Match report November 20 2010

The Ladies again turned in the performance of the week with a gritty 1-0 win over London Wayfarers to take them joint top of Surrey Division One, but there was a third defeat in four matches for the 1st XI who went down 3-5 to lowly Fareham. The 3rd XI edged the intra-club battle with the 4th XI 2-1, although the 4th XI deserved more against a lacklustre third team. The 2nd XI went down 0-2 to Oxted and the Veterans lost by the same score to Cheam.

Ladies 1-0 London Wayfarers
After such a terrific win the week before, we maybe started the match a little slower, and with not quite the same energy as against Surbiton, and London Wayfarers's enthusiasm and fast pace soon forced us in to gear. We conceded a number of shorties in the first 10-15 mins, but managed to defend them and gradually find our feet in the match... with Goalie getting in ticking off by the umpire in the process, and a lucky escape after a lifted ball found the back of our net, but was disallowed.

Although the beginning of the first half was played mainly in our half, towards the end of the first 35 we were unlucky to score, picking up a number of shorties ourselves after some great runs by Tux, and some quick balls passed through by Nikki, Jax and Manny. A fantastic save off the line by wanderers meant the half remained goaless though and we went in to the second half all square.

We started as we'd finished the first, and kept the momentum up- keeping possession with some lovely short balls between Hels, Jax and Tux on the left, and some fantastic work between Nikki, May and Michelle on the right. Eventually the hard work paid off, and with a fantastic reverse stick, Philly put one past the keeper to put us ahead.

Wanderers kept up their pace though, and kept the pressure on, with a number of breaks in to our defensive D and a few more short corners. Fantastic effort by the whole team though, and great running back by all the midfield and forwards meant we held out to earn another three points.

Special thanks to Chris for umpiring, and of course to our special supporters Gadget and Duncs, was so great to have you there, and everyone wishes you the best of luck for your move - and we'll see you in Austria soon!!! Rosie Marriott

Fareham 5-3 1st XI
This was quite easily our worst performance in recent years and we were deservedly beaten by a hungrier Fareham team.

A 12.30 meet saw 6 of us on time with Rory appearing at 13.30, the start time for the game. I guess we thought that a team at the bottom would be easy meat and as always, the team who wants to win beats the team who expects to win.

Two down in six minutes was just desert for our sloppy preparation but this did rock us and for the next 20 minutes we were the better side and equalized by converting our first 2 corners with Cookiey and Woody scoring the goals. We had a couple of good chances to take the lead but it was not to be and as soon as we started to run with the ball and attach the top of the D we gave the initiative back to the home side who finished the stronger.

Second half was nearly a mirror of the first, our conceding two goals in the first six minutes to two corners having started the half slowly and from this point on it was going to be a huge ask to win the game. All four goals conceded had come from our failing to deal with swift counters from Fareham that caught us out at the back leaving us very exposed.

We forced another three or four corners but our routine was not as clinical as in the first half, changes being made after the decision as to which corner we use being changed as the ball came out. Unless we stick to decisions made and have the discipline to do so then we will struggle against organised sides. Fareham's 5th was a product of a long ball through the middle, picked up by their forwards and slotted home with 10 minutes to go.

We pressed for the last 10 and were awarded a stroke when Jonny H was upended unceremoniously but rather bizarrely did not take the stroke which Rory then proceeded to miss, promptly followed by a yellow card to sum up our disappointing day. Fareham fully deserved their win and showed us how a committed, discpilined team that sticks to its game plan that wants to win should play. Finally, thanks Trickster for helping us out of a goalkeeping hole.

Three games before Christmas to go with a minimum of nine points required if we are to stay in touch at the top. David Knapp

3rd XI 2-1 4th XI
Two match reports this week, one from either side. To start, the 3rd XI ...

Well the big occasion was finally upon us - the match the our oppo had been waiting several years for. Before anyone asks I am not going to compete with Steve's match report. So to keep it brief the 4ths played some good hockey. It was not one of our finest games but all the same very enjoyable

Nige Hawes was my Man of the Match for some great saves (and the fact he provided port, so thank you to Nige) helped by the usual solid three at the back CD and Stuey. Ed is fitting in very well at right back and continuing to have a very strong season

Both goals game from Alex Lewis (I was asked after the game will he ever score a goal on his strong side!). Particular mention goes to Rob Park and Ross both of whom played very well. Out of their natural positions (Ross I never thought I would say that about you playing at the back!)

Thanks also goes to Dunx for all his help for the start of the season. He will certainly be missed in the centre of the park. Good luck in Austria. The 3rd team looks forward to the end of season curry being replaced with the end of season ski trip.
Nick Speers had another very good game. Good to have some more youth in the side.

The result is the important thing otherwise I am not sure I could live with the grief. We look foward to the re match next year … Chris Bents

2nd XI 0-2 Oxted


Veterans 2-0 Cheam
With only 50% of our squad from the last match available for the return game with Cheam it was always going to be an uphill struggle. 10 became 9 on Friday when Andy Loates had to stay at home take delivery of the staircase to access the top floor of his current building project so out went a "Call to Arms". A great response from the 4ths as Sean Watherston forsook his opportunity to play in the Big Match, Sean Prigmore kindly offered to help us out (players 31 & 32 for the Vets this season!) and Tim Green cancelled his tennis to drive down for an early start from Oxfordshire.

Cheam who we had beaten in the first match of three this season turned up with 14 players and an umpire and were clearly stronger than our first game and so it proved. We were unable to play our normal controlling game and got outpaced and closed down rapidly in the in the middle of the pitch. Our usual strength of retaining possession deserted us and we became frustrated reverting to speculative passes and it was giving the ball away that led to Cheam taking the lead.

We turned around at half time 1-0 down and the absence of Jelly babies and Lucozade Sport proved decisive to such highly trained athletes as the Vets. Valliant defence by in particular the two Sean's proved in vain as we conceded another break away goal and spurned chances at the other end.

The team as usual put their bodies on the line with Tommy mistiming his triple salkow and landing just in time to stop a hard hit with his toe to be followed by Pater Shanks getting in on the act and stopping a short corner with his toe and the ball getting stuck in his kickers. This at least allowed a short respite as both sides showed their age by offering different answers from different decades of rules as to what should happen with a bully just outside the D being finally negotiated.

We just had time to collect another injury when Matt Speers damaged his calf allowing the enthusiastic Tim Green to discover the delights of playing central defence for the first time. With Woking having dropped out of our league the Vets have a well deserved rest next week giving us some time to mend our bodies and lick our wounds if we are flexible enough to do so !

So we end up stuck on the penultimate step of the escalator and need to raise our game for the long trip to Tring in two weeks. Andy eve