Match reports - October 11, 2008

The 1st XI made it two in two with a 3-1 win at Merton, two goals from David Knapp securing the points, and the 2nd XI made it a double with a 1-0 win over the same opposition. About the only good news this week for the Bank of England came with a 5-3 win over our 3rd XI, and the 4th XI had to come from behind to draw 2-2 with ten-man Wanderers. After two draws, the Ladies’ first win of the season came with a 3-1 success over Old Kingstonians.

Merton 1-3 1st XI
An important victory against a side who we anticipate will be in the mix at the end of the season.

Playing some good hockey against a very defensively-minded Merton team we made the early running but neither side created much until just before half time. We were a touch unlucky not to win a stroke when a Merton defender appeared to stop the ball on the line with his chest … but the umpire thought otherwise. Aaron asserted his authority on the game early on ensuring that any back chat was punished by the forfeiture of 10 yards but we took some time to learn the lesson. Both sides had a couple of shorts but it was difficult to establish who had the poorest routine.

Five minutes before half time we conceded a shocker, allowing the ball to be brought into the D along the baseline on the left and somewhat softly run across the goal for the easiest of tap-ins. Fortunately, there was time for us to equalise with Ed B setting up Knapp whose cross found its way to Eds who rolled the ball home.

The first 20 minutes of the second half saw us take control with Merton receiving a couple of yellow cards for questionable tackles, and during that time a loose ball from a short corner was converted by Knapp who then had the easiest of tasks to slot home No. 3 after excellent work by Cato, whose incisive run and pass, aided by a super decoy run from Adair, took out the whole of the Merton defence.

From that point on we began to struggle and Merton dominated the last 10 minutes, hitting the post and missing a couple of chances with Bruce earning his Man of the Match award with 2 big tackles. Cato and Ed Breton pushed Bruce hard and with Duffy making a solid appearance we suddenly have options at the back.

Walton and Weybridge next week who have been impressive so far and so another must win game. David Knapp

Ladies 3-1 Old Kingstonians
We went into the match against Old Kingstonians undefeated but looking for our first win. They had just come up from Division 2, and we were well aware as the week before this didn't mean an easy match.

We had the bench loaded with subs and we went out hard, planning to run our little legs ragged until coach Mot called us off. We dominated the first 10 minutes and pretty soon a goal came from a well drilled (practice five minutes before the match) penalty-corner. Vikki injected, Sarah slipped the ball to May on the right who drilled the ball into the goal. So far a much better start than the week before. We were playing much slicker hockey, keeping possession, holding the ball up and passing it around the back to create space and movement. OK's were keeping the pace high and taking free hits swiftly which was also our goal for the match too so we were glad of our five subs! OKs kept the pressure on us and towards the end of the half we lost our stride a bit, conceding several penalty corners, which Georgie, Muriel, Rosie and Tux did a stella job of defending, Steph in goal having to pull off a couple of good saves and OKs hitting the post. We went into half time 1-0 up but OK's were by no means finished.

Again we came out hard after half time and nearly scored immediately with several shots from Gayle scraped away by the OK defence, and then one hitting the post. Within five minutes we had secured a 2-0 lead with May driving into the circle passing the ball to Sarah H at the top who hammered it home. OKs however it seems are used to coming back from behind and kept pushing hard but our midfield of Steph, Vikki, Nikki and Nina and forwards of Liza, Snoopy and Caz were working their socks off - we were not about to let this lead slip and 15 minutes from the end we put a third away, May once again driving down the right at her lightning speed and passing it across the circle for Jax to slot home. The game didn't finish there. OKs were determined and managed to get a goal back after a spate of short corners, but we held on to our first victory of the season and the game finished 3-1. Job done. Well done girls! Jackie Waite.


2nd XI 1 - 0 Merton 2nd XI
Great result, end of story. This really was a hard fought result on a baking hot mid-October day in England (never thought I would be writing that!). We had a long chat before the game and set out exactly how we wanted to play and pretty much everything went to plan with everyone applying themselves as requested and crucially as a team. Sure, there was the occasional negative comment but overall there was not to much to be negative about. We had to learn from last week (and season!) that we and the umpires make mistakes and there is no point whining about it, and today we got it right.

The hockey itself was sensible and controlled, if not inspirational, but it is early season and we are learning how to play together and it was good to see us using our heads rather than last week's headless chicken act. The goal itself came from a loose ball that Paul drilled in from the top left side of the D. We did have other chances with Neil, Duncan and Bruce all having decent efforts importantly on target saved - even the short corner routines were well worked. On balance though this was more about the defensive set up and a great clean sheet, with Mez epitomising the effot putting his body on the line and coming away with a split chin for his efforts. Our midfield helped with defensive duties - exceptional work rate from Duncan and Grimesy - and Tissy held the ball up perfectly when we broke from the back. The back 4 protected by Ports were very solid and organised and new kid on the block Richard was superb in goal pulling off a number of varied saves that protected our one goal lead.

If we can build on this momentum and structure we will be well set for the season ahead. Most importantly thanks to Eb (from UCL) and Helen for helping out and umpiring very competently at very short notice. Paul Acutt


Bank of England 2nd XI 5-3 3rd XI
There are some match reports where you think what happened in that match? What shall I write about? This was not one of them!!! To say that it was eventful would be probably an understatement. We had turned up to the salubrious surrounding of the Bank of England Sports Ground and had to admire the setting for this away game. We all just hope that it still the same after the Credit Crunch.

We welcomed back our ex-captain today and are glad that Armo has finally returned. In addition, we continued to increase our influx of new players with Ross joining us this week and a number of our other new players continuing to attend.

The match started off with Bank pressurising from the whistle. This unfortunately seemed to be the way the half was going to proceed as I don’t think we actually had the ball outside of our half for the first 25 minutes. The makeshift defence of CD, Tim, Armo and Ewan, which we had formulated due to certain missing players, stood strong throughout and with the half time approaching the score still stood at 0-0. Unfortunately though with two lapses of concentration from us and a bit of good play from the Bank we ended up shipping two quick goals and the halftime score was 2-0.
Well I hear you say “where’s all this eventful action?” Well that was just the first half the fun was just about to all get going. Unfortunately we decided to put a seasons worth of bloopers into one half.

The second half started with us pushing a lot harder with Tom and Ross starting to take more of a control of the midfield. In addition it seemed that Rich’s hangover had started to pass and with Andy on the other wing we were making better inroads into the Bank’s half. This good work eventually culminated in a cracking goal from Dave who took the ball and then on running into the D before scaring the oppo keeper by cracking it into the right corner (an early contender for goal of the season). Unfortunately though The Bank came straight back at us and were able to make it 3-1.
We were then reduced to 10 men for a short period as Ross received a yellow for deliberate use of the back of the stick. Ross called it ineptitude!

This was followed a few minutes later by another strong attack by Bank who after rounding Nige in goal had a clear strike on goal. Just as we thought we were about to concede again Ewan dived in with a last ditch tackle. Ewan did take the ball but unfortunately the umpire thought he took the oppo’s stick and as Ewan was the last defender he gave a flick. Thankfully, justice was done though as Nige made the save. It has to be said that it wasn’t the best flick though and it would have been very disappointing to have gone a further goal down from it.

With Ross back on the pitch unfortunately the relentless pressure from the Bank eventually paid off. Ewan was obviously not happy with giving one flick away so he thought that Nige needed some more penalty practice. The ball was flicked up by the Bank into the D and Ewan brought it down with his stick above his head. The umpire correctly yellow carded him and awarded a P flick. Just so Ewan is clear on this, the rule book which he has now been given is an early Christmas present, and, yes, he does get our Dick of the Day award.

The Bank changed penalty-flick taker and duly scored to make it 4-1, even though Nige did get a glove on the flick after going the right way. The Bank then issued a sucker punch to make it 5-1 with another pressure goal.

It was at this point with Ewan back on the pitch that our strike force decided to get going. Preston got his name on the scoresheet for the first time this season to make it 5-2. Then Dave not wanting to be out done decided to get his second to make the scoreline look a lot more sensible 5-3.

The match was played in pretty good humour and was generally umpired very well. May we thank BoE for providing both umpires and wish them well for the rest of the season. Nigel Hawes


4th XI 2 Wanderers VIs 2
The 4s season started last week with an impressive 4-0 win over a Walton and Weybridge team who, over the past year, have proved to be a difficult team to beat. A strong all-round team performance saw us dominate Walton for 90% of a game which was clearly enjoyed by everyone involved. Enthusiasm and expectation were consequently high as we looked forward to our first home game of the season against Wanderers 6s.

We welcomed Darren Pouts into defence for his OC debut (in place of new father Grant Archer – congratulations to the Archers!) and Austin Vowles returned to the club after several seasons at sea to impress on the left wing. The 4s started the game the better of the two teams, pushing for a goal for the first 15 minutes. Andy Monkton and Austin pressed well down the left, linking well with Rob Jonker in midfield and Adam Justice alone up front. Following several near misses the deadlock was deservedly broken by Adam who struck from close range to give us the early lead that we hoped for.

Then, chaos struck, the opposition woke up, and Wanderers hit two goals to give them a 2-1 half-time lead. Surely this couldn’t be?

In the second half, the 4s made it difficult for Wanderers to escape their own half, setting a defensive D well and early. This allowed us to push forward, searching for the all important equaliser. Pressure again led to numerous opportunities, culminating in Adam hitting his second goal of the day (2-2); the game was now ours for the taking. Play opened up and we were put through on goal on several occasions, each time being thwarted by a mean Wanderers keeper.

Rob Crumby, Steve Harmer, Nick Aston and Darren dealt with almost everything that came their way in defence; when Wanderers did find their way further towards the goal they found Nige Smith in their way, making several late and very important saves to keep the scores level until the final whistle. Credit has to go to the team for persevering until the final whistle, showing a team spirit that should hold us in good stead for the season ahead.

(I might have forgotten to mention that Wanderers only had ten men, but surely you haven’t read this far down the page?!)

Thanks go to Rob and Martin for umpiring.