Match report January 28 2012

A weekend best consigned to the bin with the outstanding exception of the Ladies who beat Cheam 4-2 to prove their draw at Wimbledon a week earlier was no fluke

Ladies XI 4-2 Cheam
Last week the Ladies came away with a point from Wimbledon – one hit away from taking all three – and the key seemed to be if that result would be a springboard to better things or a one off. Having been beaten by Cheam in the first half of the season by several goals and not getting great results in the rest of our games, they knew it would be tough.

We started in the kind of form that won us the title last season. Our defence was immense, our midfield dominated and we look dangerous on the attack. We took the lead in the third minute and doubled it on ten, both goals being scored by newcomer Fletch. Cheam did put on pressure – Julia produced two good saves – but we looked assured and a skilful reverse slap hit from Philly shortly before the break gave us the three-goal cushion at half-time.

The Cheam coach gave her side a thorough going over and either inspired or petrified, they came out all guns blazing. We held firm put were having a tougher battle and on 47 minutes they scored. The game was probably settled by Fletch who restored out three-goal lead on 50 minutes - although Cheam scored their second within a minute, we continued to hold firm and the two-goal lead was just too much for the visitors.

London Edwardians 2-1 1st XI

2nd XI 2-1 Purley Walcountians

Oxted 3-2 3rd XI
A trip out to the country, to play at the Alma Mater for a few members of the team, was well received by the 3rd XI. We were also buoyed by a full complement of players and a sub (who lasted 1 minute on the pitch!). There were some tactics from the off as we switched ends to take full advantage of the sunlight, which disappeared beneath the cloud before push back! We started the first 5 minutes well, but were soon on the back foot as Oxted commanded the midfield and pinned us back. Our heads dropped after the first goal and we were then on the receiving end of a well oiled attacking force. It was 3-0 to Oxted at half-time.

Rousing half-time speeches from captain Nick and Andy left the team feeling more positive. We dug in and then started to pass the ball sweetly around the park. It was fairly evenly matched and it remained 3-0 with 15 minutes to play. Some great passing in midfield and a great pass through from Steve H to CD saw our first goal. We were then brimming with confidence and smelt an opportunity to pin Oxted back. Steve H then put Ed through who expertly chipped over the keeper to secure our second. Unfortunately we couldn’t quite secure a further goal before time was up. 3-2 to Oxted, but a second half performance to be proud of.

Match report January 21, 2012

An excellent weekend with wins for the three senior sides and a superb battling 2-2 draw at Wimbledon for the Ladies. The Vets managed one win and one loss

Bournemouth 1-2 1st XI
A hugely important match at a venue where few away teams win and a must win game. The first 10 minutes were one way traffic as we struggled to cope with the home side's direct and effective hockey, a slightly bouncy pitch and the slope and it was no surprise when Bournemouth scored the goal they deserved following a quick break when we lost the ball for the umpteenth time as we pressed forward. For the next 15 minutes we were under intense pressure with Coops making a miraculous save when faced with a 3 on 1 which should have seen us go two down and a disallowed goal which on another day could have stood. We did create our own half chances and won four corners but did not threaten and were relieved to reach the break only one down as it could easily have been three.

However we knew the slope would be important as would the first 5 minutes of the second half and so it proved to be. Upping the intensity we created more chances in the first five minutes of the second half than in the whole of the first half, CV being the pick of our attacking players, and drew level when Bentsy was unceremoniously upended resulting in a storke that Hunts put home in his usual effective way. The tackle was unecessary as a bouncing ball into Bensty was never a danger. From that point onward the home side's discipline went out of the window and in the next 30 minutes they received six yellow cards and crucially two with seven minutes to go by which time we were 2-1 up.

Our second was a Bentsy 8 inch special - Virge, you have been re incarnated - when we scored at last from our 11th short corner. We had a number of good chances and positions to seal the game but instead had to weather a last throw of the dice by Bournemouth who forced their only two short corners in the last five minutes. Both were capably dealt with.

A very important three points with our team spirit and discipline seeing us through in a game that in the last two seasons we would have lost. Yes, we were fortunate not to have had the game out of our reach by half time but in the end Bournemouth were let down by their lack of discipline and we did receive the rub of the umpiring as a result.

London Eds next week which is another massive game in this very tight league. Thankfully the Battersea Park pitch is not so windswept and so Bentsy's syrup will stay well and truly affixed. Rex Harrison

Wimbledon 2-2 Ladies XI
A remarkable match in which we were only denied a remarkable smash-and-grab win by a Wimbledon equaliser with the last hit of the game. When the home side, who played with skill and speed, went ahead after three minutes it looked for all the world as if we were in for a tough afternoon. For the rest of the half the ball was almost constantly in our half – their keeper was not called on to make a save – and we held out through grim determination and some last-ditch tackling. We were also aided by Wimbledon’s determination to head straight for goal rather than show patience.

The second half started in the same way, but from one of Wimbledon’s 18 short-corners we broke, and a strike into the area was deflected from the top of the D by Emma past a static defence. Our first attack and we were level. Wimbledon came back hard but let the equaliser get to them. Cool and collected until then, they turned on the umpires – their own in particular, unfairly - and started to become ragged. They still looked good for the win, despite our increasing confidence, but six minutes from time another break resulted in Karen sweeping home, unmarked, from three yards out.

Predictably Wimbledon threw everything forward and with seconds to go grabbed an equaliser. That could not take away from a superb, gritty, wholehearted performance from our ladies and although we remain bottom, if we show the same resolve through the second half of the season, we have every chance of avoiding the drop.

2nd XI 3-3 Surbiton IVa

Sanderstead 2-4 4th XI

Barnstormers 2-2 Maidenhead

Hamstrings 0-2 HAC

Match report January 14 2012

On a weekend the cold took toll on several matches, there was an important away win for the 2nd XI and a morale-boosting victory for the Hamstrings

Reigate Priory II 1-2 2nd XI
It was always going to be a tough fight this week, playing Reigate Priory 2’s. However to are advantage we had an unheard of 14 men! A welcome surprise to most of us and to make up for the lack of goals last week, we had five strikers, if we could not score today there really was something wrong! A front line of Lewi, Nords, Peeps, Farqs and Ferrett, all of which can play in different position certainly makes for pleasant reading on the team sheet!

Although 5 decided to go in one car and get there 15 min’s before push back. However this did not affect the team’s mindset before the whistle. Within even the first few minutes Reigate showed us that they were a very capable team and certainly more than capable of causing us a few problems at the back. However we also showed them that we could cause them a few problems, Farqs showed that not playing for the first half of the season has not put him out of practice. Slotting the first one past the keeper.

I have to say Reigate could feel a little hard done by! Truth be told, we were a little lucky to be 1 up. As a mixture of our back line, with Alan getting stuck in all over the park.

Watson making some great saves from their short corners, I have not seen many drag flickers like they had in our league! But luckily Paul was well up for the task of keeping them at bay. A couple of great saves with his stick, he definitely had his Weetabix for breakfast. Nords and JP were getting plenty of space out wide and linking well with the forwards.

It was not long before half time when the second came, Reigate allowing Lewi far too much time in their D. He even had time to tee the ball up, anyway Lewi does not miss many opportunities and particularly when they are handed to him on a plate!

When the half time whistle came we found ourselves 2-0 up. Lewi led an inspirational half time team talk and we were ready fro the second half, knowing that the first twenty or so minutes would win or lose the game. Well after 2 minutes Reigate put one past us to make it 2-1, with all to play for. The second half we kept making opportunities Guessy having a good game in the middle of the Park and Ferrett moving the ball on quickly. We could be criticized for not getting in their D enough and when we were in their D not getting anything from it.

In typical 2’s style we did nearly choke at the end, but held on the well deserved win. Ultimately not our best performance but some great team spirit that pushed us through to the finish line. It was certainly a valuable three points. Chris Bents

Hamstrings 7-0 Cheam