Men’s 1stXI 5-2 Stourport 1stXI

Goals: Ben Northedge, Martyn Cory, Gareth Parker, Scott Mahoney, Ben Scott

Saints started very brightly against a lacklustre Stourport side hoping to avenge their 5-3 defeat before Christmas. Saints pressured the away side from the start and scored very early on a Ben Northedge found himself in the D and swept into the empty net after Saints had struck the post. Stourport who had found it hard on their travels of late conceded again as Saints bombarded their D. Martyn Cory and Gareth Parker both scored near identical goals at the back post. Stourport’s discipline started to drop as they found it hard to compete with a hard working Saints. Heavy tackles and bad language followed but Saints continued with their good play and a first goal for Scott Mahoney fired I from the top of the D. Ben Scott completed the first half rout deflected in a Cory short corner. 5-0.

With the game won by half time Saints had the chance to put in a very impressive score line but the home side performance dropped and they let Stourport back in the game through silly mistakes. Twice Saints gave the ball away on the half way line and this coupled with back marking at the back allowed the away side to pull two goals back.

 The game ended 5-2, a good win for Saints but a disappointing second half.

 

 Men’s 1stXI 0-0 Edgbaston 1stXI

True to form Saints again started brightly and were the better team in the opening 15 minutes. Goal mouth chances went begging along with short corner shots saved from the Edgbaston keeper meant the game remained goalless at half time. The second half proved similar to the day before with the away side working very hard and Saints’ poor decision making leading to a scrappy open game. Christian Howard saw yellow for a bad tackle and was joined shortly afterwards by Ben Scott. The game ended 0-0 – a below par performance that need improving for next week’s game at Telford but it extended Saints unbeaten run to six games.

 

Thank you to all who supported the team this weekend.

 

Men's 2nd XI 0-3 Cannock 2nd XI

 

The 2s travelled to Cannock in high spirits after a fine performance against Beeston last weekend. Unfortunately they couldnt produce the goods again as they were once again taught a lesson in clinical finishing.

The game started off poorly for Saints as they allowed Cannock far too much time on the ball and it wasn’t long before Cannock opened the scoring as Northampton were caught napping at the back. This seemed to awaken Saints as they then proceeded to enjoy a good 10 minute spell where chances went begging. The game was a fine spectacle with both teams looking fantastic going forward, but both seemed unsure on the art of defending!! Saints were soon made to regret their earlies misses as Cannock doubled their lead before half-time.

Half-time focused on closing down Cannock and not giving them the time on the ball. This worked for large periods of the second half as Cannock resorted on the long aerial balls to launch most of their attacks. Fortunately for Saints, defender Adam Croutear was on hand to stop them as he put in a man of the match effort. Northampton kept pushing for a goal but Cannock continuously broke down the play through strong tackles or some less than subtle fouling!! A sloppy error at the back then led to Cannock scoring an undeserved third. Further chances came and went for Saints and the game finished 3-0.

Squad: Ed Holt (GK), Matt Gausden (c), Adam Croutear, Pete Riches, Matt Wilde, Dan Whitakker, Lee O'Donnell, Tom Wightman, Sean Henry, Andy Smith, Max Heaphy, Athiq Thamby, Dan Rose, Tom Scott-Collins

 

 

Ladies 4thXI 2-4 Kettering 3rdXI

Goal scorers: Nic Holton (2)

 

The pressure was on as the Saints 4's and Kettering 3's battle it out for third place in the table and after winning the last game against Kettering the Saints really had to pull it out the bag today. Unfortunately old issues haunted them and it took the Saints the first half to find their feet only as they went in 2-1 down at the break, with Nic Holton giving Saints scoring Saints goal .

Saints began to dominate the second half with some great however Kettering’s more direct approach caught Saints out as they scored 2 further goals through the middle of the pitch leaving the final score at 4-2. Nic Holton this time scoring Saints second consolation goal. Special mention must go to keeper Rachel Bryant, who considering her age and this being her first game with the Saints did brilliantly making some awesome saves - fully deserving of the MOTM vote. 

 

 

Banbury Masters 3-2 Men's Masters

Goals: Guy Roberts (2) 

Saints welcomed masters "new caps" Mike Darbyshire, Dave Tebbutt, Phil Knight and Charles Darby into a squad filled with guile, pace and experience for a difficult away trip to Banbury. Saints struggled to settle due to the slow nature of the pitch and most of the first half activity took place in the middle of the pitch. Two soft goals just before half time gave Banbury an unexpected lead and were real gifts as the Saints defence upped sticks and left goalkeeper Colyn Biddle on his own against the goal hanging centre forward.

The saints really upped the pace in the second half and created much more pressure on the banbury goal and it was no surprise when a sweetly struck Guy Roberts short corned reduced the deficit. Minutes later a real free flowing move from the saints culminated in Tim Daverson playing a beautifully weighted through ball for Guy Roberts to roof an equaliser !!  The last 15 minutes saw the Saints pile forward in search of a well-deserved winner only for the defence once again to go awol leaving Banbury with a soft winner in the closing minutes.

A thoroughly enjoyable game for both sides - a rematch being in the offing in April at Moulton where revenge will be sought - although it is unlikely we will be able to match the Banbury teas  (a main course and rice at the local Indian restaurant)

 

Moulton Hockey Academy Mixed 1stXI 5 – 1 Bilborough College

Goals: James Knibb (3), Dave Marriott, Ella Dagnall

The game started perfectly for Moulton who scored with their very first attack, some great interchange by new forward partnership of David Marriott and James Knibb, which was to be a highlight of the match, building up to James Knibbs first goal of the game.  It wasn’t long after this when James was again on the score sheet, coming from some great work in the right happy area leading to the award of a penalty corner which was well-executed all round, going low giving the GK no chance.  Bilborough College had no answer to James Knibb who completed his hat-trick soon after in exhibition of finishing which the squad had been working hard on in training. 

The second half saw much of the same with at times a little too much caution thrown into the wind with Verity Anderson-Johnson having to make some close quarter saves.  It was Moulton College who stuck first in the second half with David Marriott this time taking a reverse stick half volley straight off the training ground and in to the back of the net!  Hard work all round, from the forward line lead by Leah Sanders untiring defensive work causing a nuisance all game long, to the supporting play from half backs of Ed Holt, Lee Thompson and David Cox meant another goal was evitable.  It was Ella Dagnall on hand to show it was not just the boys that could score with a nice deflection on the back post.  Bilborough did get a deserved consolation goal, the team worked hard throughout the match and didn’t give up at any point with a special mention to their skilful centre midfield never allowing Moulton to relax.  The game finished 5:1.

 

 

Moulton Hockey Academy Mixed 1stXI 1 – 1 Greenhead College (6-5 after sudden death Penalty Strokes)

Goals: James Knibb

Moulton started the stronger of the 2 teams and as soon as they’d adapted to the oppositions half court press they found ways around the positions allowing them to keep attacking, with passes coming from the width into the centres and back out again Moulton soon found success through the opening spaces being left by the Greenhead players, this resulted in frustration and with an obstruction on James Knibb’s shot at goal a penalty flick was awarded to Moulton. A great flick performed by James Knibb’s put Moulton in front 1-0.  A break from Greenhead down the left hand side finished up with reverse shot from their number 8 which found its way in to the left side of the goal putting the score to 1-1.

 

The second half saw chances go begging for both teams. Moulton had a shot that went wide of the post. The Greenhead team were also unlucky with 2 shots on goal but some great saves made by Verity Anderton-Johnson the score line still stood at 1-1 at the final whistle.

 

With nothing between the sides and a winner needed to progress to the next stage, the decision was made to go to Penalty Strokes. The drama of the shootout unfolded with a miss from Moulton and a save by Verity Anderton-Johnson leaving the score line again tied for the second time at 4:4, so the game entered the uncertainty and further nerve-racking drama of sudden death! Moulton confidently scored their first flick, this time really putting the pressure on Greenhead however this time they didn’t quite handle the pressure and Verity saved low to her right to leave Moulton the winners.