Ladies 1st XI 2-1 Boots 1st XI

 

 

Goals: LA Chacksfield (sc 28minute), Caroline Hossack (sc 66 minute)

 

Following on from last weeks’ first win of the season the Saints 1s entertained a high scoring Boots team at Moulton College this weekend. Although tied up with the great Scottish independence debate the Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Moore, took time away from the negotiations to say “I want the next two years to be about more than fending off the threat of relegation” and about the match said “the ultimate responsibility will rest on the players of the Saints”

 

So it was the Saints started the match determined not to concede early as in previous weeks. However Boots were also keen to continue where they left off last week. Debutant keeper Sophie Chambers was called into action early on and within the first 10 minutes had to pull off a string of saves that kept the score line at 0 – 0. The Saints began to put their game together and won a series of penalty corners which resulted in LA Chacksfield slotting home the opener in the 28th minute and meant that Saints went into half time a little fortunate to be 1 – 0 in the lead.

 

However in the second half the Saints continue to gain control of the match and apply the pressure onto Boots defence, only to concede to a long hopeful ball out of midfield to an unmarked Boots forward who levelled the scores in the 50th Minute. Saints did not allow this to cause too much concern and continued to press the boots defence and again won a series of penalty corners, and in the 66th minute Caroline Hossack was able to pick up the ball from the keepers pads and slot back into the Boots goal to score what proved to be the winner for Saints,

The second league victory in a row has seen the Saints move up the table and grow in confidence ahead of the local derby at Towcester next Saturday and the cup match against Harrogate on Sunday.

 

Squad: Sophie Chambers (GK), Clare Sibley, Sally Trappit, Georgia Linnell, Caroline Hassock, Emma Cooper, Ferne Sanders, Emily Kilner, Caz McCabe, Chloe Cozens, LA Chacksfield, Ellie Bleech, Sally Cory, Becca Wilkinson, Lottie Tulley

 

 

Men’s 1st XI 7-2 Telford

 

Goals: James Knibb, Ben Scott, OG, Martyn Cory (3), Alex Press

 

Saints made the long trip up to Telford knowing that three points was crucial after three tough games against ex-national league sides. Both teams were sat on three points after four games so a win was vital for both.

 

For the first 10 minutes the game was fairly even with both sides enjoying a large amount of possession but it was Saints who were breaking the opponents 25 more often. After 15 minutes Kopka and Press combined to set up James Knibb to sweep the ball home from close range to give Saints the lead. 3 minutes later Saints won their first short corner after good work again from Alex Press. Ben Scott drag flicked only for the ball to strike a defenders leg on the line and Saints were awarded a penalty stroke – Scott converted for 2-0. Saints didn’t allow Telford to rest as they countered a Telford attack which ended up with Gareth Parker cleverly reverse stick crossing from the left only for a Telford defender to put the ball past his own keeper. Saints dominated the whole half until five minutes from the end… Saints failed to deal with some Telford pressure on the baseline and the home side converted a cross to pull a goal back. 1-3 half time.

 

With Telford seeing an opportunity back into the match it was important Saints started the second half well. Again, they dominated possession and it wasn’t long before they extended their lead. Fantastic work by Evan Morris on the right hand side allowed Kopka to lay the ball to Martyn Cory to score his first. Within two minutes Saints had another after they broke with pace again, this time Parker, Saunders and Knibb combining to set Cory up for his second. 5-1 and Saints had the chance to put the game completely out of reach. Non-stop running from Christian Howard and Steve Williams in midfield allowed Saints to further punish Telford and more goals came as Press finished off another sweeping Saints move and the game was sealed when Cory slammed home his third of the game.

 

The Saints defence held solid, conceding just one goal in the second half from a short corner as Jamie Webb and Adam Croutear put in strong performances. Despite Saints forwards scoring freely and a fantastic away debut from Evan Morris, the plaudits went to Sean Henry at right back. Strong throughout, pushed forward well and was a constant thorn in the Telford side with some immense tackling.

 

A much needed win for Saints who host Stourport on Saturday.

 

MOM – Sean Henry (2ndEvan Morris)

 

 

Squad: Paul Madeley (GK), Jamie Webb, Sean Henry, Adam Croutear, Ben Scott (c), Dave Saunders, Stephan Williams, Joe Kopka, Evan Morris, Gareth Parker, Martyn Cory, Alex Press, James Knibb, Christian Howard.

 

Men’s 2nd XI 6-0 Loughborough town 2nd XI

Goals: Sam Mitchell, Dan Whittaker (2), Scott Mahoney (3)

After expressing our wonderful football skills in the warm up we put our heads on and were ready for the game. Right from the start we bombarded loughborough town putting in 2 early goals our 3rd was a masterpiece passing the ball round the keeper for a open goal for Sam Mitchell, at half time we were winning comfortably 4-0 and outclassed our opponents.

We slotted in our 5th goal followed by a strike from our captain Dan Whittaker making it 6-0, the only thing that stopped our rampage was the weather, heavy hail meant that the match had to be called off after 50 minutes with the pitch covered in hail stones and water.

 

MOTM – Ally Rose

DOD – Ally Rose

 

Ladies 2nd XI 2-5 Matlock

Goals: Sim Sandhu, Annie Howard

Another tough game for Northampton ladies 2ndteam this week against a very physical team in Matlock. The 2nds started the game brightly with some good possession, unfortunately Matlock hit us on the break and scored a double in the first half, against the run of play. Northampton managed to pick themselves up and regroup, and without some heroics from Emma Brennan in goal we may have conceded a few more.

After another inspirational speech from Sam Biddle at half-time, Northampton got back into the game and managed to pull a goal back after a well worked penalty corner routine. Even though Northampton started to look a lot more organised and in control for the vast majority of the second half Matlock, as we knew they would, used their ‘special physical skills’ on the ball, which Nikki Milford and Sam Biddle clearly pointed out to the umpires in a calm and collected way. Even though Matlock had some good territorial possession in the second half some great defending as a team meant that they spent more time passing backwards than being able to push through our defensive line, and only their constant attacking that managed to force through 3 more goals in the second half. Before the final whistle, Emily Wilkins very easily sauntered through Matlock’s midfield then defence as was cruelly denied a goal thanks to poacher Sim Sandhu. Annie Howard finished the score line a few minutes from the end lifting the ball into the top corner after Sim Sandhu and the Matlock goal scraped around for the ball in the goal mouth.

The final score ended 5-2 to Matlock but another positive performance from the ladies as they continue to develop and push for a win.

 

 

Loughborough Town 5th XI  2 – 3  Men’s 3rd XI

 

Goals: Wade, Pibworth, Gamble

3 Goal comeback leaves Saints with the points

 

After last week’s away win, Saints looked to do something they couldn’t last year…win 2 matches away from home.

Hugo turned up later after losing his socks while Ian McIlwaine asked Any Wade whether he was coming to be a spectator before realising he was actually part of the team, leaving Wade to inherit the nickname ‘spectator’.

Saints once again bossed the possession but one again could not break the deadlock, Pibworth missing a chance from a penalty corner. Loughborough took the lead and before long doubled their lead due to confusion by Miller and Mcllwaine allowing the attacker to slot home. This episode and letting a substitution on during a short corner (Day the culprit) earned Mcllwaine the DOTD. Saints grabbed a lifeline seconds before the end of the half after good interplay by Mcllwaine combining with Gamble allowed Wade to wrong foot the keeper. 2-1 down at half time.

Saints leapt into life in the 2nd half with Miller andGamble combining to release Pibworth in on the keeper, and after rounding him, slotted the ball into the goal. Lightning didn’t strike twice as later Pibworth rounded the keeper again only to see the effort brush the side netting. Saints completed the remarkable comeback when Pibworth squared the ball for Gamble to slot home. The last comedy act of the game was watching Day and Wade play keep ball within a 5 meter area of the corner for the last 2 minutes before O’Donnell won the short corner. The game ended withDale airing the shot, though he was credited with some fine aerials through the game.

MOTD : James Miller – Great play, using space to set up many chances

DOTD: Ian McIlwaine – See the above

Squad: Adam Powell (GK), Andy Dale, Nigel Down, Lee O’Donnell, Hugo Day, Jason Hillier, Ian McIlwaine, James Miller, Will Gamble, Luke Pibworth, Lewis moran, Richard Say, Andy Wade

 

 

 

Men’s 4th XI 9-0 Warwick Uni 4th XI

 

Goals: OG, Max Darby (3), Chris Godman, Lloyd Atkinson (2), Dave Henry, Ant Condon

 

The saints buoyed by winning their last two league games took the field against the students full of confidence. This confidence appeared to be mis placed in the first 25 minutes as they struggled to find any rhythm with too much reliance on individual skills and not enough of the fluid team passing that had bought them the two earlier wins. In fact it was the experienced back four of Morris, Phipps, Paterson and Candler that had to steady the ship for much of the early exchanges. This changed however after 25 mins when an own goal by the Uni keeper was quickly followed by a true poachers goal by the evergreen Max Darby, and almost on the stroke of half time Chris Godman taking responsibility for converting a penalty flick (after Rob Cary’s horror miss from the previous week). 3-0 up at half time without playing well !!

The second half was a story of great passing from the saints, two yellow cards for the students, an hat trick for Max Darby, further goals from Lloyd Atkinson (x 2), Dave Henry and Ant Condon who completed the rout!!. A great second half, another important clean sheet for the miserly back 4 and 3 wins out of three.

 

MOTM: Matt Candler deservedly won the magnum of champagne for a determined display at left back.

DOTD: Trevor Fidler was a deserved winner of DOTD for several clear-cut misdemeanours.

 

A big game for this Saturday as the 4ths take to the road playing Boots 5ths

 

Ladies 4thXI 1-3 Earls Barton

 

Goals: Lou Harte

 

Saints IVs winning run came to an abrupt halt against stiff opposition, League leaders Earls Barton. The game started at a frenetic pace with Earls Barton going 1-0 up five minutes in. However, Saints hit back with an unstoppable shot from Lou Hart. Saints soaked up constant pressure and managed to turn solid defence into attack on the break, Becky Lovatt making an impressive debut for the Saints in midfield.

 

Unfortunately, it was a different story after half time, when a couple of injuries took their toll and affected the Saints organisation. Earls Barton were a constant threat despite determined defending from the Saints, and they peppered the goal with shots, scoring twice in quick succession. Earls Barton finished the game 3-1 winners, while man of the match was Saints Keeper, Sarah Collins.

 

 

Leek 5th XI 5-4 Men’s 5th XI

Goals: Nick Beattie, Krish Jasinarachchi, Rob Tee (2)
 

Saints 5s travelled to Leek trying to put their first points of the season on the board.

Which they would have to do without the help of James Rusewho got stuck in traffic on the M1 and turned back home. After the long journey the 5s arrived at Holden School and got to the changing rooms only for Adam Morganto remember he had forgot his shorts.

Saints started the game well using the wings more than a week ago, Nick Beattiedribbling in from the right and producing a cross “come” shot, Which the Leek defence had no answer too and they could only divert into the goal. Saints continued to push with Karl MacGregor making a surprise visit into the opposition D. The skill and creativity finally paid off but not before Adam Morganwas shown a yellow card for blocking a potential counter attack from Leek  the Saints doubled their lead with Krish Jasinarachchidribbling into the D for the opposition keeper to kick the ball into his goal.

Saints continued to push and Krish Jasinarachchinearly scored again but missed a great chance when he was one on one with the goalkeeper. Leek got them back into the game after poultry defending allowed a tap in for 2-1 thats the way it stayed until the 2nd half.

The 2nd half began with Saints under pressure and the pressure eventually told when Leek levelled from a short corner. This seemed to wake the Saints up and the midfield was working hard especially Elliot Wildeand inspired full back runs from Joe Cliffelike a man on steroids. Whilst Ed Arnoldwas off the pitch Saints pushed forward looking to retake the lead and they did when a well-executed short corner injected by Karl MacGregorwhich went to Rob Teewho drilled his shot into the corner of the goal who then celebrated like he had just won the lottery.

Leek continued to make good attacking moves and test the Saints defence but the Saints broke from defence with a lovely through ball pass by Karl MacGregorthrough to Rob Teewho tackled the defender and beat him for pace before drawing the goalkeeper out of the goal and slotting into the corner 4-2 and surely with only 10 minutes to go the victory.

But Leek had other ideas and the final 10 minutes The Saints thought the game was won and still continued to attack…and Leeks experience told with 3 counter attacking goals in the final 10 minutes which secured them a 5-4 win and Saints wondering how they manage to let the game slip.

After the disappointment at the final whistle Karl MacGregorlost his temper and threw his stick at the dug-out which led him to a telling off by Leek Ladies Hockey Player and then a “word” by the opposition goalkeeper but at least he didn’t end up with any head injuries!

Man of the Match – Joe Cliffe( great runs and tackling set up some neat attacks)

DOTD – Adam Morgan( for forgetting his shorts)

Phrase of the Day – Ali Townsend( “What was the final score?” – we lost 5-4 “At least we got the points…”)

Squad: Jake Bennett (GK), John Bennett, Joseph Cliffe, Karl MacGregor, Ed Arnold, Rob Tee, Elliot Wilde, Ricard Pryce, Krish Jasinarachchi, Nick Beattie, Adam Morgan, Alasdair Townsend.

 

Men’s 6th XI 1-3 Rugby 5’s

Goals: Finn Pikard
 

After the in vertebrae seconds had shown themselves to be about as spineless as a team of jellyfish and allowed a little rain and a light dusting of hail stones to force them off the pitch the fearless 6’s set out to do battle against localish rivals Rugby.

The opening exchanges were dominated by a much physically stronger Rugby who imposed their pattern of play on a young 6’s team. It was rather against the run of play when Finn Pikardshowed himself to be a top poacher to slot in a half chance after good work on the right by Adam Wright(making his 6’s debut) and Anthony Walder. The 6’s then had their best 10 minute spell of the half only to see Rugby grab an equaliser with barely 30 seconds to go in the first half.

The second half saw Rugby dominate more and more in midfield and the 6’s struggled to carve out any clear chances with short corners representing their best chance of scoring. Rugby scored two well taken goals in the half to run out worthy winners.

MOTM: Finn Pikard
DOTD: Dean Sammi Daniels Gibson Xfor wearing a monkey hat. Some commented that the hat had the better looks.