Men’s 1st XI 2 – 3 Richmond 1st XI
Under an uncharacteristically blazing October sun, local rivals locked horns in a nerve-wracking showdown that left fans at Fortress TD on the edge of their seats. The unbeaten OC’s, buoyed by a robust start to the England Division 1 South season, encountered a dogged Richmond side desperate to ink their first victory. The atmosphere was charged with neither team willing to give an inch in front of the impassioned and partisan crowd.
The OC’s made a fast start with the first attack of the match earning a penalty corner after excellent work from Alex Batstone, Jack Jamieson, and Dave Mawhinney on the back of Max Borrmann’s “unconventional” aerial. The resulting corner bounced out to Matt Boote who was able to smash a waist high, first time shot into the far left corner of the goal to go ahead 1-0 in as many minutes.
The euphoria of the quick start short lived with Richmond responding with a penalty corner of their own on 11 minutes and a neat finish beating the keeper and the postman. And they were able to go ahead on the scoreboard 5 minutes into the second quarter through another penalty corner. This time the initial shot and follow up were brilliantly saved by Jack Barber on his competitive debut, only for Richmond to lift the ball into the net from an almost impossible angle.
To add to going behind 1-2, OC’s lost goal scorer Matt Boote to injury after taking a stick to the head in an accidental collision. Physio Richard Game deciding to sideline the player as a precaution for the rest of the match.
Just before halftime, the OC’s nearly clawed back onto level terms. A towering aerial from Callum Holloway found Harry Lankfer, who charged into the D and served a tantalising cross to his teammates. Unfortunately, Seth Hislop’s on-the-turn shot from Richmond’s half clearance sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.
With the game evenly poised, Richmond managed to extend their lead at the end of the third quarter. Another penalty corner converted with a firm precise shot between the OC’s keeper and postman.
OC’s needed a strong start to the final quarter if they were to prevent falling to their first defeat of the season. And they got that through a bit of magic from Dan Ladd along the baseline of the Richmond D. Jack Jamieson buried the resulting penalty corner in the vacant left side of the goal to set up a pulsating final 15 minutes of the match as OC’s looked to overturn the 2-3 deficit.
Sadly, despite pressing forward with plenty of attacking intent, Dave Goodfield’s Richmond team were able to hang on and post their first win of the season. For OC’s, defeat saw them drop to second in the table ahead of the visit of Exeter University next weekend.
The standout performance of the day went to OC’s midfielder Dave Mawhinney, whose energy and skill was a constant threat to the opposition. And further acknowledgment must go to M1’s debutant Jack Barber who made a number of great saves throughout the match to highlight his promising potential. And finally, it was nice to see young fans snubbing current and former internationals in the house to seek out the autograph of OC’s legend and captain Will Phillips.
POM: David Mawhinney
DOD: Seth Hislop
Goal Scorers: Matt Boote, Jack Jamieson
Ladies 1st XI 1-2 PHC Chiswick 1st XI
Despite starting the week on 15, we ended up taking a meek 13 to the match this weekend in very warm conditions. We turned up in excellent spirits, with Emma Davis leading the warm up… in her Birkenstocks. Having arrived late, I managed to miss Kenzie turning up in her pjs! A couple players were a little quieter than their usual selves, but at the time, it went unnoticed. After a strong warm up, we began the game at a great intensity, transferring the ball well and attacking the circle with ferocity. Despite some fantastic opportunities, their keeper appeared to have extending limbs and stopped all the chances from going in… yes it was going to be one of those games. Despite this, we persevered. A high transfer up the pitch, gave Madi the ball who waltzed round 3 players before striking the ball across the D for Dani to ease across the line. A well deserved goal. Towards the end of the first half Hattie, who had been chasing down the defence, got a ball plumb on her foot and had to be rested then a couple of minutes later, Macy who had been holding strong in CM, had to get her wrist re-taped which meant I found myself in the very strange position of Centre Midfield. However, Ben reassured me that I didn’t have to do anything different from Centre Back, just hold still and don’t really run…. this I could do.
Despite peppering the keeper, we could not convert and we became, possibly a tad complacent and a lapse in concentration meant they were able to sneakily counter attack and end up winning a short corner. We then discovered where their threat was… fortunately we dispatched the SC and headed into half time 1-0 up. Ben gave us a positive team talk and we were all in high spirits despite being very hot and tired. However, the second half didn’t quite go to plan.
Despite our dominance in the first half, Chiswick came out strong and full pressing, immediately putting us under pressure. Within five minutes of the second half, they had capitalised on the pressure and slotted the ball in.
The passing and linked play we had created in the first half was overtaken by a lot of dribbling, especially and ironically as we got more tired. Our 13 pairs of legs got progressively more tired, as they continued with their rotations. With a lapse of concentration, we conceded a short corner, which as we established from the first half, was not something we needed nor wanted. They cracked the ball mid shin-height back post, where my cricket skills were not up to scratch….
We continued to push, but unfortunately couldn’t put the ball in the goal, and thus our match concluded in a 1-2 defeat.
Let’s look toward the next weekend where we take on Surbiton at home.
POM – Madi Fewings
DOD – Kenzie Ward
Goal Scorer: Dani Judge
Written by Molly Hanson
Old Cranleighans 2XI 12 – 0 Surbiton 3AXI – “The Dirty Dozen”
Following a heated battle against Old Cranleighan’s 3XI the weekend prior, the 2XI looked to turn it up once again against a local rival.
The morning started brightly, early Pret choices and logical D entry decisions dominating chit-chat in the Putney shuttle. The team made sure not to lose focus, with Willmeans_fit needing a timely reminder to move his gaze from the mirror and towards the task in hand.
Dave Roberts, Return of the King, gathered the troops on an early run to ponder on the future development of the club and social media strategy for the team’s latest influencer. 10% off at Puregym using the code “SixPackSecrets”.
A tepid but contested start encouraged both sides that all was to play for. Surbiton 3AXI had their confidence knocked after a well worked attack led to willmeans_fit grabbing the first goal after 9 minutes of play. A well defined core giving him the strength of Zeus to channel a thunderous strike, leaving the opposition keeper little chance to react.
The ascendancy for the people’s team ignited a fierce flurry of goals before half time. Started by “Silenced by the Lamb” Charlie, doubled by stalwart Tom Lawson and tripled by a rocketed top-corner reverse by a shooting (but not passing) Tom Roberts. Freddie Re-Joyce(d) at yet another opportunity to bait the opposition and with a fake breakdown of an attacking shortcorner, a dash across the front post gave young Charlie Mccarthy the first of his goals (more to come from him later). A swift blow of the whistle brought the first half to a close with the scoreline at 5-0.
Goalie, with rarely a trouble to resolve thanks to the efforts of Rico and OD, reminded the Rohirrim of the importance of goal difference in the charge for the illusive Division 1 hockey. And so, the OC’s began the second half raring to repeat the performance.
The second half started as the first finished, with a breakdown at the top of the D on an attacking short, giving Matt “Rico” Richardson the chance to score his first goal for Old Cranleighans, the first in his four years of service. This was quickly followed by some selfless passing around the D for Charlie L and Charlie M to slot in another to add to their respective tallies.
Despite physical effort from Surbiton’s side, the pressure proved too much and nifty 3D work on the right wing by Tom R allowed OCs to continue attacking. From the baseline, a perpendicular pass was found to Charlie McCarthy. Well I’ll let you imagine the rest, 9-0.
A well-worked breakaway gave a sliding Charlie Lamb his hattrick, which was later followed by a baseline attack and pullback from Tom R again to give Charlie L his fourth, rounding off a great day for a striker finding his level in London Mens Division 2 South.
A shoutout is necessary for the 11th goal, some one touch silkiness, with likeness to the tiki-taka of the 21st Century hispanic football, and it was Evan Morris with a cool touch and flick finish that reaped the rewards of Champagne Moment.
As many scorers as there are days in a week displays the strength in depth in this 2XI side, with both Charlie’s picking up over 3 goals. Man of the match, however, was recieved by Freddie RJ through his tenacious tackling and aforementioned cunning tricks across attaacking set pieces.
D-Day complete with Colonel David Roberts issuing orders for concetration towards London Wayfarers 3XI away at 10:30am on Saturday.
POM – Freddie Russell-Jones
Golden Glove: Andy Howell
Goal Scorers: Charlie Lamb (4), Charlie McCarthy (3), Evan Morris, Matt Richardson, Will Means, Tom Roberts, Tom Lawson
Ladies 2nd XI 5 – 0 Wimbledon 6s
On a sunny Saturday afternoon the ladies 2s began their warm up to take on Wimbledon 6s with the addition of two new players to the squad – Lois and Sophie.
The game started off strong with some transfers across the defence moving the ball up the sides of the pitch. After some great early shots on goal from the forwards, Alice managed to get a clean straight strike from the top of the D and managed to get it perfectly past the goalie. 1-0 to us. Soon after, we were awarded a short corner and Candela stepped up and slot a gorgeous drag flick into the top corner. However, one goal was not enough for Candela and she managed to get another chip-in goal just before halftime. This comfortably took us into half-time leading 3-0.
As we walked back onto the pitch after half-time Wimbledon came out strong and tried to catch us off guard by having one of their forwards basically standing on top of our goalie. However, determined to keep a clean sheet we managed to keep good possession of the ball and after more shots on Wimbledon’s goalie Lois decided it was time to show off her skills and dribbled through their defensive line and slot the ball in the bottom left corner. With the final whistle blown and a short corner in our favour we all stepped up. And as the push in came, and a little bit of fumbling in between, Lois managed to put the ball in the goal – bringing the final score to 5-0 to the ladies 2s!
Player of the Match this week went to Nikki as she had an absolute cracking game commanding the team from the centre back position as well as having some fantastic runs up the pitch to help attack.
Final Score: 5-0 Win
Goal Scorers: Alice Pim x1; Lois G x2; Candela GU x2
MOM: Nikki Springett
Golden Glove: Aimee Barber
Ladies 3s 2 – 1 Spencer Sapphires
Feeling hot hot hot! That’s how we started our journey to Battersea Park to play Spencer Sapphires on an unusually hot October day – thanks climate change. Warming up on the pitch we realised it was a bouncy slow pitch and we would need to adjust our game accordingly. We started strong, keeping their defence busy with several shots at goal. A reverse flick hitting the keeper’s helmet but not able to find the net. Another match on a neighbouring pitch caused both teams problems, and confusion over whistles ensued. As a result we lost our head a little in a short corner and Spencer sapphire went 1-0 up. Both teams were thirsty to win and things on the pitch started to become tense. Several warnings were given by the umpire and we all decided to take a breath.
We kept our cool, worked the ball around the pitch, Eva, who was a Trojan throughout, brought the ball up the pitch getting past several defenders, she drove the ball into the D to Yas at the near post who reverse tapped it past the keeper, It was possibly the slowest goal ever as it dribble past the keeper who seemed to have been distracted by the neighbouring pitched whistle! Spencer sapphires came back at us hard but we dominated possession. A rogue bounce on the pitch led to them breaking away into the D, they tried for goal but missed. Confusion ensued as the near umpire called a 16, as we set up for this, the other umpire called a long. Spencer took a quick long whilst we were unaware and scored. This was appealed and after the umpires discussed, no goal was allowed. With 10 minutes left of the match, things were tense but we kept possession and kept pushing forward. Emma gave a great ball to Ella Turner who hit into the D, the ball ricocheted off several players and eventually found Yas who was facing the wrong way but managed to nutmeg the goalie. We finished the match 2-1 and celebrated with ice creams! Thoroughly deserved. POM Connie – aka The Wall, better than Trump’s, and Eva – the fiery tour de force. Onwards and upwards for Ladies 3s!
POM: Ella Turner & Connie Lee
Goal Scorer: Yasmine Weeks (2)
Kicking off the game at 2 minutes in was a great goal from Charlotte Reed, who received a slip on a short corner, another early goal at 5 minutes from Grace hamper saw OCs nicely in the lead.
POM: Niamh Hepburn.
Written by Bella Perry
Men’s 4s 2 – 0 London Wayfarers Knights
Yet another great game of hockey against a very competitive and lively LW Knights.
Our advantage of 3 extra players counted for a great deal as a bare 11 was always going to struggle in unseasonal 26 degree heat against our 14.
The usual uncertainty over selection consumed a number of man hours with our being 3 key players short but supplemented by the return of golden stick Jake and Ben S’s first run out for us of the season. Mike N also stepped in between the posts following Jake M’s injury during training this week. Nick Lewis also returned after a year’s sabbatical.
The first 25 minutes was extremely tight with Mike N keeping us in the game with a number of good saves. LWK played the game with only having 11 available leaving 2 men high and looking for the patient build up in midfield with a few long aerials thrown in for good measure. We too had our opportunities with good defending preventing us from having clear cut chances. Our defence mopped up the bulk of what was thrown at us and Moorsey had a commanding game at centre back, not putting a foot wrong all game in a flawless performance.
We snuck the lead 25 minutes in with a great build up started by Ben S who was in the right place to finish the move efficiently.
The second half was much of the same with Mike again keeping out the oppo with one save highlighting his M o M performance when beaten in a one on one a few metres outside his right post to somehow save the top D shot in the middle of the goal, definitely a game changing moment. At 2 – 0 we were going to be hard to catch but LWK never gave up but did leave spaces at the back thatwe were able to exploit but not add the finishing touch.
Our effort could not be questioned with the whole squad putting in maximum effort evidenced by Nashy running himself into the ground close to the end of the game.
The major downside to our win was a nasty knee injury to Lewi when brining the ball out of defence. Hopefully not as bad as first thought with the coming days likely to provide an answer.
OKs away next week.
POM: Mike Norington
DOD: Roger Kuipers and Nashy – very poor selection of shorts worn.
Goals: Ben Smyth and Jake Kemp
As LWK tired we started to dominate and Jake K was on hand to touch home a looping ball that came off their keeper with 17 minutes to go.
Ladies 5s 0 – 3 NPL 1s
Another glorious sunny Saturday for hockey, the tunes were rocking and the mood high – one of our captains was already hurling herself at the ground well before the PB time, so keen was she to get underway…
We started full of energy and with nothing to separate the two teams for the first 25 minutes. Possession was good, particularly between our mids and forwards who are gelling nicely now, and we created several early chances but could not quite get them to stick.
We continued to fight on and created more chances but just before the end of the half another opportunity presented itself to NPL; short pause while a polite request was made to the more senior umpire if the hand signals could match the words (no gestures exchanged on our part naturally!) but the long was in fact a short and NPL duly converted it.
Stormers 2 – 0 Epsom
Four points in the bag after the first two games, The Stormers felt like they might start a season well for the first time in years.
Our 3rd game had banana skin written all over it though… October heatwave, playing on arguably the worst pitch in Surrey, one welsh umpire and one umpire admitting after the game he couldn’t see anything, Jerry turning up in full kit hoping for a few minutes, new signing Ed Hawke turning up late.
Well, a signature oc game it was not. Even with the decision to add water breaks, our legs looked heavy and for the first time we played a team happy to play half court. This may caused costly had we not played on a 1980’s pitch..
That said, there were moments of brilliance and great chances created for the home team. The Epsom keeper making a flurry of great saves, with Goalie also pushing aside a one v one. With 0-0 looking likely, up steps a feisty Will Naylor, who dribbled (for a change) along the base line and neatly reverse dinks the ball
Under the able Epsom keeper. 1-0 half time.
We all agreed at half time to keep the ball and work the team from SA from side to side. Not long into the second half Heardy fired a bouncing bomb to sweeper Heslop who then returned the favour to ash. The ball off the side, people started to question the keep
Ball tactic. Chances for the home team started to mount though with ENG Stu volleying a ball inches past grants A hole and miles over the fence, JJ got man handled off the ball with a 2 yd tap in, with the ball appearing to come off the defenders foot and trickle over the line. No goal given. Epsom certainly gave it a good go, but ocs back four with returning ports and Garrett looked solid. Probably a good thing with Goalie having 4 pints under his belt.The game looked likely to run out a 1-0, but Eng Stu stole a loose back pass in the 79min. Beating the sweeper he set up JJ who then slapped the ball into the goalies family jewels. Play seemed to stand still as the goalie shouted “ow my bollocks”. JJ, not a man to show sympathy, smashed the rebound into the corner. Final score 2-0 OC’s…
MOM – Naylor
Match Report by – Stu Ripley
OC Ladies 6s 7 – 0 Ashford (Middlesex) W3
On a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon, the OC Ladies 6s took to the field with a determination to uphold the days impressive home game winning streak, and they certainly did not disappoint. The final scoreline of 7-0 in favour of OC Ladies 6s against Ashford (Middlesex) W3 was a testament to their remarkable performance.
The match kicked off with a burst of energy as Captain Lucy Gilmour netted an early goal, setting the tone for what would become an unforgettable game. Soon after, fellow captain Georgina Anderson
added another goal to their tally, leaving Ashford (Middlesex) W3 scrambling to find their footing.
The OC Ladies 6s displayed exceptional teamwork and attacking prowess throughout the game, resulting in a flurry of goals. Notable goal-scorers included Georgina Anderson and Fiona McPherson both with two goals, Lucy Gilmour contributing one, Isobel Archbold finding the back of the net, and Freya Sunderland sealing the victory with her goal. The juniors’ impressive assists played a significant role in these well-executed goals.
What made this performance even more remarkable was the unwavering energy displayed by the team throughout the match. They maintained their high intensity, created numerous goal-scoring opportunities, and even fine-tuned their short corner execution.
As the final whistle blew, the OC Ladies 6s celebrated a resounding 7-0 triumph, leaving no doubt about their dominance on the field that day. Their impressive teamwork, scoring finesse, andunyielding energy levels made for a memorable match. Congratulations to the Ladies 6s for an
outstanding performance.
POM: Izzy Archbold & Freya Sunderland
Goal Scorers: George Anderson (2), Fiona McPherson (2), Izzy Archbold, Freya Sunderland, Lucy Gilmour
Clean Sheet: Izzy Padget
Barnstormers 5 – 0 Surbiton Magnets
Although we started relatively slow in the game, we were not threatened that muchby Surbiton and the Wall was left stable. With three subs we rotated the players regularly and maintained a good tempo in the game, scoring two goals in quick concession during the first half. A well taken goal by Cuzza after good build up at our third short corner. And the second and third by Yongey both short range but effective none the less. After the third goal had gone in our energy levels actually improved leading to 2 more quick goals from Gracey with assists from Searsey. This resulted in an overall five nil win and On The Wall really not having much to do apart from occasionally clearing the ball out of his D. A very tight call on man of the match again this week with Dougie edging it despite him missing the start of the match. A very good performance from him and also from Tongy. This is where it gets very confusing in terms of dick of the day elections, some may say it was rigged like Trump with Searsy chosen by the team for doing all the wrong things despite Dougie electing last minute.com #thanks mate! Thanks to the international player Knappy and the Welsh chap Howie for helping out. Onto another 3 points next week at home -hopefully!
So, on a hot sunny Saturday afternoon we all traipsed to Osterley for the teas.
If you have ever been to Indian Gymkhana you will understand why. A sublime blend of spices and flavour with hot naan… worth every minute sat in a car for an hour or so.
The game itself was as hot and spicy as the curry afterwards. They attacked from the off, and despite looking very young, apparently having no substitutes and seeming quite disorganised at times, we’re straight at us, slicing deftly through the defence and catching a rebounded save from yours truly to go ahead.
It was apparent very quickly that we all had to play to the whistle as many transgressions seemed not to be observed by the umpires, causing frustration.
We fought back valiantly, with Belle at the back ably supporting Kate, Kim, and Pam, and trying out her new defensive mask. I reckon she has already worn it more than some of her clothes as we defended three on the trot. Several great defensive moves were made, including some nice saves by yours truly.
Lia, loving left midfield, ran her legs off to take the ball forward, managing a super cross/shot deflected into the goal by Jane Taylor to equalise.
However, they were straight back into us, running at us with purpose and slipped past the defence to go ahead straight after we scored, shortly before half-time. We had a short corner, executed beautifully by the team, but as against Berrylands, Jenny hit it too high and although it clipped the top of the backboard, was eventually disallowed.
A team talk and sweets kindly provided by Annie later, and some discontent with the quality of the umpires being more than muttered, we got on with it.
Sophie Anderson (playing her first adult game) linked up with Belle at the back and Rae and Lia across the back to help propel the ball forward, with Fiona, Jane and Annie gamely trying to connect with some rather super crosses. But Saturday was not their day and it felt like so near but so far for them. They made some absolutely super runs and deserved goals for the sheer effort they put in.
They broke free and with the aid of some questionable umpiring scored two goals in quick succession, one over the top and one walked in with more of them than us in the circle.
However, in a late blast of assertiveness, we got the ball up and Jenny scored a super goal to give us late hope.
That was dashed as they attacked, knocked the ball away without penalty and generally wound down time, assisted by the umpire and Kim, who received a green card for backchat to the umpire.
Worth the teas, but it was a hard fought game with a scoreline belying just how close we came. A great team performance as we learn to work together.
PoM: Sophie
Goals: Jane and Jenny
On another beautiful day at fortress TD the Hammies looked to avenge last week’s narrow defeat and bounced back with a well earned but hard fought victory.
It was a welcome return to the midfield for Howie, Magic and Closey which sparked more attacking intent to the team which was quickly rewarded when Baz picked up a through ball, drove into the D and flicked it the onrushing Tissy to bury the ball passed the keeper.
Several more opportunities went begging and in the second half Wimbledon came back strongly. Nige in goal had been relatively untroubled, however a short corner early in the second half saw the ball powered into the bottom corner to bring the scores back level.Man of the match Justin, was imperious in defence holding the Wimbledon tide at bay until the team could get back on top. OCs started to dominate and mid way through the second half a Closey drag flick saw the ball stopped on the line by a defender’s outstretched foot.Up stepped Closey for the flick but, perhaps a bit psyched out by the ‘chirpy’ keeper, he saw his effort deflect off the post to safety.Fired up by this miss Birksy and Steve were rampant up front and with 5 mins to go Steve’s mazy run into the D saw Birksy smash it home to take the lead. OCs controlled possession for the final 5 to seal a well earned victory.Score 2-1