Frustration and elation

Wanderers 2-2 1st XI
How important will the 2 points dropped against our nemesis Wanderers be in 6 months time ?

The last five games against Wanderers have seen us draw three times, 2-2, and lose 3-2 and 2-1. Having had a heavy loss last week and a number of players down from last year this seemed an ideal opportunity to gain revenge over the home side. The first 20 minutes were played in the Wanderers half and but for some poor final choices we should have been three or four up and in clear water. As it was the only short corner we forced in the first half on 20 minutes was powerfully flicked home by Johnny Hunter to give us the lead. By half time Wanderers were even with one of their first attacks producing a soft goal just before the break. Our defensive problems were caused by a loss of shape and failing to attack down the flanks that we had done so well in the first part of the match and our intense full press breaking down at their 16 yard hits.

The second half saw Wanderers dominate with their full press being very effective and causing us difficulties in releasing the ball out of the back. However our second short produced our second goal with Johnny Hunter picking up a loose ball and rifling it home. We should have held out but did not, allowing Wanderers to force a number of short corners and although missing some gilt edge chances equalised with a soft corner finding its way home three minutes from time. Indeed, we could have lost it with an open goal being missed and then in the last minute our failing to convert a good chance that would have given us all three points.

Chris Valentine was the pick of our players with a simple and effective performance at right midfield and Dan Poulson fitted in well in his first game albeit slightly out of position.

Southampton 1 next week at home with our needing to fire a little better than we did this week if we are going to take the three points. David Knapp

Ladies XI 1-0 Epsom
After a disappointing result last week against Surbiton, we were determined to take nothing less than three points from our second league fixture. With Epsom yet to be beaten in the new season, we started as we meant to go on, linking up well to create some good chances early on. The first half was played at quite high tempo, using the new rules generally to good effect, and we probably just edged the best of the possession. Some great periods of play including successfully 'sagging' in to place to defend efficiently and effectively, keeping the ball out of our defensive half and pushing forward as much as possible. A few silly mistakes at the end of the half contributed to some good chances for Epsom, but the first half ended goalless.

The second half was again close and quite even. We maintained our form, however unfortunately conceding a few shorts, and a number of free hits outside the 'D'; All were defended well, and we produced some great counter attacks, and generally used the space of the pitch well. The persistent pressure won us a number of chances and attacking shorts. Six minutes from time, and with another shortie - the push out from Rewa and an excellent move between May and Sarah Mann resulted in (what looked like) a textbook goal. The last few minutes were played defensively, but we managed to hold on and get the whole three points.

So many good performances on Saturday that are so encouraging and exciting for the rest of the season: Hulio with some absolutely fantastic saves, and a noteable performance from Lucy in defence meant we kept a clean sheet. Jax and Hels as always completely solid on the left and Jerry also had a great start to her life as an OC with some awesome balls through to link up midfield and attack.

All in all a great performance, including by the coach - who was as passionate as the players on the side line there, lets hope it's onwards and upwards from here girls! Rosie Marriott


2nd XI 1-3 Wanderers II
Our second match saw us take on the league leaders (albeit after one game!) at home. Tom Merry who was awarded the dubious privilege of recruitment secretary at the committee meeting last week, proved his pedigree straight away by finding three new players, all of whom proved to be very useful. We also welcomed back Christopher O'Neil-Dunne, an ex-studio player who has been abroad honing his skills. This provided us the luxury of 13 players and on a hot day made a great difference.


The game started extremely brightly with us playing a very controlled brand of hockey and zipping around the back four with ease. However we were unfortunately the first to concede – a good finish after our first real defensive lapse. 0-1 but we still looked to be slightly ahead on playing terms and so it remained at half time. Our new crop of players all played an important part in this – Chris looked composed at sweeper, made several key tackles and pinged the ball around; Sam Blackmore was industrious in the middle and linked well with Andy Selby and James Bents; Nick Phillips was feisty down the left and gave several killer passes to the guys up front; Tom Quy had several deft touches and linked very well with the other forward. We were patient in attack and we looked much better in defence, with our full press putting pressure on them throughout.

Almost straight away in the second half a quick break down the middle lead to a short corner. With Jon Heard at the top of the d everyone expecting a crashed strike. The first wobble was a shock the second shimmy unheard of. At that point the umpire was shocked into blowing for a foul as Jon slotted it home. Rolf had had an excellent game and apologised straight away to the crest fallen Jon. Fortunately the damage was short lived as we scored immediately from a further short. Tom Quy was surprised not to find someone to help him on the P spot, following a break down in communication. Surprise quickly turned to despair but he calmly stuck it away to get his first OC goal.

At this point we really looked like we might well snatch the points. They were lucky that one of their players was not yellowed, having been shown a green just before for a similarly poor challenge. Both sides had chances and we were saved a few times by excellent tackling by the ever dependable Dodie Kurshid and Jon Heard, and by more first class keeping by Ross Kingsnorth who made a number of extraordinary saves. We were then guilty of being slightly naive. As their player dribbled it off the back by the near post we all stopped and he calmly passed it to his team mate who slotted it home – neither umpire was really in a position to see either way and we went 1-2 down, despite our protests. As fitness told, despite having 13, we then conceded another goal after some sloppy defending.

The game ended 1-3, despite us playing arguably the best hockey we have played over the last two years. We should really have held on when we equalised, but we have proved once again that we are capable of playing at the higher level and in three or four weeks once a relatively new side has settled we should be a force to be reckoned with.

Our thanks once again to everyone who made themselves available to play. The umpiring was once again excellent – our thanks to Rolf and Shaun. It was also extremely pleasing to see most of the guys sticking around for a beer after the game and several of us supporting the OC rugby after that. We have been traditionally poor at this but the first two games have been very encouraging in this aspect, long may it continue!

Next week a trip to H.A.C. sees the return of a number of players and hopefully winning ways... Tom Merry

Oxted 6-3 3rd XI
Unfortunately a disappointing result at the weekend in going down 6-3 after being 2-0 up in the early stages especially after winning the previous week. I think we all have our views on where we might have gone wrong but at the same time Oxted were a pretty well drilled side with some skillful, fast and fit youngsters. We just need to pick ourselves up and try and ensure that we get the results going in right direction again. Nigel Hawes

4th XI 6-1 NPL
Fresh from our bi-annual bruising encounter bashing the high-flyers Barnes Beavers in a hard-fought 2-2 draw, this week saw the turn of fellow promotees NPL Bees. After a week of autumn drizzle and grey skies, the sun finally came out and with it the buzz of the Bees: who had proved a fiery bunch in previous encounters meaning scores to settle. But with Mrs Crumby’s finest chocolate brownies waiting for the winners (and double helpings for the losers) and Steve "They’ll never take our freedom" Harmer’s pre-match eulogies (so long they left little time for warm-up) still ringing in our ears, battle commenced.

Despite some crisp passing and fancy stick-work from Oxo, Dom and Howie, it was NPL who struck first against the run of play. But we rallied and quickly evened the score with Dom finding space and time for some trade-mark Banana runs down the right and the grabbing a well-deserved lead by half time.

The next ten minutes were to prove crucial with the Bees looking more than capable of scoring and coming close several times, but for the valiant defensive efforts of Messers Archer, Aston, Smith and Crumby. With no Louis this week, hopes rested on our super-signing ‘Jekyl and Hyde’ Jamal to put the result beyond doubt. But before he had a chance, the ever watchful Martin intervened and sin-binned him for a moment of madness that saw us reorganise and consolidate.

Despite being down to ten men, we extended our lead and with Jamal back on, we went into overdrive with Jamal hitting a succession of sweet strikes that found the roof of the net to finish the game 6-1, but not before goal-hanger Harmer stole forward and joined the party with a scuffed shot.

So, the 4ths cruise up to mid-table with one of each, a loss, a draw and a win and with win-less Old Georgians next up, a top 5 spot beckons. The spirit of Bance is alive and well. Long live Jamal. Robin Crumby

Tring Vets 3-4 Vets XI

Eleven good men and true turned up at Tring on Saturday and with only one forward in the team, our annual beating from them looked on the cards. But oh what a bit of anger and injustice can do for motivation. Having one goal scored against you when there was blatant interference by the footballer in the D before hand who trapped the ball wonderfully well with his foot before playing the ball in the net was bad enough. Given the opportunity to admit his guilt by that practiced court-room expert Dave Burles the culprit skulked away hiding his head in shame. Oh no things got worse. Matt Spears made a fantastic goal line stop with his stick marginally above his shoulder and Tring were awarded a penalty flick for dangerous play – which they converted. So we found ourselves unjustly down 2–0 at the break.

Changing tactics for the second half with the midfield five all pushing forward to support our excellent and tireless centre forward – Miles, we were able to score a well worked goal via Andy Eve which really sparked the motivation. There followed the sweetest quick fire hat trick from self publicist Tommy T, with two short corners and a penalty flick to secure the win which the efforts of the team deserved despite a consolation goal at the end of the game to make the score 4-3, a win secured by a fine penalty save in the second half by our rock at the back Pete Shanks. And by the way the questionable umpiring came from the Tring umpire - who otherwise was very good - not our fantastic umpire Mr Tim Cook who, thanks to the help of a number of Tring players, now knows the new rule that you can’t hit a ball straight in to the D from a free hit inside the 25 without the ball first moving five yards! Tommy Trinder