressurising Guildford defenders. Throughtout the first half there were a few dummies thrown out of the pram as Guilford began to get frustrated. We continued to keep our cool and play our own game winning us a penalty corner which unfortunately we failed to do anything productive with. Guildford were a fast team and moved the ball quickly up the pitch almost catching us on the break and before long had won themselves a couple of penalty corners and numerous free hits just outside the D. Our defence of Ros, Rosie Tux and Muriel held strong with Katy in goal and no goals were conceded. The half time score was 0-0
Second half we went out hard and had some great play moving the ball from the back through the midfield of Nikki, Sarah Hardiman and Jax up to our forwards. There was some great skill from Vikki and some lovely one touches from Dora. Eventually a breakthrough came with a ball that again started from the back was worked superbly through the midfield to the forwards leaving it to Vikki to complete a beautiful finish and put us 1-0 ahead. From this point on there was no way we were letting Guildford back into the game especially with the attitude of their 12th player – their coach, on the side of the pitch sledging our team and baiting the umpire. Thankfully we had our own 12th player in the form of Baz!! Baz gave us so much support (but in a sportsman like way) in the second half and kept us all going – we had no subs so were running our OC socks off! We kept our cool, defended several more penalty corners but Katy held strong for us in goal and we fininshed the match 1-0. An excellent end to the first half of the season and bring on Jan – not too much Christmas pudding ladies! Jax Joyce

3rd XI 1 Reigate Priory 3 We were beaten 1-3 by a somewhat dubious Reigate Priory team that at a conservative count had three members of higher teams. Playing on a cold December morning after being warmed up by some of Andy Eve's sloe gin, the team stepped forward to face bottom of the table Reigate Priory who had failed to win on the pitch all season. Feeling a little optimistic following last week’s success, the game started with some strong play and good team passing. Within the first 10 minutes the game went our way with a hard drilled ball into the box with Bruce diverting the ball into the roof of the net. As the game developed RP found their feet and strong attacks evolved that were admirably handed by Stu and Jock at their centre defence roles. Chris with Armo held the centre however the stronger abilities of their aforementioned players started to show and Nigel Hawes kept exceptionally well with two fine saves. A slight restructure with Dave L joining Neil upfront and Bruce taking the right midfield solidified the left flank with Adam and Rich doing well together.

Half time came with an obvious call that unless better structure could be found, we were going to concede. The second half started with some good attacks however we started to feel more pressured with the left flank being exposed to strong attacks and Stu been given a run for his money on more than one occasion. RP got their first goal from a short corner from a rising ball over Nigel which was a 50-50 on below the back board but probably a deserved goal. Shortly later, their 26 took the ball, beat three defenders and reversed struck the ball into the middle-right of the net (hardly a weekly occurrence in 3rd XI games!). The morale of the team dropped at this for five minutes and we conceded from a weak clearance with an excellent under cut from the back of the D by theirNo. 91 who thankfully had finally stopped whinging at every decision made or every time he was tackled.

We did pick up with an excellent piece of defending keeping Armo out after a lovely slip past a flat RP defence however the game concluded on this score. MOM, Nigel Hawes. A worthy scoreline considering the players on the pitch, but it is doubtful we will several of our opposition for the return. James Armitage

Ladies stage topless streak

An investigation has been launched into reports that three members of the Ladies XI used last weekend’s social as an excuse to stage a topless streak round the astroturf while another, more sensible, player didn’t brave the cold but took her top off in the bar. A furious club spokesman angrily attacked the girls for not giving him more notice of their intentions. The identities of the trio are known and will appear here unless cash is forthcoming soon. It is believed to be the first streak since Will Stephens paraded round the pitch completely naked following the 1st XI promotion in 1997-98. On that occasion bar takings increased as people headed inside rather than wait for him to come front-on on the return leg of the trip.

Match reports - December 8, 2007

HAC 1 1st XI 1 Any faint hopes we had of promotion have well and truly disappeared and justly so. In fact, to be anywhere near the top of the table is remarkable having regard to our preparation and approach to our games.

For the third year running we had 7 players at the ground 15 minutes from the scheduled start which is exceptionally poor as we know that the ground is difficult to find and reach – perhaps next season we will make a better fist of it. At least we had 11 so bettering our last trip to the wonders of the Crystal Palace area. We should have had 12 but where Andy Duff was up to was anybody’s guess although the writing was on the wall of his appearing when his mobile phone was switched off at 13.30 and also at 14.00. Thanks for letting us all down.

Anyway, a distinct lack of training and lack of ability to make meet times in general – we have not had one match where we have all been at any ground on time – has come home to roost and we now have a mid table position as a just reward.

All said and done after we had settled down against an efficient but not outstanding HAC team we dominated play but were always vulnerable on the break and fair to say it was Robbo who was the busier of the keepers dealing with everything thrown at him. Matt Cook had his best game of the season but does need to slow down at the crucial time of executing what he intends to execute and Nick Lewis was outstanding at right midfield but marking his card with an unnecessary yellow card towards the end. We missed a hatful of chances but took the lead somewhat fortuitously when Eds’ short corner drive was saved by the HAC’s very much in form keeper only for the ball to bounce in off a defender’s knee. At that point with 15 minutes to go we should have wrapped it up and gone home with 3 points as HAC were down to 10 and struggling. However they equalized when we have the oppo far too much time in the circle and a shot from the top squeezed past Robbo who will be disappointed at letting the shot in – the only disappointment he will have had all season thus far.

Suddenly we were fighting to save the game with both Ed Breton and Nick off the pitch but hang on we did.

Reckoning on promotion this year is a delusion and if we are serious at trying to climb up the leagues we need to have a good look at ourselves and decide if we wish to change our approach and attitude or be content with being able to beat every team in our league on our day but knowing that our day may only come along once in 3 weeks. David Knapp

Woking 1 3rd XI 2We took three points in a dominating game over Woking by beating the bottom side 2-1 after dropping to 10 men after 10 minutes. With the rain pouring down turning a cold December afternoon into a miserable afternoon veterans Jon Gray and Wade Pollard had gallantly stepped in to bring our numbers to 11 following another week of player shortages.

Taking a rain head-on, an open game followed with no real structure being established in the first five minutes. Wade and Chris however started to make some presence felt on the left flank and providing some opportunities to Bruce and Jon upfront. The defence began to find their structure with Tim J holding court admirably and picking up the occasional loose ball. Wade however took a nasty injury on his thumb and had to take himself off to Woking A&E to join the legions of amateur sports players already there. As the game developed, the absence of Wade made Chris’s job slightly more energetic as he controlled the left flank.

A breakthrough for Woking against the run of play where a flick was awarded (a fair decision) which Woking capitalised on and took the lead. The game started to find rhythm and some solid passing between Jon and Rich up the right flank showed strong promise. Jock's insistence of trying to single handed dribble out of the defence had mixed successes and after trying to flick the ball which resulted in a dribble to their striker forced Kelson to cover the team's collective arses. The defence held firm and Tim and Tom Pollard made some strong tackles with Jock picking some great tackles to occasionally distribute the ball forward. Attacks started to come and off a short corner, the Woking keeper did well to keep the ball out with a dramatic dive however it wasn't until a hit up pitch from Adam, picked up by Armitage and a running 1-2 with Rich led to a Armitage chipping the ball over the sliding keeper to take the game to 1-1 and half-time one minute later.

The second half started with vigour and although Adam at Left back was kept busy with an awkward right midfielder, Tim and Chris controlled their attacks down our left. Strong passing and teamwork flowed with Jon, Rich and Bruce linking up very well to attack fluidly on several occasions. Although the keeper was beaten twice with some cute skills, the Woking defence did well to keep the score lever. It wasn't until an attack followed where the Woking keeper lay on the ball and gave away a penalty flick that Bruce stepped up and put the ball ridiculously close to the keeper but still managed to take us in front for the first time in the day.

With 10 minutes remaining, the game opened up and the ball speed was good with good team work never really gave Woking the opportunity to get the game back. The game concluded with the rain once again still pouring, a complaining Woking player that the flick was unfair (it was your umpire Woking!) and Tim Judd being man-of-the-match. As always, we would like to dedicate the win to Diagio for their continued supply of Guinness. James Armitage

Match reports - December 1, 2007

1st XI 6 OMWs 2 (Click here for match photos) We needed to start enjoying our hockey again after an indifferent last month or so and on certain areas of the pitch make the correct choice of ball and pass. OMWs sadly have suffered the same lack of loyalty that we suffered when starting our descent from the Southern Premier league with a mass exodus of players who felt that the standard of the league below the one relegated from was above them. Funny thought really as the players were not good enough to keep them ( us a few years ago ) and so why not stick around and help them bounce back?

David Knapp on the ballWe took the game to OMWs from the start and threw the ball around and Smudger started his season’s goal scoring popping home a loose ball – at the third attempt… The next 10 minutes saw us trying to play a different style and this combined with the sudden loss of structure allowed the opposition back into the game, and one of our too regular for comfort moments saw a strong defensive situation converted into an easy equaliser for OMWs who at stage deserved the equalizer. Once Smudger took over the role of the high midfield player our lead was restored when Smudger finished off a move with a rising shot over the diving keeper. Robbo at the other end was not however a spectator and had to make a number of fine interventions and laid the platform for his man of the match performance. At the end of the first period the lead was extended to three as pressure on the away side’s defence enabled us to break from just over the half line and some incisive movement of the ball saw Gavin Adair score our third and Knapp the fourth.

The game was killed off with Knapp slotting the fifth at a time when OMWs were in the ascendancy but again we robbed the defence as they brought the ball out and took advantage. Cookey nicked the sixth which was an excellent team goal, but the highlight of the half was a top drawer save from Robbo who some how elongated an arm to push the ball away when moving the wrong way and on the ground. Our bedrock today was the hard work put in by the midfield with Rippers playing better and having more influence as each game goes by and Nick Lewis and Eds running tirelessly all afternoon. Nick had his best game of the season, linking well with the ever dependable Brewer.

One more to go before the break and the way the fixtures have fallen one win could put us third or fourth a mere two points behind the second-placed team, remarkable bearing in mind our appalling November. David Knapp

Wanderers 4thXI 2 2nd XI 0
Firstly our thanks go to Wanderers who kindly provided both umpires at short notice and also played the game in great spirit – both sides correcting a number of indifferent umpiring decisions. We were once again the wrong side of a result which could easily have gone the other way. Short, slick passing saw us string together some excellent passages of play, to which the Wanderers defence had no answers. However with Wanderers defending deep we struggled to convert them into clear cut scoring opportunities. Wanderers also looked dangerous in attack - with speed upfront matched with a patience that we probably lacked. However some good defending at the back and a couple of excellent saves by Smithy prevented them from converting.

They looked to have taken the lead having hit the backboard at a short corner only for it to be correctly disallowed as it had clearly crossed the line above the back board. New recruit Paul Accutt was excellent in the middle of the park, giving us control, and linking very well with the other players – especially considering this was his first outing for us. The end of the second half saw a concerted period of OC pressure and we managed to create a few short corners. We failed to convert three and the forth (as blatant a foot as you will see) was missed by the umpire just before half time.

We started where we had left of in the second half. However we managed to concede two soft goals less than 10 minutes into the half. The first dribbled into the left corner when it had looked like we were easily in control. The second a ridiculous stick tackle when our man had full control of the ball saw the ball pop over the line again. Although in the cold light of day the prudence of casually dribbling it along our goal line might be questioned! After the second goal we struggled to get back into it as fitness and the fact that they had 15 men to our 12 (thanks to Armo for volunteering after his game was cancelled) started to tell. We did however create our first really clear cut chance – 2 on 1 with the keeper, only for the pass to just slide behind the last player.

Nick LewisOnce again a frustrating day. Again we conceded soft goals, when we had defended well for the majority of the day. Again we failed to convert some excellent passages of play into goals. But the most frustrating thing is that we are a decent side playing some good hockey and we can and should be doing better than we are. Rob Merry

Richmond Ladies 2 Ladies 0 The match was always going to be hard from the start as Katy the GK was away this weekend along with 50% of the rest of our defence! Muriel was injured so took Katy's place in goal and myself and Nikki had to drop back from the midfield to play defence, which we didn't mind but defence isn't what either of us are used too! We also had no subs!

Nikki had a blinder in defence, playing more as a wing back and had some excellent attacking play as well as legging it back to defend, whilst I was left trotting around marking my playing who was playing very high to keep Ros' nerve at rest! Tux as always dependable as ever in the central defence. Dispite the unusual defence we still had an excellent midfield of May, Ana, Vikki and Dora who played well moving the ball around the pitch and having some good attacking play, some close calls, as well as several shorts - but no goals.


A goal for KnappThe forwards of Caz and Nina, feisty as ever, were also putting the leg work in as always, closing the Richmond defence down, but without the respite of having a sub to give them a breather. Although we had a large amount of the possession and probably looked the better team putting the Richmond defence under pressure, the story was a familiar one as of late as we just couldn't seem to score. Two Richmond attempts on goal and we found ourselves 2-0 down at half time. Richmond also had some penalty corners which with the stand in defenders we managed to defended successfully!

The second half ended up a stalemate with neither team scoring leaving the final score 2-0 to Richmond. A big thanks to Hels who braved the goal even with an injury and also for missing out on half of a hen party to play for us (having fibbed to the bride to be about her whereabouts, although the hen may have figured it out being a team member and in on the email list!) We will need to improve on our fire power for next week as we take on top of the league Merton - sure to be a tough match.

4th XI 1 Teddington 3 There’s no disgrace in losing to the league leaders, but there was still a feeling of what might have been. The Teddington side, very much a development XI, contained several players in their early teens and their skill was evident from the off. But instead of using experience and size to impose our authority, for too long we allowed them to run rings round us. We actually took the lead off a short-corner strike from Steve Harmer, and in the first third of the game probably created more chances. But we allowed Teddington to equalise from a set piece on 25 minutes, and although we continued to press, forcing some good saves, we went behind to a soft goal after squandering possession and the game was decided by a well-taken direct hit off a short corner ten minutes from time. We failed to force one short corner of our own in the second half and in the end our lack of penetration was the difference.

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