Match Reports from Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th January
Men’s 2nd XI 0-3 Birmingham University 2nd XI (Saturday)
After a week off due to a frozen pitch, the 2nd team returned to league action with a tough trip to 3rd in the table, Birmingham University. The side welcomed the addition of Nick Beattie and Jack Knight from the 3rd team. Sadly for Nick, his game was over before it started as 10 minutes into the game he pulled his hamstring.
The team overcame this early loss, to put in a superb rear-guard performance against a University side full of pace and energy (and 5 fresh substitutes!) with young right back Ricard Pryce particularly impressing.
Minutes before half-time Birmingham were awarded a penalty corner, and calmly dragged it into the bottom corner to take a 1-0 lead. This was harsh on Saints but still all to play for in the second half.
The second period became a more open game, with Birmingham University looking to press higher up the pitch, it allowed the likes of Sam Mitchell and Harry York to try and exploit the gaps. Sadly Saints couldn’t find a way past the Birmingham keeper.
Midway through the second half, Birmingham scored a second through another well worked penalty corner. And shortly before the end they scored a third and final goal with a shot from the edge of the D.
A harsh score-line for Saints, but a positive performance that they can take into future games.
MOTM: Ricard Pryce – a cool performance from ‘the Fridge’, who made sure he didn’t milk the plaudits. Credit also to keeper Will Powell for a string of fine saves.
DOTD: Nick Beattie – for the injury mentioned earlier in the report.
Squad: Will Powell (GK), Ricard Pryce, Elliott Wilde, Matt Gausden, Ben Northedge, Chris Reid, Tom Hewitt, George Roberts, Dan Whittaker (C), Sam Mitchell, Jack Knight, Harry York, Nick Knight
Men’s 2nd XI 5-0 Belper 2nd XI (Sunday)
Goals: Stuart Clark (3), Dan Whittaker, Chris Reid
Saints go Back to the Future!
The year was 1997, it was a very fine year for 2 reasons: Steve “Doc” Morris made his last appearance for Northampton Saints 2nd XI, and winger Harry “McFly” York was born. Fast forward 18 years to 2015, and Harry York celebrates his 18th birthday, and veteran Steve Morris winds back the years with his next appearance for the Men’s 2nd team, after hiding in our 3rd and 4th XI for a number of years.
This was a crucial match for Saints in their relegation battle. With Belper sitting just above them in the table this was very much a ‘6 pointer’. The game started scrappily with both sides looking nervous and sloppy on the ball. However the initial shaky period was over Saints began to impose themselves on Belper, and looked to move the ball around sharply. Midway through the first half, and Saints broke the deadlock from a penalty corner. After the initial shot was saved, captain Dan Whittaker found himself in the right spot as one handed, he poked the ball home from close range. The skipper was quoted as calling it “A lesson in minimal finishing”……
A second goal game soon after as midfielder Ben Northedge intercepted a Belper 16 hit out. He then fed forward Stuart Clark who rounded the keeper to slot the ball home. Half-time, 2-0.
The second half continued as the first had ended, with Northampton pressing Belper. On the occasions Belper did attack, they struggled to find their way past a stubborn Saints defence of Gausden, Roberts, Pryce, Wilde and Card, with centre back Nick Card particularly impressing in a man of the match performance.
With Belper beginning to tire with their bare 11 players, Saints sealed victory as Clark scored again with a back post tap in after a superb run and cross from Whittaker. A hat-trick was soon in the bag for Clark minutes later. And Saints afternoon was complete through the unlikely figure of defensive midfielder Chris Reid! A penalty corner routine saw Matt Marriott slip the ball left to Clark, who in turn slapped the ball to the P spot, allowing Reid to deflect the ball through the keepers legs.
5-0 – a great team performance, and Saints first clean sheet of the season!
A massive thanks to those that came to watch.
Next week they have another crucial relegation battle against bottom of the table Warwick University. 12pm push back at Moulton College Water Base (Gate 4). All support will again be greatly appreciated!
MOTM: Nick Card
Squad: Will Powell (GK), Ricard Pryce, Matt Gausden, Nick Card, Elliott Wilde, George Roberts, Harry York, Steve Morris, Simon Chapman, Chris Reid, Ben Northedge, Stuart Clark, Matt Marriott, Dan Whittaker (C).
Ladies 1st XI 4-0 Loughborough
Goals: Claire Gavin (2), Dani Hagan, Chloe Couzens
Brim Who???
Saints Ladies extended their lead at the top of the league with a less than pretty 4-0 win over Loughborough Ladies. After poor preparation, injury and holidays played their part in disrupting preparations for this game the team worked hard to overcome the rustiness and gel together for the win.
With captain Sarah Brimyard out the question of who could step up was answered with the return of player/coach LA Chacksfield to playing form after a long spell out injured. She turned it on and was back at home in the middle of the park. Rachel Jones and Emma ‘Cavey’ Cooper worked well together marshalled from the back by KJ Wilkins to get the ball to the forwards to do the business up front. Suzie claimed a sniper issue with Chloe falling foul of pot hole shenanigans so nothing changed there really.
Claire Gavin set about terrorising the opposition who couldn’t deal with the silky skills and quick feet which tore the defence to shreds so many times. That said Saints usual togetherness and off the ball running appeared flakey at times resulting in near heart failure for player of the game keeper Alex to swat their efforts away time and again.
At half time Saints regrouped and having survived a few near misses struck first in the second half with a sweet put in by Claire Gavin. This was backed up shortly by a Chloe Couzens put in at the left post which was after a mad few seconds in the D. This was the undoing of Loughborough who could only rue their shots not beating the keeper in the first half to give them a chance. A penalty corner saw a shot at the post by Dani Hagan go in followed minutes later by another Gavin special. Whose Brim? was the question on everyone lips. Saints finished the game feeling better for the win but with work to do and DOTD KJ remembering to not forget to remember not to forget bring the team-sheet.
Suzie is now off to find the snipers hide and Chloe to purchase tarmac for the pot holes