Match reports - November 15, 2008

The 1st XI maintained their 100% record and top place in Surrey One with a 4-2 win over Cheam, while the 2nd XI scored four second-half goals to defeat Walton 5-2. The Ladies drew with Old Georgians 1-1, and the 3rd XI recorded their first point of the season with a 1-1 draw, courtesy of a goal two minutes from time, against NPL. The 4th XI beat Teddington 2-0 while the Vets went down to Bromley 0-2.



1st XI 4-2 Cheam
The proverbial game of two halves in which we were scintillating for 25 minutes of the first 35 but inept in the second once the game was killed off.

Having been pumped up by the ghetto blaster in the Cheam dressing room and making the most of a Brucey warm up we knew that plating short passes and crisp hockey and wanting rather than expecting to win would enable us to dominate and dominate we did. Chris Valentine was outstanding in the first half benefiting from a solid display from Nick Lewis whose timely runs from the back caused all sorts of problems for Cheam and gave Chris the space to open up the Cheam defence time and time again. Trickster was redundant in the first half due to our domination and at the break we were 4-0 to the good. Chris set up Knapp for the first, Ed Breton scored at the third attempt from a short for the second and Chris tapped home the third a fitting reward for his first half display. The fourth was the product of a cracking ball out of the back, a sublime dummy by Gavin leaving Knapp with the task of beating the keeper in a one on one and slipping the ball home. In between times we created a fair few other chances that were not converted.

Now to the second half - was it the same two sides playing? For some reason we stopped running and probably felt the game was over and so took our foot off the pedal. A spirited Cheam side cam back in the game with two goals, the second a product of a short corner given away for a clumsy tackle in the 25 and a straight strike deflected over Trickster - sadly by one of us. Although we continued to create a number of chances that looking back were on occasions easier to score than miss it was Cheam who came closest to scoring again with a couple of deflections going narrowly past the post.

Although not as tight as last week we do have to learn how to kill off games in the second half otherwise we will come a cropper.

Great umpiring from Ebs and Ian Jolly - the best combination we have had this season with no cause for complaint from any of the players during the 70 minutes.

HAC away next week - never a happy hunting ground. David Knapp

Walton & Weybridge Hawks 2-5 2nd XI
It was raining goals at Sunbury as we got back to winning ways in style on Saturday afternoon. Considering we had only scored eight goals in five games in the lead up to the match it was pleasing to net five times in a single outing. It was not all plain sailing though. With 15 minutes left on the clock we were leading by a one-goal margin after the hawks had dispatched their second of the game. However a combination of calm heads and clinical finishing ensured we killed off any chance of a shock comeback, with three goals in quick succession. In truth the 5-2 score-line did not flatter us such was our dominance in terms of territory, possession, fitness and skill.

After a high tempo warm up we started the game well and settled into some decent passing and good spells of possession. Andy Selby (looking far more at home in the centre of midfield) linking play well. The tactic of playing Paul upfront with James was playing off with both players moving well and providing targets for our midfield to hit. It was only a matter of time before our pressure translated into a goal, which James Wood provided clinically after 20 minutes.

At half time everyone was shouting about 16s and how to defend them, which I found particularly boring. It was a shame because we could have focussed on one of best halves of hockey so far season. We were confident on the ball, our movement was much improved and our passing crisp. I can't remember the opposition having one clear cut chance during the first period, a testament to our back four's concentration and determination.

Anyway second half and W&W came out with renewed vigour and managed to nick an equaliser, beating Mike on his near post after a significant deflection. Thankfully we did not panic and restored our advantage almost immediately. A great run from Paul led to Rob Merry (who must have been on oxygen he was so high up the pitch) slamming home from the top of the D! Then it was over to Paul to grab an excellent brace to continue his great goal scoring form for the club. Clearly relishing playing higher up the pitch his class shone through, with one thunderous strike which gave their keeper little chance.

We did have a little stutter at 3-1 as hawks grabbed second (again from a short corner) that briefly got the score back to 3-2, but Paul's second and then our 5th, a slick finish from Nick Wood after a perfect cross from his brother, finally clipped the hawk's wings for good.

Ok the opposition were fairly average but we played really well. Crucially the side looked and felt much more balanced. The back four looked settled and assured the midfield were passing and moving and closing down well and we carried a genuine threat up front for the first time this season. There were a number of performances that deserve a mention...Our captain played his best game of the season - a goal, a goal-saving clearance and some marauding surges up the pitch to help out in attack, its clear that full back is a better position for him than left half. Paul Acutt held the ball up well, made intelligent runs and gave us a much needed cutting edge scoring two goals (shame he didn't pass to me with the goal at my mercy late on - these South Africans eh?). "The Woodys" have clearly found their feet now. Both looked sharp and dangerous throughout -a goal each and valuable contributions in general. Andy Selby also had a good game, looking far more comfortable in midfield where he linked well with his teammates and snuffed out any threat coming from their playmakers...

Good result - lets ensure we keep the momentum going for next Saturday's showdown with league leaders Whitgift. Also welcome back to Neil Grimes, who can only help strengthen us further...

And finally... Good to see Martin back umpiring after a few weeks off. He clearly hasn't forgotten how to dish out cards; especially to yours truly. Chris "I got the only card of the game" Porter

Ladies 1-1 Old Georgians
We found ourselves playing our home match against Old Georgians at Surbiton! We had only one sub so knew it was going to be a hard match as we didn’t have the five pairs of extra legs on the bench that we have become accoustomed to! The first half was pretty evenly matched with some close calls from both teams with both our defence and forwards working hard. OG’s won a penalty corner but nothing came of it. Their goal came from a bit of defensive confusion on our part and we let in a sloppy goal. We went into half time 1-0 down against the bottom side in the league.

We knew we had had the better game in the first half and were determined to get something out of the match. The second half we played much more attacking hockey with Muriel and Tux playing fairly high allowing our midfield and forwards to push higher still. OG’s however were not going to let their lead go easily and continued to put us under pressure and again we conceded several penalty corners but held strong defending them. OG’s began to tire and our fitness began to pay off. We found ourselves with much more space but were struggling to put the ball in the goal. Eventually 10 minutes from the end and after some good fast passing through the midfield, Vikki had a shot on goal which she roofed into the left hand corner leaving Jules (our ex keeps) standing. It was a fantastic goal which will be in for a very good chance of goal of the season and brought us back to level at 1-1. We tried hard for another but at full time the score finished 1-1. Next week will be a real test as we face top of the table Guildford. Thanks to both umpires for their time and good consistent umpiring. Jackie Waite

3rd XI 1-1 NPL
Before the match started it looked like it could be another one of those days with various members turning up without shirts including an ex-captain (naming no names Armo), and Ross even turning up without any kit. Nige had also managed to forget to bring and balls so all-in-all our hour warm-up was pretty successful.

It initially looked like this was going to continue into the game with NPL pushing back as we managed to keep giving it away too cheaply and in so doing we managed to put ourselves under a little bit of pressure for the first ten minutes. We seemed then to start getting a control of things with Richard taking over up front from Danny and Chris B dropping back into midfield to partner Armo in the centre. As we kept pushing, NPL caught us on the break and Nige could not stop the ball from going past when left with a one on one.

Although a couple of times this season going behind has been the point where we have imploded, this was not one of those days. Stu Steele took the game by the grip of the neck manufacturing great pressure from the back with assistance of Tim, Ollie and Stefano. With Chris Scott and Chaz making some great runs down each wing the pressure on NPL was constant. Pretty much the last 20 minutes of the half saw us camped in their half and despite constant pressure we were unable to capitalise on this and went into half time still 1-0 down.

The second half started back pretty even with NPL trying to keep us out of their half and making a couple of breaks. Either the defence or Nige Smith, (who commanded his area) were far too strong for them. The pressure then continued to build and it looked in the end as if NPL had decided that the only way forward was to put 11 men behind the ball.

It looked as if we were not going to break this down but with only a couple of minutes to go we secured a short corner. We had had a number through the game but had not really threatened that much with any of them. We still had a never-die-spirit and we were not going to give in on this one. Rich injected to Armo who stopped and Ross struck sweetly. Just as the NPL keeper thought he had it covered Rich swept in and the ball flicked into the roof of the net. With the remaining time left we continued to push but were unable to achieve the elusive win which all considered we did deserve.

Thanks to Jon and David for covering the umpire duties. We came off very proud that the team was starting to gel together and play as a team. The result we have been searching for can only be around the corner. Nige “Cripple” Hawes


Teddington 0-2 4th XI
We returned to winning ways with a 2-0 away win against Teddington Mens VIs. It wasn’t pretty, but we came away with the three points. With various players away watching the rugby, the team was juggled slightly and thanks go to CD who raced back from Hereford to complete the starting XI.

A little over six months ago Teddington Oaks thrashed us comprehensively to win the league title. They bore the same hallmarks of that team; a mixture of very young, energetic, skillful players and a trio of experienced ‘guiding elders’. They were very much a developmental XI and despite their lowly league position we were keen not to be taught a lesson this time around.

We started the game well and played some flowing hockey. Steve Harmer distributed the ball excellently from pivot, enabling CD, Rob Jonker and Smeer to put together some flowing moves down the right flank, and Oxo, Bertie and Adam to do similarly down the left. Smeer in particular always looked dangerous loitering on the last defender, if only the ball would fall kindly for him. At the back, Nick, Rob Crumby and Grant dealt well with an energetic and slightly unpredictable set of Teddington forwards.

A period of good possession culminated in a short corner which ended with CD scraping the ball home from very close range (1-0). After that, our performance went very flat and we hung on for half time for what seemed like a decade. (Half time 1-0).

Play resumed and life returned to our performance. Bertie Bance, inspired by Steve’s new knockers and a trip down memory lane in Richmond Park (where he used to walk his Cat), put in his best performance of the season and scored a deserved goal, passing the ball across the area and into the goal (2-0).

Unfortunately, whoever was responsible for turning on the floodlights must have been watching the rugby, and forgot to do so. Night fell and the game increasingly became unplayable, eventually being halted and enabling us to escape with a two-goal lead and the three points. Dom Tucker


Veterans 1-1 Bromley & Beckenham
Report to follow