Ladies 6s 3 – 0 OCHC Ladies 7s
On a bright, sunny, and crisp morning, the OC Ladies 6’s faced off against the OC Ladies 7th. The game ended with a 3-0 victory for the 6’s, showcasing their skill and teamwork.
Puricrans 4 – 1 Spencer
A 15.00 start at Battersea is never the most enticing of prospects but the benefit of playing good hockey each week and being successful means that we have a relatively settled squad each week with selection dilemmas for the skipper.
As always Spencer gave us a very good game and at half time with the score 1-1 the result was in the balance. Once again we found an apposition keeper in inspired form and a defence well marshalled by the class of Tochi Panesar. Our first goal came slightly against the run of play as Spencer had weathered our initial pressure and began to dictate. However a swift break saw Andy Macleod finish off a good move to give us the lead. Spencer equalised from a short corner which we should perhaps have mopped up at first instance and we went into half time at 1-1-
The second half was a different affair as we piled on the pressure and began to force numerous chances. Simon Duncan, a welcome addition as the Hammies did not have a game, scored from a short corner before Macleod and Knappy completed the scoring. The turning point of the game was probably Tochi taking a rest bmoidway through the second half.
Lat year’s champions BromBecks away next weekend whose results have improved week on week after a difficult start. We were thrashed 5-0 in the corresponding game last season with a score to therefore settle.
MOM – Rob Leach
Goals – Macleod 2, Duncan, Knapp.
Men’s 2s 2 – 1 Bromley & Beckenham 2s
The OCs travelled to the Langley Park school for girls on a cold crisp Saturday taking on a Fiesty Brom Becs team, (potentially a rigged team too, but I’ve since been told to stand down my investigation….)
The lack of travel plans from the Director of Travel, really had caused confusion to all. A sea of warning lights on the VW Polo Dash could only mean one thing, we had passed the infamous Effiel Tower of Crystal Paris, causing radar jamming…
Boyd on by having putting Laidman in his place the week before, the lads rocked up full of the magic beans.
Captain Lamb arrived having demolished a team of 8 Year olds at Laser Quest…. “Pretty Easy work that”
OD arrived fresh from his travels to the desert. Shame about the tan… must have been left at Gatwick Arrivals- South Terminal.
Crumbledore arrived having finally turned the hob off and declared his curry a resounding success.
Stotty arrived having been whipped following a walk and coffee morning in Guildford… 30, Yup completed it.
Doble arrived boyd on by supposed tears…
Meersy, finally made the right decision… People’s Team > 1st XI
Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and Girls – after 5 years Westy turned up on time.
The lads gathered around,the sideline still waiting for the “trusty” notebook to emerge but no such luck. (One thing to note, never complain about the OCs toilets again, a single portaloo … yup class).
“Lads let’s turn up in the first half and start with a bang…” yup on a reflection a thought now postponed for the OMT game.
As luck would have it… An on pitch warm up! It really threw us… normality restored next week with a trip back to the Church.
The game started, Tim’s aerial aiming for the sideline drifted off the back. A few minutes later, FRJ clattered into there right back, 🟩“you’ve got to let your opposite man, you’re there”. The game continued to be scrappy with brom becs having the better start and slightly dissecting the hole between the midfield and our back line. DR continued the “aggression” and was harshly punished receiving a 🟩 …
Soon after the OCs starting stringing together a few counter attacks – one ended with an open chance for Mr Evan Morris (marking his return to the OCs having spent the first half chained to his desk.) A Tap in at the back post … he couldn’t miss. 1-0 to the Cs.
Brom Becs came back into it and down to sheer luck and the “anti skill”, which caught out three OC players meant that the scores were level. OCs had the best part of five minute in front.
The last chance of the half fell to the OCs where OCs had a short corner, it was delivered back to the injector and a roar from Will Phill meant the OCs had taken the lead right on the edge of half time.
The second half continued similar to the first half, never quite getting into top gear. There were some class runs from the forward line and discipline remained strong. “A card is going to win it or lose it”, Yup it was Brom Becs who were indeed the victim of these words….The defence continued to hold on wave after wave after wave, choas resembled a certain last scene “Team Death Match, Nuketown – Call of Duty Black Ops”. Phil OD and Tim kept the chat and organisation going and OCs started to build into it. FRJ was flattened by a blatent crossing which sent a tremor of around 7.2 on the Rictar Scale around the neighbourhood. A couple of shorts and chances came but sadly no Cigar. Brom Becs had their fair share of chances but simply couldn’t convert, bit like Toby Floods Rugby World Cup year in 2011.
The game ended. Gritty, Determined, relief- but boy what a massive three points. These are the big ones that are hard fought.
The boys march on into February. The campaign continues on Saturday against an OMT side who managed a 4-4 draw in the first half. A chance for the OCs to come out Victorious. Let’s Go!
Mom OD
DOD FRJ
CM – EM & CT
It was a chilly Saturday afternoon but the sun was shining as we warmed up, and the action got underway with the OC’s looking lively from the first whistle. Our fast pace and pressure unsettled Sunbury, and it was clear from the outset that the OCs were hungry to win the game.
The first breakthrough came courtesy of a cracking goal from the ever-reliable Bernie, which gave the OCs a 1-0 lead.
However, the joy was short-lived, as Sunbury were quick to respond. Within the first half, they clawed their way back into the game with a well-executed equalizer, and just like that, the scoreline was tied at 1-1.
No sooner had we recovered from that blow, then Sunbury scored a second goal. Just like that, it was 2-1 to Sunbury, and the OC’s found themselves on the back foot for the first time in the match.
But with wise words from Roz and Paula, we went into the second half ready to fight back, and so, with heads held high, we dug in and started strong. Right from the start of the second half, the OCs were back on the offensive. It took barely three minutes for Chalky to leave her mark on the match. On a long corner Chalky was passed the ball in the D and fired a shot past the Sunbury keeper, scoring a second goal for OC’s to make it 2-2.
The momentum had fully swung in the OCs’ favour, and we kept passing well, with some excellent runs up the pitch by Jess and Bryony and great play from the whole team. Sunbury were finding themselves under increasing pressure and began to look a little rattled.
And so it was that with about 10 minutes remaining, a golden opportunity arose. A short corner, expertly won by the OCs’ relentless pressure on the Sunbury defence, set the stage for what would prove to be the game’s decisive moment. Nicola was waiting by the goal, ready to sweep the ball in, the Sunbury keeper had no chance. Nicola scored the third goal to win the game with 10 minutes to spare! It was 3-2 to the OCs, and we weren’t going to let this lead slip.
From there, it was all about managing the game. Our defence stood firm, led by an outstanding performance from Michelle in goal, who ensured no further goals were conceded. The clock ticked down, and as the final whistle blew, we could finally let out a collective sigh of relief.
It had been a match full of twists and turns, but in the end, the OCs 5s had emerged victorious with a hard-fought 3-2 win. It was a brilliant performance from the ladies, with standout efforts from all involved. The team’s resilience in bouncing back from a 2-1 deficit at half time and our determination to win truly showed.
A fantastic game for the Ladies 5s, with joint POMs Jess and Bryony!
The much-anticipated day arrived once again as the Ladies 4s faced off against the Ladies 3s, reigniting the rivalry from the close encounter last season that ended in a nail-biting 3-2 loss for us.
Determined to come back stronger, the team hit the ground running.
In the first 10 minutes, Georgie Newbold stepped up in a short corner and with the help of Issy Archbold in the German, hit the back of the net to give the 4s an early lead. The team played an exceptional first half, showing grit, energy, and cohesion across the pitch, keeping the 3s on their toes throughout.
However, the 3s came out stronger after the break, determined to turn the game around. Despite their growing pressure, the 4s held firm, and Charlie Reed midway through the second half, brought the score to 2-2, lifting the team’s morale.
With just three minutes to go, in what had been a thrilling end-to-end contest, the 3s managed to sneak in the decisive goal, making it 3-2 and sealing the game.
The match was played in front of a fantastic crowd, adding to the supportive atmosphere of a day filled with Ladies hockey. Both teams left everything on the pitch, and there were plenty of compliments about the quality of the game.
Although the result didn’t go our way, the effort, teamwork, and determination displayed by the Ladies 4s were truly commendable. A fabulous day at the club and a performance to be proud of—on to the next game!
