Match Reports from 5th January
Men’s 1st XI 7-7 Milton Keynes 1st XI
Scorers – Ben Scott (3), Jamie Webb, Joe Kopka, Dave Saunders, Greg Summers.
Saints made the short journey down to Milton Keynes for their only friendly before the season kicks off on the 12th. After drawing 5-5 pre-season both teams wanted to get the upper hand even though the match was used more for preparation of the league…
MK took an early lead after sloppy defending allowed their forward to ghost into the D unmarked. This kick started Saints who replied very quickly, Ben Scott converting a penalty stroke after Ian Cooper hacked at Alex Press’ stick in the D. Saints were soon in the lead when Greg Summers found space at the back post to tap in before Dave Saunders finished a neat move down the right from the top of the D. In theory the game should have been out of sight as Saints missed several chances to increase their lead… Summers failing to score a replica of his first and James Knibb not connecting when through on goal.
The middle third (3 x 25 minutes) saw Saints experiment with their formation. For the first 15 minutes they dominated again but failed to take advantage of the huge space they created in the Milton Keynes 25. Several times Saints were 2v1 and 3v2 but turned the ball over. Milton Keynes pulled a goal back through a sloppy short corner but Saints immediately restored their three goal advantage when Scott flicked home a short corner. The final 10 minutes of the third saw Saints turn the ball over and waste possession but luckily they extended their lead further when Jamie Webb ghosted into the D unmarked and unleashed an unstoppable reverse stick shot which cannoned in off the crossbar.
The final third was one to forget for the Saints as tired legs took to the field for the final time. Encouraging performances from Joe Kopka, Christian Howard, Steve Williams and Adam Croutear were over shadowed by a lack of effort and desire. Bad marking cost Saints an early goal as MK one a short corner via an unmarked forward and they flicked home their third. MK were soon in the lead after a three quick goals when Saints turned the ball over cheaply in midfield. Joe Kopka equalised with a well taken deflected goal. Milton Keynes went 7-6 up after a breakaway goal but Saints won their second flick of the game late on AND Ben Scott equalised.
Some promising play in patches for the Saints but they will have to tighten up a lot next week when they travel to Barford.
Squad – Paul Madeley, Jamie Webb, Adam Croutear, Sean Henry, Ben Scott, Dave Saunders, Alex Press, Evan Morris, Gareth Parker, Grant Carlin, Christian Howard, Joe Kopka, Martyn Cory, Greg Summers, Steve Williams, James Knibb.
Men’s 2nd XI 1 – 2 Milton Keynes 2nd XI
Goals: Scott Mahoney
After a relaxing Christmas break, Saints readied themselves to face Milton Keynes in a pre-season friendly. Starting the first half Saints struggled to find a steady pace and were pushed onto the back-foot by Milton Keynes, Saints clearly not alert yet after the holidays lie-ins resulted in a deflection in the D from Lewis Ward leading to an own goal and an early lead for Milton Keynes. They then doubled their lead with a lifted hit from a short corner clipping Scott Bashford’s raised pads to result in another lucky goal.
At half time, some top inspiring words from skipper Dan Whittaker, and some wise words from Guy Roberts: “let’s just play some hockey lads”. Also Chris Reid decided to grace us all with his presence, having gotten lost and driven round the majority of the area with no luck of finding the pitch.
Saints had finally woken up in the second half and changed up a gear returning the pressure onto the opposition, with Scott Mahoney following up a rebounded short corner and putting Saints back into the game. Saints calmed down and continued to apply the pressure with multiple short corners being won but not converted, and shots coming from Alex Blunt and Jack Pogson, yet none managed to beat the keeper. Midway through the second half, Tom Wightman was shown a yellow card for a poorly timed challenge, however the umpire was not done yet, handing another yellow to Chris Reid for a lunging tackle shortly after. With the match coming to an end, Saints won a final short corner which yet again was not converted. Finishing the game with a 2-1 loss, a massive wake-up call was in order for Saints to prepare themselves for the upcoming season.
Man of the Match – Lewis Ward, for his excellent play from centre back, even with the lack of ‘movement’ which he reminded us of frequently throughout the match.
DOTD – Tom Wightman, for some rash tackles.
Squad: Scott Bashford (GK), Lewis Ward, Matt Gausden, Chris Reid, Ben Northedge, Alexander Rose, Dan Whittaker (C), Alexander Blunt, Tom Wightman, Scott Mahoney, Guy Roberts, Jack Pogson, Danny Whitfield.
Men’s 3rd XI 2 – 5 Milton Keynes 3rd XI
Scorers: Riches (pc), Pibworth
New Year and only one substitute to use meant Saints would need to get over the lack of exercise quickly. Milton Keynes was a young team and from the start they tried to start at a fast tempo. Saints were able to hold firm and even creates half chances in the opening minutes. Milton Keynes did however take the lead after 6 minutes, and shortly after this it was 2. Saints pushed hard to get back into the game with several scrambles inside the D. They eventually did pull a goal back through a well placed short corner by Pete Riches.
The second half started well for Saints who pushed hard and created several good openings. Unfortunately Milton Keynes were not in the mood of needing multiple chances and scored to move 3-1 in front. Once again Saints pulled a goal back, Luke Pibworth striking home from the top of the D. It could have been even better for Saints, but unfortunately Will Gamble slipped at a crucial moment. Nigel Down seemed to have a similar footwear issue as he kept on getting in a tangle with the ball in the D.
The crucial moment came midway through the second half, when a fortuitous short corner was awarded. The away side scored from this and never looked back. Their fifth goal came soon after, and despite Saints having several dangerous attacks, the score finished 5-2 to the visitors.
Squad: James Miller, Andy Dale, Andy Wade, Harry Stobart, Ian McIlwaine (c), Lewis Moran, Lee O’Donnell, Luke Pibworth, Will Gamble, Nigel Down, Pete Riches, Adam Powell
Men’s 6th XI 8-0 Men’s 7th XI
Goals Phil 2, Jack 2, Callum 2, Harry 1 (according to Harry but no one remembers it) plus 1OG
A chance to blow away the xmas cobwebs and work off a couple of mince pies in an inter club game which saw the 6’s largely dominate the attacking play in the game. An even start to the game still saw the 6’s creating chances when they decided to pass the ball rather than running with it and a number of fine saves were made by Dean Gibson in the 7’s goal so it was a surprise when he tried to kick the dimples off a short corner shot that had little power only to waft his foot over the ball and the 6’s took the lead.
The 7’s were restricted to a number of quick conter attacks with Dermot Cassidy risking a nose bleed as he ventured past the half way line for long periods of time leaving John, Lee Thompson and Phil Adamst o do the defending on their own. In the second half Dermot did try to do some defending by crudely taking out a 7’s player on the half way line and then do an impression of a youthful (before things dropped) Aled Jones as he appealed the 100% correct decision by the umpire.
By half time it was 3-0 to the 6’s and they largely dominated the second half with Darren Thorpe and Phil Knight controlling midfield and some great passing moves saw a number of goals go in with debut boy Callum impressing with his movement and eye for goal.
Next week will be a much sterner test with a return to league action against Loughborough 4’s who are near the top of the table.
MoTM – Phil K two goals and a number of assists.
DotD – Dermot for his Aled Jones impression. 