Men's 1st XI 5-0 Edgbaston

Goals: Gareth Parker (2), Alex Press (2), Tom Scott-Collins

Goalscorer Parker helped himself to a brace on Saturday.

Saints travelled to Birmingham to face in form Edgbaston who were boasting a 100% record so far this season. It wasn’t the best preparation for the Saints as half the side arrived 5 minutes before push back after heavy delays in Birmingham. But, Saints settled well and the first 10 minutes was very even with no serious chances for either side.

Although Edge started having a lot of possession they never really threatened the Saints goal with Gavin Markham and Jamie Webb standing firm and only conceding one short corner. The Saints defence provided a strong platform for the rest of the team and after a slick 5 pass move the away side broke the deadlock. Great play by Joe Colantonio and Ben Northedge set up Gareth Parker to nudge the ball past the Edgbaston keeper. 1-0 half time.

Saints started the second half much the same way and looked extremely comfortable. Possession was fairly even but every time the home side broke away, the Saints defence soaked up any pressure and never looked fazed. Saints doubled their lead when Alex Press, returning from injury scored a reverse stick shot that went through the goalkeeper’s legs. As Edge could see their spot at the top of the table slipping away they got more desperate but still never really threatened the Saints goal. Another goal each for Parker and Press put the game beyond doubt before Tom Scott-Collins scored a poachers effort to bag his first ever goal for the Saints in only his second game.

A 5-0 whitewash and Edge didn’t know what had hit them. A great performance by the Saints defence and midfield, Jamie Webb in particular and Gareth Parker making a return to the goals with a fantastic man of the match performance.

 

Men’s 2ndXI 2-3 Harborne 2ndXI

Goals: Danny Whitfield (pf), TomWightman

After last weeks’ awful display at West Bridgford the team were looking to bounce back against an industrious Harbourne side. Preparation for the game saw a marked improvement with only three players late….

 The match started at a high tempo with Dan Rose charging around up front and some decent opportunities for Athiq Thamby. Despite some territory in the oppositions half no real chances were created and Harbourne managed to score a breakaway goal. This gave them more confidence and they could have extended their lead but for some fine saves. Just before half time Scott Mahoney thought he had scored from short corner but the P flick was given for a foot on the line and Danny Whitfield tucked it away anyway.

Tom Wightman celebrates his goal with a bit of Karaoke!!

The second half saw a loss of a few players through injury but Saints battled back from conceding a second goal to square the match at 2-2 through a fantastic flick from Tom Wightman, roofing the ball into the net.  Saints had chances to win it near the end but it was Harbourne who managed to score the winner to condemn Saints to a second successive defeat. A result which was a little unfair on a side that deserved at least a draw. However the performance was a dramatic improvement on last week giving Saints the confidence to get a result in Leek next Saturday.

MOTM – Scott Mahoney

DOTD – Danny Whitfield (over sleeping by an hour)

 

Men’s 3rdXI 2-3 Leicester 3rdXI

Scorers: Hillier (pc), Bigley (pc)

Saints travelled the short distance up to Leicester with a bare 11, yet with about 5 cars. Hunter pulled in to the car park, foliage on car, hat slanted exclaiming “This school is amazing”. Saints were further excited to be playing on the water base.

The first half saw Saints struggling to live up to their potential, save Hunter receiving a card again (think it was him anyway), endless players lying sprawled out on the pitch, and Andy Dale making friends with each opposition. Both sides several half chances, but it was Leicester who scored 2 in quick succession, both from penalty corners.

Half time brought the wise trio of Dale, Down and Hillier to make tactical changes, Roberts moving to provide cover for the defence, allowing others to attack. This brought new vigour and numerous penalty corners, finally bearing fruit with Hillier smashing a penalty corner at the second attempt. As Saints pressed Mitchell was at the receiving end of a pole axing, Roberts had his legs grabbed, and Croutear performed a face plant. Amongst this Leicester struck back scoring after an initial save from Thompson, to extend their lead to 2 again. The final 15 minutes saw mounting pressure from saints with Pibworth and Bigley holding the ball up for the midfield to press. After many penalty corners, Bigley scrambled in a second leaving a tense few minutes. Despite several cards shown to Leicester players, and huge time wasting, Saints failed to complete the comeback failing to use 2 penalty corners in the final 2 minutes.

Despite this loss, Saints were able to stock up on pizza, (though mysteriously  Gamble disappeared), and canned bear (or coke), though no-one was up for a real pub, save Luke and Andy.

 

MOTM: George Roberts

DOTD: Jon Hunter...for being Jon (this could become a feature)

 

Squad: Simon Thompson (GK), Andy Dale (c), Jason Hillier, Jon Hunter, George Roberts, Adam Croutear , Nigel Down, Sam Mitchell , Will Gamble , Luke Pibworth, Sam Bigley

 

 

Men’s 4th XI 2-3 Burton 4th XI

 

Scorer: Ant Condon (2)

 

 

Floundering Fours Fluff Flick

 

Rumors of a crisis in the fours’ camp were put aside as Saints’ young guns came out fighting against Burton on Saturday. Buoyed up by another no-nonsense pre-match talk from Jim Phipps, Saints took the lead with some great wing play from Joe Cliffe and a yo-yo pass from Chris Godman to set up Ant Condon.

 

But Burton were no pushovers and Saints’ fragile confidence was rocked as the visitors equalized with what was eloquently described as a, “Good shot”. Ten minutes later Burton took the lead from a penalty corner.

 

Not out of it yet, a Saints attack just before half time led to a penalty flick and a perfect opportunity to stay in the game. Up stepped Ant Czaicki…only see the ball roll limply off the end of his stick as he was dazzled by the shiny pinkness of the umpire’s shirt.

 

Another rollicking at half time and Saints made a decent fist of it as Greg Summers’ mess was cleared up by Condon and dispatched into the net to make it 2-2.

 

With the game heading to an exciting final climax, the home team was about to hold on for a draw when disaster struck and Burton slipped home the winner after a period of sustained pressure. “Better luck next time” is beginning to sound a bit repetitive.

 

MOM: Scott Bashford (comfort-eating)

DOD: Ant Czaicki (fluffed flick)

 

Squad: Scott Bashford, Joe Cliffe, Jim Phipps, James Ruse (c), Ant Czaicki, Gary Patterson, Marcus Spencer-Brown, Max Dymmond, Lewis Moran, Anthony Richardson, Greg Summers, Ant Condon, Chris Godman

 

 

Litchfield 4thXI 1-2 Men’s 5thXI

Goals: Rob Cary, Matt Kerr

Halloween Nights – terrifyingly good

Saints 5ths travelled to Litchfield for a top of the table contest with both teams undefeated; few would have expected such a ‘thriller’.   Saints welcomed new boys ‘Mat the moustache’ and ‘Mat the Mohican’ to bewitch the opposition with their cunning and guile.

The first half saw Saints playing some outstanding hockey with Luke, the young wizard, producing some great attacking runs down the right wing and Rob and Mat carving up the opposition’s defence on a number of opportunities.  A scarily dominant performance in the centre of the park by Tom Dysko and Gareth Voss only helped to petrify the opposition.  Despite all the pressure, dominance and close chances the Saints failed to score in the first half.  The home team launched a number of devilish counter attacks, but the Saints defence stood solid.  A goal line save from Steve Morris kept the away team in the match as the half time whistle was blown.

With the score still even the second half started as the first half had ended; staunch defence and enterprising attack by the Saints young devils.  The youthful defensive line-up of Mat, Jeremy Wan and Harry Stobart were all outstanding, so it was a shocker for the opposition to draw first blood. At 1-0 down the Saints kept their nerve and battled manfully back into the duel.  Phil ‘the werewolf’ made no howlers in goal, in fact some spooktacular saves helped see out the oppositions limited attacks. Harry defended with body and soul which seemed to drain the blood out of the opposing hoards.

The Welsh boys’ inability to communicate with each other led to some fierce shaking of wands.  Having got that out of their system they both decided to bewitch the opposition rather than confront each other.  The fight back was started by Rob Cary with a sweetly struck thunderbolt from the edge of the D.  From then on the away team’s magic was too strong for Litchfield.  Dave Henry orchestrated his army for the final act.  Good work from Rob Tee created the opening for Matt Kerr to hammer the final nail in the coffin.

Men's 5s go on the attack in formation!!

A stunning performance from every boy, man and wizard sees the Saints 5ths top of the league with a game in hand.  Spooky.

MOM – Harry Stobart for brilliant defensive

DOD – Rob T for rather going paint balling than playing a part in a historic win     

Special mention – Luke’s mum whose pack up helped sustain the whole team after the opposition failed to provide teas.  

 

Men’s Vets 4-0 Northampton University

Goals: Jon Noble, Max Darby, Dave Henry, James Ruse

The Saints over 40s warmed up for their 2nd National masters cup game against Shrewsbury on Sunday with a convincing win over the students. After a brief warm up comprising mainly of discussions about injuries picked up at the weekend - Saints took control of the game in the midfield which was not relinquished until the final whistle. The first goal arrived midway through the first half when Jon Noble sent a drag flick into the top right hand corner - a lead doubled 10 minutes later when Max Darby pitched up with a trademark poachers goal. With Downs, Morris, Roberts and Noble running the midfield  the uni side were restricted to attacking on the counter. The second half comprised again of Henry and Darby terrorising the uni defence with their pace and it was no real surprise when further well taken goals were added by Henry and Ruse to round off a comfortable win for the Masters. Again an enjoyable night of good hockey from the Saints over 40s who head off to Shrewsbury on Sunday for the second round of the EH Cup in good spirits.

 

 

Brixworth MHC 2-9 Mixed 2nd XI

Saints Goals: Steve Roffe (4), Tom Scott-Collins, Janine Sanders, Athiq Thamby, Ant Pearce

Brixworth Goals: Craig Reilly (1), Will Pettitt(1)

It was always going to be a big ask for Brixworth, playing a late game at Moulton with a depleted squad, but when facing a Saints team with the likes of Athiq Thamby and Tom Scott Collins in it the task became a lot harder. Although the scoreline doesn’t reflect it the game was quite close for large periods, but unfortunately for Brixworth numbers told in the end and, despite goals from Craig Reilly and Will Pettitt, Saints ran out comfortable winners as forward Steve Roffe ran in 4 goals whilst Tom Scott-Collins, Janine Sanders, Athiq Thamby, Ant Pearce all scored a goal a-piece.

Brixworth Player of the match: Craig Reilly