Match Reports from 23rd & 24th November 2013
Men’s 1st XI 4-0 Coventry & North Warwick
Goals: Ben Scott (2), Alex Press, Gareth Parker.
Saints travelled to bottom of the league Coventry & North Warwick looking to return to winning ways after last weeks’ draw at home to Rugby. And they did so rather comfortably, with a brace from skipper Ben Scott, plus further goals from forward Alex Press and midfielder Gareth Parker.
This win sees them hold onto fourth spot, and indeed only remain off third place due to goal difference.
Next week sees them face Sutton Coldfield at home in what is their last league game before the winter break. Push back is 12pm at Moulton College, all support will be greatly appreciated.
Men’s 2nd XI 3-1 Beeston 2nd XI
Goals: James Knibb (3)
After the disappointment of last weeks’ draw at Lichfield, Saints came into this home game against second in the table Beeston with a point to prove.
The pre-match team talk had emphasised the need for a composed, defensive performance with short, sharp passing to move up the pitch. And indeed this is what Saints produced as they put in their best performance of the season.
They held of an initial 5 minute spell of pressure by Beeston, and turned it round as they then began to dictate the game. The attacking, pacey combinations of Jack Pogson, James Knibb, Sam Mitchell, Tristan O’Connor andScott Mahoney were causing Beeston all sorts of trouble and a deserved opening goal fell to Saints through forward James Knibb.
As the half wore on Saints continued to apply the pressure: With the defence looking very comfortable (being superbly marshalled by Ben Northedge and Tom Lewington), it seemed only a matter of time before they would get the decisive second goal, however despite numerous chances goal number 2 failed to arrive so the half-time score remained 1-0.
The second half started as the first had finished, with chances coming and going for Northampton. Midway through the half Saints got the goal their pressure deserved as Knibb wasagain on the score sheet. With the game beginning to slip away from them, Beeston went all out attack and slightly undeservedly got a goal back through a penalty corner routine. In previous games this would have seen Saints capitulate. Not this time as they came back fighting and went on to kill the game with their forward Knibb completing his hat-trick by superbly lifting the ball over the advancing keeper after a very swift attack by Saints caught Beeston cold. With only ten minutes left Saints sensibly saw out the rest of the game.
MOTM: Could have been any of the team, but the eventual winner was Ben Northedge for his superb defensive effort sweeping up many a Beeston attack.
DOTD: Chris Reid for once again being the angry man of the team!
Men’s 3rdXI 12-0 Nottingham 3rdXI
Goals: Hillier (3) Riches (3) Pibworth (2) Knight, Moran, Rose, Thamby
Saints have recently got used to winning and this week was no different. 12 goals and a clean sheet for Bash saw Saints rise, if but for a few hours, to the top of the table.
4-0 at half time thanks to goals from Pibworth, Hiller, Riches and a delighted Dan Rose, with the other main talking point being James Miller’s air born pass then never quite made it on to the pitch.
The second half saw saints run riot as first Hiller completed his hatrick before Riches did the same, but not before apologising to the keeper. Pibworth scored a second and Man of the Match Thamby also got in on the action. Goals from Moran and a lovely bottom corner strike from Knight completed the dozen allowing McIlwaine to go off earlier to wrap up warm.
It could have been many more but Saints will be delighted with the healthy goal difference which may be crucial end season with several teams scoring freely.
MOTM – Athiq Thamby
DOTD – James Miller – aerials galore
Matt Gausden may be in a tricky situation after pre match he texted Hiller that he might buy a jug if 3s scored at least 12, but there again that might be Jason winding me up.
Squad: Scott Bashford (gk), Jason Hillier, Ian McIlwaine (c), Lewis Moran, Athiq Thamby, Luke Pibworth, Jack Knight, James Miller, Dan Rose, Steve Morris, Peter Allen, Pete Riches
Nottingham University 4th XI 9-0 Men’s 4th XI
Saints travelled to top of the table Notts University more in hope than expectation, giving a number of new faces their 4th team debuts. They managed the first 15 minutes, soaking up the expected pressure. Unfortunately as soon as the Uni managed to break the deadlock the floodgates opened and by half time there was no way back at 6-0 down. An inept performance meant that Saints contributed to their own downfall.
In fairness the second half saw a markedly more determined performance and only a further 3 goals were added. This was a chastening result and gave a real need for the 4th team players to look at their levels of attitude and performance before next weeks’ important home tie.
Men’s Masters 1-2 Bournville Masters
Goals: Richard Darby
Saints entertained last years’ semi-finalists in a pulsating cup clash at Moulton. Bounville dominated the first half despite the best defensive efforts of Steve Morris, Jason Hillier and Andy Dale and managed to establish a two goal lead by half time. Saints had threatened through the pace and skill of James Askew and Jez Deeks who were a constant thorn in the Bournville defensive line.
At half time Saints through caution to the wind moving to a flat back 3 and almost instantly started to create chance after chance as Bournville started to creak under the pressure with midfielders Phil Knight and Gary Paterson the main instigators. A yellow card to Richard Darby, a disallowed goal from Jason Hillier, post hit twice and the bar hit, Saints were really on top and knew just one goal would swing the game. The occasional threat on the Saints goal was expertly snubbed out by Pete Adey. The much deserved opening Saints goal finally came from a poachers’ goal from Richard Darby, re-instated after his mis demeanour. With 10 minutes to go, all the pressure was on the Bournville goal. There was still time for more short corners, great save from the Bournville keeper and two more yellow cards (both for over-zealous commentary on the game – one from Bournville and one from Jason Hillier). Final score line 2-1 to Bournville. This was a great effort from the Saints who were deserving of more from this game. Saints head to the Plate competition and will be a handful for anybody in the draw.
Ladies 2nd XI 1-3 Ashby 2nd XI
Goals: Sally Cory.
The 7.20AM meet time is proof of the dedication showed by the Saints Ladies 2s on Saturday and just how essential a win was. Arriving to a frozen pitch, the team was not put off and continued to prepare themselves for the tough game ahead of them. After a long and intense warm up on the icy pitch, they were ready to go. Inspiration and words of wisdom from Coach Emily Wilkins gave the team drive and passion to start the first half, exerting immense pressure against Ashby straight from the whistle. However Ashby were strong on the counter attack and it wasn’t long before they made a break and scored their first goal, and the Saints’ heads and confidence altered slightly. Many attempts were made by Sally Cory and Emily Wilkins to infiltrate the opponents circle and score, instead Ashby broke again and another goal was scored. Half time and 2-0 down, Colyn Biddle and Claire Dale reinstated composure amongst the team and prepared them to go back on to the pitch meaning business.
The Saints began the second half strong, with solid defence work from Clare Sibley, Laura Thomas and Winnie Jones, ensuring Ashby were given no opportunities to score. Sally Cory swiftly made Ashby pay for a mistake made by their defence, levelling up the score to 2-1. An equaliser was now in reach. Many short corners were awarded to the Saints, with particularly good skills by Nic Holton and Becky Mellor. Unfortunately these did not result in any equalising goals. Nonetheless a well-deserved penalty flick was earned, taken by Sally Cory and saved by Ashby’s Keeper. Most of the possession in the second half was maintained by the Saints and many opportunities for goals ensured that Ashby remained under pressure. Despite constant hammering from Claire Noble and Sally Trappet-Jones in the midfield, a final break by Ashby meant the game ended 3-1.
M.O.M: Laura Thomas & Clare Sibley
D.O.D: Sally Cory – “Who’s initials are CH?” That’s centre-half Sal.