Match report March 20 2010

The 1st XI, promoted last weekend, how need only one point to secure the title after a less-than-convincing 2-1 win at Woking, Rory Alexander scoring both goals. The Ladies held champions Spencer to a 3-3 draw at TD, an excellent result but other results meant our slim promotions hopes ended. The other results were less encouraging, with heavy defeats for all the other four XIs.

Woking 1-2 1st XI
If we play like this next season we’ll be back down very quickly. This was a case of if we do this then that will happen so let's ensure we do not. Unfortunately we did and Woking fought like tigers with their performance suggesting they are much better than a host of other teams in our league.

The first 10 minutes were our best of the game with our sticking to the game plan, knocking the ball about and scoring two goals, our first corner rifled home by Rory and the goal of the season for our second, four touches from our 25 to the back of the net, Rory scoring his second of the game and his 18th of the season. We then missed an open goal and had one chalked off after advantage was changed to a short corner as the ball went goalwards. 3 - 0 would have killed off Woking but as it was the home side pulled one back when we failed to clear our lines and from that point onwards no one watching would have known who was top and who was bottom. All credit to Woking who battled to the last although fair to say that neither keeper had much to do, especially in open play.

One of the spectators indicated that from where he was standing our central midfield stopped putting in the runs that were made in the first 15 minutes so not making themselves available to Cato and Woody and similarly from the wide midfield players. This prevented the expansive game we played when scoring the two goals.

Interestingly we have not played well away from home all season and today was a matter of thinking we just had to turn up to win. We won playing ugly and so only need one more point to win the league. In order to knock on the door of the league above next season we will have to all increase our fitness by 10% and learn from games like today.

All credit must go to Woking whose excellent youth policy is paying dividends with a number of quality youngsters on show and in three or four years time they will be a club that has to be reckoned with, assuming their youngsters do not disappear off to what they perceive to be the bright lights of so called bigger clubs.

Thank you to both Jonn of Wanderers and Paul of Southampton for their messages on behalf of their clubs congratulating us on our promotion. After four tough games against these two sides we appreciate the messages and would also like to congratulate Southampton on their promotion and know that Wanderers will be looking to join us both in the A division at the end of the 2011 season. David Knapp

Ladies XI 3-3 Spencer
The second to last game of the season and what a performance against the team at the top of the table! Without the coach for most of the game the girls definitely had something to prove after the awful defeat against bottom of the table a couple of weeks ago.

With a full and very strong squad the mood was positive although it was too late for promotion. The ladies played fantastically well with some great team work both on and off the pitch. The ladies had most of the possession in the first half but the first goal was scored by Spencer. We responded well and Gadget slipped one past the keeper not long afterwards. The second goal came from us from a well worked short corner and a strong strike from Manny. At half time the scores were level.

The second half was slightly different with possession more evenly matched. It started off well and it was not long before Snoops was finally able to do what she had been dying to do all season and sneak one past the keeper. Bout time Snoops!! Unfortunately the lead did not last long when Spencer were able to run down the middle of the pitch and put one past Julia. Bollocks is what I say to that.
At the end of the game it was 3 – 3 and unfortunate draw but a thoroughly enjoyable game. Well done ladies you played with great passion and I am proud of you.
Ps We still won 6 – 4 on aggregate!! Sarah Mann

2nd XI 0-7 Old Kingstonians


Old Kingstonians 6-2 3rd XI


4th XI 2-6 Reigate Priory V
The game earlier this season again Reigate Priory had been one of the more controversial games of the season, as much for the match report as the on-field tantrums, so the return could have been a chance to settle scores. That it produced some outstanding hockey was a credit to both sides. Reigate, a superb mix of experience and youngsters – four under 16 – played a sublime passing game and controlled the midfield throughout. The first 20 minutes were fairly even, although Reigate’s pressing forward always threatened more, but the floodgates opened when they scored three times in a remarkable 85-second blitz. Two more goals came before the break and there was every chance we would be ripped to shreds.

But to our credit we kept battling although Reigate continued to control. The sight of a tiny 12-year-old repeatedly tormenting the defence with skillful runs was a delight to see – if only for spectators and not the defenders – but Grant Archer, with our only two shots of the match, scored twice in a minute midway through the half as the previously untroubled Reigate defence were caught napping. They added a sixth neat the end from a penalty corner, but it should be said Matt Olly in goal had a great game and kept the scoreline decent.

So the return of Bertie Bance, who had flown 6000 miles to play, had no fairytale ending, and there were no fights, just good, slick hockey from one of the most pleasant opposition to have visited this season. The only possible flashpoint came when Harmer dumped one of the kids on his arse but even that was as a result of the (considerable) disparity in weight more than any aggro. If only every match was as enjoyable to umpire.

St Albans 7-0 Veterans