Men's 4th XI 5-2 Bedford 4th XI

Goals: Luke Pibworth (5)

 

Five-Star Pibworth

 

Luke Pibworth hit five as Saints eased past local rivals Bedford in this two-way grudge match which saw Bedford resident Pibworth travel up the A428 to face off against Northampton resident Mike Haines in the Bedford defence. Clearly Pibworth came off the winner, as Haines was softened up by an Ant Cziaki cross which failed to meet it’s intended target, Chris Godman.

 

Saints had been slow to start however, as they struggled to come to terms with a new 3-2-3-2 triangulated apex formation, as devised by Saints GCHQ. Luckily the oppo were even more confused as the home team went on to a convincing victory.

 

Any further match incidents are lost in the mists of time as only three players came back for the post-match analysis.

 

MOM: Ant Cziaki (assists)

DOD: James Ruse (greedy)

MVP: Ant Cziaki

 

Squad: Scott Bashford, James Ruse, Jim Phipps (c), Will Gamble, Trev Fidler, Luke Pibworth, Chris Godman, Joe Cliffe, Greg Summers, Ant Czaicki, Lewis Moran, George Mellor

 

Men's 5th XI 3-2 Rugby & East Warwick 5th XI (3rd September)

Goals: Jacob Pryce (2), Callum Scott-Collins

 

Saints 5ths returned for their 2nd pre season game against Rugby's 5th team in lovely weather the saints started slowly thinking that the win was already in the bag but that wasn't the case as the 5th went one nil down to rugbys first shot of the game.

After the goal, the 5th relised they had to go up a gear if they wanted to come away with a win and after some good work on the right side of midfield by Tom Dysko his cross found Jacob Pryce who placed his shot into the left of the goal.

There was drama to follow Richard Smith who hadn't played for years to only last 13 minutes after receiving a stick to the top of the head with blood gushing down his head a bandage was required before a trip to hospital to have his head glued back together!

In the 2nd half the 5ths pushed on for a winner and they thought it came in bizarre fashion Rob Carys hopeful effort which he hit into the ground bounced over the opposition keeper with Jacob Pryce on hand to volley the ball into the net for 2-1.

The 5ths looked comfortable at 2-1 but a counter attack from rugby came and a good cross lead to the equaliser for 2-2 with 10 minutes to go but Callum Scott-Collins had other ideas a lovely reverse shot from the edge of the D that left rugbys keeper with no chance (Callum then telling Ally Rose thats how you do it after Ally had missed about 3 reverses in the game!). This made the score 3-2.

Rob Tee had a glorious chance he took on 5 players beat them all like Michael Owen did in the infamous game with Argentina but unfourtenately the goalkeepers stick got the touch to take it away from him with Rob Cary there for the tap in needless to say Rob Cary was not a happy bunny as he wanted the pass!

Rugby still had time to threaten but a lovely save by Paul Crawford kept the Saint's from going away withonly a draw.

After the game the 5ths went back to Rugbys Club House for Sausage, Chips and Beans. As Dave Henry had to go off to take Richard to the Hospital Rob Cary was taking the subs when Gareth Voss stupidly threw his beer all over the team sheet and Rob Carys lap!
Surely that would guarantee him DOTD!

But no...

MOTM: Callum Scott-Collins (Awesome Finish)

DOTD: Rob Tee ( didn't pass when he should of)

 

Men’s 5thXI 2-1 Milton Keynes 4thXI (10th September)

Scorers: Disco Tom, Rob Cary

 

Monday to Friday, Saints captain and teacher David Henry earns his pupils respect with geographical facts, but when he faces some of his pupils on the hockey pitch he delivers a proper education as Saints win back to back matches.

 

A make shift line-up saw Saints start slowly and they soon found themselves under early pressure as they failed to cope with a bouncy water based pitch, but with some resilient defending from Rob Tee and Steve Morris, Saints defence were able to soak up the pressure and allow Ally Rose to carve out some slick patterns of play down the wings which also resulted in Tom Dysko's and Saints first goal.

 

No sooner had the whistle blown to restart the match that David Henry found himself the centre of some wayward passing that was intercepted and converted by Milton Keynes that gave a half time score of 1-1

 

Saints grew in confidence in the second half but equally became frustrated after having their feathers ruffled by some spirited youngster that resulted in David Henry losing his cool and swearing (often) and Rob Tee kicking out…..  Never the less, goal scoring chances went begging as Ed Arnold either missed the through balls or failed to pass the ball in front of goal in favour of glory / off-target shots.

 

Regardless of the missed opportunities, it was yet another Ally Rose run from defence that results in his reverse stick shot luckily being deflected in off Rob Cary’s stick for a Saints second goal and the win.

 

 

Man of Match: Rob Tee (versatility and a new contender for centre back)

DOTD: David Henry

 

Bedford 5s 0-1 Mens 6th XI
 

Goal Scorers: Richard Smith
 

From an episode of Ashes to Ashes, Bedford Hockey Club, set the scene for a long awaited Clash of the Titans between these two teams...
Hauoli makahiki hou (Hawaiian - Happy New Year) In every sense it is a new year in hockey, it’s a new season and it brings in a whole raft of new players. The new look squad started on a First Footing, with a period of very nervous settling. The defensive centre from Rob O’Donnell and Karl McGregor having to repel some good little runs by Bedford.

Tentative passing and poorly struck attempts to link with Joshua Pibworth and Luke Howard, meant plenty of counter attacks that Paul Crawford stormed to MOM with. The Fighting Sixes were making hard work of it and Tony Brennan was heard saying “Pongal!” The Epiphany came when a pass by Luke on the right resulted in Karl “Gandalf” Flowers putting in, what some have described as ‘National League quality assisting’, to Richard Smith who neatly put it through the legs of the Bedford keeper in a Wassail stylee.

At half time, Tony read us the Tu B’Shevat, which inspired the F6s to play in a Festival of Lights.

The second half saw more structure by the F6s. Good runs up the right by Lee Thompson, linking with Alasdair Townsend, who put in several dodgy crosses and insisted on telling the umpire ‘Eid Mubarak’ (earning him DOD).

In the last 10 minutes, the F6s were playing good hockey with Josh Wright trying to reach Nirvana with some determined tackling and passing. Tim Warburton, playing like it was Christmas, just couldn’t seem to get to get on the end of the crosses to finish Bedford off...

Good result F6s.

Teas:   Spicy Chicken Pasta
MOM:  Paul Crawford (hat-trick and outstanding play)
DOD:  Alasdair Townsend (too much backchat with umpires)

 

Squad: Tony Brennan(c); Paul Crawford (GK); Karl Flowers; Rob O’Donnell; Karl McGregor; Josh Wright, Luke Howard, Richard Smith, Alasdair Townsend, Joshua Pibworth, Tim Warburton and Lee Thompson.
 

 

Ladies 4th XI 3-0 Long Buckby & Ladies 4th XI 1-1 Coventry 

 

Scorers: Lou Harte (2), Jules Herring, Hannah Wilkins

What a cracking start to the 2011/12 season! The girls worked really well together in both games and played some fantastic hockey.

 

Long Buckby faced a strong Saints midfield and defence. The whole defence team

presented a solid front, marking well, making some awesome stops and minimising

any attempt on goal. Georgia moved the ball around well, finding space and

clearing out to the midfielders. The mids and forwards attacked for the whole

game resulting in the 3-0 victory. Some fantastic passing between Alice,

Courtney and Jules and the forwards negotiated their defence well demonstrating

some great hockey skills. In the D the girls worked really well together moving

the ball around and creating space for that shot on goal. Game over and a few

minutes later we were back on the pitch to take on Coventry who looked like they

meant business!

 

 

As expected tiredness got to us all at the beginning of the second game and

against a stronger team we lost our structure and our marking became sloppy.

Coventry took advantage and got an early goal. However this didn't last long and

we found our form again making Coventry work that bit harder. Emma made some

fantastic saves and supported the defenders helping to improve marking. The game

ended 1-1. We had some new faces join us on Saturday, all of whom should feel

really pleased with their performance.

 

 

Well done - everyone! You all worked very hard and deserved that victory.

Hopefully this is a sign of times to come! :)