Match report November 13 2010
The 1st XI bounced back from back-to-back defeats with a 3-0 win at Oxted, but the result of the week came from the Ladies who beat Surbiton - who came into the match unbeaten with a record of 32 goals for and none against - 1-0 thanks to a Jackie Joyce goal. The 2nd XI's 1-8 loss against Addiscombe was their worst of the season, and the 4th XI went down 1-4 to Spencer, but the 3rd Xi beat Reigate 2-1 and the Vets came away from HAC with a 4-3 win
Surbiton 0-1 Ladies
It was always going to be a tough day, not only with an early morning start but facing an opposition who had scored 32 goals in 5 games and conceded 0. Surbiton were cocky to say the least and they had a lot to be cocky about. Fourteen ladies on a Saturday morning can often be hard to control, especially with half the team battling hangovers. However, Goalie as usual managed to ensure we were focused with a rousing team talk and gave us all a lot to think about.
Whilst Surbiton spent the best part of 50 minutes performing a choreographed 'dynamic' warm-up we did a couple of laps before Goalie reminded us that we needed to switch on. Our warm up was short and sweet and there was a fantastic buzz amongst the team. On an unfamiliar surface each and everyone of us was nervous about the first passage of play and how we were going to adapt to the bouncy, springy surface. As expected, the pace from first push back was intense, Surbiton consisted of a large number of young skilful players and their fitness levels meant we had to work hard to break down play and create chances.
There were some fantastic interceptions, tackles and our constant pressure whilst they were on the ball meant we were able to create many chances in the mid-field. Rosie, George, Hels and Rewa were as solid in defence as always and distributed the ball brilliantly from the back. Special mention must go to our fantastic goalie Julia Dann who did a sterling job of putting her body quite literally on the line to save many attempts from Surbiton. Our midfield were particularly dynamic and skilfull when getting round the Surbiton defence and moving the ball to our speedy forwards. Manny, Jax, Nikki and Philly combined their speed and agility to create exciting opportunities for our rapid forwards. May, Toshky and Michelle ran around constantly creating space and putting the Surbiton defence under enormous pressure.
After 25 minutes of play which involved a large amount of running up and down the pitch and several opportunities for both teams, a sudden surge down the OC pitch emerged which included a strong push from Philly across the D. Unfortunately, the ball just hit the goal post and bounced out just in front of their goalie. Jax, who was on her toes at all times saw this opportunity and didn’t waste it, slamming it into the back of the goal. 1-0 to OCs – this is when our maturity and experience played an important role. A large proportion of the Surbiton team began to have tantrums and there were a lot of toys thrown out of the pram. It was important to keep our exposure, keep possession and defend as a unit. Goalie played an instrumental part in ensuring we stay focused, with the help of some of the highly respected senior players.
At half time Goalie gave us a few moments to reflect on our individual performance. At the same time the Surbiton coach was clearly very animated ensuring that they knew what they had to come out and do in the second half. The first five minutes were extremely tough; again our physical presence played an important part and as a result some of the younger players were getting annoyed with the challenges we were making. Surbiton, for the first time this season were rattled; they were frustrated that they were wasting opportunities and we managed to put them under enough pressure that they were forced to make their own mistakes. One particularly stunning run from Toshky down the right hand side of the pitch saw her being approached by three determined Surbiton defenders. However, Toshky remained cool, calm and collected and made a fantastic cross towards May who was charging towards the middle of the D. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to turn this into a goal scoring opportunity but it was again another example of how dangerous we can be on the break.
As time went on in the second half, players began to get impatient. Hels showed just how much this match meant to her with a small outburst (no expletives this time) but I think this fired us up even more. We were keen to support her and ensure she knew we were with her every step of the way. With goalie checking every 30 seconds how long we had left and confirming it with the umps, things were becoming very tense and we were determined not to lose possession and give Surbiton any opportunities. The clock kept ticking and the concentration levels soared, we could not let a goal in ... then the relief set in as the final whistle was blown. What followed was a huge sense of achievement from every single player on the pitch as we celebrated with each other. Each and everyone of us was proud to be wearing our OC shirt that day and I’m sure that those boys in navy must have taken some inspiration from our performance! Thanks should go to every single player in the team including those that couldn’t play as our training sessions and fitness have played a vital role in our recent successes; not to mention the huge dedication and support from both Goalie and Manny. Helen Merry
1st XI 3-0 Oxted
After last week's disappointment of losing a game we should have come away from with a point, today's game was a massive match and one we had to win.
Wise words from Gary B at the end of the week supplemented by some useful words from an earlier oppo of Oxted enabled us to set out and this week, stick to a game plan. The main objective was not to give away any cheap corners so avoid the danger from the league's top scorer Craig Carolan and this we managed to do by not conceding a single corner.
Early on we were indebted to a Coops triple save to keep the scoresheet clean but after that we started to dominate and took the lead when Gavin continued his good run of scoring lifting the ball home from seven yards. At this point our ball pace went down when playing the ball around the back, CV was forced inside and we entered the worst 10 or so minutes of the match as we were pinned in the middle and conceded possession. We rode our luck and defended in numbers and then broke away, won our first corner and Cookiey was on hand to pick the ball up off the keeper's pads and score his first league goal of the season.
Oxted were a little unlucky not to pull one back when the ball went agonisingly close to the line but CV in a rare venture to our back line calmly took the ball off the line and cleared. Just before half time Gavin was unlucky not to score a third when his deflection soared over the bar.
The third goal was always going to be the crucial one and the surprise was that it took 28 minutes of the second half to arrive. Before this Oxted seemed to run out of ideas and we were creating more and more chances. Oxted's keeper pulled off four or five excellent saves and was certainly Man of the Match with Rory our best player, combining well with those around him and having his best game of the season by far. Although not scoring from our subsequent three corners they all looked dangerous and we did eventually score our third with Rory lifting the ball home when a short corner broke down.
With Havant losing at the hands of the ever improving Woking there is now everything to play for again and although Gavin is missing, Rippers is back and detention should be over for Dan. Another clean sheet so Tony Rowe can come more often with he and Ian Hay umpiring a physical game very well indeed. David Knapp
Addiscombe 8-1 2nd XI
Reigate Priory Cardinals 1-2 3rd XI
4th XI 1-4 Spencer Hurricanes
We were all looking forward to playing against Armo, but alas it looks like he must be playing for one of Spencer’s lower teams. What can best be described as a game of two halves, or more precisely, one of four quarters saw a performance akin to England against the All Blacks two weeks ago. A cagey first quarter where both teams created limited chances and much of the play cancelled each other out. A late arriver (with a somewhat fuzzy head we are told – no names mentioned) meant we had the luxury of a sub whilst the Hurricanes had already started the continual rotation of their 15-strong squad.
The second quarter would be better to go unmentioned as Spencer (à la All Blacks) took advantage on several incisive breaks with some clinical finishing peppering the corners and giving Nigel no chance.
The rallying half time TomTom from captain for the day DomDom however kept our heads up and with the speed demon himself leading the way, we like England realised we’d been giving the oppo too much respect. Some stalwart defending and good saves kept our lines clear, with the midfield and forwards increasingly in attack mode. We were on the ascendancy and the pressure was telling, with the opposition shouting a lot (at themselves) having successfully ruffled their feathers. A beautiful one two manoeuvre and the rewards for a good fight-back were finally ours with Dom cutting round the back to cross decisively for Smeer to score for his second week on the trot. A 1-0 second half win and we are sure glory will be ours next week. Our Australia beckons….(an away match against the Old Cranleighan 3rd XI) Grant Archer
HAC 3-4 Veterans
What a weekend to be a English OC Vet, a Harlequin and a Gooner and have a Mrs who’s a Sunderland fan! Although we missed watching the rugby live, watching the recording in the evening was great. How good were England, now that’s how rugby should be played – roll on the Six Nations and the World Cup next year. And Sunday just got better, after the Manchesters both drew, Arsenal won away and Sunderland then beat Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge! And the Quins then beat Newcastle.
All this on top of a fantastic away performance for the OC Vets on Saturday. Despite a little concern over numbers, HAC kindly provided two umpires and Dave Burles turned up ready to play after his calf injury despite anyone knowing so we had 12 which quickly went down to 11 as Rex became hamstrung and had to leave the field to become cheerleader in chief. Dave tweeked the old muscle again later in the game but manfully continued to hold firm in the right half position working well with Jonny Gray throughout. We also welcomed back Howie after his lost fight with the Indian Gym chopper who left him with a nice row of stitches in his wrist.
Plenty of early effort but poor finishing and a lack of shape and composure led to HAC taking a 1-0 lead into half time. This led to plenty of chat at the interval about the importance of ball retention and the need for a “goal hanging” centre forward. We were grateful to Angus “VI” Scott turning out for us on loan from Spencer and his constant running and challenging kept the tempo up and left the HAC defence looking like a flock of sheep being worried by a welsh man in wellies.
The re organisation at half time saw Andy “the skipper” Eve volunteer to goal hang for the team with VI moving to the left wing berth, and a re-jigged midfield giving a better shape. Fortunately no more injuries befell the team and we were soon knocking the ball about with confidence and menace. Despite a clear lack of fitness, “Tricky” Womack kept putting his body on the line and constantly made him self available for the pass at left half often surging forward to support the attack. One such surge found him on the edge of the D where he received the ball and dispatched it high with his reverse stick passed the keeper into the roof of the net. 1-1 and we were off and running........
A wave of constant attacks from both teams in a real end to end struggle saw both keepers including our own “Gordon “ Shanks make a number of important saves, with both teams trading short corners. Eventually the A team with Plan A found the back of the net with Evo smashing in a sweet trade mark short corner into the corner of the goal. Unfortunately HAC responded in kind with a similar short corner of their own. 2-2.
Then the writer managed to get in on the act and finding himself with the ball at the top of the D managed to slot the little fella into the bottom right corner away from the defenders and keeper so 3-2 and looking good.
Then things went wrong again. Unfortunately the defence had a little joint moment when we were on the attack and the ball was stolen by the HAC’s best player “green socks” in the middle who shot off on a run at such pace and skill running past the whole back line it was like watching Usain Bolt run away from the oppo in the 100 metres. This led to us being pegged back to 3-3 and both teams seemed to settle for a draw with just a few minutes left on the clock.
Unfortunately for HAC and “green socks” though this was not the end of the story. It could happen to anyone but during an HAC possession play, the ball bounced off a boot attached to one of those green socks and the whistle went. A quickly taken free hit by the writer to Tricky who took the ball on quickly to VI who then checked his run and passed the ball to our goal hanger at the top of the D who ... yes you guessed it ... fired the ball home with a crisp shot to the corner out of the desperate defender' reach. A minute later the final whistle sounded and it took a while for the heads of the valiant HAC boys to rise. It was a great and close game which could have gone either way and it was a genuine shame that an error from the best player on the pitch contributed to the O C Vets winning the game. I must be getting soft but a draw would not have been a bad result ... a win was a pleasant ending and made the Harvey’s in the pub taste that little bit sweeter. Tommy Trinder
Surbiton 0-1 Ladies
It was always going to be a tough day, not only with an early morning start but facing an opposition who had scored 32 goals in 5 games and conceded 0. Surbiton were cocky to say the least and they had a lot to be cocky about. Fourteen ladies on a Saturday morning can often be hard to control, especially with half the team battling hangovers. However, Goalie as usual managed to ensure we were focused with a rousing team talk and gave us all a lot to think about.
Whilst Surbiton spent the best part of 50 minutes performing a choreographed 'dynamic' warm-up we did a couple of laps before Goalie reminded us that we needed to switch on. Our warm up was short and sweet and there was a fantastic buzz amongst the team. On an unfamiliar surface each and everyone of us was nervous about the first passage of play and how we were going to adapt to the bouncy, springy surface. As expected, the pace from first push back was intense, Surbiton consisted of a large number of young skilful players and their fitness levels meant we had to work hard to break down play and create chances.
There were some fantastic interceptions, tackles and our constant pressure whilst they were on the ball meant we were able to create many chances in the mid-field. Rosie, George, Hels and Rewa were as solid in defence as always and distributed the ball brilliantly from the back. Special mention must go to our fantastic goalie Julia Dann who did a sterling job of putting her body quite literally on the line to save many attempts from Surbiton. Our midfield were particularly dynamic and skilfull when getting round the Surbiton defence and moving the ball to our speedy forwards. Manny, Jax, Nikki and Philly combined their speed and agility to create exciting opportunities for our rapid forwards. May, Toshky and Michelle ran around constantly creating space and putting the Surbiton defence under enormous pressure.
After 25 minutes of play which involved a large amount of running up and down the pitch and several opportunities for both teams, a sudden surge down the OC pitch emerged which included a strong push from Philly across the D. Unfortunately, the ball just hit the goal post and bounced out just in front of their goalie. Jax, who was on her toes at all times saw this opportunity and didn’t waste it, slamming it into the back of the goal. 1-0 to OCs – this is when our maturity and experience played an important role. A large proportion of the Surbiton team began to have tantrums and there were a lot of toys thrown out of the pram. It was important to keep our exposure, keep possession and defend as a unit. Goalie played an instrumental part in ensuring we stay focused, with the help of some of the highly respected senior players.
At half time Goalie gave us a few moments to reflect on our individual performance. At the same time the Surbiton coach was clearly very animated ensuring that they knew what they had to come out and do in the second half. The first five minutes were extremely tough; again our physical presence played an important part and as a result some of the younger players were getting annoyed with the challenges we were making. Surbiton, for the first time this season were rattled; they were frustrated that they were wasting opportunities and we managed to put them under enough pressure that they were forced to make their own mistakes. One particularly stunning run from Toshky down the right hand side of the pitch saw her being approached by three determined Surbiton defenders. However, Toshky remained cool, calm and collected and made a fantastic cross towards May who was charging towards the middle of the D. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to turn this into a goal scoring opportunity but it was again another example of how dangerous we can be on the break.
As time went on in the second half, players began to get impatient. Hels showed just how much this match meant to her with a small outburst (no expletives this time) but I think this fired us up even more. We were keen to support her and ensure she knew we were with her every step of the way. With goalie checking every 30 seconds how long we had left and confirming it with the umps, things were becoming very tense and we were determined not to lose possession and give Surbiton any opportunities. The clock kept ticking and the concentration levels soared, we could not let a goal in ... then the relief set in as the final whistle was blown. What followed was a huge sense of achievement from every single player on the pitch as we celebrated with each other. Each and everyone of us was proud to be wearing our OC shirt that day and I’m sure that those boys in navy must have taken some inspiration from our performance! Thanks should go to every single player in the team including those that couldn’t play as our training sessions and fitness have played a vital role in our recent successes; not to mention the huge dedication and support from both Goalie and Manny. Helen Merry
1st XI 3-0 Oxted
After last week's disappointment of losing a game we should have come away from with a point, today's game was a massive match and one we had to win.
Wise words from Gary B at the end of the week supplemented by some useful words from an earlier oppo of Oxted enabled us to set out and this week, stick to a game plan. The main objective was not to give away any cheap corners so avoid the danger from the league's top scorer Craig Carolan and this we managed to do by not conceding a single corner.
Early on we were indebted to a Coops triple save to keep the scoresheet clean but after that we started to dominate and took the lead when Gavin continued his good run of scoring lifting the ball home from seven yards. At this point our ball pace went down when playing the ball around the back, CV was forced inside and we entered the worst 10 or so minutes of the match as we were pinned in the middle and conceded possession. We rode our luck and defended in numbers and then broke away, won our first corner and Cookiey was on hand to pick the ball up off the keeper's pads and score his first league goal of the season.
Oxted were a little unlucky not to pull one back when the ball went agonisingly close to the line but CV in a rare venture to our back line calmly took the ball off the line and cleared. Just before half time Gavin was unlucky not to score a third when his deflection soared over the bar.
The third goal was always going to be the crucial one and the surprise was that it took 28 minutes of the second half to arrive. Before this Oxted seemed to run out of ideas and we were creating more and more chances. Oxted's keeper pulled off four or five excellent saves and was certainly Man of the Match with Rory our best player, combining well with those around him and having his best game of the season by far. Although not scoring from our subsequent three corners they all looked dangerous and we did eventually score our third with Rory lifting the ball home when a short corner broke down.
With Havant losing at the hands of the ever improving Woking there is now everything to play for again and although Gavin is missing, Rippers is back and detention should be over for Dan. Another clean sheet so Tony Rowe can come more often with he and Ian Hay umpiring a physical game very well indeed. David Knapp
Addiscombe 8-1 2nd XI
Reigate Priory Cardinals 1-2 3rd XI
4th XI 1-4 Spencer Hurricanes
We were all looking forward to playing against Armo, but alas it looks like he must be playing for one of Spencer’s lower teams. What can best be described as a game of two halves, or more precisely, one of four quarters saw a performance akin to England against the All Blacks two weeks ago. A cagey first quarter where both teams created limited chances and much of the play cancelled each other out. A late arriver (with a somewhat fuzzy head we are told – no names mentioned) meant we had the luxury of a sub whilst the Hurricanes had already started the continual rotation of their 15-strong squad.
The second quarter would be better to go unmentioned as Spencer (à la All Blacks) took advantage on several incisive breaks with some clinical finishing peppering the corners and giving Nigel no chance.
The rallying half time TomTom from captain for the day DomDom however kept our heads up and with the speed demon himself leading the way, we like England realised we’d been giving the oppo too much respect. Some stalwart defending and good saves kept our lines clear, with the midfield and forwards increasingly in attack mode. We were on the ascendancy and the pressure was telling, with the opposition shouting a lot (at themselves) having successfully ruffled their feathers. A beautiful one two manoeuvre and the rewards for a good fight-back were finally ours with Dom cutting round the back to cross decisively for Smeer to score for his second week on the trot. A 1-0 second half win and we are sure glory will be ours next week. Our Australia beckons….(an away match against the Old Cranleighan 3rd XI) Grant Archer
HAC 3-4 Veterans
What a weekend to be a English OC Vet, a Harlequin and a Gooner and have a Mrs who’s a Sunderland fan! Although we missed watching the rugby live, watching the recording in the evening was great. How good were England, now that’s how rugby should be played – roll on the Six Nations and the World Cup next year. And Sunday just got better, after the Manchesters both drew, Arsenal won away and Sunderland then beat Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge! And the Quins then beat Newcastle.
All this on top of a fantastic away performance for the OC Vets on Saturday. Despite a little concern over numbers, HAC kindly provided two umpires and Dave Burles turned up ready to play after his calf injury despite anyone knowing so we had 12 which quickly went down to 11 as Rex became hamstrung and had to leave the field to become cheerleader in chief. Dave tweeked the old muscle again later in the game but manfully continued to hold firm in the right half position working well with Jonny Gray throughout. We also welcomed back Howie after his lost fight with the Indian Gym chopper who left him with a nice row of stitches in his wrist.
Plenty of early effort but poor finishing and a lack of shape and composure led to HAC taking a 1-0 lead into half time. This led to plenty of chat at the interval about the importance of ball retention and the need for a “goal hanging” centre forward. We were grateful to Angus “VI” Scott turning out for us on loan from Spencer and his constant running and challenging kept the tempo up and left the HAC defence looking like a flock of sheep being worried by a welsh man in wellies.
The re organisation at half time saw Andy “the skipper” Eve volunteer to goal hang for the team with VI moving to the left wing berth, and a re-jigged midfield giving a better shape. Fortunately no more injuries befell the team and we were soon knocking the ball about with confidence and menace. Despite a clear lack of fitness, “Tricky” Womack kept putting his body on the line and constantly made him self available for the pass at left half often surging forward to support the attack. One such surge found him on the edge of the D where he received the ball and dispatched it high with his reverse stick passed the keeper into the roof of the net. 1-1 and we were off and running........
A wave of constant attacks from both teams in a real end to end struggle saw both keepers including our own “Gordon “ Shanks make a number of important saves, with both teams trading short corners. Eventually the A team with Plan A found the back of the net with Evo smashing in a sweet trade mark short corner into the corner of the goal. Unfortunately HAC responded in kind with a similar short corner of their own. 2-2.
Then the writer managed to get in on the act and finding himself with the ball at the top of the D managed to slot the little fella into the bottom right corner away from the defenders and keeper so 3-2 and looking good.
Then things went wrong again. Unfortunately the defence had a little joint moment when we were on the attack and the ball was stolen by the HAC’s best player “green socks” in the middle who shot off on a run at such pace and skill running past the whole back line it was like watching Usain Bolt run away from the oppo in the 100 metres. This led to us being pegged back to 3-3 and both teams seemed to settle for a draw with just a few minutes left on the clock.
Unfortunately for HAC and “green socks” though this was not the end of the story. It could happen to anyone but during an HAC possession play, the ball bounced off a boot attached to one of those green socks and the whistle went. A quickly taken free hit by the writer to Tricky who took the ball on quickly to VI who then checked his run and passed the ball to our goal hanger at the top of the D who ... yes you guessed it ... fired the ball home with a crisp shot to the corner out of the desperate defender' reach. A minute later the final whistle sounded and it took a while for the heads of the valiant HAC boys to rise. It was a great and close game which could have gone either way and it was a genuine shame that an error from the best player on the pitch contributed to the O C Vets winning the game. I must be getting soft but a draw would not have been a bad result ... a win was a pleasant ending and made the Harvey’s in the pub taste that little bit sweeter. Tommy Trinder
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