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)

 

Ladies 2ndXI 3-1 West Bridgford

Goals: Becca Wilkinson (2), Hannah Richardson

A category D win for Saints ladies.

On a damp miserable day near Nottingham, Ladies 2s were the first in a long line of teams to take on West Bridgford.  The ladies started off what some may have called ‘panicky’, but they soon gained their composure and began to dominate the game.  A few well worked moves from all the midfield, led to a smashing goal from Becca Wilkinson, in off a defenders toe.  OOOhhh the shame!

Goal number two also came from Wilkinson, with some deft footwork in the midfield (she lost her very badly tied shoe mid run) and another backboard crumbling goal from the on form midfielder.  This left the usual goal scoring suspects wondering if they would get their turn and even though it looked like a few penalty corners were going in, some excellent saves from West Bridgford kept the score to 2-0. 

Despite a good shout from the crowd and other supporters, a penalty flick decision was declined by the umpires and this seemed to get the Saints girls enthusiastic again and after a lot of pressure in the D, Hannah Richards scored her first goal for Saints this season, leaving the score 3-0 to Saints.  Not long until the final whistle and Saints relinquish a penalty corner in the last dying moments.  Nicky Milford who came prepared for heavy rain and had worn her goggles and flippers today, deftly booted the ball off the line, to give WB a flick in the last few seconds of play.  They scored, leaving the final score 3-1 to Saints.

All still to play for in the league and remember to check out Facebook for the last few match pictures!!

 

 

Men's 2nd XI 4-4 Beeston 2nd XI

Goals: Andy Smith, Max Heaphy, Liam Cassidy, Athiq Thamby

After a frustrating season of playing well in dribs and drabs, the Men's 2s finally put in a performance for 70 minutes at home to Beeston on Saturday. Perhaps it was all down to the new warm up routine of 'changing room cricket'!!

The game started at a frantic pace with both sides looking to get an early goal. Beeston were enjoying more of the ball however Saints were looking the more dangerous on the counter-attack. And indeed one such counter-attack led to Saints first goal as a defence splitting pass from Dan Whitakker found Andy Smith in acres of space, he then beat one defender before sliding the ball under the keepers body to make it 1-0. As the game continued, Northampton started to get hold of the ball more and passed the ball around at great pace. They scored a deserved second as Max Heaphy's deflected shot hit the top corner. Half-time 2-0.

The second half started and the 2s reverted back to their bad habits of holding onto the ball for too long and trying to make the match winning pass rather than keeping things simple as they had done in the first half. This led to Beeston laying siege on Saints goal, and within a 10 minute period they scored 3 goals. Normally this would have led to Saints rolling over but a new found determination and fighting spirit saw them come back at Beeston. And once again they started playing good simple hockey and equalised through a Liam Cassidy shot.

With 5 minutes to go it looked like it could go either way and unfortunately for Saints it was Beeston who scored from a well worked penalty corner routine. But again Northampton came back and with only 2 minutes left on the clock they got the well deserved equaliser from their own penalty corner routine. Athiq Thamby tapping in from close range.

 

MOTM: Liam Cassidy - dominant display in centre mid.

DOTD: Max Heaphy - the new Knibbs!

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

 

Ladies 4th XI 0-1 Towcester Ladies 3rd XI

No fire in the belly this week and seemingly no desire to win. Despite this, the team were good at moving the ball around and passing. The first half saw Saints dominate the game but missing a number of shots on goal. At times there was some great play from the defence through to the midfielders. Ella forsyth played particularly well, defending and attacking brilliantly throughout the game. Nic Holton demonstrated some great skills, negotiating the ball around the Towcester defence. We need to get back on form for next week’s game Saints - I know we can do it!

MOTM: Ella forsyth

 

West Bridgeford 5th XI 2-3 Men’s 5th XI

Scorers: Morris 2, Arnold

The Men’s 5th team travelled up to West Bridgeford, looking to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat to Loughborough Town the week before.

The 5th’s nearly started with just the 11 men after Rob Tee and Matt Kerr decided to take a detour through Nottingham chatting up some girls along the way before ending up at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground. Rob Cary finally took the squad for a warm up on West Bridgeford’s very own Netball Pitch, unfortunately someone forgot to tell Matt kerr that there were Netball Posts still up, and coincidentally he ran into one of them. Needless to say this would earn him Dick of The Day.

The match started with Saints starting brightly making a lot of good passing. Untouchable Ed Arnold scored to the keepers bottom right after excellent work from Poland’s Number 1, Tom Dysko. Saints looked to push on and Tom Dysko broke through only to be thwarted by West Bridgeford’s keeper, however Solid Steve Morris was there to pounce to score with a neat finish. Saints looked comfortable 2-0 ahead and a lapse in concentration allowed West Bridgeford to pull one back, Saints leading 2-1 at half time.

After a rallying cry from Captain Fantastic Dave Henry, Saints started the 2nd Half but things didn't go to plan as West Bridgeford broke away to equalize, 2-2. At this point Saints could ill afford to lose their heads, however Paulo Di Canio also known as Rob Cary decided to backchat the umpire which resulted in a yellow car. Saints then realized the game could slip away, but a fine solo run and finish (like a knife through butter) by Steve Morris put Saints back ahead. After this after Captain Fantastic Dave Henry had to persuade the umpire not too show Rob Cary a straight red due to more "banter" on the sidelines.

MOTM: So Solid Steve Morris

DOTD : Pole Dancer Matt Kerr

Teas : Pasta
Attendance : 10

 

Moulton College Academy Men’s 1st XI 0 – 7 Birmingham Met College

 

“Just too strong…”

The Moulton college Hockey team headed off on their journey to face Birmingham Metropolitan on a fine Wednesday afternoon, with a win meaning a semi-final match up at Moulton College.  The first half started bright for Moulton College even though it was clear they were up against a very strong and experienced B’ham Met side, Moulton dealt with the pressure well and Goalkeeper Edward Holt making some fine saves.  However the efforts of Stephan Williams, Lee Thompson and Will Glover were undone after 10 minutes when the ball was cheaply slotted past the keeper.  The game progressed and Birmingham’s might become very clear in quick succession with two fine reverse stick shots which were well executed and a slick penalty routine meant Moulton were 4:0 down.  This did not deter Moulton who actually put together their best plays of the match, stinging numerous passes together but lacking that clinical finish with James Knibb and David Marriott working hard but not getting that elusive goal. Moultons hard work paid off with the award of a penalty corner, which James Knibb has been working hard to perfect, but this time the keeper was equal to it and made a fine save.  Sam Bigely, Stephan Williams and Edward Holt put in some heroic performances however it wasn’t quite enough in the first half and Moulton went in trailing heavily.

The second half commenced and the strong words of Nicky Milford inspired the whole team with the iron defence back on track! However new to the defensive 4 was Striker David Marriot taking one for the team and having a storming performance at right back. Unfortunately Moulton were broken down by the Birmingham Met team by some very skilful players.  James Knibb took the attack to Birmingham team however he was adjudged no to have been fouled when he clearly thought strongly otherwise and the umpire did not take kindly to him venting his frustrations meaning he was sin binned for 5 minutes.  In the closing moments of the game mouton were awarded another penalty corner.  Giving Moulton the chance to win back a consolation goal, the story of the match for Moulton College when the injection and the stop were perfect however the Birmingham Met number one runner was too quick and he made an interception before James Knibb could release another drag flick. This does symbolise the end of this year’s cup campaign however the predominately year team have learnt a lot and will look forward to finishing the league strongly and in pursuit of cup glory in the Mixed cup.  Best of luck to Birmingham Met College in the Semi-Finals.

 

Moulton College Academy Ladies 1st XI 1 – 5 Coleg Meirion Dwyfor (Wales) 

 

“4 hours to deepest darkest Wales”

Arrived, after a 4 hour journey, at Portmadog located in the darkest depths of North-West Wales for the BCS quarter final full of hope but wary of the task ahead.  After a good warm-up the game got underway and Moulton started with great promise looking very strong down the right with Abigail Dalton and debutante Natalie Richardson linking up well.  Leah Sanders looked bright from the start terrorising the Meirion defenders with her relentless defensive work.  It was Moulton who had the first opportunity at goal, this time the ball falling to another debutante Cat Broomfield who’s first time shot being deflected by the defender but then was well saved by the goal keeper.  It was Coleg Meirion Dwyfor who went on the attack with their pacey and skilful right winger who superbly found herself in the D and fired a very powerful shot across gaol which GK Verity Anderson- Johnston had to deal with.  The warning signs were there early on and it was long until the Welsh side found themselves in the Moulton D again this time the hard shot across goal was excellently turned in by the Meirion forward on the left hand post.  With the next Meirion attack they managed to do the exact mirror opposite this time deflecting in on the right hand post.  On reflection the oppositions attacks and clinical finishing probably deserved the two goal lead, however the real sucker punch came on the half time whistle when from nowhere their left midfielder decided to weave her way into the D and gave the Welsh a favourable 3:0 advantage.  Special mention to Steph Brennan and Laura Wychgel who had to work hard but worked very well together to snuff out numerous attacks.

 

The second half got underway and after works of encourage and praise from the coach Moulton again started strongly knowing full well the task ahead of them 3:0 down away from home would be tough.  This did not deter Moulton College who gained strength from staying positive and supporting each other every step of the way, which must have instilled more confidence in the new players with Kiera Lee exerting herself on the game and Rebecca Trist linking up superbly with Leah Sanders looking dangerous every time they went forward.  Unfortunately all this momentum going forward at times left the Moulton defence exposed and even with exceptional performances from Holly Donelley-Bush and Verity Anderton-Johnston it wasn’t enough to stop Meririon scoring again.  Credit to the players who never gave up, leading the way was Ella Dagnall fighting an illness still managing to run all game and was always on hand to keep the morale high, and was rewarded when the ball rolled to her in front of goal to finish the ball well lifting it into the back of the net.  The goal was nothing short of what Moulton College ladies deserved and kept spirits high.  Unfortunately the quality of the Welsh team who were a lot older than the Moulton team and all played for the same club side showed when right at the death the centre forward scored with a clever and disguised reverse flick giving Verity in goal no chance of reacting.

 

Overall the ladies were a great representation of the college on foreign soil and deserve to be proud of their achievements and have hopefully learnt from playing very competent opposition, good luck to Coleg Meirion Dwyfor in the semi-final of the competition.