Match Reports from Saturday 16th November 2013
Men’s 1st XI 2-2 Rugby & EW 1st XI
Goals: Ben Scott (2)
Honours were even in this closely contested local derby at Moulton on Saturday. Northampton took an early lead through a Ben Scott penalty corner, and despite enjoying a long period of pressure, Saints couldn’t increase their lead. Shortly before half-time they were made to pay as Rugby drew level through their own penalty corner routine.
The second half saw Rugby take an early lead but back came Saints with a deserved equaliser through captain Scott. This result puts Saints in equal third position.
Next week they travel to Coventry & North Warwick.
Nottingham Players 3rd XI 4-8 Men’s 3rd XI
Scorers: Pibworth (3) Knight, Thamby, McIlwaine, Morris, Moran (PC)
Saints looked to keep the momentum going against one of the leagues tail endears. However from the start the home team looked far from weak and after several passages of possession, they scored. Saints soon got back into the match, firstly a great ball from Thamby allowed Pibworth to round the keeper to score, before scoring a second amongst a crowd of players. Steve Morris then got in on the action after a searing run, he just managed to receive the pass in front of the oncoming keeper to round him and score. Saints scored their fourth from Jack Knight after he managed to nutmeg the keeper just before the break.
A buyout Saints team riding high on confidence were backed up by a superb drag flick from Moran to make it 5-1. Pibworth bagged his second hatrick in two weeks sandwiched between to goals from the home team. Athiq Thamby who had been creating chances for others scored the 7th with a delightful flick into the roof of the goal, before captain McIlwaine scored his second in two weeks with pinpoint accuracy to fire the ball into the corner. It could have been more, save for Knights shyness in front of a ‘open goal’, and spare a thought for Dan Rose. He did everything but score as 20+ ‘all on target’ shots we kept out by a keeper that he must have felt had a vendetta against him. Players did score a fourth themselves but another good win leaves Saints in the promotion places.
MOTM: Steve Morris – steady as normal, and a goal!!!
DOTD: Jack Knight – for missing an open goal
IOU – another jug from Luke for next week (this could get expensive)
Squad: Scott Bashford (gk), Jason Hillier, Ian McIlwaine (c), Harry Stobart, Lewis Moran, Pete Comben, Athiq Thamby, Luke Pibworth, Jack Knight, James Miller, Dan Rose, Steve Morris
Men’s 4th XI 8-2 Cannock 5th X
Goals: Chris Clarkson (5), Tom Dysko, Chris Godman, Lloyd Atkinson.
After the previous weeks point away at Bridgford – the game against fellow strugglers Cannock 5 took on the feel of a real six pointer. Skipper Rob “I want to break free” Tee unleashed his twin strikers and his Movember in a 4/4/1/1 combination designed to create havoc to the Cannock defence. It was a kinda magic as Saints romped into a 3 goal lead after about 20 minutes with striker Chris Clarkson bagging an impressive early hat trick! Cannock who had been the only team under pressure managed to pull a goal back against the run of play just before half time. Were the the Saints about to wobble like fat bottomed girls again or would they push on for more goals? It was the latter with Clarkson and his forward twin Lloyd Atkinson creating real havoc with the Cannock defence, with Clarkson singing don’t stop me now putting in his 4th and 5th goals either side of the break. Saints took an unassailable lead and were playing with a real panache, with strains of we are the Champions echoing around Wootton on Radio Ga Ga. In fact if Lloyd had his striking boots on the damage could have been even greater to Cannock as chances came and went. As it was further goals were added by Tom Dysko, Chris Godman and Lloydy finally “broke free” to score the 8th to the amusement of the team. There was still time for a late Cannock short corner to reduce the deficit. But this was all about a great team performance, excellent flowing hockey, great finishing and the finest Freddy Mercury impression in these parts for many a year!
MOTM: Chris Clarkson (goal machine!)
DOTD: Skipper and Freddy Mercury double – Rob Tee (last seen performing with a hoover in the Yeoman – lets’ hope he soon breaks free !!)
Men’s 5th XI 2-1 Burton 4th XI
Goals: Arnold (2)
Saints line-up looked strong for the lower table clash, helped with a bolstering from Jon Noble. The game started well and Saints controlled much of the play, but lacked some width in attack. The first half saw many chances come and go for both sides, and a small fortune of short corners which neither team was able to convert. It was with thanks to Saints defence of Andy Dale and Jamie Cochrane (amongst many others) that when the half time break came it was only a tricky shot past Phil Preen that lead to the visitors 1-0 lead.
An inspirational team talk and a shuffle of formation, and Saints began to look dangerous from the start of the 2nd half. Some good work by Noble,Simon Siddhu and Ant Condon made numerous chances to equalise. At the other end, Phil Preen was busy proving his cat-like reflexes, judo-kicking a short corner shot over the fence (somewhat elaborately) and aiming a few hefty clearances as his own players nether-regions (poor Ricard Price– hope the swelling has gone down!). A break half-way through the half lead to Condon winning a short corner, which was dispatched by Ed Arnold after a change of routine from the previous attempts. 1-1. Burton thought they were about to equalise shortly after but a clearance off the line from Joe Wightman kept the scores level. With three minutes to go Siddhu won another short after some good build up play from Nigel Down and Anthony Walder, which Ed Arnold again hit home in a repeat of the previous goal.
The last minutes of the game saw Saints play some good, controlled hockey and Burton only looked to break the defensive lines once, an attempt which was ‘stomped’out by Jamie Cochrane with a sidestep and a careful placing of his left foot to block the pass, earning him his DOD award.
MOM – Ed Arnold– for his 2 goals.
DOD –Jamie Cochrane – for his footballing skills.
Men’s 6thXI 0-4 Rugby & EW
Saints 6s rebuilding exercise took another step forward despite a 4-0 loss at Hart Field. With the opposition still to arrive, Saints first challenge was to get into the changing room block. With the keys obtained and the electric shutters negotiated, skipper Street took on the next challenge of the metal doors, with the whole set of keys tried in various ways to no avail and further challenges expected, it turned out the door was open. DoD secured before a ball had been struck.
Rugby played side in a 15 man code style in that they kept everyone behind the ball and moved forward together as a team. This took Saints a while to get used to and were 2 goals down in the first few minutes. Alex Jeffries had an excellent game and was everywhere on the pitch. Unfortunately, one of those places was lying flat in the goal having been hit in the midriff. The Penalty flick was duly converted. Things calmed down a bit but Saints conceded a fourth just before half time after another good Rugby passing move.
Saints pushed further forward in the 2ndhalf and fully deserved the parity that followed. The defence of Tim Riches, Michael Dicken , Tom Woodhouse and Man of Match on debut Matt Hill played exceeding well against a well drilled team. Dean Gibsonhad another good game in goal with a string of decisive clearances.
Further up the field Patrick Rowntree, Owain Mahoney, Rob Frost and Mark Seward worked tirelessly but Saints couldn’t quite get the goal they deserved.
Having kindly returned the practice balls Rugby left on the pitch, it was off to the Rugby club for England v New Zealand, a pie and pint.
Lichfield at Caroline Chisholm School next week for the 6s to continue the progress.
Squad: Dean Gibson, Tim Riches, Michael Dicken , Tom Woodhouse, Matt Hill, Patrick Rowntree, Owain Mahoney, Rob Frost, Mark Seward, Alex Jeffries, Ian Street.
Men’s 7thXI 0-3 Coalville 5thXI
A tough match was in store for the 7s when only 10 players were available for the match against Coalville. With the odds against them the 7s started positively and were breaking down the Coalville attacks well in midfield, leaving Coalville trying to force more hopeful passes through into the D which were easily mopped up by the defence. James Clifton, Matthew Jenson and Harry Taylor-Brewin were doing a great job keeping the opposition defence from travelling too far up the pitch with a number of quick counter attacks linking well with lone forward Sooraj Premsagar. The attacks had not yet yielded a good shot on goal, but at this point the game seemed open to either team. Halfway through the first half Harry Taylor-Brewin caught a ball to the outside of his knee. The young midfielder was unfortunately not in a fit state to continue and was helped off the pitch to receive some much needed first aid. With 9 players the 7s battled on, all the team digging deep to prevent the opposition getting ahead. Just near the stroke of half time one of the Coalville centre midfielders found himself in space in the D and was able to strike the ball home for Coalville’s first goal.
Half time gave the 7s the chance to regroup and all the team were determined not to be completely turned over by the opposition. The spirit and determination of the team through the whole half was amazing. The 7s were expecting to be on the back foot defending, but in spite of the situation James Clifton (who by his own admission is not keen on defending) lead the defensive effort in his own way – continually driving the ball up the pitch back into the opposition D, ensuring the Coalville defensive line were never brave enough to leave their half of the pitch! Some great contributions from Sooraj and Matthew kept the attacks coming, and provided the defence with some respite. Coalville eventually managed a further two goals both tapped in by un-marked players – Coalville had made their numerical advantage count. Towards the close of play Martin Skinner provided the 7s with the best attack of the afternoon – a driving run towards the right of the D, the ball slipped into Sooraj who struck the ball well, but was just wide of the mark. Final whistle went with Coalville 3-0 up. In spite of the score-line the 7s had nothing to be ashamed of in their performance with everyone playing a part in keeping the score-line so low.
MoM: James Clifton – for single hand idly leading the 7s attack
DoD: Not awarded – given the effort put in it was decided that no one deserved the title DoD
Squad: Pete Adey (GK), Martin Skinner, Charlie Boulton, Paul Yates, Jon Keep, Harry Taylor-Brewin, Matthew Jenson, James Clifton, Jonathan Adey, Sooraj Premsagar.
Ladies 2ndXI 2-4 Loughborough Students 3rdX
Goals: Courtney Thorpe, OG.
‘Rising up back on the street….’ the Saints Ladies 2’s changing room blasts out ‘Eye of the Tiger’ as the team mentally prepared for the game against Loughborough. The Saints needed a win. Coach Emily Wilkins instilled confidence and passion into the team ensuring game faces were on for the match ahead. The team were raring to go. The whistle blows and within minutes Loughborough scored and the Saints find themselves in what’s become a familiar situation. After missing a penalty flick Loughborough came under attack from the Saints. The equaliser came from a ball played through midfield from Emily Wilkins to Ellie Bleech and then passed to Courtney Thorpe in the D who slipped it under the keeper. 1-1 and spirits are lifted – momentarily at least. Loughborough immediately retaliated from the push back and scored again. Half time, 2-1 down and the Saints Ladies 2’s regroup, refocus and go back onto the pitch on a mission.
The second half saw the Saints attack from the start. Ellie Bleech continually pressed Loughboroughs defence on the left, staying strong and blocking any attempt from the opposition to break up the pitch. Saints 2nd goal came from some quick thinking from Sally Cory who walloped a side-line ball into the D and with a big dose of good fortune saw the ball loop up off a defenders stick and over the top of the keeper into the net. 2-2 and the chance for Saints to steal a win is back within their reach. Loughborough however were relentless and their attack was slick with some great passing through their midfield to their forwards who found the back of the goal for a 3rd time. Another penalty flick was awarded shortly after but missed again meaning the Saints were still within reach of a win. Numerous short corners later and the Saints failed to score in order to equalise. Loughborough broke again and despite some great defending by Winnie Jones, Clare Sibley and Laura Thomas the match finishes 4-2.
M.O.M = Ellie Bleech
Plank of the Day = Courtney Thorpe