Match report April 10 2010
The 1st XI capped a memorable season with a 4-2 win at City of Portsmouth to give us the league title by a remarkable 11 points. For any team to go the whole season unbeaten in the league is a feat to be proud of but following promotion last year is even more so. Having used five keepers during the season and probably 15 or so outfield players we become the fist OCHC team to go the whole league season unbeaten. With nothing to play for, the 2nd XI finished with a defeat by Bank of England, the 3rd XI with a 3-1 win at Teddington, and the 4th XI with a 0-5 loss to Oxted
City of Portsmouth 2-4 1st XI
Not the most glorious of endings to what has been a glorious season and memorable season. For any team to go the whole season unbeaten in the league is a feat to be proud of but following promotion last year is even more so. Having used five keepers during the season and probably 15 or so outfield players we become the fist OCHC team to go the whole league season unbeaten.
Today we were affected by the skipper being unable to play due to his bad back, Rory having food poisoning and CB away on holiday - renewing his marriage vows. Add in a puncture for Knappy on the A3 and a tricky traffic affected journey our preparations were badly affected and it showed right at the start. Once we got into our stride great running from the top two and slick passing saw Gavin tap home two well-worked goals following unselfish passing of the ball in the circle - the style of hockey Mani wishes to introduce to cement David Cresswell's vision.
The next 10 minutes saw us play our worst hockey of the game and it was no surprise that City of Portsmouth came back into the game taking advantage of our over committing and winning a stroke on the break. At this point we realised that being arrogant was not going to win the game nor any friends and so we played the last 10 of the first half the way league champions should and wrapped up the game, Cookiey slotting home following a six-man move from our 25 to the goal that contained eight passes. Gavin scored his third, picking up a great through ball from Hunter, who managed to keep his feet for the first time in the game, rounding the keeper and scoring from a difficult angle.
Although going off our game in the second period and conceding a good short corner goal mid way through the half we had enough in reserve to create chances that were not taken, hit the goal frame for the second time in the game and run out winners 4 - 2.
City of Portsmouth were gracious in defeat and we appreciated the good wishes for next season. A return to their glory days would also be good for the home side but the modern day approach of going to the so called bigger clubs in the vicinity is a problem.
The next five months will see us integrating new player/coach Mani's style and requirements and the replacement of Eds and Knappy in the team, the former moving to the USA and the latter taking on the manager mantle. We must aim high next season but do so we have to increase our fitness levels which are currently short of the mark required for a serious assault on promotion next season. David Knapp
2nd XI 1-4 Bank of England
Click here for match photosThe 2nd XI, assured of league safety thanks to the win at Oxted, went down 1-4 to Bank of England in a well-fought match. There were enough signs in new faces on show mixing with the old lags to suggest next year will be less fraught. It certainly will be for the indefatigable Rob Merry who steps down after a tough season at the helm, but one in which he has remained cheerful in the face of some poor performances and personal injury. He certainly enjoyed the post-match celebrations, as Lydia reports on Facebook: "Boyfriend comes in at 2.30, turns on the light, Wakes me up, tells me he loves me with kebab & beer breath then passes out: good times!"
Teddington 1-3 3rd XI
4th XI 0-5 OxtedI
With five matches remaining, thanks to the size of the league and mid-season weather-related cancellations, the 4th XI could be excused looking a little weary at a time most other players have put the kit in the attic and headed for the coast. Against a team who romped to the title weeks ago, it was always going to be hard, and the April heat hardly helped. On the plus side we created a chance in the second half which was missed. Otherwise, it was one-way traffic against a slick and enterprising Oxted side. Nigel Smith in goal would have been disappointed with the first two goals he conceded but thereafter pulled off a string of excellent saves to keep the scoreline respectable.
City of Portsmouth 2-4 1st XI
Not the most glorious of endings to what has been a glorious season and memorable season. For any team to go the whole season unbeaten in the league is a feat to be proud of but following promotion last year is even more so. Having used five keepers during the season and probably 15 or so outfield players we become the fist OCHC team to go the whole league season unbeaten.
Today we were affected by the skipper being unable to play due to his bad back, Rory having food poisoning and CB away on holiday - renewing his marriage vows. Add in a puncture for Knappy on the A3 and a tricky traffic affected journey our preparations were badly affected and it showed right at the start. Once we got into our stride great running from the top two and slick passing saw Gavin tap home two well-worked goals following unselfish passing of the ball in the circle - the style of hockey Mani wishes to introduce to cement David Cresswell's vision.
The next 10 minutes saw us play our worst hockey of the game and it was no surprise that City of Portsmouth came back into the game taking advantage of our over committing and winning a stroke on the break. At this point we realised that being arrogant was not going to win the game nor any friends and so we played the last 10 of the first half the way league champions should and wrapped up the game, Cookiey slotting home following a six-man move from our 25 to the goal that contained eight passes. Gavin scored his third, picking up a great through ball from Hunter, who managed to keep his feet for the first time in the game, rounding the keeper and scoring from a difficult angle.
Although going off our game in the second period and conceding a good short corner goal mid way through the half we had enough in reserve to create chances that were not taken, hit the goal frame for the second time in the game and run out winners 4 - 2.
City of Portsmouth were gracious in defeat and we appreciated the good wishes for next season. A return to their glory days would also be good for the home side but the modern day approach of going to the so called bigger clubs in the vicinity is a problem.
The next five months will see us integrating new player/coach Mani's style and requirements and the replacement of Eds and Knappy in the team, the former moving to the USA and the latter taking on the manager mantle. We must aim high next season but do so we have to increase our fitness levels which are currently short of the mark required for a serious assault on promotion next season. David Knapp
2nd XI 1-4 Bank of England
Click here for match photosThe 2nd XI, assured of league safety thanks to the win at Oxted, went down 1-4 to Bank of England in a well-fought match. There were enough signs in new faces on show mixing with the old lags to suggest next year will be less fraught. It certainly will be for the indefatigable Rob Merry who steps down after a tough season at the helm, but one in which he has remained cheerful in the face of some poor performances and personal injury. He certainly enjoyed the post-match celebrations, as Lydia reports on Facebook: "Boyfriend comes in at 2.30, turns on the light, Wakes me up, tells me he loves me with kebab & beer breath then passes out: good times!"
Teddington 1-3 3rd XI
4th XI 0-5 OxtedI
With five matches remaining, thanks to the size of the league and mid-season weather-related cancellations, the 4th XI could be excused looking a little weary at a time most other players have put the kit in the attic and headed for the coast. Against a team who romped to the title weeks ago, it was always going to be hard, and the April heat hardly helped. On the plus side we created a chance in the second half which was missed. Otherwise, it was one-way traffic against a slick and enterprising Oxted side. Nigel Smith in goal would have been disappointed with the first two goals he conceded but thereafter pulled off a string of excellent saves to keep the scoreline respectable.
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