Match Reports from Saturday 1st and Tuesday 6th November

 

The “world famous fighting sixes” travelled to Leicester with a good mix of experience and youth in the fourteen man squad to play a strong youthful Leicester side in a good position in the league. After arranging the groups of rolling subs (something of a luxury for the 6s!) and passing round an unusual brand of energy drink in the changing rooms the game began.

 

Saints were immediately under pressure conceding a number of early short corners however Leicester were unable to capitalise. The back three of Ian Street, Martin Skinner and Nigel Riches assisted by the defensive midfield of Matt Jenson and Mark Seward (switching round with Jon Keep) managed to keep Leicester at bay, but the pressure became too much for Matt as he pointed out to the umpire that he disagreed with his decision and was subsequently awarded a green card.

 

It came as no surprise when Leicester broke the deadlock with two well worked goals and maintained the pressure with even more short corners which were again well defended by goalkeeper Pete Adey and the defensive short corner quartet of Ian, Martin, Matt and Nigel. Saints went into the half time team talk 2-0 down.

 

The second half started much in the same way, with Leicester grabbing another well worked goal to make it 3-0, until the attacking players started to be picked out and saints began to launch some attacks of their own. It was the first of these attacks which led to the ball being loose in the D and Archie Derby made the most of it and hit the ball cleanly through the opposition keepers legs. This seemed to be a turning point for the saints who used the pace of Tommy Corbishly, James Knight, Oakley Young and Mason Walding to put some pressure on the Leicester defence.

 

However it was not quiet at the other end of the pitch, withPete Adey being forced to make save after save to heroically keep saints in the match. Leicester made a late break through the defence and there was nothing Petecould have done to prevent the score line from reaching 4-1. Another promising end to the match and credit to Pete Adeyfor keeping the score line respectable.

 

MOTM: Pete Adey –fantastic saves throughout the match

 

DOTD: Matt Jenson– Green card and some ‘brightly coloured’ pieces of kit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Old Sills Masters 4-4 Men’s Masters

Goals: Darbyshire (2), Godman. Denton

On a cold night in Birmingham, Saints started the match in total control for the first 20 minutes and were two goals to the good courtesy of a Mike Darbyshire short corner and a well taken strike from Chris Godman. Their play was crisp free flowing and possession of the ball was paramount. About the midway point things started to unravel and with the rolling substitutions starting to unbalance the line up – Saints seemed more intent on piling forward than rushing back. Old SILLS used this by skilfully counter attacking and creating numerous chances and despite the best efforts of goalkeeper and the defence at half time Saints were trailling 3-2 at the break.

The message at half time was keep the shape which Saints managed to do much better and a great finish by Paul Denton and another crisp short corner by the youthful Mike Darbyshire put the Saints 4-3 ahead. The game continued to ebb and flow and as the frost & fog closed in Old Sills equalised almost on the final whistle. In truth a fair result, game played in a great spirit, well umpired  and the Saints masters were royally entertained afterwards.

 

Squad: John Bishop (GK), Jim Phipps, Tim Daverson, Martin Skiinner, Mike Darbyshire, Ian Knight, Max Darby, Guy Roberts, Ian Mcilwane, Chris Godman, Paul Denton, Malcolm Gray, Steve Morris