OC Hockey Club

So, after a couple of weeks of being unlucky to not get full points from a game, this week was frustratingly another to add to the list for the Ladies 6s.

After a very balanced game, that could have come either way, Teddington’s cohort of a few very strong, experienced players able to distribute the ball well, just proved a little too much. Despite a great start to the match for us, Teddington got the first goal, which can only be described as scrappy from our side. Admittedly, despite the golden rule off playing to the whistle, after seeing the ball go out on the side line and then also the back line we were less then organised at the back which left Nici on her own facing numerous shots one of which eventually crossed the line despite her gallant efforts. It was a bizarre goal!

Having said that, despite going behind we held our head high, kept going and improved as the first half went on – increasingly getting to the ball first again and more effectively playing around the oppo. Some great runs from Megan, who seemed to enjoy trying centre-mid, and also George down the left. This led to a deserved, textbook goal with the ball being played down from the midfield and crossed in. Solveig’s attempt on goal (who should get a special mention for playing out of position in midfield) was saved but rebounded with a number of OCs players ready to pounce. In the end, it  was Cuddy who get the goal to get us back on track.

Into the second half, Teddington were getting increasingly frustrated with our stalwart defence, but also increasingly vocal about it, which impacted our flow. A very quickly taken long corner unfortunately led to a top of the D strike sneaking through with ten minutes to go.

In the end a 1-2 loss, but we left our heads held high and lessons learnt about both mentally and physically playing our own game and never giving up!

Special mention to Jess who survived her first match back, and made an impact, playing completely out of position, and then to Ness and Darcie for getting joint player of the match.

POM – Darcie Waite, Vanessa Baxter

Score – 1-2 loss

Puricrans  1 – 0  Reading 

A key game in our season ended with us taking the 3 points and the unbeaten record of Reading.

Their experienced side was always going to be a challenge although what ended up being a tight game should have been won by us more easily. We weren’t helped by Millsy twisting his ankle in one of our many carpark potholes but fortified Andy Macleod shrugging off his sniper attack on his hamstring last Saturday leaving us with a squad of 12.

Simon only had one real piece of action making 3 saves in close proximity at a short corner with about 10 minutes to go.

We took the lead when a through ball found Knappy who rolled the ball under the keeper and should have made it 2 – 0 following the award of a penalty stroke from our scorer just about reached the keeper. A couple of short corners to each team went begging in each of the halves as did a number of breaks where we had superiority in numbers on which we made poor last passes.

As time ran out we retained pour lead whilst Reading’s 4 on pitch umpires became more and more frustrated although at last refrained from challenging one of the decisions when the final whistle blew.

A superb defensive performance with pour back 4 mopping up all that was thrown by them and another 3 points.

We slip to second in the table on goal difference as Indian Gym, pour opponents this week put 8 past Surbiton that makes this game another vital match.

Goal –  Knapp

M o M – Simon Duncan

Golden glove Simon Shelly

We came out roaring and hungry to maintain our top position in the league.  We had strong possession from the off dominating the match with lovely passing and great team play.
Nicola led us with 2 stomping goals giving her a well deserved POM.
Next it was Lizzie taking us to 3-0, followed by an unfortunate own-goal from the opposition assisted by Freya giving us a fabulous 4-0 win! Another awesome match for the 5s.

A clean sheet for Issy Padget.

Report written by Freya Sunderland.

Hamstrings 0-0 Sunbury

And so to the late Saturday afternoon clash with top of the table Sunbury at Oaken lane, a pitch that reminds us all why our knees, backs and hips are creaking from the old surfaces of the 1990’s and 2000’s.   “ Rage against the dying of the light!” was the Captain’s pep talk.  Not because he was worried about our imminent demise nor that he was showing off his knowledge of Dylan Thomas but because 2 full floodlights were not working and a bulb in a third had also gone.  Both sides started strongly and played well for the first half with few chances on either side as we focused on maintaining our structure and width.  With the half time whistle and darkness almost upon us (and players slipping over left, right and centre) it was agreed that we would play no more than a further twenty minutes.  Alas, with barely 10 minutes of the second half gone it was Umpire Crumby who proposed a halt as he was unable to see the far end of the pitch and with no dissenters amongst a bunch of old men with poor sight each team agreed to a point each and to eagerly look forward to the re-match next year.  MOM was a solid display at centre-half from Richard MacDowel in only his second appearance for the team.

Under a darkening sky, the Ladies 3s faced off against Surbiton in a match illuminated not just by their skill but by the festive glow of the club’s holiday decorations. The lights surrounding the clubhouse shone a holiday-themed glow across the field, spurring on the threes for what would become a goal-filled game. With five in total, it was an exhilarating game from start to finish.

We started the game enthusiastic but scrappy, with end-to-end turnovers for most of the first half. OC’s defended well, with Elle and Megan making some amazing stops down the wing and Ellie and Helen picking up any spare balls from the rear, leaving goalkeeper Hannah to just keep us organised from the back. Early on, Holly opened the scoring with some luck and  persistence. After taking a powerful shot at the keeper, the ball deflected off the pads and into the goal. It was a bitty but well-deserved first goal that set the tone for the game!

We went into half-time frustrated by the lack of goals and gunning for a more defined lead. This came quickly in the second half, with Alice lofting a shot into the air and Jax quickly stepping in to help it across the line, adding another notch to the score sheet. Lily found her moment amidst a chaotic scramble in the D. With a reverse bunt; she slotted the ball home to keep the momentum high.

With more excellent positioning from Holly, a ball was slotted through their defensive line, leaving her one-on-one with the keeper. With control and calm, she slid the ball past, tapping it in while nearly colliding with the post—a memorable finish! Alice closed the game, taking on the keeper solo and slipping the ball past her with just three seconds left. A dramatic finish to cap off a fantastic performance by the Ladies 3s.

Despite excellent performances by the whole team, Megan, who showed stellar performance against her old club, received POM for her work in defence. Now having secured top of the league, Ladies 3s head into next week’s game against Epsom with an incredible goal difference of 19.