Match Reports from 24th November
Men’s 1st XI 2-1 Edgbaston 1st XI
Goals Ben Scott, Stephan Williams
Saints took the trip to Edgbaston knowing that a win would be enough to secure 7th place going into the Christmas break. After disappointing results against west bridgford and rugby Saints were hoping for a better result against their nearest rivals.
Saints dominated Edgbaston from the start creating many chances while Croutear, Cory and Scott held firm at the back.
Saints were very unlucky not to go ahead after Christian Howard had a goal disallowed but kept pressing until the half time whistle.
It was disappointing to go into half time level however Saints knew a similar performance in the second half would be good enough for the win.
Saints took the lead after they won their second short corner of the game after good work by Martyn Cory. Ben Scott drag flicked home for 1-0. Five minutes later Saints doubled their lead after Stephan Williams made some space for himself in the D before firing into the bottom corner.
Edgbaston started to pressure saints for the first time with 15 minutes to go but found it hard to break the saints back line. Tireless work from Kopka, Saunders and Press meant Edgbaston had to rely in firing balls into the D in order to win short corners. With five minutes to go Edgbaston pulled a goal back though a deflected short corner which meant a nervy end of the game for Saints. Paul Madeley in the saints goal made some vital clearances as the ball was pinged into the saints D before the away side eased the pressure with some well places aerials. The game ended 2:1 – a good solid win and perhaps saints deserved even more.
The result leaves saints in 7th place win 5 wins, 1 draw and 5 losses going into the mid season break, 4 points better off than this time last year.
Men’s 2ndXI 3-1 Warwick University 2ndXI
Goals: James Knibb (2), Sam Mitchell
Saturdays game was a must win. That isn’t because we wanted to continue a winning streak, nor was it because we so desperately want to not only get promoted but top the table, neither was it because we wanted to just beat Warwick University so much! This match carried high emotional value to the club and players, for this day marked a decade since the tragic death of one of former Saints and Lions player and coach; Clive Terrett.
As the sun rose from the horizon, the temperature remained at a low. Whilst a few of the players emerged to the meet time unacceptably late, the entire Warwick team did not turn up until after the match was supposed to start. With this in our minds we felt compelled to capitalise on what we expected to be a tired and somewhat unfocused team of which we were hoping to gain a very early lead from. This would not be the case as such and the 2nd team found themselves on the back foot of an energetic student side. The one reason why we did not concede in those decisive opening minutes of the match was due to our verbal feedback that was consistent throughout the entire team. Lewis Ward organised the defence of Tom Wightman and Ben Pikey Northedge.
It was then our turn to capitalise on an important 10 minutes of the match where Saints seemed to dominate. Three short corners were gifted to the team, two of which were comfortably slotted home by James Knibbs. Needless to say the short corners looked highly drilled and incredibly choreographed beginning with Dan Whittakers injections all the way through to Alex Blunt andDan Rose’s manoeuvres timed to perfection.
Other notable chances came and went throughout the first half, whether it being Dan Rose in his attempt to lob the keeper or Scott Mahoney weaving the ball in and out of the pitiful defence. The defence and goalkeeper Droopy Sawyer were yet to experience the opposition’s short corner routines and were riding high on 35minutes with a clean sheet.
The second half came and the opposing team who didn’t decide to turn up until the start of the match did not seem to turn up on the pitch until 35minutes into the match. We certainly felt a more intense type of pressure applied on the team and gaps in all formations began to show, with this in mind and the loss of our centre back Lewis Ward, Warwick began to see the opportunity to ‘pounce’, little did they know that our team were flexible in all positions and so up stepped Tom Wightman into centre back and Matt Gausden took up the role in right back, fooling the team and the opposition that he has played that position for the majority of his career. With all this occurring it also sent a shattering message to Warwick HC; ‘Leave the pouncing to us!’
The final nail went in the coffin when Sam Mitchell confidently picked the ball up just shy of the half way line and ran the ball, with the help of a few one-twos here and there, all the way up to the ‘D’ and slotted a precise and devastating final blow to the oppositions Pride and Moral.
Whilst Warwick attempted a comeback with a late short corner goal, the fate of this match was nothing but over. A win for Northampton Saints 2nd XI, but a huge victory and an unforgettable remembrance for one man whom was loved throughout the club.
Squad: Robin Sawyer (GK), Ben Northedge, Tom Wightman, Lewis Ward, Chris Reid, Dan Whittaker (c), Matt Gausden, Sam Mitchell, Scott Mahoney, James Knibb, Jack Pogson, Dan Rose, Alex Blunt
Belper 3rd XI 4-2 Saints 3rd XI
Scorers: Beattie, Pibworth
Away at Belper, the league leaders and owners of a newish bobbly waterbase would need to bring out the best of Saints.
A fast start from both team showed promise for a hotly contested match. Belper were down to 10 soon in to the match, and Saints were able to create a couple of half chances. Despite fighting hard Belper took the lead with a well taken penalty corner. Soon after this Belper doubled their lead with a shot deflecting in off Hillier’s stick. Saints went close to pulling a goal back but Beattie in front goal pulled the shot wide. Powell had to be alert with multiple saves and clearances required to keep the score down.
In the second half Saints struck first. Whitfield’s penalty corner was saved into the path of Beattie who gratefully lifted the ball into the goal. As Saints pushed for the equaliser, a few mistakes started to creep in. On the comedy side Hillier and Stobart (twice) lost their footing, a Belper defender had the ball in his face from Beattie, and Wade had fun with waywood airials.
During a 5 minute period, Belper struck twice, one via the helmet of Powell. With 15 minutes remaining the ladies one’s appeared adding vocal support, just as Saints started to dominate the Belper half, O’Donnell in particular showing great skills. Saints were finally rewarded with Riches taking a quick free hit and launching the ball at the goal for Pibworth to deflect in. Time finally ran out and despite losing, Saints will be greatly heartened by a much improved performance. Special mention to Down who distributed well throughout the game and also to the umpires for a great performance.
MOTM: Lee O’Donnell – Great skills and play
DOTD: Andy (Spectator) Wade – The default choice and for amusing arials
Teas: Large sausage roll & beans (multiple cherry bake wells for Wade)
Squad: Adam Powell (GK), George Rockell, James Miller, Jason Hillier, Andy Wade, Harry Stobart, Ian McIlwaine, Lewis moran, Hugo Day, Luke Pibworth, Lee O’Donnell, Nigel Down, Pete Riches, Danny Whitfield, Nick Beattie
Men’s 4thXI 1-1 Leek 4thXI
Goals: Dave Henry
The game against Leek was the furthest away match that the Invincible 4s had to play this season. On arrival the team seemed in good spirits but with a wee hint of nerves, as they knew this was a big match as it was League Leaders verses Second Position.
Right from the off it could be seen that this was to be a titanic struggle, with both teams exchanging attacks. The first chance for Saints fell to Chris Godman who received a deflected cross from the agile work of Elliott Wilde to only blast the ball well wide. This action bought Max Darby into life and preceded to give Godman a telling off for being a little hot headed, to then go and do the same thing himself 2 minutes later.
The first half ended in stale mate due to some resilient defending from the stern back four of Rob Tee, Steve Morris, Jim Phipps and Matt Candler and the spritely saves of Scott Bashford.
The second half started in much the same fashion with both teams almost cancelling one another out in the middle of the field.
Deadlock was broken when Saints went 1-0 up. The move started when one of the Leek midfielders lost the ball in the middle of the park and for the skills of Luke Howard to carry the ball up to towards the D. He then slotted an inch perfect ball through to the on rushing Dave Henry who tickled a first time reverse stick shot underneath the Giant Haystacks look alike Goalkeeper for Leek.
Saints unfortunately went down to 10 men for about 5 minutes due to an appallingly lifted ball into the D that struck the hand of Steve Morris. After a quick dose from the magic sponge on the sideline Steve was back in the mix. But unfortunately due to the structure change momentarily this incident lead to the build up that allowed Leek back into the game. With a scramble in the D Leek managed to level the score.
Tensions were now brewing and some course words along with some dodgy tackles were being dealt out and this culminated in the sending off of Dave Henry after asking the ref if he would care to explain some of his decisions.
All in all a fair result 1-1 and this leaves the Invincible 4s still unbeaten but dropping their first 2 points of the season.
DOTD: Dave Henry for his sending off.
MOTM: Luke Howard for his exceptional skills and determination.
Special mention toMatt Candler for not trying on wedding dresses and instead driving to the ends of the earth to play a very important match for the Invincible 4s.
Men’s 6th XI 1-6 West Bridgeford
Goals: Jack Knight
This was a real game of men against boys as the West Bridgeford development team seemed to be mainly focused on developing their vets players as only two of their team looked under 30 and one of those was wearing a mask, while the 6’s fielded two players aged 14 and a couple of older players with a mental age of 14. The age profile of the team got even worse 25 minutes in when Rob O’Donnell who was returning from injury after receiving a blow to the foot 5 weeks ago decided to test out the injury by again stopping the ball with his foot and promptly hobbled off never to return.
By then a combination of woeful marking, a very efficient corner routine and some good attacking play had WB 3 up and just before half time they added a 4th. The 6’s did threaten the WB goal however they failed to take the chances that came about. Before the game we talked about making sure we attacked down the wing and got the ball wide, after one goal straight from the push back Mark Shepherd did this to perfection with a precise pass straight to Martin Skinner. Unfortunately Martin was the umpire and the ball went straight off the pitch with the nearest 6’s player a good 15m away. By then DOTD was a done deal as was the result.
Ever the realist Darren Thorpe confirmed in his half time talk that we were not going to win this and all the team could do is play for their pride which they did in fine style and despite conceding a 5th goal they mounted some excellent attacks and from one nice passing move started by Ricard Pryce the ball was moved into the D and slotted home for his debut 6’s goal by Jack Knight. More pressure followed however a good break saw WB score a 6th. Good performances in defence from Joe, Sam and Anthony Walder whileThorpe was tireless in midfield.
With so many older players the plan was to run them around a lot and tire them out however we failed to do this as they had plenty of breath left to complain about every decision despite being 5 goals up and finally one stick tackle too many saw a WB player get yellow carded the first card the team has seen so far this season. This gave him time to catch his breath and complain about the card after the game.
MOTM: Darren Thorpe
DOTD: Mark Shepherd for his Iniesta like passing.
Men’s 7th XI 2-2 Derby Asterdale(nb league result is a 3-0 win to the 7s)
Goals: Owain Mahoney, Nigel Riches (Jack Knight, Ricard Pryce scored for the opposition)
A cold wet saturday afternoon greeted the 7s. The match was already a win as far as the league were concerned as Derby Asterdale were unable to raise a full side. Several players from the Men’s 6s stayed on to play a second game and give a good healthy boost to the derby side making for a tough game for the 7s. The 7s started shakily, withHarry Yorke and Ricard Pryce running rampant in the midfield for the opposition. This early pressure gave Jack Knight (also for the opposition) a clear chance to get the first goal for the visitors. The 7s woke up at this point and started working together to start moving the ball up the pitch. Owain Mahoney worked very hard on the left, to pick up the defensive effort from midfield and start creating some attacking moves. Michael Dicken on the right side of the pitch was gaining confidence by the minute and started making some fantastic attacking runs and crosses into the D. Eventually one of these runs found Nigel Riches with some space to place a clean shot and and bring the 7s level. More attacking work from the 7s gave plenty of action around the derby D, but for some reason a lack of players actually wanting to put the ball in the goal. One particular attack had no less than 4 different players mis-hit the ball to each other rather than playing the decisive shot. On the break Ricard Pryce managed to work his way into space in the 7s D and struck a fantastic shot into the bottom corner of the goal just a few minutes before half time.
The second half saw quite a lot of end to end action, with both teams stringing together good penetrating attacks, but neither able to find the finish, until Owain Mahoney found space at the top of the D to wind up a big strike straight through to the back board. The scoreline remained at 2-2 until the final whistle.
MoM – Michael Dicken – fantastic work on the right side of play but…..
DoD – Michael Dicken – …. a few to many mis hit shots in front of goal!
Team: Jake Bennett (GK), John Bennett, Ian Street, Martin Skinner, Lee Thompson, Jon Keep, Rob Scott, Micheal Dicken, Owain Mahoney, Paul Yates, Nigel Riches