Match Reports from Saturday 8th February
Ladies 2nd XI 2-1 Matlock
Goals: Emily Wilkins, Sally Trappit.
After a long drive to Derbyshire, and high winds, Saints gave away an early goal to Matlock through a long ball hit through to a high player. Debutant goalie Freya came off positively but was slightly chipped.
As the game continued, Saints grew into the match and came out fighting in the second half. Emily Wlkins won a penalty corner and converted the well trained in out routine which ended with a flick into the net. Saints pushed hard for the win and won another penalty corner. This time Trappitt stepped up to slot away another well worked routine.
MOM- a tie between Freya (her first game) and Trappitt
DOD- Laura
Men’s 1st XI 5-2 Harborne 1st XI
Goals: Ben Scott, Joe Kopka (2), Gareth Parker, Christian Howard
Saints came into their match against Harborne looking to get back to winning ways after a draw at Staffs the week before.
The previous encounter was a one sided affair at Harborne before Christmas with Saints winning 3-1. Harborne however have signed players over the Christmas break, have appointed their old coach who took them to national league and were unbeaten since November. A different game was expected.
Saints started the brightest and look very solid in possession. Any Harborne attack was quickly dealt with by Sam Browne and Seb Jones, with Jamie Webb provided excellent distribution from right back. After ten minutes Saints won their first short corner and their first real chance. A wayward injection was stopped by Joe Kopka and as everyone seemed to stand still, Saints skipper Ben Scott stepped up to flick into the bottom corner. 1-0.
Harborne rarely broke the Saints D as they controlled the game through Joe Kopka and Gareth Parker in midfield. Saints second goal came from a counter attack down the left with Parker feeding Christian Howard on the baseline. Howard crossed to Kopka who, after seeing his first shot saved, used his close skills to good effect and nut-megged the Harborne goalkeeper. 2-0.
Saints third goal quickly followed from their second short corner. Scott saw his flick saved put Gareth Parker was quick onto the rebound the reverse stick the ball over the line.
This seemed to kick Harborne into life and after two short corners were defended by saints Harborne scored from their third. A drag pass down to the right post was deflected in to pull a goal back for the visitors.
With five minutes remaining in the first half, Saints retook control of the game. Good possession at the back between Browne, Cooper and Webb allowed Saints to break quickly again down the left. This time Parker found Stuart Clark who had lead out wide. His precision pass beat the keeper and left Christian Howard with a tap in at the back post.
Half time 4-1.
The second half was much the same as the first as Saints dominated possession. Grant Carlin worked well with Webb down the Saints right hand side and provided a constant threat. Saints wasted a couple of good opportunities in the Harborne D but the away side were the first to make the breakthrough. Saints failed to clear their lines in defence and gave away a short corner which Harborne converted. At 4-2 the game seemed a lot more open.
No panicking from Saints however and a moment of magic settled the match. Dave Saunders, playing in defensive midfield for the first time this season won the ball on his own 25 and ran the length of the pitch beating four players. As he approached the D he laid the ball to Joe Kopka who let the ball roll across his body before striking the ball into the top left hand corner.
The game ended 5-2 and a comfortable win for Saints who draw level on points with Lichfield who are 3rd. Next week Saints travel to Nottingham University who have recently beaten the top two sides, Bournville and Barford Tigers.
Men’s 2nd XI 1-2 Olton & WW 2nd XI
Goals: James Knibb (pf)
Saints travelled to a stormy Solihull on Saturday to face Olton & West Warwick.
With an injury to Lewis Ward, and Tom Hewitt, Ben Northedge and Tom Lewington all unavailable, veteran Guy Roberts came into the side. Sadly with those 4 missing, Saints could only field a bare 11.
The first half started very strongly for Saints as they moved the ball around at pace, and pressed Olton well. Against the run of play, Olton scored first following as some sloppy tackling by Northampton allowed an Olton forward to waltz into the D. 1-0 down but still fighting, Saints carried on pressurising, with a few chances coming and going. Shortly before half-time Saints were level as they were awarded a penalty flick following a rather obvious stick tackle by an Olton defender, as Northampton were clean through on goal. James Knibb stepped forward to convert. Half-time 1-1.
The second half saw the game open up with both sides searching for a winner. Chances went begging for both sides but midway through the second period, Olton scored as they were awarded a penalty corner for a late stick tackle by George Roberts. The corner was coolly converted into the bottom right corner of the goal. As with the first half, Saints fought for a way back into it, and they saw 3 shots very well saved by the Olton keeper. With the last couple of minutes of the game to go, Saints won a series of short corners, but just couldn’t find a way past some inspired goalkeeping.
A harsh result for Saints, but a good performance should see them go into next week’s home fixture against Rugby in full confidence.
MOTM: Greg Summers for some great all round play –strong in defence, and launched a series of attacks from right back. Special mention must also go to Matt Gausden, James Knibb and Guy Roberts who received some MOTM nominations.
DOTD: George Roberts – “Mr Angry”.
Squad: Jay Worsfold (GK), Greg Summers (c), Guy Roberts, Matt Gausden, George Roberts, Chris Reid, Dan Whittaker, Sam Mitchell, Tristan O’Connor, James Knibb, Harry Yorke.
Men’s 7th XI 1-1 Belper 7th XI
Goal: Jonathan Adey
Men’s 7s travelled to Belper for this weeks’ match. With a full quota of 11 players the 7s were looking forward to a close match with Belper 7th team. With the wind howling along the valley leading to the pitch the 7s chose to play into the wind for the first half – captain Jon Keep made this choice with the hope that it might help keep Tim Warburton in the midfield position he was meant to be playing rather than becoming ‘stuck’ above the opposition 23 metre line. Unfortunately Tim’s determination to charge headlong up pitch was stronger than even the wind, leaving the midfield undermanned and putting the defence under some early pressure. This was capably handled by regular Martin Skinner and men’s hockey debutant Jawwad Latif. Some very solid defending from these two kept Belper out of the D and gave the 7s the opportunity to get into the game. Some great drives from midfield earned some chances for the 7s, the best of these saw James Clifton through to 1v1 with the keeper. Unfortunately the keeper got the better of James. As the half drew to a close Tim Warburton once again charged forwards into the D, and into a solid group of defenders. The sloppy clearance was picked up by Jon Keep who drove through to the top of the D before slipping the ball left to Jonathan Adey. Jonathan struck the ball beautifully into the right hand side netting to score his first ever goal.
The second half was as closely balanced as the first with both teams having strong attacking opportunities. Tim Warburton managed to give away the best chance of the match, where on a driving run into the right hand side of the D he had drawn the keeper leaving both forwards James Clifton and Jonathan Adey on the left of the goal open for an easy finish. Tim chose to go it alone and gently tapped the ball directly at the keepers hand. A few attacks later found the 7s overcommitted and a quick counter attack gave an unmarked Belper forward the chance to strike the ball into the goal for them to equalize. There was plenty more action in midfield but as the game wore on neither team were able to mount any real threat of scoring – both defences holding firm. 1-1 the final score.
MOTM – Matthew Jenson – for some great work both in attack and defence and holding his own against several bigger and more physical opponents.
DOTD – Tim Warburton – who travelled back from uni just so he could claim DOD
Team: Pete Adey (GK), Charlie Boulton, Martin Skinner, Nigel Riches, Jawwad Latif, Rob Frost, Jon Keep (c), Tim Warburton, Matthew Jenson, James Clifton, Jonathan Adey