Match report October 30 2010

The 1st XI suffered their first league defeat since Valetines Day 2009 with a 0-2 defeat at Bournemouth, while the 2nd XI were left still looking for their first points of the season after a 0-4 loss to OKs. The Ladies beat Reigate 2-0, the 3rd XI defeated Leatherhead 4-3, the 4th XI lost to Sanderstead 2-4 while the Vets saw off Indian Gymkhana 3-1

Bournemouth 0-2 1st XI
Almost 20 months since tasting defeat last, the 1st XI went down 0-2 at Bournemouth, making next weekend’s home tie with first-placed Havant even more important.

2nd XI 0-4 Old Kingstonians


Reigate 0-2 Ladies
At the start of the game it was obvious that both teams were up for it. The first half, with firm and interesting umpiring that worked for both sides the first half was fairly even. The first few minutes the OC ladies put all the pressure on but Reigate came back well. The first half ended 0 - 0 although we did have plenty of opportunities to score but it just wasn’t our time.

The second half was much better, playing OC hockey with more passing around and
control of the game. Our first goal came very quickly in the second half from brilliant team work and ending in a beautiful push through the keepers legs by Michelle. One goal up gave us confidence however there was a momentarily lapse in
concentration which left Julia defending one on one. Julia kept her cool and cleared
the ball from the top of the circle. Great work Julia, Goalie was proud! About 10 minutes from the end, a free hit near the 25 yard line was awarded to OC’s.
It was taken quickly by Manny driving forward and passing it to the circle were Philly picked up the ball and dribbled around the diving keeper to slot our second and final goal sweetly home.Sarah Mann

Leatherhead 3-4 3rd XI


4th XI 2-4 Sanderstead
The 4th XI always take match reports to new levels, and this week's minute-by-minute review is no exception.


0 Sanderstead complete wanky pre-match chant. OCs match up – thanks to the support of the Vets, they have a full side
4 OC’s playing some really good stuff without threatening the goal, with Andy Eve pulling the strings in the centre of the pitch (Fabregasesque).
8 Dom Tucker scores with cross / shot from the right hand-side, following robust run down the right. Assist (deflection) from Sanderstead centre-back from the centre of the penalty area
12 Some great shouting and sledging from the Sanderstead keeper – he’s reeeaally worked up!......that’s keeper’s for you!!
14 Some good stout defending from Kevin at left back – no prisoners taken there!
18 OCs playing some good stuff, with excellent midfield inter-play – Dom T, Nathan S and Jon Gray have got a good relationship on the right, with Nathan spinning on a sixpence, twirling and whirling like a dervish
22 Smeer is finding good space down the left and OC’s are starting to use him
26 Steve Harmer is really coasting through this game, his experience and reading of the game, as ever to the fore.
28 Great save from Matt Olley from short-range, although I’m not sure how much he knew about it
30 J Bloggs scores for Sanderstead. Good finish from left of the penalty area, after well-worked short corner.
32 Peter Trinder is picking out Neil Robertson with some long ‘Gerrard’ style balls, but to date Neil has not quite managed to get on the end....he’s working his way back in, I’m it will come soon.
35 The umpire blows for half time. Sanderstead complete wanky pre-second half chant
The second half kicks off. Andy Eve replaced by Stuart (tactical)
36 Sanderstead are trying to play a much higher line and this is starting to pay dividends, with chances starting to come – will they convert?
44 Sanderstead equaliser goal – couldn’t see how it happened as the crowd rising to their feet obscured my view – really infuriating for the commentator
47 OC 3rd XI captain turns up pitch-side, smoking profusely and with a striking resemblance to ‘Ron the Manager’ – obviously scouting for talent and doing a bit of homework prior to the big match-up later in the autumn.
51 Peter Trinder replaced by Andy Eave (tactical)
55 Some more bewtiful twirling by Nathan Smith, with control and poise like this, he’s in danger of being demoted to the 3s.
56 Well worked short-corner by OC’s results in real scoring opportunity for Neil on the left. Spoilt for choice he fails to trouble the keeper
57 Sanderstead goal by A N Other, after some shocking OC defending – really ragged and machetes come to mind ... the defensive composure and cool head of Robin ‘The Rock’ Crumby has especially missed by OC’s in the second half. Sanderstead looking good for the points now
58 OC goal slotted in by Neil Robertson following goal-mouth scramble. Suspicion of OC foot just prior to the ball crossing the line, but the goal is given. Is it just too late??

61 Another skirmish and Sanderstead take the lead, forcing the ball in from close range - really looking good for the points now. I’m afraid it looks all over for OC’s now...and they know it
70 The umpire blows for full time. OCs imbibe some well needed replacement calories – banana and choc muffins are the order of the day. Sanderstead complete wanky post-match chant.....quite tiresome now.

Veterans 3-1 Indian Gymkhana
Following the 2nd’s onto the pitch after a 4-0 loss was not a good omen but after last week anything seemed possible.

With only 11 players we were extremely grateful for young Tom Pollard to take time out of entertaining his girlfriend and turn up early to umpire the game for us at short notice.

I can’t remember the goals or the pattern of the game except that there were some wonderful moves and ball retention by the OC boys particularly after Butch did his calf and had to go off in the 2nd half leaving the troops down to 10. It seems we play better when we are a man short as we realise we have to keep the ball. Note to all, please pretend we are a man short particularly next week and keep the ball.

There was yet more inspired goal keeping from "Gordon" Shanks in goal and their keeper who did seem to get in the way of at least 3 certain goals from Jones who still managed to get on the end of a couple in the D.

Miles scored a lovely goal, receiving a pass in the D and making a quick swivel of the old snake hips to slot the ball home for our 3rd goal which effectively killed the game off. I do recall having a couple of conversations with their umpire on the rules of the game which I am sure he appreciated – made up in the bar afterwards.

Perhaps the most memorable incident was poor old Howie literally got the chop! I thought that "lets sharpen those sticks boys" was an old wives tale but apparently not with at least one of our friends from the sub continent – a lovely bunch of lads by the way in the bar.

It appears that our Howie took a chop on the wrist which opened up badly. Fortunately not too deep to cause a call to the emergency services but deep enough to take a while for the OC vets medical team to be called into action again with bandages and elephant tape to sort out the gash.

Unfortunately after the game was over of course and our 3–1 win was secured, Mrs Howie, the Vet took one look and refused to sew it up ( despite the OC medical team suggesting that she could sort it easily as Howie was an easier patient that a dog) and sent our brave warrior to A & E where he was given 5 stitches for his trouble.

Note to our skipper.........we need stronger steri strips!

So the undefeated gang of jolly soles rolls on.....

Enjoy the moment lads. Next up Wimbledon vets away who have won every game this year so far! Tommy Trinder