Match Reports from 12th & 13th January

Men’s 2ndXI 4-1 Khalsa 2ndXIs
 

Goals: Dan Rose, Sam Mitchell,

So came to the first league match of 2013. With a tough month ahead, all Saints fixtures involving the top 3 sides in the league, victory was crucial to edge ever closer to promotion. Having had the better of Khalsa at the start of the season Saints were looking for a repeat performance as a slip up this side in the new year would immediately effect their league position.
  
From the whistle Khalsa were looking to cause an upset, taking control of the majority of the opening stages. good ball retention but high intensity attacking from Khalsa resulted in them scoring an early goal. Saints were on the back foot but with Ben Northedge and Guy Roberts defending very well from the back Khalsa where held off just enough to stop them taking a further lead in the first half.
  
Saints gradually shook off their slow start and started to create more chances, settling into their dominant style of play. Threatening runs from both Scott Mahoney and Dan Rose direct on goal pushed Khalsa to their limits until they finally broke. With a short corner awarded the ball was slipped left to Alex Blunt who found Sam Mitchell darting in at the back post to guide in the equaliser. Saints attacking pressure continued thought the remainder of the half but the score stood.
 
The second half started as the first finished with Saints totally dominating in all areas Solid performances from the whole team stopped anything Khalsa had to offer. Continuing to keep possession, Saints pushed many players forward looking good go ahead for the first time in the game. After countless close attempts saints launched an attack down the right channel out numbering Khalsa’s defence. As the ball was struck across the ‘D’ limited numbers allowed Scott Mahoney to enter unmarked striking the ball first time strait into the net. A well-deserved goal! Saints finally taking the lead!
 
Comfortably retaining possession Saints were still creating changes when the ball was spread out the captain Dan Whittaker, entered the ‘D’ drawing both keeper & defence towards him slotted the ball to Alex Blunt, who with his first touch set himself up to reverse strike high into the left corner (good job he didn’t miss on his reverse!). Saints were in total domination with the game running away from Khalsa it looked to be sure of another Saints victory.
 
In the closing stages Saints powered through the middle where Alex Blunt squeezed a ball though to birthday boyDan Rose who calmly travelled through the remainder of the Khalsa defence to slot one home.
 
An excellent team performance. Also special mention to January signing Andy “What’s his name” Peters, who adjusted to the Saints style immediately. Not to mention again a happy belated birthday to the top scorer Dan Rose.
  
Bring on Nottingham!!
 
 
MOTM: A close one with many players putting in sterling performances. Scott Mahoney came out on top for causing a relentless threat toward Khalsa’s defence and a very well taken goal.
 
DOTD: Awarded to Alex Blunt for many reasons….apparently:
 
• having parents attending
• ball pace that was just too fast for the rest of the team.
• scoring the goal of the game
 
Alex blames jealousy.
 
Squad: Robin Sawyer (GK), Guy Roberts, Lewis Ward, Sam Mitchell, Matt Gausden, Chris Reid, Ben Northedge, Alexander Rose, Andy Peters, Dan Whittaker (C), Alexander Blunt, Scott Mahoney, Dan Rose, Jack Pogson
 
 

Men’s 3rd XI 2 – 4 Boots 3rd XI

Scorers: Whitfield (pc), Wade

Northampton Saints arrived at Boots needing a win in order to remain in the battle for promotion.
There was no room for laughing and smiling in this game as pointed out by captain Ian McIlwaine during one of his inspirational team talks before the game.

Saints started off promisingly applying pressure to boots midfield and making good progress however some mistakes began to creep in and a Boots counter attack saw the ball passed into the goal. This first five minutes would set the tone for the rest of the game.

Shortly after Boots scored their first goal another mistake from midfield allowed boots to break again, and valiant efforts from Adam Powell were not enough to prevent another goal by Boots.
At 2-0 down substitute Andrew Wade appeared, instantly transforming the game, hounding the Boots left back and forcing errors from the boots defence.

After several minutes of constant pressure Luke Pibworth took a quick shot on goal, the rebound fell to Wade at the top of the D who proceeded to smash the ball goal-wards. Such was the ferocity of Wades shot, not even a hefty sized goalkeeper could stop the ball, it struck the keeper full in the chest, punching the keeper backwards into the goal with the ball still wedged in his ribcage, he was dead but saints had scored, Wade continuing to demonstrate his ability to score every time he plays in midfield. Half time 2-1 to boots.

The second half was almost a mirror of the the first, Constant pressure from saints always fell at the last hurdle, either giving the ball away cheaply or not being able to get that final ball into the D even some imaginative aerial’s could not break the boots defence. Boots once again capitalised on mistakes and scored another breakaway goal. The game continued this way until Saints managed to win a penalty corner. A Danny Whitfield drag flick saw saints close the gap and at 3-2 saints continued to apply pressure but never looking like scoring. A mistake in defence saw the boots centre forward in on goal. James Miller making a crucial tackle but in the confusion kicked the ball into his own goal. At 4-2 down with only minutes left Saints again applied pressure to boots earning one more penalty corner. This time Danny Whitfield sending the ball over the crossbar.
 

DOD Luke Pibworth, “What date is Saturday February the second?”

MOM Nick Beattie

Special Mention to Andrew Wade, for Killing a keeper and writing the match report! (as if you hadn’t guessed!).

Squad: Danny Whitfield, Adam Powell , James Miller, Andy Dale, Andy Wade, Harry Stobart, Ian McIlwaine (c), Lewis moran, Nick Beattie, Luke Pibworth, Will Gamble, Shit George, George Rockell, Lee O’Donnell.
 

Beeston 5th XI 4-2 Men’s 4th XI

Goals: Max Darby & Chris Godman

The men’s 4th’s unbeaten run finally came to an end against a much changed but very composed Beeston side who posed additional pressure before the game started by setting up a camera to film the afternoon’s proceedings.

Saints started slowly on Beeston’s new ‘hybrid’ pitch and were to pay for some poor hockey as the home side dominated early possession. Beeston took advantage of their quick ball movement and took the lead through a deflected shot past Bash (whilst technically an own goal it would be inappropriate to name the Saints scorer (perhaps later). This was unchartered waters for Saints who had not conceded first in any previous games this season. Saints persevered and an increasingly confident defence began to spur on the rest of the team. However, some slack play allowed Beeston to press home their advantage when they scored their second, leaving Saints trailing by two clear goals as half time approached. It was also the first time Saints had failed to score in the first half of a game his season (not quite as long a record as the All Blacks but hey, it was getting there).

A half time team talk of ‘tough love’ from skipper Dave Henry was certainly justified and this seemed work as Saints started the brighter in the second half. Saints were eventually rewarded for some solid and determined build up play when Max Darby twisted on a sixpence and sent a bullet past the Beeston keeper into the net. The shrieks of joy from the goal scorer could still be heard as Beeston re-started the game. So, back to 2-1 and the fight back was on…well, possibly

Saints defence, under the marshalling of Jim Phipps, continued to hold steady and showed further resilience in the face of sustained Beeston forays into the D. No better example than Steve Morris who (once again) took one on the cheekbone for the team (the same cheekbone and exactly the same place that he was hit against Leek before Christmas…oh how he loves an audience)

Unfortunately Saints were unable to maintain any sustained rhythm and the home side began to press again. Saints were unable to hold out and kit wasn’t long before Beeston scored again…the 3rd goal was a bitter pill to swallow. 3-1 suddenly turned into 4-1 as a stretched Saints side tried in vain to push up the field, leaving keeper Scott Bashford the unfamiliar job of retrieving a ball from the net.

Saints 4’s a a proud team however and as league leaders were not going to be rolled over easily. Saints finished the brighter and a series of short corners and committed attacking eventually led to a second goal when Chris Godman hammered a shot past the despairing Beeston keeper.

Saints were never in the game but showed character and remain top of the league. Next week sees the 5th’s ‘travel’ to Northampton to meet the 4th’s in another eagerly awaited fixture.

Incidents of note:

• Steve Morris – once again seeking the sympathy vote for a facial injury
• Luke Howard – the biggest packed lunch ever seen at a hockey game
• Chris Godman – his pre-match warm up of ‘long pass, short pass, short pass, long pass’ confused everyone
• Steve Morris – a well taken ‘own goal’
• Matt Candler – a shocking waist high pass to Jim Phipps that had children taking cover
• Rob Tee – our very own ‘Pet Rescue’

MOTM: young James Phippsfor…well, why not?!

DOTD: Jointly awarded toRob T for his Blofeld impression & Steve Morris for his well taken own goal and facial wound

Men’s 5thXI 1-3 Rugby & EW 5’s

Goal scorer: Ed Arnold

Saints started well enjoying large amounts of possession even though “It was cold” (Phil Preen). However despite the possession saints conceded the first goal. After that saints picked up their game again and looked threatening for a short period before finally Ed Arnold put the ball into the net on the second attempt after a well worked short corner. Saints conceded again shortly before half time which took them into the break a goal behind.

Having sustained a serious injury blow to defender James Ruse (who sustained a deep cut to his knee, which may have been worse as he left straight away to go to the hospital with the parting comment of “I can feel something moving.”), Saints lost their structure and seemed to not really recover from this loss of structure.

After half time saints created chances with Tom Dysko hitting the frame of the goal at least 2 times despite looking threatening saints soon conceded again and then faced an uphill struggle to try and get something out of the game; despite still trying to get something out of the game it was decided after the game that saints needed to play more as a team instead of as a group of individuals and that for next week’s game we need more spirit. Also we need Gareth Voss to not have physio in the morning as he admits he seems to not play at his best when he plays straight after a physio session.

Written by Alex Jeffrey

MOTM: Jeremy Wan (Great commitment in the diving challenges)

DOTD: Ali Townsend (Inconsistent aerials, and gifting a goal to rugby by attempting to dribble out of defence)

Tea- Sausage, chips, beans

Squad- Phil Preen(GK), Ali Townsend, James Ruse, Jeremy Wan, Aiden Walker, Gareth Voss, Tom Dysko, Nigel Down, Alex Jeffery, Krish J, Ed Arnold( C).

Men’s 6th XI 1-4 Loughborough 4’s
 

Goal: Jack Knight

Not a great day at the office for the 6’s with probably their worst half of the season, seeing them reach the break 3-0 down and struggling to get a foot hold in the game. The team had a decent amount of possession but failed to really carve out any clear chances against an experienced Loughborough side who were quick to convert defence into attack and effectively scored with their first two chances on goal.

The second half produced a lot more positives, Tony Brennan rolled back the years (well one year really) to deliver a half time team talk which included a lot of positives and a few home truths. In the  second half the team at least worked their keeper a bit more and created a number of chances.

Patrick Rowntree managed to find a lot of space on the right while on the left Harry started to take up some good positions and link with the forward line, dancing his way through the defence like a teenage girl listening to Taylor Swift and finally this attacking play set up a half chance for Jack Knight to earn a consolation goal.

MOTM: Dermot Cassidy because he moaned all day about last weeks’ DotD award claiming bias and he did put in a good defensive shift as well.
DOTD: Harry Yorke for being caught dancing to Taylor Swift.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhkTE_ZmLgs)

Men’s 7th XI 1-6 Players 4th XI

Scorer: Tim Riches

What was expected to be an even match turned out to be a tougher game than expected in numbingly cold weather. Players hockey club has seen some good growth in player numbers over the season and a much strengthened side visited moulton for the first league game of 2013.

It started out fairly evenly in the first half with the 7s having as many attacks as Players but unfortunately they found it hard to penetrate the D and get a shot on target. Trouble was all our play was down the left, Owain Mahoney had plently of possession and even the right half was over there, but all too often ran into a wall of opposition who took advantage of this – they made their turnover count as the defence struggled to clear the ball from the D and conceded 3 by half time..

Second half was a big improvement some swapping of players to fill some of the defensive holes in midfield. 7s were attacking with renewed vigour with much improved team play and a lot more aggression. Unfortunately for all the attacks the final shot on goal was still absent.

Michael Dicken took a bit of a tumble and took a little time to recover on the subs bench. Tim Riches moved up into right half and push forward in attack. The pressure and possession eventually yielded a goal. Joe Wightman took a quick free hit on their 23m line finding Charlie Graham in the D, who took a wide shot rather than a pass that was slapped in by Tim Riches behind the goal keeper.

This one goal was a good positive, but the 7s still conceded 3 goals in the second half. One was a contribution from Dean Gibson – no one else touched the ball in the D. Another was from a quick free hit from just outside the D, zig-zagged into the D and the back of the goal whilst everybody stood around.

MOTM:Tim Riches – solid performance and the one goal

DOTD: Rob Wightman – missing the goal from less than 6 inches!

Squad: Dean Gibson, Tim Riches, Martin Skinner, Joe Wightman, Tom Woodhouse, Micheal Dicken, Rob Golding, Rob Scott, Owain Mahoney, Charlie Graham, Adam Wright, Rob Wightman

Khalsa Masters 2-1 Men’s Masters

Goals: James Askew

The Saints masters bowed out of this years’ England Hockey Cup Competition with a brave performance against National league club Khalsa. Saints started really strongly and for the first 20 minutes of the game totally dominated Khalsa – a number of short corners came and went and some clear cut chances were created by a midfield / forward line full of creativity and Endeavour. Saints only blemish was not being 2or 3 goals to the good. As the first half wore on Saints lost Trev Fidler to injury, and seemed to get anxious about not being ahead. The result being that the play got more direct and less controlled – this suited Khalsa who started to gain confidence with more possession and after 25 minutes went ahead when a short corner which was converted at the 3rd attempt.

At half time the message was clear – keep the ball and control and we can win. Unusually the message was taken on board and the Saints grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck surging forward time and time again. Even when down to 10 men after the sin binning of Jim Phipps for 10 minutes Saints continued to dominate. Golden chances came and went for Jez Deeks and Guy Roberts along with a number of close attempts from short corners. With 15 minutes remaining and the feeling starting to be that this was not our day, a well worked move resulted in James Askew bringing the scores level with a well converted shot. At this stage there looked like only one winner with Khalsa restricted to adhoc breakaways. Unfortunately with just 3 minutes remaining and a penalty stroke shoot out looming one of these breakaways led to an unfortunate award of a short corner which was well converted by Khalsa. Khalsa managed to shut out the game from this to move forward into the next round. The Saints performance was under pinned with strong games throughout the team and even the most unbiased spectator would have agreed that the best team did not win.

Thanks to the team who performed admirably and also to Jason Hillier who performed his managerial duties with aplomb, prowling the dug-out area like a caged Mourinhio !!

Cest la vie……maybe 2013/14 is our cup year

Team; Adam Powell (GK),Steve Morris,Jim Phipps, Trevor Fidler, Dave Henry, Mike Darbyshire, Gary Paterson, Jon Noble, Steve Finch, Guy Roberts, Ian Mcilwane, Jez Deeks, Max Darby, Colyn Biddle, James Askew.

Manager : – Jason Hillier

thanks to Chris Dicken for taking the above photos