Match reports March 5 2011

The 3rd XI won the intra-club battle against the 4th XI 5-3 but had to come from behind to do so, while the Ladies secured a hard-earned 2-1 win over Old Kingstonians to remain second in Surrey II. The 1st XI went down 1-2 to Fareham in a fairly wretched encounter, while the 2nd XI shipped five second-half goals to lose to Oxted. The Veterans lost 1-4 to Indian Gymkhana

1st XI 1-2 Fareham
A scrappy game which started brightly and then rapidly went downhill. We spent long periods inside the Fareham half but still found ourselves two down, the second goal one of the softest we have shipped in a long time. Gav Adair pulled one back from close range, but despite a string of short corners and attacks we did not really look like scoring the equaliser.

Old Kingstonians 1-2 Ladies
Well what can I say, it was not the best game we’ve played this season however on a positive note, we did win!

At the start of the game it is fair to say that we were unsettled. The opposition’s keeper was a no show so they decided to play 11 outfield. From our past experience in summer league this was not what we wanted to hear. Although in the D it should be easier to score it also meant that on the field they have an extra player to mark, so it was interesting!

Initially, OKs were more confused than we were and a foot-on-the-line stop allowed Sarah Mann to put us ahead with a flick within 50 seconds of the start. We continued to press, creating several chances which were missed. But a second goal came from some lovely play and passes from Tux, who had a great game overall, to May and then Nikki who sweetly slotted it home.

OKs then rallied, started playing further up the pitch and we never really settled, hassled off the ball and having to fend off a wave of attacks. Errors crept in, and half-time only served to further rattle us. For 15 minutes after the break we clung on, one shot hitting the post and several others denied by desperate defending. An almost inevitable OK goal did finally wake us, and for the final quarter chances came at both ends but still OKs looked the more likely to score.

Despite all, although it was not the best, there was some good play and we kept fighting to the end and this gave us the win and a win is a win. Next week here we come!!

4th XI 3-5 3rd XI
The 3rd Xi have filed a report but, for now, the 4th have been strangely silent ...

Chris Bents' version of the match - The BIG game was finally upon us, a time the hero’s to be made, the re match between the “MIGHTY” or “not so MIGHTY 4XII” and the OC’s 3’s. So much hype before the game had created an exhilarating atmosphere before the game you could see the tension and anticipation in everyone’s eyes. The 3’s had taken the 1st match 2-1 since, although in the first match we were heavily criticised for an unjustified result. Since then we have re grouped and focused intensely on the 4’s weakness’s.

When we turned up, we knew the 4’s meant business with their whole team on a warm up around the OC car park. The 3’s meanwhile conducting there usual warm up of watching the sport in the bar with a pint.

70 minutes of exciting hockey to be played. With the game under way, it was clear that both teams we more than fired up for this game. The use of pace of Alex was a target to get round Steve and Grant, no matter how hard they had worked in Brighton to improve their fitness and we are still not sure what they got up to!

This was a game for the spectators, the 4’s had certainly made sure they had brought enough of the WAGS down for extra support. Little did they know that the 3’s had anticipated this and bought their own selection down to ensure we were not unnumbered on the touch line. Thanks to Mia for coming down to support us.

The first goal game from Mr Lewis slotting the ball round Mr Smith, which proved not to be an easy task during the game. Before little time the 4’s drew level, would the 4;’s return of Louis have an effect on the game. The 4’s somehow managed to get a second. Totally against the run of play I must add!. With James B squandered a couple of chances in front of the 4’s goal, he must have his bro’s scoring abilities. Although surely it can’t be that bad! The Ross and Alex combination was beginning to pay off up front. We were making some great opportunities, however Smithy and did a superb job at keeping us out. Ross got a second that made us all level at half time, Ross I admit, I don’t think I can take the piss anymore, you have scored a few this season and you certainly deserve your place up front. So 2-2 at half time, I was a little worried that Steve’s sledging attempts maybe having an effect on us.

Well the port came on for half time, which was gratefully received, little to the 4ths know that we play a lot better with alcohol inside us, our bodies are used to it. So thanks to Kevin for providing this for us. Well at 2-2 at half time we needed to make sure that we made it a half to remember. JP certainly hit a strike to remember, Alex managed to take it around 2 defenders, run though right to the goal line, then pull it back to JP on the top of the D and my god did he connect with it straight into the roof of the net leaving Smithy with no chance.

At 3-2 we did feel a certain sense of relief, it might just be our day. Lewis then added to his tally for the season giving us a well deserved 2 goal cushion. We then panicked a little trying route 1 hockey, this did not work in our favour, it was not long before we were opened up at the back. The 4’s got one back to make the score line 4-3 with 10 mins to play.

With an inspired bit of management from the sidelines, Chris switched JP to right back and Andy P to right mid. Andy then found himself in front of goal at right time in the right place, Andy you defiantly are the Michael Owen of the team.
Well done too everyone that played. Great performances from Stu, CD and Ed Brown all holding the back strong.

Charlie in the middle of the park for distributing the ball really well. Ollie for his comedy moment of throwing his stick at the dug out. Doug also gave us an attacking element to our midfield linking with Ross and Alex really well.

A great game played in the right spirit by both teams. You can call it luck the first time round, but winning for the second time can this be luck? Two out of two against the 4’s.

Thanks to Martin and Nick Lewis for umpiring.

Oxted 5-0 2nd XI
Not really much to say, but a microcosm of the season. A good first half which was goalless, then conceding a goal served to open the floodgates and we fell apart.

Veterans 1-4 Indian Gymkhana
Not much to report, other than Andy Eve spent the six hours after the match on the sidelines with a pint of beer in his hand (well, a string of successive pints) telling anyone within earshot how dismal our display had been.