Match Reports from 18th January
Men’s 7th XI 2-0 Nottingham Players 4th XI
Goals: Alastair Bowden, Jez Deeks
The sevens started their first league match of 2014 feeling pretty good having had a solid win last week against Kettering. From the outset the game was quite frantic, with both sides guilty of a little too much ball chasing in the opening quarter. Attacks at both ends were quickly dealt with by the respective defences. As the game settled Players were keeping the ball in the saints half but were unable to string together a clean enough move to get through the defence. Martin Skinner and MOTM Charlie Boulton were particularly effective at keeping play out of the D.
With Players heavily committed in our half it was only a matter of time before Saints managed to string together a strong break. A solid clearance up the line was picked up on the right by Jez Deeks who drew 2 defenders before sending the ball cleanly through to James Clifton. His shot was saved but Alastair Bowden grabbed the deflection and sent the ball into the backboard.
After a good half time talk, mostly from Adam Powell (who was coaching from the sidelines all match) and from captain Jon Keep who tried to concisely make 2 points to focus on, and proceeded to forget completely what the second point was, the 7s returned to the pitch aiming to take much more control of the midfield. Jon Keep and Alastair Bowden were working together much more effectively and the game started to go to the 7s. A number of chances were created along with a selection of short corners. Alastair Bowden had a great chance to increase his tally, but decided a game of ping pong against the keepers leg pads was more fun (see DoTD). Eventually Charlie Boulton sent a great through ball up to the right hand corner of the pitch for James Clifton to run onto. He drove past his defender along the baseline and slipped the ball to the P-spot where Jez Deeks was waiting. Jez made it look easy and slipped the ball past the keeper.
Final score 2-0, a great win for the sevens who are enjoying winning a few matches.
Team: Pete Adey (GK), Charlie Boulton, Martin Skinner, Nigel Riches, Opie Charlett, Matthew Jenson, Jon Keep, Alastair Bowden, Ryan James, James Clifton, Jonathan Adey, Jez Deeks
Men’s 5th XI 2-1 Leek 4th XI
Goals: Ant Condon, Callum Ward.
Knowing only a good team performance would do against a side third in the division, Saints starting strongly, moving the ball around nicely and keeping control of the game. Leek relied heavily on hitting their two experienced forwards early, and they always looked dangerous, but with Elliot Wilde having his usual solid game, and with man of the match Jamie Cochrane ably supported by débutante Mark Shepherd it was only a matter of time before the team efforts were rewarded.
Saints first goal came after some solid approach work by Ricard Pryce and ended with Ant Condon left one on one, and he calmly lifted the ball over the on rushing keeper for the first goal. Leek then had their best spell either side of half time, but Saints got their second, slightly against the run of play, when a short spell of pressure ended with Nigel Down on the top of the D, he wriggled past the first tackle and followed instructions to hit the far post where both Jon Noble and Callum Ward were waiting, the latter sweeping in from a few yards.
The tempo then dropped a bit when Jon Noble had to rest his hamstrings but on his return to the pitch Saints got a hold of the game again. Leek scored their goal with 15 minutes to go, when their duo up front combined to create an opening, but after that Saints got a grip again and saw the game out for the 3 points.
Special mention to Mark Shepherd for a very impressive debut.
MOTM: Jamie Cochrane for a very solid defensive performance
DOTD: Karl McGregor for his sniper moment.
Men’s 2nd XI 4-0 Belper 2nd XI
Goals: Harry Yorke, Greg Summers, Dan Whittaker, George Roberts.
A tale of Taxis, goalkeepers, total hockey and fantastic teas!
An early meet time of 10am seemed to cause a few problems for Saints, with utility player Nick Beattie withdrawing at the last minute due to a ‘bruised arm’ from a taxi! (alcohol may also have been involved!). Keeper Jay Worsfold was enjoying a lay in, as he was under the impression the meet time was 11.45am! With the squad finally gathered, the team headed off to sunny Belper.
The game started off in cagey affair with both teams looking to settle. As the half wore on it was Saints who began to dominate, with the unlikely candidate of Matt Gausden coming closest to scoring as he agonisingly deflected a cross from Athiq Thamby to just the wrong side of the post (ruining any chance of ending his 5 year goal drought!). With defenders Ben Northedge and Lewis Ward mopping everything up at the back the first half finished 0-0.
The second half saw Northampton step up a gear, and after a near miss with a half-volley, Harry Yorke finally got his deserved goal as he ghosted in at the far post to tap the ball in. With Tristan O’Connor creating all sorts of trouble up front, a second goal seemed like it was only a matter of minutes away. And indeed it was as Greg Summers waltzed through 3 Belper defenders to arrive at the top of the D and casually strike the ball into the goal. Minutes later club captain Dan Whittaker finished the game off, as he was given time and space on the left side of the D to hit the ball past the keepers near post.
With only 15 minutes to go, left back George Roberts got in on the act as he found himself in the oppositions D, and after a goalmouth scramble, he was on hand to tap the ball in from a few yards out to score his first senior men’s goal. The game carried on at some pace with Saints movement on and off the ball causing all sorts of trouble for Belper.
The game ended and Saints went for some well -deserved teas, with burgers and apple pie on the menu, the perfect meal for any athlete!
Next weekend sees Northampton face a very tricky match, away to league leaders Loughborough Students.
MOTM: Tristan O’Connor – 3 assists, and possibly his best performance of the season.
DOTD: Jay Worsfold – ridiculously late for the meet time, and for then blaming Dan.
Squad: Jay Worsfold (GK), Greg Summers, Lewis Ward, Ben Northedge, George Roberts, Dan Whittaker, Matt Gausden (c), Chris Reid, Athiq Thamby, Sam Mitchell, Harry Yorke, Tristan O’Connor
Men’s 3rd XI 3-0 Boots 3rd XI
Scorers: Knight (2), Rose
Top of the table clash, winner goes top. Saints on ten game winning streak, Boots the visitors unbeaten in the league.
Saints started well and moving the ball around nicely didn’t give Boots much time on the ball. After several half chances, a lovely ball from Pete Comben to Pibworth found space in the D and after the shot was stopped on the line, Jack Knight was on hand to score the rebound. The game remained tight to the break with both sides not wanting to give.
Saints sparked into life in the second half with Hillier, who spent half the game on the floor, having his penalty corner shot saved, only for Rose to be in the right place to double the lead. There was time for a third after Pibworth hit the post, Knight again the grateful recipient. 3-0 and a confident Saints head into the rest of the season at the dizzy too of the pile.
Squad: Scott Bashford (gk), Steve Morris, Harry Stobart, James Miller, Jason Hillier, Ian McIlwaine (c), Luke Pibworth, Jack Knight, Dan Rose, Pete Comben,Pete Riches, Lewis Moran
Cannock 4th XI 0-3 Men’s 4th XI
Goals: Lloyd Atkinson (2), Simon Chapman
Saints 4ths travelled up to National league heavyweights Cannock full of “Candy crush” optimism. All of the omens before kick-off pointed to a performance of significant note from the men in white. And so it came to pass – Saints started the game controlling the ball well, the passing was accurate and the home crowd was soon silenced after the first 10 minutes. A great wall pass from Chris Clarkson laid the first goal on a plate for Lloyd Atkinson to put the Saints 1-0 up. Oozing composure all around the park Cannock struggled to get any sort of foothold in the game and it was no great surprise when Simon Chapman adding a second displaying a subtle change of pace to ghost in on goal – roofing it pass the hapless Cannock keeper.
Half time, in total control, 2-0 up – message pure and simple more of the same. That is just what the 4ths delivered passing a good Cannock side to death – a 3rd goal midway to the evergreen Lloyd Atkinson was no more than this performance deserved. The crowds started to leave in their droves, the game was up, the points heading back down the M6 – Saints saw out the rest of the half totally in control. Even a yellow card issued to Simon Chapman (for a number of poor stick tackles) could not detract from the team performance. This has really set the bench mark for the rest of the season and it is imperative that this win is followed up on Saturday against other National League big boys – Beeston at Home.
All that was left at the final whistle was a warm shower, cold beer and basking in a job well done !!
Man of the match – The team – superb allround performance to a man !!
DOTD – Candy Crush Chapman – tackling not seem since the Gary Paterson heyday !!