OC Hockey Club

Women’s 6s  2 – 3  Richmond 5s

To the tune of Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song:

Now, this is a story all about how
Our game got flipped-turned upside down
And I’d like to take a minute, just sit right there
I’ll tell you how we almost won with flair.
In the first half of the game, we started off slow,
Passing ‘cross our own goal, oh no, what a blow!
We went 2-0 down, just before the break,
But a penalty corner, we did take.
With a solid cross from Solveig, it was a sight,
Cuddy put it in, and we were back in the fight.
2-1 at halftime, we were feeling alive,
Came back from the break, Eva made it 2-2, high five!
Then came a sub rotation, and what did we see?
A pitch invader in purple, Jess’s moment of glee.
She won “Dick of the Day” for that little display,
But we held on tight, fighting all the way.
Ness was fencing with her stick, throwing it twice,
Our defense was fierce, we were looking quite nice.
But alas, our keeper was injured, oh dear,
Padding everywhere but where the ball did steer.
The game ended 3-2, but we held our heads high,
Never fear, we hit the bar, wine and beer supply.
At 11:28, we started our cheer,
For the love of the game and the friends we hold dear.

 

Men’s 2s  4 – 4  London Academicals

OC’s 2nd XI faced London Academicals 1st XI at home in a match that threatened to be a tricky one for the OCs, most notably because of the absence of several key players due to some seriously questionable circumstances. Unfortunately for the OCs, these pre-game concerns quickly became a reality. From the first whistle, it was clear that London Academicals had the upper hand in terms of momentum, pressuring the OCs midfield and back-line in a hostile environment. With a swift and aggressive start, they immediately took the lead following a barrage of attacks, quickly finding themselves 2-0 up courtesy of a penalty stroke and a quick counterattack. The OCs struggled to settle into their usual flow and found themselves on the back foot, and couldn’t find a way to change the direction of travel. Things went from bad to worse for the OCs when their keeper attempted to re-create Roy Keane’s infamous challenge on Alf-Inge Haaland, resulting in a converted penalty stroke. 4-0 down by the 30 minute mark, and the OCs faced a steep climb, with their backs well and truly against the wall.

Just before the break, OCs were given a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty stroke of their own. The stroke was converted and the men trailed 4-1 at the halfway stage.

Following the half-time hairdryer from captain Lamb, the OCs started the 2nd half much more fluently, and with renewed determination. They started to find their rhythm and began applying more pressure to the London Academicals defence. It wasn’t long before OCs’ persistence paid off, and debutant Owen Jenkins-Garcia muscled one into the roof of the net. Despite this being a level that he had not at played before, he certainly didn’t look out of his depth. OCs then scored immediately from the restart, with the team’s Argentinian magician, Jose, displaying some exceptional skill to tuck the ball over the outcoming keeper. The deficit was now just 1, and the OCs smelt blood. No stone was left unturned as the OCs men charged across every inch of the pitch in search of the equaliser, until Owen once again found himself with space in the D, and finessed one into the bottom right corner.

With the scores tied at 4-4, the final stages of the match became a frantic affair with a number of cards awarded for ill-discipline (both physical and verbal) for both sides. The OCs were awarded a short-corner at the final whistle, but fell just short of what would have been one of the comebacks of the century. As the final whistle echoed around TD, there were furious debates between both sets of players about who had really bottled the win.

The OCs now look ahead to their top of the table clash next week where they look to de-throne Richmond from top spot. With the arrival of Storm Bert, the forecast is looking rather bleak with a 50% chain of rain, and a 100% chance of Richmond tears.

MOM: Owen
DOD: Charlie
Champagne: Owen

 

Puricrans  4 – 2  Indian Gym 

This game had it all, passion, fireworks of all types and a brilliant win for us to put us back on top.

Pre game IG were top on goal difference but confidence was high following wins against H &W and Reading in the previous two weeks, the other two teams in the top 4.

Injuries to Steve Mills, Derek Wright, Lee Martinz and a knee niggle for Burlsey we were down to the bare bones against IG’s squad of 15.

An early goal from Knappy who rolled the ball home having picked up bits from a short corner set the game alight. Tough tackling, complaints from both sides about everything, cards and temper tantrums appeared. IG clawed their way back when a rare attack resulted in a short corner that was belted home hitting the backboard when Simon deflected the ball downwards from shoulder height. Hmmmmmmmmmm. We put this behind us and b]nabbed the lead a few second before half time when a calamitous pass from their full back to Knappy 6 yards out gave us the half time lead.

The second half was more open but we made the most of the space in IGs defence and our relentless pace gave us the edge. Evo continued his first half magic and totally snuffed out IGs most influential player in what was the man of the match performance. John Martinz hit a belter of a tomahawk to extend our lead and Andy Mac finished the game as a contest with a whipped in shot just inside the far post. In between times Diwali celebratory fireworks went off at the club bringing a pause in the game for 15 minutes which was well timed as it enabled a potentially volatile last quarter to dissipate.

This was comfortably the best performance of the fledgling life of the Puricrans and with 3 games to go before the break we need to keep our winning ways to be guaranteed of retaining our top of the table status.

M o M – Andy Eve

Goals – Knappy 2, John Martinz and Andy Macleod.

 

Hamstrings  4 – 2  Old Kingstonians

With everyone sporting their pink socks in support of breast cancer awareness, we started the game well, really well. After the first 6 minutes we had already found the back of the net, very unlike the Hammies. With Rich bossing the show at the bottom of the diamond a second goal came soon after, we were in complete control, dominating possession and dictating the pace of the game. This set the tone for the first 25 min where we maintained our structure well and let the ball do all the work. The last 10 minutes of the first half things started to get a little scrappy, a worrying sign of things to come. Nonetheless we went into half time buoyed with a deserving 2-0 lead.

As we began the second half, never has the phrase a game of two halves been more apt. Some inspired half time team tactics from the oppo, meant all the space we had benefited from in the first half changed, as they started aggressively closing us down which disrupted our flow. The oppos new game plan, mixed in with a touch of complacency and a lack of discipline meant that we leaked two goals and now found ourselves in a dog fight.

Struggling to regain our composure it was looking like we were going to self destruct – step in Eastie, who started barking out a few strong words reminding everyone to calm down. This wasn’t pretty hockey but with the game now on a knife-edge, we had to dig deep for the final 10 minutes. Baz, who had been a constant threat, found the net again, which was just the tonic we needed to settle us down. With our tails up again, it wasn’t long before Baz bagged another thanks to some clinical finishing, sealing victory for the Hammies and chalking up a well-deserved hat-trick.

Goal scorers: Steve McCann , Barry Jones x 3

MOM – Barry Jones

DOD – Mike Newton

 

Ladies 3s  5 – 0  Epsom Wildings 

The Ladies 3 team delivered an incredible performance as they achieved a 5-0 win, displaying both fantastic shooting ability and solid defensive play throughout the match.
The scoring began early in the 15th minute, when Migs found the back of the net from a penalty corner, giving OCs the lead. The pressure continued as the team-controlled possession, and Migs extended the lead further in the 28th minute with another field goal.
At halftime, the team were comfortably ahead 2-0, having created several other chances but unable to add to their tally before the break.
The second half saw the Ladies 3 continue to dictate the game. In the 36th minute, Alice scored a well-executed penalty corner, making it 3-0.
Migs wasn’t finished yet and completed her hat-trick in the 55th minute with another successful penalty corner. The final goal came in the 64th minute when Ailsa added a fifth, converting a well-timed field goal to seal the dominant 5-0 victory.
The win was built on a strong team effort, with great finishing, tight defensive play, and excellent work from the midfield. The Ladies 3 were very pleased with the result as they continue to build momentum for the rest of the season.

 

Barnstormers  4 – 5  Tulse Hill & Dulwich

A close and exciting game between the Barnstormers and Tulse Hill where ultimately Barnies went down 4-5 at Reeds, on a rather dark and gloomy replacement venue given Oaken Lane has been transformed into a skid pan.

Tulse Hill scored first before the Barnies pulled it back; Si Q taking it past the keeper and placing it in the bottom corner of the goal. Again the scores changed one apiece, with CB scoring next. This pattern was briefly interrupted when Tulse Hill scored two in a row before a well worked short corner by Barnies saw CB grab a brace after Gav slotted one too.

The question of sportsmanship arose after a clear Tulse Hill foot in their D was not acknowledged by their team and the umpires were unable to see it. In comparison, the ultimate gentleman Searsy held his hand up when a similar infringement occurred in the Barnies D.

Maybe we should be more ruthless but that is typically not the Barnies way. In the end Barnies will bounce back next week, whilst enjoying the higher ground in the meantime!

 

Ladies 4s  3 – 0  Surbiton 7s

I was challenged to write today’s match report… even after missing the first 20minutes- As I arrived Poppy was already on the side line being taped up by many plasters… the first of her many injuries. “You’re like a magnet to that hockey ball!” -Eilidh
The match started off strong against Surbiton W7. In the first 20 minutes Holly Q scored the first goal. Our press was not perfect by any means as we tried a new 4-4-2 structure- but our defence and Issy continuously managed to keep the Surbiton team away from our D. Making some good ‘1-2’ passes down the side line and running it down the base line past the defending team, the ball was passed into Holly Q who scored her second goal! Ending the first half 2-0 up we enthusiastically went into the second half.
The second half was nothing short of injuries with Poppy, myself and our Captain Eilidh practicing our gymnastics and athleticism. With multiple
attempts at goal the ball was passed across the D…lunging at the ball I knocked it just short of the target and as a reward got a nice astro burn-
Desperately fighting for a goal this half, Amy received the ball in the D and with her moment to shine she rolled the ball gently between the goalie’s legs; in the moment not realising it actually went in! 3-0.

Next it was Eilidh’s turn at attempting to defeat the slippery patch of sand inside the D. Aligned with the goal she went to score and with a display of grace and gravity, took a dive- she too was taken out and slipped over
receiving nasty grazes. After an eventful match, many elbow and knee grazes later and an unfazed, bruised Poppy as she continuously attracted the hockey ball to her body, we ended in triumph beating Surbiton 3-0 with Holly just short and of a hat trick!

Well done to Issy for getting POM!
Goals: Holly Q x2 Amy x1
P.S. I think the first aid kit needs restocking…