OC Hockey Club

Team Bath Buccaneers 2 – 2 Men’s 1s
OC’s made the 200 miles round trip on a cold, wet, hot and sunny Sunday to face mid table rivals Bath in what was a closely fought affair.

This week saw a few key moment before a ball was even played. The self renowned ‘admin king’ James Meers, deliver no less that 3 different team sheets. He had Thomas Lawson down as captain and David Matthews starting as left back. Eventually, this shambles was sorted and we saw the return of Thomas Roberts, who finally got the all clear from the physio to get his first run out of the season for the mighty C’s. Welcome back.

The first quarter started in torrential rain and saw OC’s dominate the opening exchanges. Full backs Matthew Richardson and Oliver Davies were solid for the awayside and linked well with the half backs, Charles Thompson and Alexander Batstone. There was parity at the end of the first quarter on the score line.

The second quarter started in Qatar-like heat and OC’s built up pressure on the Buccaneers. Zaman Akhter and William Phillips controlled the midfield for the away team, however it was the home team who struck the first blow and managed to scramble a loose ball over the line and take the lead on the score line.

Half time came, and similar to last week vs Hawks, the team talk was one delivered with confidence knowing that OC’s would have more chances in the game.

Coach William Marshall was the opposite of left and OC’s powered out the blocks like a thoroughbred racehorse, Jack Jamieson and Worcester Bawden continued to build pressure in the oppositions half. Eventually, in the 46th min a chance fell to William Heywood on the back hand and the score was 1-1. Finding a foot to win the short corner, Benedict Wilson set up Erik Van Kesteren 2mins later and made the score 1-2 to the away side after a well taken drag flick was slotted into the the bottom corner.

The final quarter saw OC’s press high, with pressure from Benjamin Roe, James Cutter and Charles Lamb who looked to try and put the game to bed. Despite being on top, some I’ll-discipline saw Bath get through Joshua Doble’s defence and score from a short corner and deliver a tribute to the late Desmond TuTu on the score line. Both teams continued to try and find the winner however, the score line remained unchanged at full time and OC’s took a solid point on the road.

Notable mentions go to the Wags, who were out in full force and incidentally were caught watchIng the wrong game. However, James Cutter’s uncle and Aunt and Mr and Mrs Lamb and the to-be Mrs Lamb pointed them in the direction. You can’t blame Emma for not recognising Joshua, he does look ugly in his new helmet!

C’s face Southgate next Saturday in what looks to be a mouth-watering affair before the first half of the season closes for the Christmas break. As always, you support will much needed and much appreciated to bring home some more points. We look forward to seeing you then.

Mom- Charles Thompson
Dod- William Heywood

East London 2s  1 – 5  Ladies 1s 

This weekend the L1s made the long journey across to Lee Valley, nearly losing a few members along the way with Lauren falling out the tube and Emma getting stuck on a fence attempting parkour.

Safe to say that the game didn’t start off much easier than the travel…After a bit of slow start, Laura got the ball rolling, intercepting the ball mid-transfer. She took the goalie on in a 1-on-1, scoring our first goal. Who says 1 player can’t do it all!

The score line was 1-0 at half time.

Migs kicked off the goal scoring in the second half with a deflection off the left post in a short corner making it 2-0. East London then led a strong counter attack and after many incredible saves from Bolu and tackles from Molly and Hazel in defence, the opposition scored making it 2-1.

After winning another short corner and our initial shot saved, Laura smashed the ball into the net making it 3-1. Soon after Lauren made a great pass across the goal which found Laura’s stick where she rolled taking a shot that Migs deflected over the line.

Team spirits were high and we were playing well. Gabs (aka Easy *Jet*or Gabby in previous match reports as I – her housemate – got her name wrong…) finished off the goal scoring, volleying the ball mid-air into the goal! As much as I hate say it, it was a very good goal…

Next week we return to the fortress to hopefully carry on our winning streak.

MOM – Laura Sealey

DOD – Emma Davis

Goals : Laura Sealey (2) Amy Mighalls (2) Gabriella McErlain

Written by Emma Davis

Men’s 2s 5 – 2 King’s & Alleyn’s 1s
With the knowledge that non of the good blokes were pre match lashing in the Bijoux Newcastle or the Club Cleopatra, Columbo the boys arrived in good spirit to here what the poshest thing anyone did on Friday night was.

Without the ever ever present Don and less ever present Cooper the pre match changing room was full of good chat, Lawson explaining how he is still wooing an actual princess and Evan trying to claim 5 beers and a bottle of wine was a quiet Friday night in.

In the middle of Captainarinno’s clear instructions of no two mistakes in a row, Meersy arrived with free chamois to ensure we got a grip of the first half.

The new grips weren’t working and a series of mistakes, including not 2 but 3 from captain Bic made the game have a slow start.

Eventually some better hockey was being played and after some good play down the left hand channel, OC’s won a free hit which they took quickly to find Ajay, who then found DR at the back stick, a quick 1/2 off the post ensured a simple goal. 1-0 to the C’s.

Despite being 1 up, the C’s still struggled for any type of consistency and a number of unforced errors and missed chances allowed The Aliens to grow into the game and despite numerous saves from keeper Barber, they equalised just before the half time whistle.

A deflated C’s side trundled to the goal at half time to gain some much needed composure. Unfortunately, this composure didn’t rub off on Lankfer who despite having his second open goal of thematch decided to kick the ball into the net.

As frustration was growing, the OC’s won a short corner after a darting run from fingers. The Prince of Norway stepped up and calmly dodged the number 1 runner with a Finn Russell like step to expertertly find the top right corner.

The C’s soon made the score 3-1, with a pass as beautiful as his mother from Liam to find a menising Dan Ladd who somehow squeezed the ball home from behind him. He had a really big smile after this.

At 3-1 the midfield trio of Bloomfield, Copley and Morris started to find their swagger and gaps started to appear. Good work down the flanks from Franny and Westy, back from an intense pre-season camp in America, managed to find space and a clever leave from Ladd found Lankfer at the back post, and despite trying his best not to score all game, eventually got one to beat the keeper, 4-1 to the good blokes.

The C’s were now having fun, the dynamic trio of youth Tinkler, Welsh and Teo were producing some silky skillzzzz and forced the Aliens to play into the C’s trap. Bechham managed to free Figo to bring up the 5th goal for the people’s team. A late consolation goal for the aliens made the final score 5-2.

Mom – Morris
Dod – Lankfer
Champagne Moment – Ladd

Goal Scorers: Dave Robers (2) Harry Lankfer, Dan Ladd, Tom Lawson

Ladies 3s 4 – 0 Richmond 4s
The first half we were not as quick to defend or close down the line of the ball to goal but despite this Richmond were not able to make any real efforts in our D and when they did get close they kept finding no sooner had they arrived to find the ball whizzing its way straight up the other end. Our first goal working the ball up to Holly on the right who passed across the D to Jess who’s first touch the keeper saved but Jess’s second put it in the goal. Our second goal was a through ball from Serena to Holly who did a lifted reverse hit into the goal.Happy at half time knowing that we were the dominant side but wanting more, better at closing off the oppo’s attack and obviously more goals. We conceded two short corners due to poor decision making, knocking the ball away and not being 5m, up Martin’s end so lucky not to get a card.  With Erin and Connie Lee not just picking off the oppo but also making runs into space, then moving the ball for the mids whilst supporting them.

Our third goal was a lovely run by Megan up the right and from the an acute angle she smashed it at goal to find a gap between the inside post and the keeper. Our fourth goal was a shot from Jess saved by the keeper up into the air which Holly knocked in before it hit the ground. Yet another great performance by all, 8 players received a POM vote such was the standard of play, with Erin and Megan sharing the spoils.

POM Erin and Megan
Scorers: Holly (2), Jess, Megan
Thank you CB & Martin

Epsom Mustangs 3-3 Men’s 4s 
The only people smiling after Saturday’s rugby and hockey fest were Epsom 3s and the Scots who demolished Argentina. I appreciate that the concept of a smiling Scot is very hard, if not impossible, to fathom with a grimace being the more likely explanation.

Epsom were smiling because they snatched a draw from the oesophagus of defeat whilst were very agitated at coughing up a deep seated obstruction as two valuable points were dropped by conceding two goals in the last 3 minutes.

Being told that we did not have a 10.00 start was received gratefully but the joy was short lived as an 09.00 meet for an 09.45 start was confirmed. More changes to personnel with the Merton handbag gate put well behind us as the two main protagonists fronted up for the first time since the events of two weeks ago. A simple solution with Knappy playing left back and Seearsy up front. Clever captaincy from Tissy.

The early stages saw us dominate for 15 minutes only to concede a short corner goal following a dangerous break from Epsom whose younger skillful players caused us problems. By half time we had redressed the balance scoring through Jake who finished well during a period of pressure from Epsom. Seearsy managed a touch on a ball forced into the oppo’s D to give us a 2-1 lead at half time. On the balance of play we probably deserved to lead playing some really good stuff whilst Epsom sat back. A change of approach from Epsom saw them press much higher up the pitch did cause us problems and coincided with Sam taking a breather following his flirting with a midweek virus. His reintroduction saw us regain control as long pressure relieving aerials did the trick.

Ben S, our man of the match, was on hand to nudge home our third 10 or so minutes into the second half and at that point we probably felt that the game was won. Jake hit the post a few moments later and the home keeper made a number of good saves to keep us at bay saving a number of our short corners.

Epsom decided not to lie down and full credit to them for taking the game to us in the last quarter. Their dangerous breaks were a constant threat and another short corner was won and squeezed home with four minutes to go and the draw was achieved as pressure on the defence resulted in a turnover on the back line with the ball being fed to a free forward, their best outfield player, who couldn’t miss.

Ben’s MOM performance was nothing to do with his Friday night performance that left a mark on his neck either from a paint ball pellet, his being chipped by his parents to check on his whereabouts at 04.00 on a Saturday morning or a tattoo that went horribly wrong. His performance was excellent, making top lead runs and causing the Epsom defence problems every time he ran with the ball.

Thankfully Surbiton Sparticans surprisingly lost to OKs with their playing their club mates on Saturday who have a 100% record to date. Assuming the form book is followed 3 wins in the last 3 games before the break should see us sneak into second place.

Manor Road at 15.00 this Saturday by the look of the fixture list v the third Surbiton side in our league.

Spencer 8s 3 – 0 Ladies 4s
Player of the match Evie!!! The ladies 4’s played Spencer’s this Saturday. After a skilful performance from the team, the final score unfortunately sat at 3-0. The first half was full of action and opportunities as Ailsa and Charlotte, continued to make effective runs down the line, leading to chances in the D. Evie was unstoppable in goal saving stopping rebounds, unfortunately two well worked short corners and a lucky deflection had the oppo in the lead. In the second half we started to make a come back. Ailsa made a transfer across the front, narrowly missing out on a goal. Georgia was solid at the back, making some beautiful transfers before being injured.Overall, very well played fromeveryone in spite of the cold weather. Well done all!

Written by Lily Gavins

Barnstormers 4 – 2 Richmond Renegades
Following an excellent win away at Sonning the previous weekend, the Barnies were keen to continue their winning streak at home against Richmond who were sitting level on points.

A few guests were called in to help bolster the Barnies, who are still missing a few still suffering from injuries. The game started with end-to-end hockey from both teams with the Barnies getting a few good early opportunities, which they failed to convert.

The breakthrough came mid-way into the first half with a good finish from JJ after a well worked attacking position to go 1 up in an even contest. Richmond started to see a lot more of the ball but they failed to turn it into anything substantial. A second goal for OC’s came on the stroke of half time with a simple strike from a short corner seeming to evade the outstretch goalkeeper to hit the back board. JJ in for his second. The only negative in the ½ being the skipper limping off with a hamstring injury putting him out until the new year.

OC’s started well after the break with a number of decent attacking opportunities which resulted in Cookie scoring a backsticks goal early into the 2nd half to go 3-0 up. Richmond continued to dominate possession and although they threatened to score on a number of occasions, Man of the Match Mike, stood up to the task always able to keep them out. Eventually Richmond’s pressure was rewarded with good field goal. 3-1. It wasn’t long before OC’s responded with JJ scoring his 3 again from a short corner strike hitting the back board with precision. Richmond frustrated at the score line continued to dominate possession and threaten OC’s. Eventually scoring a 2nd, OC’s seem to start protecting the lead which brought on waves of attack’s from Richmond. OC’s stood strong man for man from the top of the field to the back seeing out the remainder of the game.

With only approximately 40% possession, yet to walk away 4-2 winners, it is no wonder the Barnstormers are on a 4 game winning run, brimming with confidence and hoping to continue this form in the lead up to Christmas. Thank you Martin and Malcolm for umpiring and then to Closey, Grant and Kingy for the vocal support on the side lines.

Ladies 6s 3  – 0 Ashford 3s 
Having played so well last week, we were ready to build on this and use our confidence to our advantage, determined to make our match against Ashford a Win!

Second half, we kept up the pressure, another full half of constant attack, our strikes kept coming and defence were certainly positioned up the pitch on the attack, Leigh, Janette, Sarah, Frankie and Isa all there to push that ball back up to our mid fielders. The opposition’s goalie was more than worthy of being awarded POM but Josie finally got our well deserved third goal. Our group of supporters were cheering us on so much, it felt like an OC’s club pitch atmosphere. We are absolutely fired up for next week’s match.