Mens 1st XI 4 -3 Melton

Goals: Ben Scott (2), Dave Saunders (2)

 

The trials and tribulations of the half-court press

 

Saints came into this game on the back of three wins and so confidence was rightly high. Melton, however, were bottom of the league with zero points. All the signs pointed to a comfortable Saints victory. That was not to be the case...

The first half was dire. To be honest the less said the better. The only moments worthy of a mention were Captain Ben Scott scoring another decent drag flick, Ian Cooper getting green carded for a pathetic act of petulance and Melton scoring a sloppy break-away goal. 1-1 was not what Saints had expected.

The half time talk was focussed on not letting Melton drag Saints down to their level. Everyone agreed that there was plenty to come from Saints in the second half.

Within moments of the restart Saints were 2-1 down. The back four were not having one of their strongest games (and that is being generous –details to follow). Unfortunately the ball was being turned over far too often, and as Melton were playing a half court press there really was no excuse for the number of unforced errors. The defence was not solely to blame for the insipid display however. Everyone seemed off the pace for some reason, perhaps complacency was to blame.

Unfortunately things were to get worse for Saints. More defensive errors led to Guy Roberts being left chasing back to try and thwart a one on one. Instead of trying to play the ball he simply swung his stick through the legs of the Melton forward and took him down. A yellow card was very much deserved. Thankfully Melton did not capitalise from the ensuing short corner. With Saints down to 10 men they seemed to create a bit more up front but still could not get a goal. Then, not wanting to be outdone by Roberts, Ross ‘De-Jong’ Wickens decided to give Melton a chance from the penalty spot. Again with a man through on goal Wickens decided the best way to bring the play to an end was to lunge two-footed from behind at the forward. It would have been a red card in most other sports but for some reason no card whatsoever was given. Melton scored the flick, 3-1.

Saints were reeling, even coach Lars Prevo was struggling to hold it together. Luckily for everyone involved Alex Press was on hand as acting assistant coach to make some vital calls. Almost immediately after some Press wisdom Ben Scott scored his second drag flick of the game. But then he recklessly got himself sent off for not retreating 5 yards from a free hit. Saints were down to 9 men and looking like they were in real danger of being embarrassed. Everyone seemed flat and looked like they were waiting for someone else to spark the turn around. Thankfully Dave Saunders decided he had had enough of losing games and stepped up. His two goals in 5 minutes were two of real quality. The first, a brave finish nipping in before the keeper wiped him out and his second, a speedy run preceded a deft finish which again left the keeper floundering. Melton were suddenly silenced as Joe Colantonio led the celebrations.

Saints had bagged the three points but will know that to get anymore they will have to put in more effort and raise their game in all areas.

 

 

 

 

Mens 2nd XI 4-3 Olton & WW

 

Goals: Lloyd Atkinson (2), James Knibb, Christian ‘Paddy’ Howard

 

Saints travelled up to Olton with 12 men and ‘Biscuit boy’ Christian ‘Paddy’ Howard. It was going to be a tough test as Saints finished a close second behind Olton last year in Midlands 1.

The game got off to a blistering start with Saints dominating the game pressing high in the Olton half, within 10 Minutes Athiq Thamby broke from Midfield and found himself in the Olton D crossed the ball to Lloyd Atkinson who slotted the ball home 1-0 saints.

 

Saints continued to dominate the game and quickly rewarded with a penalty corner, all the practice on Thursdays had paid off a perfectly executed drag and stop allow Lloyd Atkinson enough time to nicely slot the ball in the goal 2 – 0 Saints.

 

Saints began to take their foot off the pedal and allowed for Olton to start pressing forward they were rewarded with a goal after an unlucky defensive error 2-1.

Just before the end of the first half Saints got a short corner and it was the turn of James Knibb to step up “Please can I have a go, I practice every night”. He dragged the ball top left, a fantastic goal 3 -1 Saints.

 

Second half started and within 30 seconds Olton walked in to the D and scored 3-2 we needed to wake up!!!

The game continued with Olton pressing hard and really working the defence ragged, but some how managed to soak up the pressure with some last ditch efforts from the Two Bens (Northedge and Stephenson) and Simon Stringer.

Fortunately Saints broke with an impressive walk out from Lewis Ward to the forwards, a selfless pass from Andy Smith allowed for Paddy Howard to slot the ball home 4-2 Saints.

Olton didn’t give up and proved they could still damage us they took a well worked penalty corner but it was too late and Saints ended up winning 4-3.

 

Points of note:

 

• Paddy was ridiculously late for the meet, leading to half his time having to break the speed limit to get to the game on time!
• James Knibbs for stropping because he couldn’t take the second PC.
• James Knibbs for taking out an opponent, going off "injured", then played mixed at 6pm!
• Andy Smithfor missing a sitter in the 2nd half.
• Grant Carlin for poorly translating what Athiq told him in the warm up.

 

MOTM – Lewis Ward – for an impressive display at right back

DOTD – Andy Smith – for not 1 but 2 sitters!!

 

Mens 3rd XI 1-9 Leek

Goals: Sean Henry

 

Travelling to top of the table Leek (2 hours) without their Skipper, and without Jim the Squirrel should have been omen enough for the match to come.
Thanks must go to all who did travel, especially Andy Dale, Ali Rose, Hugo Day and Tom Whiteman who stepped up from the 4's. The game set off at a hectic pace, with the home side looking comfortable on the ball and clearly a settled and experienced team. Saints on the other hand played the first 35 minutes like strangers, and gave the ball to their opponents far too easily. The grateful Leek midfield and forwards took full advantage, and although there was some doubt about their opener, the 6 that followed were for the most part well constructed and taken.
The second half was all about pride, and although saving the game was beyond reach, Saints played much better as a team and were rewarded with a goal by Sean Henry in between 3 more from Leek.

 

Mens 4th XI 2-1 North Notts

Gary Paterson, Ant Czaicki

Saints 4’s arrived at Mansfield “unprepared” without the customary whiteboard, but set forth to the job in hand with another warm up from the school of Gary Patterson, with Ant telling some more of his poor jokes.

As soon as the whistle sounded saints were straight on the money and looked good enough for the job in hand. Saints dominated the first half with many attacking moves across the majority of the pitch, with some great link up play between Max Darby and Chris Brimyard upfront, the chances kept coming and going. With the last missed deflection on his mind, Chris Brimyard missed ¾ of the goal on a diving reverse after great build up play from Max.

After some epically failed aerials from Ant Czaicki, Saints great play was finally rewarded late in the first half from a penalty corner converted by the great clean strike from Gary Paterson. Saints went in at half time with a clean sheet thanks to great defensive efforts from the saints’ backline.

After a motivation speech and a lovely girlish cheer from Max Darby, Saints were ready to go for the second half.

After a great burst of energy from saints at the start of the second half they were then pinned slightly onto the back foot with the opposition having some decent efforts but nothing good enough to beat the saints shot stopper Phil Preen who was well up for the challenge.

After some good counter attacking from the saints forward line they were sent back onto the back foot again, this time with the Saints backline being unusually penetrated and the shot to good for the Saints keeper.

This goal sent saints even hungrier for their second goal and what would be the winner, after a great load of pressure and attacking possession, saints were finally rewarded with a penalty corner. With the first effort being failed they instantly won another, this time with Czaicki pushing the ball straight down the middle through the confused keepers legs and into the goal.

Shortly after, the final whistle was blown and saints were rewarded for a great all round performance from the team.

 

Man of the match: Sam Bigley

Dick of the day: Chris Brimyard

 

Mens 5th XI 3-0 West Bridgford VII

Scorers; Tom Dysko, David Henry 2

Attendance; 8

Tea; Sausage, chips and beans.

In the news; Frenchiesstill striking on the streets of Paris.

 

Riders on the Storm

West Bridgford’s second visit to Northampton saw them take on the combined elemental might of Saints Vs and The Great Storm of October 2010.

Some would argue the weather was Saints’ twelfth man on Saturday. Some would argue the home team got away with a lazy foot on the goal line. Indeed, some would argue that was the turning point of the game. But no! As Jon Keep concisely put it, “It was the three goals we scored that were the turning point of the game”.

Indeed it was. Saints Vs again proved they’ve developed some real backbone in addition to their strong team spirit, and despite fielding a depleted side this week, the team in black once again brushed aside a strong opposition.

Buoyed by the temporary bolstering in midfield of Joe and Max Russell (who both played stormers), and in defence by Jon Holland, Saints took the game to a grass-hockey-playing West Bridgford.

Tom Dysko opened the scoring, picking up on a fine move by Ed Arnold and Steve Morris to nutmeg the keeper.

Dysko was again involved in the second, crossing for David Henry to bundle the ball over the line.

The heavens opened just before half time, but Saints kept up the pressure. A third goal in the second half – another Henry bundle from an Arnold cross – put the game beyond West Bridgford’s reach, and they were reduced to questioning Captain Henry’s morals.

Immoral he may be, but his team has proven they can win the ugly games too.

After the game, Arnold was presented the Luke Pibworth award for missing more goals in one game than a Frenchman’s string of onions.

MOTM: David Henry

DOTD: Ed Arnold

 

Ed Holt (GK), Grant Stevens, Steve Morris, Jon Holland, Joe Cliffe, Jon Keep, Joe Russell, Max Russell, Tom Dysko, Ed Arnold, David Henry (C)

 

Ladies 1st XI 3-0 Matlock

Goal scorers: Amie Hone (2), Lisa Coe
 
 
Saints had a strong start putting pressure on Matlock's defence, however Saints were unable to penetrate the 'D' and score any goals.  Just before half time Saints had a series of short corners and as the whistle blew for half time a penalty corner was converted by Amie Hone who pounced on a ball that rebounded off the keeper.
 
Saints got off to a good start immediately in the 2nd half with two early goals.  One from Amie Hone after an excellent one on one with the keeper and the second from Lisa Coe which came from a good pass by Jess Lovell to Lisa Coe who swept the ball into the net (attempt no.2 at this).
 
Saints lost concentration for a short period and Matlock gained a short corner that narrowly missed the right post.  A small blip from Lottie Tulley unfortunately saw her yellow carded after stopping the ball with the back of her stick.  Saints then picked up concentration again, finishing stongly and gaining a well deserved win.
 
Player of Match: Amie Hone
Dick of Day: Lottie Tulley
 

 

 

Ladies 2nd XI 3-1 Beeston

Goals: CJ Thompson, Ellie Bleech, Caz Whitehouse

Saturdays game was against a young Beeston side who were also eager to get some points on the board. Saints fielded a slightly changed side and a new formation. From the push back saints were dominant and some great forward play from Molly Ogden and CJ Thompson soon led to Saints first goal, where CJ showed great skill to turn the keeper and score. Saints second goal was a result of some great passing from a confident saints side, slick passing from Caz Whitehouse and Tara Doyle found Ellie Bleech free in the D to sweep into the goal from an acute angle.

 

Beeston broke forward and tested the defence with some quick passing and were rewarded when they played the ball past an advancing Claire Leach. For a short while afterwards a new look defence withstood some pressure from a more confident Beeston, but Ferne Sanders andClaire Dale worked well to maintain the score line.

 

After the break Saints continued to progress up the pitch with good running and passing moves from Ness Kingston and Clare Noble. The game was soon put beyond the reach of Beeston whenCaz Whitehouse swept the ball reverse stick past the keeper in spectacular style to seal the victory. A confident team performance all round with special mention to man of the match, Tara Doyle and dick of the day being awarded to Caz Whithouse for her spectacular misses!!