Ladies 1s 4 – 0 Eastcote
[Cue Rooster noise] ‘Twas an unusually early 9am meet for the ladies 1s at OCs. On the positive side, the oppo had an even earlier start travelling from Eastcote, and our young mum’s finally got their revenge… particularly on the ladies who bravely enjoyed a Friday night bevvie or ten. Bleary eyes quickly cleared as Coach Ben introduced a feisty new high press; dubbed “AgRowe”. Game on!
The OCs ladies came out firing and injury comeback-kid Ellie Hauck had a stellar game creating chances galore. The AgRowe press quickly paid off forcing Eastcote to look for a long ball through the midfield. Sam “Velcro” Kugler deftly intercepted at chest height and passed to Laura “Lightening” Sealey who charged ahead creating a textbook 2v1 with the keeper. Velcro Kugler slotted the ball away. OCs 1, Eastcote 0. A bit of scrappy back and forth play and solid defence lead by Hazel “The Tackle” Lovegrove and Emma “Legit Cranleigh” Davis saw OCs awarded a penalty corner. And what a corner! Pin point accurate straight strike by Katie “Sniper” Richards. OCs 2, Eastcote 0.
Despite frustratingly avoiding the right flank like a plague for most of the match, a quick free hit on the left saw Lightening Sealey earn her team another corner. The ball, moved swiftly in-out around the first wave by Sniper Richie and Lightening Sealey, found… no surprises… the Velcro stick of Kugler and the net. OCs 3, Eastcote 0.
Another left side play: Jackie “Buns of Steel” Waite pierced the defensive line to find Sniper Richie who calmly beat two players and found Lauren “Freshie” Burgess. Driving towards the circle Freshie Burgess created a 1-2 with Sniper Richie and swept the ball into the goal. Team work makes the dream work. OCs 4, Eastcote 0.
And then… a very dull second half! Eastcote upped their game and jammed the defensive circle making life difficult for the home team. A green card and a few near (and not so near) chances didn’t go in OCs favour. The final whistle brought a mix of relief and frustration. OCs ladies were disappointed to not make a larger dent in their goal difference but were very pleased with three points, putting them a close second in the league.
All to play for in next week’s clash against Wayfarers!
Dame of the Game: Sammie Velcro Kugler… nothing gets past her stick
Dck of Day: Lauren Freshie Burgess.. clue’s in the name.
Men’s 1st XI 2–6 Southgate 1s
As the morning dew settled, the OCs roused from their slumber. The challenge was a Southgate side at the fortress, gunning for the title and seeking to make it 9 wins from 9 for the first half of the season. Southgate meant business from the first whistle and from a long corner, some nifty play around the top of the D led to their first goal, a lofted flick over JD’s shoulder.
After a tightly contested phase of play, Southgate doubled their lead. The OCs replied shortly after, however, with a short corner leaving Erik van Kesterflick to rifle home a drag flick and put the match back in contention. Future spaces for 1-1s will be even harder to come by. Contact me for VIP / guest list. The relief was shortly outlived and the second quarter saw a hat-trick of quick fire goals. A rebound, tap in and a stellar lob led to the scoreline being 5-1 at halftime. With OCs fluffing a couple of half chances, the scoreline was slightly flattering the opposition, on the balance of play.
After some rallying words from coach Will Marshall and beating of the drums echoing from the kop, the second half was fiercely contested. OCs started the brighter of the two sides, with a splitting ball from Charlie Lamb on the baseline finding a gliding Ben Roe who deflected the ball goal-bound. Game on. Unfortunately, Southgate got their second half goal in the last quarter, eliminating any suspicion of a comeback to rival Istanbul and the final whistle shortly after brought a tough match to a close.
What followed was the biggest oil spill since Deepwater Horizon, 2010, with 11 of the good lads sporting the chicest fabrics known to man. With many positives to take from the second half (and newfound ability to pull off turtle necks), the lads will hope to enjoy the time off and come back with renewed confidence after the break. We will say bye to the Man of the Match, Zum, and we wish him well in his attempt to pursue a career with a wider wooden stick and leather-surfaced balls come January.
MOM: Zum
DOD: TR
Surbiton 3As 1–5 Men’s 2s
A depleted OC’s made the brief journey across Portsmouth road to play Surbiton in the local derby and Biccys best mate. A slow start for the OCs saw surbiton put them under pressure pressing high a backs to the wall started. Compounded by a lawson card for informing the umpire surbiton had thrown the ball away. A few minutes later, a yellow this time lawson taking one for the team. Down to 10 OC’s rallied. Dan lad leading the line beating a couple and finishing nicely. OC’s one up and back to a full contingent. The OC’s grew in to the game. A short corner leading to another goal this time for Coooops. Continuing his form on & off the pitch. 2-0 going in to half time.
Surbiton again came out quickly to begin the second half compounded by Lawson, Biccy and Westy all attempting to thread the needle 70 yards to no avail. A sharp finish saw surbiton to pull it to 2-1. Dan Ladd however kept his head. Beating a couple to set up Tickner. OC’s pressed on. DR this time turning provider a nice lead from Ladd lead to him chipping the keeper 4-1. C’s closed out the game with Ladd completing his hat trick. Big game played. The game finished 5-1.
DR’s goal drought continues… will he be picked for the next game? Can Lawson be trusted not to get a card next week? Will save Matthews try and fight any more of the players? One things for sure Dan Ladd will turn up as it’s a top of the table clash. OCs go in the top of the table clash with confidence after a semi positive post match debrief from Dave Matthews.
Spencer Sapphires 1 – 1 Ladies 3s
Down to 11 players Saturday morning but managed to pinch Sophie Miles from the 4’s (thank you) we all arrived on time. Ele (from the 2’s) quietly asking me if the 3’s have any adults. Yes but either not available or injured. Again we started a bit slow but with 3 new players to the team and poor Megan struggling with tonsillitis and Spencer were definitely out the blocks so we did
concede a short corner within 15 mins, saving 2 goals with the goalie stick flat on the ground but unable to get the ball swept away it was then lifted over the stick.
After the goal we got down to business and the rest of the half was end to end and the teams were of equal quality. There was a lot of umpire involvement, which resulted in the OC’s often being halted in their tracks, having regained the ball, post foul, on the break down the wings, having to stop and restart play. For the first 20 mins of the second half we were the stronger side, moving the ball right and building play with a number of crosses from the right straight across the goal and Sophie getting on the end of one with a definite slap straight into the goal.
For the last 10 mins Spencer went all out to get the winning goal and deny us any points, we all defended heroical including at least 8 short corners but we were not going down without a fight so when the final whistle blew it was a relief.
Goals: Sophie Y
POM Connie Lee
Ladies 4s 3 – 1 PHC Chiswick 4s
Chiswick were the visitors to fortress TD on early Saturday afternoon. Despite warming up well we started pretty slowly, gradually working our way into the game and creating lots of chances. We were well on top, winning multiple short corners, but some good defending by the opposition meant we struggled to score. It was still goalless at half time with OCs deserving to be well ahead and thinking maybe some short corner practice was needed at training the following week!
Talk about a game of two halves! The offer of cupcakes to goal scorers definitely had the desired effect as the goals finally came. Chiswick upped their game but there was no let up from OCs and it wasn’t long before we got our reward for some great runs down the line from Selma and Lucy. Our first goal came from some good work in midfield leaving Ailsa with a clean finish from close in. One nil soon became two with Ailsa again the finisher, this time rounding the keeper. With the result not in doubt all that was left for us to do was to finally convert a short corner. That would have been a nice way to finish the match and this report but it didn’t happen! We did get a third goal though with Lucy scoring to see us close out the match 3-1 winners. Cupcakes all round….
Player of the match was Ailsa.
Match report written by Charlie Adair
Men’s 4s 5 – 1 Surbiton Cobras
The last game of the day at Manor Road with Denton continuing to enjoy his day out at this new venue for him, marking his territory in a similar way to the age old custom performed by his master until the advent of the yellow card penalty for this type of performance. The squad that assembled to play our local rivals Surbiton was somewhat different from that sent out on Friday morning with new and returning faces. Welcome back Alan C and welcome Harry and Alan K. Bad luck Harry for living next door to Brandon. As with every game this season we fielded a completely different team to that of the previous week. One day we will have full or close to full availability giving Herr Tissy a problem in selection.
After dropping 5 points in our last 3 games a win today was crucial and win we did. For patches we played as well as we have done all season although again fell into the trap of dribbling into congested areas and turning over the ball on countless occasions. Jake got us under way with a good finish close to the back line and Tesco Tim added our second with a deft deflection from close range diverting home a top of the D shot. Ben secured the game towards the end of the first period with an unstoppable drag flick into the top corner giving the oppo’s very efficient and good keeper no chance. Goal difference could become key at the end of the season but although going 5 up within the first 10 minutes of the second half with Jake adding his second and Sam joining the scorers with a bobbly bobber having had his rocket like earlier goal bound shot being prevented from entering the goal by Knappy’s left foot. Sorry Sam.
Annoyingly we then lost our way and played into Surbiton’s hands by becoming too stretched, allowing gaps between our 3 lines and stopping our fast passing game. We were caught on the break a few times but Ben dealt adequately with all that was thrown at him before being finally beaten. No more goals conceded and 3 vital points. Surprisingly Surbiton 5s lost their 100% record when losing to Surbiton Sparticans keeping them 3 and 5 points ahead of us respectively. Worldwide betting patterns are being checked thoroughly. Merton 2s next week, also at home, whose fortunes have turned to the good along with their 1s results and therefore another hard game anticipated.
Thank you Malcolm and Toby for officiating the game so late in the day, much appreciated.
Cheam 3s 0 – 1 Ladies 5s
The Ladies 5’s went in to this league game unbeaten and the aim was to stay that way! The team started brightly with some lovely mid field play and some very promising attacks. The Cheam goal was under constant pressure as wave after wave of OC forward play made their goalie work hard. There were several near misses and it was hard to believe that the score remained at 0-0 at half time.
In the second half Cheam managed to put together a few breaks but some excellent tracking back from our tireless mid fielders helped the defence avoid any embarrassment! In the end it took our super sub to score a scorcher! Jane had side-lined herself due to illness but came on for the last 10 minutes and what a good thing she did. Fed an excellent ball in, she positioned her shot out of the goalie’s reach and put us ahead with about 10 minutes to go. There could have been another shortly afterwards but Cheam’s solid and experienced defence held firm. This was another fabulous team performance and it bodes very well for the next half of the season. Bring it on!!
POM Poppy Bartles-Smith.
Goal scorer Jane Taylor
Hamstrings 3 – 0 Bromley and Beckenham
Just to be 100% clear we are one of 14 club sides playing league hockey for The OCHC. Yes, OC. Call me an old fart but we are NOT the “C’s”. Our esteemed editor had made a note and will correct any aberrations….
A noon start at Manor Road saw Tissy becoming the latest addition to the swelling ranks of The Hamstrings. Our squad resembles that of a Premier League team. I hasten to add, in numerical terms only, as Howie is the only one earning their sort of money. We are also totally inept at diving and in conning the match day officials. Our squad also spans the ages with Andrew and Derek at the upper end remembering the advent of televisions and Rob J and Tissy the failure of DMC-12 De Lorean car. Baz for the first to arrive as evidenced by the cloud of cheroot smoke camouflaging his face and head, resembling a tree on a foggy day whose canopy is enveloped. One by one the match day squad arrived on their various modes of transport, Derek still on Welsh time and the last of our lot to arrive, beard becoming ever more bushy. April will be the nesting season and ideal for some breeding long tailed tits to take up residence.
Wade and Phil got the game underway with B & B fielding 10 for the first 20 minutes, a period in which we dominated but only scored 1 goal. Profligacy and a pattern of play that seemingly did not wish to test out more than the middle third of the newly laid Manor Road pitch were the culprits. Our only goal game from a rasping tomahawk from Rob J whose top of the D shot looped unerringly over the keeper’s outstretched pad before nestling 8 inches over the line. But for Tim’s excellent save from the short corner last play of the half we would have embarrassingly been pegged back.
The second half was much of the same. Plenty of huffing and puffing, chances not taken and the game becoming very stretched. Eventually Baz was on hand to finish a decent move as we efficiently made use of the space, Baz being in his favoured square metre of any hockey pitch to nudge home our second. Howie, dominant in midfield was on hand when a wayward B & B defensive pass was picked up and slipped to Howie at the top of the D who made no mistake to make it 3-0. Thanks to another top short corner save from Tim at the final play of the second half, mirroring the first period, down to his right ensured we kept a clean sheet.
B & B came back to the club en masse, very rare these days, and showed that hockey is still a social sport whilst Baz went back into his foggy haven. The fourth win on the trot with Richmond this coming Saturday before The Hamstrings hibernate for the mid season break. Let’s make it 5 on the spin. Thank you Wade and Malcolm for umpiring and giving up part of your Saturday.
Ladies 6s 0 – 1 Berrylands
After our first win last week the ladies 6s were ready to keep the winning streak going. From when the whistle went the ladies 6s were putting lots of pressure on the opposition. The ladies 6s managed to hold off Berrylands for the majority of the first half with some really good defence. Unfortunately during the first half Berrylands managed to slip one past us and were up 1-0 by half term.
After some well deserved half time sweets and a really good team talk by Darren. The ladies 6s were ready to go back fighting. As Darren had suggested to the team, we started to use the width much more and were now playing some really nice hockey. In the second half we played much better hockey and we’re rewarded with two short corners. Rachel and Sarah both sent cracking hits towards the keeper but unfortunately neither hit the back of the net. Overall every member of the ladies 6s had a brilliant game with some beautiful hockey being played in the second half. The score sheet does not reflect how the ladies 6s were playing but after every game together the team keeps getting better.
POM: Rachel
Shout out to Darren for being such an amazing sideline coach we really appreciate you!