Match Reports from 19th March

Ladies 1st XI 5-1 Loughborough Students 2nd XI

Goals: Lisa Coe (2), Emma Cave, Esther Keijbets

Knowing that this was a very important game Saints started well with vigor and gusto attacking Loughbourough’s ‘D’, however this was followed by a quick break away from Loughbourough resulting in a well taken goal. Saints didn’t let their heads go down and immediately responded gaining a short corner resulting in a goal by Esther Keijbets.  Saints continued to put the pressure on the Loughbourough defence resulting in a number of open play chances some narrowly missing and hitting the post.   Finally Saints were rewarded with an indiviual goal from Emma Cave who dribbled quickly round a number of players and slotted the ball in the back of the net.
 
The second half Saints continued to put Loughbourough under pressure keeping possesion of the ball but still aiming for the posts instead of the goal! Loughbourough had a couple of very close chances from short corners with the ball being cleared off the back line from player of the match Caroline Avery.  Saints went on to stretch the Loughbourough team passing a number of balls along the back line for the attack to run onto resulting in 2 goals from Lisa Coe. Saints looked the winning side throughout the second half and maintained composure and control for the full 70 minutes.
 
Many thanks to all the supporters who game to cheer us on.
 
Saints are away for their final game of the season to Harborne next Saturday to seal their promotion.
 
Player of match: Caroline Avery
DOTD: Amie Hone

Mens 1st XI 2-6 Lichfield

Goals: Ben Scott, Stuart Clark

Saints travelled to Lichfield with nothing to lose and knew that Lichfield would be desperate to keep themselves in the promotion race. Unfortunately it was the home side that started the brightest and took the lead 20 seconds into the game after horrendous defending by Saints. The game then evened out and both sides took a while to get into their stride with both teams only winning one short corner. Lichfield converted theirs, Saints didn’t, 2-0 at the break. The second half continued to be very even in possession but Saints lack of composure in the opposition 25 led to the ball being given away too many times. This, coupled with soft defending meant Lichfield were able to further increase their lead with 3 open play goals. Saints did score through a Ben Scott short corner and good team move finished by Stuart Clark but after Lichfield grabbed their sixth the game was over. Saints played well in patches but a seriously improved performance is needed against third placed Edgbaston on Saturday.

Men’s 2nd XI 2-2 Birmingham University 2nd XI

Goals: Martyn Cory, Gavin Markham

Saints lost out on their chance to secure their place in the league after conceding a 4 minutes before time as they drew 2-2 against Birmingham University at Moulton Sports Complex.

Northampton started the game in confident spirits and this showed as they went on to dominate most of the first half. Several chances were created and wasted during this half and Saints actually went a goal down before Martyn Cory converted a penalty corner to leave the game 1-1 at half-time.

Having created so many chances it seemed only a matter of time before Saints would finish the game off, unfortunately the opportunities seemed to dry up. Midway through the second half and Northampton re-took the lead as Dan Rose picked up the ball in the far right corner. He neatly controlled in and passed to Cory,who then found Gavin Markham at the far post who neatly lofted the ball over the keeper. As the game reached it’s closing stages it seemed as though Saints would hold on, unfortunately it wasnt to be as Birmingham scored in the final few minutes.

This result now leaves Saints having to travel to Belper next week and pick up the one point they need to secure their place in the Midlands Premier Division for next season.

Squad: Sam Biddle (GK), Pete Riches, Simon Stringer, Ben Northedge, Alex Mcindoe, Jon Noble, Matt Gausden (c), Athiq Thamby, Stephan Williams, Gavin Markham, Martyn Cory, Dan Rose, Matt Wilde

Men’s 5thXI 1-1 Rugby & East Warwick 6thXI

Goals: Rob Cary

It was a rather sunny day in Rugby as Northampton Saint’s 5thteam rocked up to the pitch in the nick of time. After a brisk warm up and a good inspiring team talk by Captain Dave Henry the 1sthalf commenced.  The first half was mainly dominated by Saints, which led to some brilliant midfield work by Steve Morris and Greg Summers to set up Rob Cary and Ally Rose with some good opportunities. Ally Rose decided to take the keeper on with a reverse from top D which resulted in him hitting the ball over the fence and getting some abuse from the open Rob Tee at back post. 

Rugby fought back with some breaks but some amazing keeping by Ed Holt, accompanied by defensive work from Callum Scot-Collins and Steve Morris, helped keep the ball out of our net. Finally in the last 10 minutes of the first half  Rob Cary went on a rampage going past 1, 2, 3 players and sent a well placed flick in the bottom right corner of the goal, which left their keeper flabbergasted

In the second half things heated up as Saints missed a couple of opportunities for a second goal. But Rugby weren’t giving up easily with a goal for Rugby scored from a short corner, after the combined efforts of Callum Scot-Collins and Ed Holt making a good first save, ended in one of the Rugby players scoring where the ball shot past the keeper’s pads, missing them by inches.

The battle began after that with some good attempts from the Saints forwards. One attempt led Rob Cary going through a Rugby player; this resulted in a confrontation and a telling off by the umpire. Rugby were on the attack again trying to lob the Saint’s keeper but he saved it with a “tennis shot” which made the ball fly out of the D with effortless power and precision.  The final whistle blew with a 1 all draw.

MOTM: Greg summers and Steve Morris

DOTD: Ally Rose for many things including sitting on a cream egg in the back of johns car on the travel home to Moulton.

Squad: Ed Holt (GK) Dave Henry (c) Harry Stobart, Callum Scot-Collins, Steve Morris, Grant ,Gareth Voss ,Jacob Pryce, Greg Summers, Rob Tee, Ally Rose, Jon Keep 

Teas: sausage and chips and beans

Weather: sunny with a light breeze

Mixed 1st XI 2-1 Mascot

Goals: Casey Humphries (2)

A superb effort by Saints 2 saw them become the only side in the League to beat Mascot this season.  Two goals from demon striker Casey Humphries and a wonderful defending performance from  ‘Winnie’ Jones, Claire Baker and Goal Keeper Scott Fleming saw them home