Match Reports from Saturday 2nd March
Men’s 2ndXI 3-0 Coventry & North Warwick
Goals: Ian Tipples (3)
Saints over power Coventy & NW to move within two points of the league title.
With only 4 games left points are extremely critical in the closing stages of the season.
Saints went into Saturdays game five points clear of the top of the league with the teams behind piling on the pressure. A dramatic improvement from last weeks shock 1-0 defeat was needed to keep the pressure off from the closing pack.
Geared up and ready to go Saints welcomed back their Coach Tom Hewitt, his wisdom and passion was sorely missed on his absence.
The game started at a fast pace with both teams moving and distributing well. Saints working harder off and on the ball were edging in front of Coventry, looking to capitalise on any flaw in their defence.
Saints continued pressuring with Sam Mitchell and Jack Pogson causing numerous problems to the Warwick back line. It wasn’t long before there defence was breached. Saints were awarded their first short corner of the match with persistent punishment from all attacking players. Injected to the top battery, striker Ian Tipples viciously struck the ball towards the right corner, the ball shattering on impact at the back board to give Saints an explosive early lead.
Warwick reacted well after the deficit creating a few extended periods of possession, working their way through Saints defences but to no success. With the return of Guy Roberts to the defence all loose balls were being tied up, shutting Coventry out at the final hurdle.
A break-away move by Ally Rose and Greg Summers linked up from defence to high into the Coventry 25′. Summers was quick to react, with a hard low drive across the D, Ian Tipples latched onto slot the ball under the diving keeper doubling their lead. As Coventry heads dropped the first half came to a close. Saints 2-0 up at the break.
So came to the second half: It started as the first finished with an energetic persistence of Saints causing Coventry a number or problems throughout the field. The opposition in patches started to regain some composure and mount a number of attacks however they squandered what few clear cut chances they had.
As the game began to come to a close Saints fitness and desire was evident as they took the game out of the hands of the opposition. Constantly testing Coventry with fast accurate ball retention encroaching on Coventry’s D gave Greg Summers the opportunity to show case his diving skills (if all else fails) with a display that even Manchester United’s Ashley Young would be proud of. Labelled a swing and miss, Summers’ dribbled his way in to the D only to be up ended whilst in mid swing by a careless Coventry defender. Short corner awarded and a chance for ball destroyer Ian Tipples to bag a hat trick.
From the huddle at the top of the D, skipperDan Whittaker ordered the standard back post strike to secure the three points edging ever closer to glory. A sound injection brought the ball once again to Tipples on the top of the D. Going against his captains’ wishes he opted for a thunder bolt to the near left post keeping ball intact and completing his hat trick.
A hard grafted win for saints: Heads turn to next week fixture with only two points need to be crowned champions the #alternatives can almost taste glory
Motm:- Ian Tipples #Balldestroyer. A special mention must also go to Jack Pogson who narrowly lost out on MOTM after a commanding display in midfield.
DOD:- Alex Blunt – a general bad day at the office and clumsy antics.
Squad: Robin Sawyer (GK), Guy Roberts, Sam Mitchell, Matt Gausden, Chris Reid, Alexander Rose, Dan Whittaker (C), Alexander Blunt, Ian Tipples, Jack Pogson, Tom Whightman, Greg Summers
Rugby & East Warwick 4-0 Men’s 3rd XI
Saints started strongly against a Rugby team who were on top form and odds on for promotion. Each side equalled each other out without any clear cut chances. The Saints defence were able to hold their own and reduce Rugby to firing hopeful balls into the D. Hillier one of the defenders, making his first start for several months after injury brought a welcome presence. Also did Riches, when he finally turned up part way through. His passionate tackles also complemented by an overzealous foul while trying to tackle a player.
Half time was scoreless and Saints were happy and felt right in the match. The second half however contained a Rugby ‘purple patch’ where they proceeded to score 4 goals in the space of 10 minutes, a couple of them definitely preventable. Instead of defending Saints pushed hard for a goal, O’Donnell impressing with his silky skills. Pibworth and Moran each had a shot saved, but the well practiced keeper casually kept Saints out. 4-0 remained the score but Saints in patches definitely showed they can match any team in the league.
Teas were Curry and Rice with fresh bread, great news apart from those going to the Umpires Curry Night.
Squad: Adam Powell (GK), Harry Stobart, James Miller, Ian mcilwaine (c), Lee O’Donnell, Lewis moran, luke pibworth, Nigel Down, Pete Riches, Will Gamble, Andy Dale, Jason Hillier
Men’s 4thXI 3-1 Belper 5thXI
Goals: Mark Shepherd.
Saints 4s sitting comfortably at the top of the table travelled to a sunny Belper to see if they can round off a double against the Belper side.
Before the start of the game the pitch was watered which saw the new boys Jack Knight and Mark Shepherd take an early show when they were to slow to react and evade the water cannons. With Professor Jim Phipps explaining how a rainbow was formed on the pitch!
Saints started strongly working the ball around well with the back line of Rob Tee, Steve Morris, Jim Phipps and Elliot Wilde hold strong and making some good tackles and starting the attacks off. Saints managed to work the Belper defence but they came to nothing. Jack Knight was running around picking up the ball in space and creating more chances. Saints then started to lose the ball when traveling forward which put the defence under pressure with Scott Bashford making some good saves, but it wasn’t long until Belper took the lead as their forward had a 1 on 1 with Bashford who then brought down the striker giving away a penalty flick. Up stepped the taker who slotted it calmly into the goal, 1-0 Belper. Saints carried on pushing forward with the midfield Harry Yorke and Gary Patterson, Simon Chapman andHugo Day creating space again but coming to nothing. Shortly after Saints experienced a feeling of déjà vu as once again Belper found themselves in a 1 v 1 at the top of the D and once again keeper Bashford fouled the forward, creating another penalty flick chance. Up stepped the taker and despite diving the right wayBashford had no chance and Belper were 2 up.
Half time came with the saints skipper Dave Henry rallying the troops not to get their heads down and to carry on pressing. A word of warning from the captain to his keeper as he was on a last warning (lucky you could say he wasn’t already off!) .
2ndhalf
The second half and Saints pushed and started to move the ball around much more fluently creating chances and penalty corners only for them to just miss or for the keeper or defence to foil their attempts. Saints pressure came to justice when Jack knight ran hard for a ball, controlled it, hit a reverse stick cross hard along the D for Mark Shepherd to get a good touch on the ball to guide it into the Belper goal 2-1. Back in the game Saints pushed hard again but the started to lose the ball cheaply as the pressure was mounting. Belper managed to have more chances but the defence stood strong, only for a hit into the D deflecting of a Belper stick keeper diving to his right but could not keep the ball out, the two goal cushion was brought back 3-1 Belper. Special mention to Simon “no pants” Chapman who worked tirelessly in midfield but it came to nothing. Chances came and went and the final whistle blew. 3-1 loss away to Belper a long drive home in the sunshine. Saints would have to pick their heads up as they face their main foes Leek next week at Moulton.
After the game Simon realised that he had forgotten his change of pant but who could save the day? YES it was captain Dave “double packer” Henry, as he offered them to the pantless team mate!!!
DOD- Scott Bashford for the two flicks given away
MOM- Jack Knight – great runs and a great pass to create the goal. A great debut had!!
Team: Scott Bashford, Jim Phipps, Elliot Wilde, Rob Tee, Steve Morris, Harry Yorke, Hugo Day, Gary Patterson, Simon Chapman, Jack Knight, Dave Henry, Mark Shepherd.
Men’s 5thXI 3-2 Warwick Uni 4thXI
Goals:
The game started shortly after Alasdair arrived from the pub thinking the meet was 2pm when in fact it was 1:30pm and push back was 2pm and with Sam’s poor logistical planning almost not getting a lift to the match. The game continued this poor luck for the 5s when they conceded 2 goals in the first 5 minutes the second of which was a good reverse finish from one of the hung-over students (we presume that they had a hangover).
However saints shortly after got themselves back in contention with a great cross from Ryan that zipped through the Warwick Uni defence that was then tapped in by the poacher Alex. If we are honest a 3 year old could have scored with the quality of pass from Ryan. The 5s continued to press and with Gareth dribbling up his own “posterior” and the cry’s of the opposition “tackle him he is ‘no good'” (they didn’t say ‘no good’). As Alex studied the ground Gareth moaned at him crying that he believed this caused the side not too score? The 5s however did score a second Ryan again being the man to set up the goal, but this time he gave it to Krish who smacked the ball from the top of the D to the backboard to bring the 5s level. As saints continued to push they were rewarded with a penalty flick, Rob stepped up and took the flick but missed the goal by a county mile!
The second half carried on much like the end of the first and the 5s were rewarded with another Krish top D strike that ended in much the same way as the first. Dysko who had fallen down the stairs a few days earlier so was running on 80% power as a result had a great game at left back however found himself on the right wing at times much to the confusion of Phil, Ali and Sam, the right back Joe however stayed on the right side and made some great runs and played some good balls up the side-line. In the second half Ed found himself a friend to talk to and the topic of choice was hockey sticks! Towards the end of the game Ali decided that the sheep in the next field looked lonely and attempted to let them join in by throwing an aerial to them however the fence caught it to hone uninterested sheep’s delight. The game ended with the 5s picking up all 3 points to help their claim for survival.
After the match back in the pub where Ali was 10 minutes before push back rob tested his new pulling tactics in continuing to be a door knob and calling the waitress aggressive but still fit! To which most of the 5s agreed.
MOM: Gareth – once again being everywhere and distributing the ball superbly
DOD: Rob for his accurate door knob impression
Teas: sausage chips bread and butter
Team: Phil, Joe, Sam, Alasdair, Ricard (despite the back problem meaning he missed 75% of the game), Dysko, Ryan, Alex, Ed, Krish, Rob, Gareth
Men’s 6thXI 0 – 5 Coventry & NW 4
WFF6s fail to get out of the traps
For this game the 6’s were pleased to be sponsored by Findus. Just like a frozen lasagna it might have said 6’s on the packet but there was a decent amount of thoroughbred 7’s in this side with one old donkey thrown in for flavour.
With high expectations of a positive outcome, Darren and Andy took the reins in midfield from the off, and the ball was moved swiftly down each flank for Tim and Fin to gallop past the visiting defence only to be repeatedly denied anything to show for their efforts.
As the half progressed however the visitors grew more stable as we hashed a number of passing moves and the play began moving quickly each way. The deadlock did not last furlong however, as a couple of rushed defensive challenges allowed the Coventry forwards to stampede and there was nothing Jake could do other than scoop the ball off the backboard. With the bit now between their teeth, the young visitors began playing with a lot more speed and confidence and it was not long before we were under starters orders once again as Coventry steaked a claim to another goal from an overhead shot that finally went in off the post. With the half way point not yet reached Coventry were soon clear by a length ass-isted by a own goal from Phil Adams who’s soft control of an intercepted cross cleanly beat Jake at the far corner.
The half time team talk consisted of few minced words as we muled over our mistakes and attempted to stirrup a fresh resolve, and in the mane things did improve for the second session. The nagging defensive mistakes of the first half were less evident and we continued to test the Coventry defence as we continued to press forwards, winning a succession of short corners, but despite our best efforts we seemed to be flogging a dead horse as the Coventry goal line proved one hurdle we just could not get over. As legs tired our ‘mare of a game worsened as Coventry whipped in two more late goals before the umpires finally put us out of our suffering, leaving us with nothing to show for the day other than several long faces as we reflected on a position no one expected to find us in.
Mule Of the Match: Tim Riches for a Gold Cup winning performance
Dobbin(s) of the Day: (in absentia) (again!) the regular 6s who burgered off and didn’t make it to the starting gate
Prepared in an equine free environment. May contain traces of bull. Not suitable for vegetarians.
U9s Tournament
A gloriously sunny Sunday morning saw us taking a small army of U9’s to Rugby for our latest tournament to face teams from Rugby, Kettering and Welford.
With several new names on the team sheet, a little pre-planning of the players pitch time and positioning was a pre-requisite this time around but with strong opposition, no ‘keeper, and not knowing some of the children before the actual day, would it work out?…
A quick round of introductions and pep talk later and we were eager and ready to meet our fate, the mood of the team summed up beautifully by Michael who, on hearing that Ben would not be playing in goal this week, simply and without hesitation quipped “don’t worry. I’m a brilliant defender.” !
Two separate entries for Rugby on fixture list is never a nice surprise, but after a quick head count (i’m getting better at counting to 7!) and final plea to try and use the width of the pitch later, the starting line up took to the pitch to take on Rugby 1…. Lights, camera… action! The game shot off at a lightening pace with a constant ebb and flow of action at both ends of the pitch, each thrust of Rugby’s forwards rebutted by some excellent cover tacking by debutant Bonnie and Michael and the ball fed forwards to Ewan and Chase who caused mayhem on the counter. As if scripted, the midway point of the game was punctuated with a goal mouth scramble in the opposition D which Ewan forced the ball over the line to give us the edge. The restart cued the arrival en masse of substitutes Eve, Jodie, Sam and Tom to lay claim to their first Mighty Nines caps…. which they earned in style as the level of commitment and determination from the team did not falter and we held on to our lead to the final hooter.
Match 2: Kettering. Another nail bitingly close contest full of action in the midfield with Aoife putting in an excellent performance and noticeably growing in confidence supported energetically by Tom and Sam who’s tackle count would have been the envy of many of the men in a Saints Rugby shirt, but despite chances the game was deadlocked until the Ewan came off the subs bench to tip the advantage to us once more….
Played 2, Won 2… smiles all round from the team but another Rugby team to face…. Would I have to dust off my ‘we can’t win them all’ consolatory speech?.. Errrr…. No! An excellent flurry of attacking moves kept Rugby on the back foot and when they did break free Grace and Eve were on hand to break up the play with well timed tackles. Before too long our possession bore fruit and Jodie stepped forward to mark her debut with a entry in the scorebook, but the game was not over yet. Rugby were determined to try and get something from the game and were awarded a succession of free hits just outside our D causing Bonnie and Michael to pounce into action….. with Michael ably demonstrating his earlier claim was not just the bravado of youth as he stopped a well struck shot just in front of the goal line and cleared it emphatically to the sideline. The balance of power was soon restored as Oliver picked up on some good work by Tom, broke through the Rugby defences and celebrated his birthday with a well deserved goal and the final hooter was greeted with a cheer.
Our final match was against a young Welford team and as per our last encounter it was a one sided affair with the Mighty Nines dominating both territory and possession and creating some opportunities to spread the ball wide and run the ball down the lines. Victory was assured as Ewan doubled his goal tally for the morning. The game was not without it’s talking point however as Oliver began a mazy run down the left flank, cut inside, collected the ball again as it rebounded off the defenders stick, romped into the D and yet somehow managed not to get the ball over the goal line…. Suffice to say I have written to Dr Brian Cox to see if he can explain that little mystery for me…
Final Scores
NHC Mighty Nines 1 – 0 Rugby HC (1)
NHC Mighty Nines 1 – 0 Kettering HC
NHC Mighty Nines 2 – 0 Rugby HC (A)
NHC Mighty Nines 2 – 0 Welford HC
… Played 4, won 4, a sunny morning and to cap it all, a chunk of birthday cake to finish with. Happy Days!!
Thanks to all the parents for providing the taxi and baggage handling services for their offspring(!), but most of all to all players who were fantastic and showed great team spirit and determination….. I don’t know about them, but I had a great time! J
See you all on the 17th
Cheers
Phil (Team Manager)