Match report October 2 2010

Woking 0-3 1st XI
A great performance that led to a good win to kick off the league season against a Woking team who had an excellent set of pre season results, winning all and only conceding one goal in the bargain. We set out our game plan and were rewarded for playing efficient and crisp hockey after a first five minutes in which Woking had the balance of play. Plenty of positive talking from the back and the best performance from Rippers since joining the OCs saw us dominate the midfield and snuff out any danger from Woking.

Soaking up the Woking pressure enabled us to draw out their defence and exploit the space created which in turn enabled Nick Lewis to score two superb goals to put us two-up at half time. The first was a training ground move our transferring the ball from the back into the right hand corner where Gavin set up Nick who slapped the ball home. The second was more of an individual effort with Nick smashing home the ball just inside the far post from the top of the D. Gavin nearly added a third when a bit of outrageous skill set up Gavin whose shot was taken off the line.

Cato marshalled the defence superbly, ably assisted by Goalie making his first appearance for nearly 10 years, with our midfield four also excellent. Jonny H was a colossus in the middle with Rippers and caused all sorts of problems when moving forward.

Not to be outdone Woking forced a short corner with the last move of the half and in what proved to be an important passage of play the corner and the four following corners were all kept out.

The third goal was always going to be crucial and again, although Woking pressed hard they created little and played into our hands by over using their playing coach Dooley burrowing further and further into one area rather than changing direction. Andy Pike found a number of excellent positions but never received the pass that he required. Our third goal was again a swift counter and a top draw reverse stick cross by Jonny found Gavin who dived and deflected home with 17 minutes to go. Woking still pressed forward but were still unable to break down our defence and we should have added at least one more with the final pass when the home side were stretched going begging.

Woking are a young side and will have their day but this Saturday experience counted and we ran out the winners. Goalie had the last say with two remarkable saves at the death to ensure we kept a clean sheet.

A good display from Rob and Tony as well who umpired a hard game that they let flow throughout. Reigate Priory next week in what will be a tight league. David Knapp

Ladies XI 2-0 Tulse Hill & Dulwich
The OC ladies made a great start this weekend against Tulse Hill and Dulwich with a 2–0 win at home.
With a squad of 13 and several new players this season, the ladies were out to prove themselves after just missing out on promotion last year.

The first 15 minutes were shaky but once we settled, the passes began to flow and in the final minutes of the first half our play was rewarded with our first goal from Jax.

In the second half the ladies remained strong giving the opposition no chance of scoring. Although our lack of fitness began to show with the extra players and a brilliant team effort the second goal was slotted sweetly home by Michelle securing the win for the ladies. Sarah Mann


Reigate Priory 1-1 4th XI
After a shock wake up call to the new league during the first match last week the 4’s were determined to play to their potential in the 2nd match.

Still missing several key players due to injury, paternity leave and other commitments the team assembled at Reigate school. No substitutes were available and for many this would be the first match of the season. It was clear that the incentive of Mrs Archer’s post match home made Rocky Road was required for us to stand any hope of seeing points.

Kindly Chris Bents spared some valuable time away from the Ronseal sponsored tanning booth, where he had clearly spent the morning brushing up his fake mahogany “David Dickinson-esque” glow to umpire the game.

At push back the team nervously found their formation and slowly the passes started to come together. The opposition were on the whole younger and faster but we started strongly. Captain for the day (Grant Archer) continued to moan about his lack of fitness and remnants of a lost voice and blocked nose, but his forced 11 man formation started to click.

Some reassuringly solid defending was required and the back 3 of Bishop, Crumby and Smith did not disappoint, halting wave after wave of Reigate assault. A few long balls were used to counter with Jamal and Dom surging forward a causing a few issues for the Reigate defence.

Debutant Richard got stuck in with some perfectly timed jab tackles, competently filling the still absent new father Harmer’s boots. Eventually Reigate managed to make headway and convert a shot past the buoyant and rejuvenated Nigel Smith – who made some splendid clearances with his kickers right through the game.

So 1-0 to Reigate at half-time. The team re-grouped and Grant tried his best to rally the troops – Harmer would have been proud. The second half started at a high pace and soon we were causing a few more questions to be asked from the opposition defence. Rob Jonker commanded the midfield at times, supported by Nathan with some unusual but strangely effective twisting and turning runs. After a few short corners that frustratingly just wouldn’t make their way in to the goal – Nick Jocelyn struck! It was a shot straight out of the Louis Strover “how to score goals” handbook, that sadly has been missing from the 4th team resources cupboard for a season now. (Rumour has it that it has got lost in Robin Crumby’s trophy room).

1-1 and several more chances at both ends in the dying minutes led to a closely fought battle that could have gone either way. A great point secured for the 4th team - who are looking forward to a good season. The post match the Rocky Road was consumed with relish at the side of the rain lashed pitch. Bring on next week’s match. Grant Archer


Cheam Clarets 2-5 Veterans XI
Another early start for the OC Vets as they travelled to Cheam to take on the team who had beaten St Albans with a resounding 1-5 away victory the week before, making them league leaders.

OCs found the 10am start to their liking-not- and this resulted in a stuttering start, with missed passes, poor stopping and generally unattractive hockey. Eventually however things started to come together and even the fact that some players were playing in unfamiliar positions e.g. Andy Eve at centre forward, didn’t seem to cause too many difficulties, even if some of the more ‘unaware’ players were still trying to sort out in their own minds exactly what 4-4-2, or whatever formation was being played, actually meant.

Gradually the OCs' pressure told on Cheam, who gave away a deliberate foul in the D
just before Tommy eased the ball into the goal. Unfortunately the umpire had blown
his whistle for a penalty flick before the ‘goal’ so a pf it was to be. Frustrating but there you are. Tommy stepped up to take the pf knowing that this was a deciding
moment: if he converted it would be the confidence booster that the team needed-
if he failed the team would be left feeling frustrated at what was so nearly a goal.
Without hesitation Tommy sent the ball in to the lower left corner and the OCs were
1-0 up. This seemed to be a defining moment as the OCs took a collective breath and
decided to play simple hockey, with short balls and working the ball from side to side through the midfield. Before the half time whistle went they were another goal up, thanks to Tony pouncing on a loose ball in the circle to send it past the keeper for a fine opportunistic goal. Things were not to go all the OCs way however, with Cheam scoring a well taken goal before half time to make things 2-1 to the OCs.

The OCs continued to play simple hockey after the resumption of play patiently
working the ball into the Cheam 25 and circle and it was then that Andy Eve decided
to go for a reverse stick laydown shot at such an acute angle that he was probably
more surprised than the keeper when it went in. This is not to detract though- it really was a superb goal.

By now the OCs realised that they could win the match if they played to the KISS
principle and they continued to try to do so. More OCs attacking resulted in the ball
coming across the circle to David Burles who calmly gathered it up, stepped inside
the D and then drilled it in to the far corner, giving the keeper no chance. 4-1 to the OCs- heady stuff, and so it was to prove as Cheam galvanised themselves for a quick break, leaving the OCs chasing to keep up. A despairing lunge in the D resulted in a short corner against the OCs, which the Cheam centre forward cleanly drilled past El Presidente. 4-2 and there was still time for a Cheam comeback. However, the OCs didn’t revert to form but kept their heads and continued to work the ball around using short passes. An incisive pass from Mike meant that the OCs were once again in the Cheam circle. There appeared to be nothing on but Andy Eve chose that moment to
come through to the top of the D, called for the ball and without hesitation cracked it past the keeper with a fine shot to make it 5- 2 at full time and with the OC Vets as a result heading the league.

Thanks must go to the Cheam umpire who had a superb game, and to Andrew, Wade,
Tony and Rex who all umpired. Myles Hothersall