Match reports January 22 2011
A week in which only the 4th XI gave us much to smile about, beating high-flying Oxted 3-2 away for their second win in three weeks after failing to record one victory before Christmas. But the 1st XI’s promotion hopes were all but ended with defeat at Reigate Priory, the 2nd XI slid to another loss and the 3rd XI were well beaten by Spencer. The Ladies remain second in Surrey 2 after a 0-0 draw at Tulse Hill & Dulwich and the Veterans drew 3-3 with HAC
Oxted 2-3 4th XI
After showing lots of promise in the league so far, but with little in the points department to show for it, the 4th team travelled to Oxted. A squad missing several regulars including Harmer, Crumby, Dom and Jamal would need to raise their game to have any chance of bringing home points.
With Oxted having only one defeat in the league so far (to the current table toppers) we knew we would have our work cut out. We started strongly, robustly defending against the early waves of attack. Then a well worked combination of passes managed to cut through the Oxted back line with Smeer finishing in style : 1-0 OC's... Soon after Smeer again was through on goal: 2-0. Next up was Adam for only his second appearance after returning from a year of travelling: 3-0.
We kept our shape as Oxted upped the tempo, eventually after a goal mouth scramble they were awarded a penalty-flick. Nige stood his ground in the goal but the flick was taken well: 3-1... Half time.
The second half was even more intense with Oxted throwing everything at us, wave after wave of attack was systematically broken down and defended expertly - both left back (Kevin) and right back (Nick) working incredibly hard to clear the lines. Some great goalkeeping from Nige kept the score down. Eventually Oxted put the ball in to the D at pace from long range, it clipped off a stick and ended up in the back of our net (... no one seemed to know for sure whose stick it had come off but the goal was given). 3-2...
The final 20 minutes was relentless, but as the clock ticked down we had several chances to increase the lead... Oxted kept pushing forward in waves, again cut out by our midfield and defence - all showing strength and skill that was great to see.
At the final whistle three valuable points secured! The great team performance was rounded off with chocolate cakes thanks to Mrs Archer (and the local Waitrose). Grant Archer
Reigate Priory 4-2 1st XI
The reason we were desperate to achieve promotion into the A division of the Regional League was to play games of hockey like this. Played in an excellent spirit and umpired in a similar fashion, both teams wanted to play hockey and ensured that the result was in doubt until the depth. Priory ran out deserved winners as although the scoreline was blank until the 20th minute when Pouls scored his first of the season to put us one up, Coops had kept us in the game with a series of top saves. We had created our own chances but not as clear cut as the home side and the corner count of six to sero in their favour in the first half did not lie.
As it was, we took the lead but only held onto it for two or so minutes and within 10 were 3-1 down. 3 well worked goals that gave our defence little chance.
The 5th goal was always going to be key and we scored it when our first short corner was popped home by Knapp and we genuinely thought at that point that the game was ours. We did dominate for the following 15 minutes but either made the wrong choice in good positions or made a pass that was not quite 100%. 2 balls flashed past the posts from clipped passes that could, and perhaps, should have been deflected home and we were guilty of becoming very predictable by attacking through the middle instead of playing the ball wide early and down the flanks where our 4 open play goals in the 2 games came from and all the corners we won.
Priory scored their 4th from another efficient and incisive break with an expert deflection past Coops who had no chance with any of the four he conceded. The home side did benefit from having two subs to roll on whilst we had zero but nonetheless we did keep up the pressure even without the subs.
A top half finish is right for us and having now seen all the teams at least once, Havant and Woking are correctly the top two and with their training ethics deserve to be the two at the top of the pile at the end of the season.
As always, a pleasure to go back to Priory's unique clubhouse, friendly atmosphere and to their top shepherds pie.
Tulse Hill & Dulwich 0-0 Ladies XI
There is a definite bonus in playing for a club that is round the corner and has a lovely club house. The scream of delight from Tulse Hill at the end of a goalless game and the disappointment from OC's reflects the fact that they are mid table and we are second, needless to say we should have beaten them. Again we were a little slow to start but at least it didn't take the whole of the first half and a you know what from our eloquent coach!
We had a few chances in the first half that we could not quite finish and TH made several runs at our defence which were swiftly tidied up by Jules and her defence, which included a rather surprised Toskie who did a sterling job at left back.
The second half was all about OC's and when we were going to score. We played well as a team and the effort to score increased each time the ball was saved or flew past the post. Twice with the keeper on the ground there were at least 3 OC players trying to get the ball in the net, it definitely wasn't for lack of trying on our part.
As it is now official that Hels is not the oldest player in the team I must say it was a relief that we had 12 players, a big thank you to Tux for sorting this.
More training, more shooting practice, more running… Michele Rankin
2nd XI 1-3 Barnes
3rd XI 2-5 Spencer
Veterans 3-3 HAC
Report to follow
2nd XI 1-3 Barnes
Oxted 2-3 4th XI
After showing lots of promise in the league so far, but with little in the points department to show for it, the 4th team travelled to Oxted. A squad missing several regulars including Harmer, Crumby, Dom and Jamal would need to raise their game to have any chance of bringing home points.
With Oxted having only one defeat in the league so far (to the current table toppers) we knew we would have our work cut out. We started strongly, robustly defending against the early waves of attack. Then a well worked combination of passes managed to cut through the Oxted back line with Smeer finishing in style : 1-0 OC's... Soon after Smeer again was through on goal: 2-0. Next up was Adam for only his second appearance after returning from a year of travelling: 3-0.
We kept our shape as Oxted upped the tempo, eventually after a goal mouth scramble they were awarded a penalty-flick. Nige stood his ground in the goal but the flick was taken well: 3-1... Half time.
The second half was even more intense with Oxted throwing everything at us, wave after wave of attack was systematically broken down and defended expertly - both left back (Kevin) and right back (Nick) working incredibly hard to clear the lines. Some great goalkeeping from Nige kept the score down. Eventually Oxted put the ball in to the D at pace from long range, it clipped off a stick and ended up in the back of our net (... no one seemed to know for sure whose stick it had come off but the goal was given). 3-2...
The final 20 minutes was relentless, but as the clock ticked down we had several chances to increase the lead... Oxted kept pushing forward in waves, again cut out by our midfield and defence - all showing strength and skill that was great to see.
At the final whistle three valuable points secured! The great team performance was rounded off with chocolate cakes thanks to Mrs Archer (and the local Waitrose). Grant Archer
Reigate Priory 4-2 1st XI
The reason we were desperate to achieve promotion into the A division of the Regional League was to play games of hockey like this. Played in an excellent spirit and umpired in a similar fashion, both teams wanted to play hockey and ensured that the result was in doubt until the depth. Priory ran out deserved winners as although the scoreline was blank until the 20th minute when Pouls scored his first of the season to put us one up, Coops had kept us in the game with a series of top saves. We had created our own chances but not as clear cut as the home side and the corner count of six to sero in their favour in the first half did not lie.
As it was, we took the lead but only held onto it for two or so minutes and within 10 were 3-1 down. 3 well worked goals that gave our defence little chance.
The 5th goal was always going to be key and we scored it when our first short corner was popped home by Knapp and we genuinely thought at that point that the game was ours. We did dominate for the following 15 minutes but either made the wrong choice in good positions or made a pass that was not quite 100%. 2 balls flashed past the posts from clipped passes that could, and perhaps, should have been deflected home and we were guilty of becoming very predictable by attacking through the middle instead of playing the ball wide early and down the flanks where our 4 open play goals in the 2 games came from and all the corners we won.
Priory scored their 4th from another efficient and incisive break with an expert deflection past Coops who had no chance with any of the four he conceded. The home side did benefit from having two subs to roll on whilst we had zero but nonetheless we did keep up the pressure even without the subs.
A top half finish is right for us and having now seen all the teams at least once, Havant and Woking are correctly the top two and with their training ethics deserve to be the two at the top of the pile at the end of the season.
As always, a pleasure to go back to Priory's unique clubhouse, friendly atmosphere and to their top shepherds pie.
Tulse Hill & Dulwich 0-0 Ladies XI
There is a definite bonus in playing for a club that is round the corner and has a lovely club house. The scream of delight from Tulse Hill at the end of a goalless game and the disappointment from OC's reflects the fact that they are mid table and we are second, needless to say we should have beaten them. Again we were a little slow to start but at least it didn't take the whole of the first half and a you know what from our eloquent coach!
We had a few chances in the first half that we could not quite finish and TH made several runs at our defence which were swiftly tidied up by Jules and her defence, which included a rather surprised Toskie who did a sterling job at left back.
The second half was all about OC's and when we were going to score. We played well as a team and the effort to score increased each time the ball was saved or flew past the post. Twice with the keeper on the ground there were at least 3 OC players trying to get the ball in the net, it definitely wasn't for lack of trying on our part.
As it is now official that Hels is not the oldest player in the team I must say it was a relief that we had 12 players, a big thank you to Tux for sorting this.
More training, more shooting practice, more running… Michele Rankin
2nd XI 1-3 Barnes
3rd XI 2-5 Spencer
Veterans 3-3 HAC
Report to follow
2nd XI 1-3 Barnes
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