Match report October 16 2010
The 1st XI beat tenants London Academicals 3-1 in a feisty and entertaining encounter at Thames Ditton to maintain a 100% start to the season. The Ladies lost their unbeaten record with a 0-1 home loss to a good Merton side. Other results to follow.
1st XI 3-1 London Academicals
Click here for photos
One would have thought that the side that wins 3 penalty strokes and has the opposition down to 9 men for 8 minutes would be the winners in a close game but it was not the case at TD.
Our game against our tenants was an odd match with 3 strokes, 4 yellow cards and 2 green but not a dirty game, merely clumsy in places. Always a highly charged game neither side could look back on the game with a sense of satisfaction in the way they performed but we took the points as a result of an excellent first 20 minutes. Following the dismal start against Priory we set about this game differently and were rewarded with 2 goals from flowing moves, Nick Lewis being set up by Gavin and Rory Alexander by an excellent bit of skill and run by CV who in turn had been set on his way by some wonderful defensive passing with 5 crisp passes splitting open the Academical defence. The last 10 minutes however were extraordinary. 2 sloppy and clumsy tackles saw Nick and Hunts go off although in another game they may have just been penalised for the offences and so we were under the cosh. 2 strokes were won as a result of surprisingly rash and unecessary tackles but Coops was up to the challenge, saving both. We were relieved to go in 2 - 0 at half time as Academicals had all the pressure for this period but were unable to convert this into goals.
As we came off, Coops' comment of "don't expect me to save a third stroke" was, I felt a little defensive and so it turned out to be. Our tenants came out fighting at the start of the second period and forced a number of shorts but were unable to hit top gear with their routine and went 3 down after CV set up Gavin whose strength enabled him to force the ball home. Academicals had no option but to press and try and force the play in the 15 minutes remaining but in doing so received 2 yellows of their own which made their task even more difficult. Another clumsy tackle saw a third stroke awarded and true to his word Coops did not save it although he was at the corner flag when the ball went in. Try as they did Academicals could not force another goal and although not being at all fluent for the second half could have scored another couple at the end as on the break Gavin was foiled by two good saves from Dan Borg.
Academicals indicated after the game that we deserved to win but I am not sure as lady luck smiled on us today but with three wins out of three we are second behind Havant 2s as Oxted and Winchester both lost their 100% records.
Southampton at home this Saturday having drawn booth games with them last year. David Knapp
Ladies XI 0-1 Merton
Click here for photos
We were ready for a tough match against Merton, having been relagated from div 1 last season and some great results so far it was clear these would be one of our biggest rivals for promotion. Merton have always been tough opponants and previous matches have always been physical and usually eventful - but we were prepared with Martin as our umpire and we couldn't wait to get stuck in!
Merton definately took control from the start moving the ball around well and setting a fast tempo to the match. We hadn't settled and were still finding our feet really when early on in the first half Merton won the first penalty corner. They were clearly well practiced and it was an excellent set piece which finished in the back of the net, which Julia could take no blame for not getting to, and even with Rosie's kamacazie run and Helen strong as ever on post could not prevent. 1-0.
We kept our composure and evently started playing OC hockey with good quick passes great runs off the ball and winning the 50:50's leading to our first penaly corner. A superb injection from Wilko Merry to a strike from Manny forced the Merton keeper to make a fairly impressive save. Unlucky for us. We continued to pressure Merton which was clearly unsettling them slightly and we continued to put pressure on the Keeps, winning a spait of short corners but still failing to convert.
Second half was similar to the first with us starting slow and Merton taking control but eventually turning into a more even match. Merton had a few shots on goal and won a couple of shorts but couldn't extend their lead, the closest they came to scoring was a shot saved by Jules scrambled away by George to come back in and be saved off the line by Rosie. We continue to press hard drilling balls into the merton circle and some great runs by Philly, Ems, Michelle and even Helen Hawes from the back (it seems she is determined to score a goal this season!!) but not quite managing to get on the end of them. Although they were winning Merton were at times on the back foot which so far this season they are clearly not used to and their frustrations became apparent with a few dubious tackles (although I should say I'm sure we put in a few in return...). We won a couple more shorts but to no avail. It finished 1-0 and although was a loss was an enjoyable match and we will certianly look forward to and want to take something away from the return leg.
It was especially nice for Merton to supply a fair and good umpire and thanks to Martin for giving up his time for us. Thanks also to Nick for running the subs and Knappy, Brutus and Rosie Dog cheering us on from the side, along with our usual faithful! Jackie Joyce
1st XI 3-1 London AcademicalsClick here for photos
One would have thought that the side that wins 3 penalty strokes and has the opposition down to 9 men for 8 minutes would be the winners in a close game but it was not the case at TD.
Our game against our tenants was an odd match with 3 strokes, 4 yellow cards and 2 green but not a dirty game, merely clumsy in places. Always a highly charged game neither side could look back on the game with a sense of satisfaction in the way they performed but we took the points as a result of an excellent first 20 minutes. Following the dismal start against Priory we set about this game differently and were rewarded with 2 goals from flowing moves, Nick Lewis being set up by Gavin and Rory Alexander by an excellent bit of skill and run by CV who in turn had been set on his way by some wonderful defensive passing with 5 crisp passes splitting open the Academical defence. The last 10 minutes however were extraordinary. 2 sloppy and clumsy tackles saw Nick and Hunts go off although in another game they may have just been penalised for the offences and so we were under the cosh. 2 strokes were won as a result of surprisingly rash and unecessary tackles but Coops was up to the challenge, saving both. We were relieved to go in 2 - 0 at half time as Academicals had all the pressure for this period but were unable to convert this into goals.
As we came off, Coops' comment of "don't expect me to save a third stroke" was, I felt a little defensive and so it turned out to be. Our tenants came out fighting at the start of the second period and forced a number of shorts but were unable to hit top gear with their routine and went 3 down after CV set up Gavin whose strength enabled him to force the ball home. Academicals had no option but to press and try and force the play in the 15 minutes remaining but in doing so received 2 yellows of their own which made their task even more difficult. Another clumsy tackle saw a third stroke awarded and true to his word Coops did not save it although he was at the corner flag when the ball went in. Try as they did Academicals could not force another goal and although not being at all fluent for the second half could have scored another couple at the end as on the break Gavin was foiled by two good saves from Dan Borg.
Academicals indicated after the game that we deserved to win but I am not sure as lady luck smiled on us today but with three wins out of three we are second behind Havant 2s as Oxted and Winchester both lost their 100% records.
Southampton at home this Saturday having drawn booth games with them last year. David Knapp
Ladies XI 0-1 MertonClick here for photos
We were ready for a tough match against Merton, having been relagated from div 1 last season and some great results so far it was clear these would be one of our biggest rivals for promotion. Merton have always been tough opponants and previous matches have always been physical and usually eventful - but we were prepared with Martin as our umpire and we couldn't wait to get stuck in!
Merton definately took control from the start moving the ball around well and setting a fast tempo to the match. We hadn't settled and were still finding our feet really when early on in the first half Merton won the first penalty corner. They were clearly well practiced and it was an excellent set piece which finished in the back of the net, which Julia could take no blame for not getting to, and even with Rosie's kamacazie run and Helen strong as ever on post could not prevent. 1-0.
We kept our composure and evently started playing OC hockey with good quick passes great runs off the ball and winning the 50:50's leading to our first penaly corner. A superb injection from Wilko Merry to a strike from Manny forced the Merton keeper to make a fairly impressive save. Unlucky for us. We continued to pressure Merton which was clearly unsettling them slightly and we continued to put pressure on the Keeps, winning a spait of short corners but still failing to convert.
Second half was similar to the first with us starting slow and Merton taking control but eventually turning into a more even match. Merton had a few shots on goal and won a couple of shorts but couldn't extend their lead, the closest they came to scoring was a shot saved by Jules scrambled away by George to come back in and be saved off the line by Rosie. We continue to press hard drilling balls into the merton circle and some great runs by Philly, Ems, Michelle and even Helen Hawes from the back (it seems she is determined to score a goal this season!!) but not quite managing to get on the end of them. Although they were winning Merton were at times on the back foot which so far this season they are clearly not used to and their frustrations became apparent with a few dubious tackles (although I should say I'm sure we put in a few in return...). We won a couple more shorts but to no avail. It finished 1-0 and although was a loss was an enjoyable match and we will certianly look forward to and want to take something away from the return leg.
It was especially nice for Merton to supply a fair and good umpire and thanks to Martin for giving up his time for us. Thanks also to Nick for running the subs and Knappy, Brutus and Rosie Dog cheering us on from the side, along with our usual faithful! Jackie Joyce
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