Match reports - February 2, 2008

The 1st XI's top-of-the-table clash with UCL Academicals ended in a fairly turgid 0-0 stalemate with neither side creating many meaningful chances, but the 3rd XI eased relegation worries with their second win of the season over leaders Old Reigatiansm and the Ladies defeated Old Georgians 2-1. The 2nd XI went down 1-3 to UCL while the 4th XI lost to Reigate Priory 5-1.

UCL 0-0 1st XI
Click here for match photos. When we played UCL earlier in the season a tight 1-0 win took us top. For the return fixture it was UCL who came into the game as leaders while we were clinging on to promotion in fourth. Neither side had been in good form of late and that was evident in what turned out to be a dull encounter devoid of more than a handful of chances.

The first half was littered with mistakes from both sides and almost no scoring chances, the one on-target strike from a UCL short-corner well cleared off the line by Bruce. The bumpy pitch, worsened by underlying frost, hardly helped, but there were more chances after the break. Our short-corner routines were not at their best, but neither were UCL’s. In the last ten minutes UCL came the closest to breaking the deadlock when they hit the post and forced two good saves, but we finished the stronger after they were forced to play the final six minutes with ten men.

The result did neither side any favours. UCL slipped to second while we dropped to fifth, although only four points separates first and fifth.


UCL 3-1 2nd XI
Bottom side UCL dumped us back into relegation trouble with a 3-1 defeat. The game was all but settled after we fell behind to two soft goals inside 20 minutes, and we should have been three down but for a premature whistle from our umpire seconds before the ball was slotted home. We gradually started creating chances, inspired by Neil Grimes, and Bruce came within an inch of pulling one back. However, a third goal ten minutes from time appeared to have settled matters but it actually galvanised us into our best hockey of the game. Bruce scored with a well-struck goal seven minutes from the end and then seconds later Tissy could have had a second but his shot squeezed just wide.

3rd XI 1-0 Old Reigatians
Click here for match photos, The 3rd XI took another three points off top the league Old Reigatians with an exceptionally well played 1-0 victory. At home, where we were yet to take any points this season, and drafting in Grant Archer from the 4th XI to hold the left line, we were feeling optimistic with a strong win last week and an almost win against Wanders two weeks ago. The game started with us playing into the low sun. We started moving the ball well and passing effectively as a team. ORs moved the ball well themselves and effective attacks came into the game. The defensive presence of Stu which had been missed in recent games proved invaluable with some key tackles keeping the game flowing. ORs got a few shots off but Kelson proved his worth and with Grant and Adam keeping the flanks in check, threatening attacks became less frequent. As we became more accustomed to our own pitch, a clean strike from a free hit took a fine defection from Rich L to take us into the lead.

The game opened up and strong attacks up our left flank from Chaz and Dave and up the right from Tim J proving that the league table proves nothing this season. Chris and Preston held the central midfield and with effective communication of marking and play from Stu and Armo, ORs attacks didn't come to fruition.

Half time came with arguably the best half of play that we had had this season. With the second half in play, Chaz and Tim J made themselves exceptionally unhelpful to the OR midfield and this continued through the game as OR failed to take dominance of the game. Chris and Preston moved the ball effectively and tackled and marked the OR midfield out of most attacks. Some exceptional tackling from the defence at short corners especially Adam and Stu and a great save from Kelson kept us in the lead.

As the final 10 minutes played out, ORs brought 11 outfield players on, sacrificing their keeper. With a pressed defence, the midfield excelled themselves with excellent play and tackles. Short corners came and we actually had a break with Dave L taking the ball to the far right corner wasting their time, genius play.

The game closed out with a mastered defence by Stu and also a hard working midfield, especially Chris B, which both were to share the MOM although any other day, either would have walked the title. Great play from Chaz as well and Rich's goal now opens up the goal of the season competition.

4th XI 1-5 Reigate Priory
It was a day for us to play league leaders, and Reigate came to TD stung by our 1-0 win earlier in the season. For the first 20 minutes we were the better side and pressed Reigate back without really threatening, but you don’t top the league without taking chances and Reigate took the lead when we failed to clear a short corner. In the second half we went two down through a controversial short corner which was heading well above the backboard before being deflected down by a defender, and then shipped a very sloppy third. Chris Bents pulled one back when his cross was turned in by a defender, but we leaked two more goals in the final minutes to give the scoreline a rather unflattering feel.


Old Georgians 1-2 Ladies XI

Unbeaten since before Christmas, we travelled to OG’s wanting no less than a win. With the history between OG’s and us, them having our old GK and vice versa, both teams are usually out to put as many goals passed the keepers as possible! We were without several of our defenders as they were off jet setting around the world with simply not enough commitment to the club! Tux’s commitment however was evident as she turned up looking as hard as nails, sporting a big bruise on her chin, apparently from a drunken fall – she claimed the pavement had come out of it far worse! Nina’s commitment was also apparent as she volunteered (with much persuasion and bribery), to move from right wing to playing left back for the match!

We were ready for a hard start from OG’s, but we went out hard too, Rossie as ever sweeping, taking no prisoners. Our hard work on our fitness this season had been evident throughout the season, but was really put to the test on Saturday by a young, fit and quick OG side with lots of movement both on and off the ball. Before long, Katy in goal and Nina doing a fantastic job as left back had to make excellent, hard but fair clearance on one of the OG forwards in our circle. The forward went down so hard it took the breath out of everyone watching, but she bravely got up and carried on. We too got in a couple of early attempts however OG’s managed to score an early goal to go one up. It was early on so we were by no means fazed. We picked ourselves up and pushed on with some great runs by our forwards of Caz, May and Dora and before long we had scored a goal back an excellent cross into the circle from midfielder Nikki with Dora getting the last touch into the goal. We went into half time 1-1.

The second half got off to a flying start as within 10 seconds the midfield of Sarah H, Jax and Nikki made some swift passes into the circle for Dora to hammer home her second goal of the day. From this point on we stayed in control with the Tux and Mez distributing the ball well from the back and the defence in general doing a great job of marking their players out of the game. We conceded a couple of penalty corners that had us holding our breath at the end of the second half but OG’s failed to convert. The match finished 2-1 making it five matches now unbeaten! Well done ladies a great team effort! Lets keep it going! Jax Joyce