Match Reports - January 25, 2013

Four goals in the last ten minutes saw off a dogged Reitate Priory as the 1st XI's 5-1 victory, allied to a draw between sides in second and third, extended their lead in Surrey/Hants to ten points. The Ladies also maintained their promotion push with a 3-1 win over Wimbledon, putting them third just two points behind the leaders. The thaw came too late to allow any other games to take place

The pressure eases as the third goal goes in, one of four in the final minutes

1st XI 5-1 Reigate Priory
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The 1st XI notched up another impressive win this Saturday. With emails flying between members of the club about cancellations of matches, some members of the team ventured out on a Friday night with every intention of only having one but instead, doing what all great hockey players do, we had a few!

We started the game comfortably against Reigate & with the belief that we could beat our previous score of a 2-1 win even though we are managing to lose players at an alarming rate, we showed why we are top of the league. We had the slickest of passing round the back from Justin, Cato and Gary. Moving the ball with impressive speed an precision that had the Reigate boys doing circles. A midfield of Will, Stu, Nick & Wisey showing dribbling skills that pierces a ladies heart, and made the Reigate boys go limp. Upfront, a combination of Ceige, CV, Jay, George & Charlie well, lick your lips in delight as the Reigate boys may have well said, ‘Right, I’m off coz what you boys having going for you is more than what my life’s worth. I’m going home to see my woman’!

I can’t really remember much about the goals as I got too drunk on Saturday night & passed out on Wisey’s floor but what I can remember is this. We went 1-0 up quite early into the match. How scored you ask? I don’t know I respond but that set the scene for a goal fest. It unfortunately didn’t come straight away but we hammered the hell outta that goal & only a lucky save from Reigate’s keeper & some un-luck for us kept the score at 1-0 till the last 5 mins of the half. Two comfortable short corner saves from myself were dealt with but then I had the misfortune of over diving one of them for Reigate to draw level.

Coach Gary, sidelined with a damaged calf,
cannot hide his utter delight after the fifth goal

The second half was pretty much the same. We started bright but not until the last ten mins with dynamo coach Gary sat on the side line did we make the fans go wild. Bang, bang, bang, bang GOAL!! Two goals from short corners thumped in by Nick & George left the keep no chance. These I must say were masterminded by Charlie ‘I’ve got more skill than’ Thompson, twisted, turned & created! Oh Ceige converted into the bottom right corner at some stage

We ran out comfortable winners (5-1), posed for photos and signed autographs. All we need for our next home game is the ladies section supporting us in cheerleading uniforms. UP THE CLUB and thanks to our supporters & photographer!!

A special thanks to our umpires who wore headsets & controlled the game beautifully.

Team: Dan (me -author), Cato, Justin, Gary, Will, Nick ( PC 1), Stu, Wisey, Will, Ceige (FG 1), CV, George (FG 1 PC 1), Jay (FG 1), Charlie.  DOD: Me, for having 5 pints on a Friday night & owning up to it.      Chris Brewer

Ladies XI 3-1 Wimbledon
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Jax on the attack

On paper an easy game, we made life hard for ourselves by undertaking some high-intensity rugby training on Wednesday and then missing a hat-full of chances in the first half. As a result of the former we spent almost the entire second half camped in our defensive third of the pitch while Wimbledon's keeper was left sitting bored in the back of her goal.

Languishing neat the foot of the table, Wimbledon's position doesn't do them justice and a young and energetic side left us gasping in the second half but by then we were 3-1 up and our defence proved solid while Michelle mopped up with authority on the few occasions she was called upon.

In warm sunshine with the snow melted, conditions were perfect for hockey and we looked like a side pressing for promotion, moving the ball round well, breaking quickly and putting Wimbledon's defence under the cosh.   Aside from the three goals we scored we could have another five - Tosh hit the post twice in as many minutes - while Wimbledon managed their goal, which made it 1-1 for about 90 seconds, after we gave away a silly short corner.

The second half was frustrating - our only shot came from a breakaway four minutes from time - but despite the pressure we never looked like losing.  The lesson we did learn is that overtraining is positively bad for your fitness.