Match Reports For Week 22 Sat. 27th Jan. Season 2000 - 2001

Mens 1st XI

Staines 3 Lions 3

Firstly, a large thankyou must go to Robbie Watson for the fantastic maps he provides for every away fixture. These are a class above the hand drawn maps that Duncan used to produce, which were often presented on greasy napkins from his local burger. However, Robbie's instructions on Saturday were not so clear as he successfully managed to navigate the whole team to the wrong school, all be it at the right time.

The match itself was a typical Lions V's Staines fixture, with a lot of scrappy hockey and missed opportunities from both sides. The game had a distinct pattern with Lions holding a one goal advantage three times during the match only for Staines to draw level on each occasion. In the end it was Staines who were unlucky not to take the three points, as a shot from our resident helium sucker, 'Mickey Mas', struck the post in the dying seconds of the game.

Anyway onto the best bit, who did what in the game.

JD opened the scoring for the blues, latching onto a badly cleared ball from the Lions defence. Adam (Man of the Match and Dick of the Day) was both a hero and a villain in the 50 minutes he spent on the pitch. After missing a golden opportunity in the first half, he adequately made up for his mistake by getting on the end of a fantastic cross from Duncan, and scored what he described as 'the best goal in his illustrious career'. You could say Adam was dead chuffed with his finish and put a smile back on his face despite being dumped by his girlfriend the night before. Larry, got the third from a short corner, once again slipping the ball between the goalkeepers legs with enough power to leave the Lions keeper with a centre parting, if you know what I mean. However, it was essential he redeemed himself after receiving a yellow card earlier in the game for a horrendous tackle, which saw him take a five minute breather. Stuart showed moments of brilliance going forward, and then reminded us all of his defensive frailties whilst tracking back, and Doc our only travelling supporter provided amusing banter and at times threatening behaviour to raise team morale.

Next week we have a massive game against Old Georgians who turned us over convincingly at the beginning of the season. Fireworks start at 11.30 Osterly, admission is free and large amounts of support is essential. Hopefully see you all there!!

Mens 2nd XI

"League leaders, City of Oxford, flattered by score-line in 4-0 drubbing by Staines"

Yes, it could have been more! A re-invigorated Staines second eleven showed where they really should be in the league table after thrashing the pants off the top placed team. And, with second placed PHC Chiswick only picking up 1 point since Christmas, there is still an outside chance of us capturing the top slot by the end of the season.

In the pre-match chat, Captain Clive instructed his troops on the new team formation. It took a little while to come to terms with but after about 10 minutes we cracked it and went on to completely dominate the game.

The Oxford formation was basically as follows: - Two men in defence and everyone else attack! This worked OK for a while until after 20 minutes Mikel Quinlan (in a generally much improved performance) broke away and combined superbly with Shane Abdul who stylishly slotted home from the top of the D. In the second half, Staines quickly added to their lead through a clinical finish from James Hall after a short corner strike rebounded from the pads.

Our third goal provided some amusement as a quickly taken free hit on the half-way line from Dave Woollatt found Shane Abdul who casually slapped the ball into the net while the Oxford players were looking at the Umpire and holding their arms up "Barthez" style.

Mark Lees-low capped a "below par" performance and left his team-mates in no doubt who would be receiving the "Weakest Link" award by trying a shot from an impossible angle while Shane and Mikael stood completely unmarked in front of goal. Shortly afterwards, we were awarded a penalty stroke. Being 3-0 up there were numerous volunteers to take the stroke but Mr Oliver showed characteristic speed to reach the ball first and showed how much easier it is to score from the spot when you have the cushion of a 3-goal lead rather than being at 0-0 with 5 minutes to go!

The Oxford goalkeeper had an outstanding match and kept the scoreline at a respectable level from their point of view. Meanwhile, in the Staines goal, Peter Austin made some excellent saves on the rare occasions that he was called upon.

Another solid performance from "new boy" John Duffield earned him his second successive Man-of-the-Match award and Andy Nelands narrowly avoided his fourth successive "Weakest Link" despite again playing in ridiculous sunglasses and wearing a pathetic pair of silky light blue football shorts.

Andrew Oliver

Mens 3rd XI

No report submitted.

Mens 4th XI

Staines 4's v West Hampstead 4's

Venue : Cranford

Date : 27-Jan-2001

Result : Lost 0-2

Heroes : Everyone deserved credit for their commitment ... and thanks to West Hampstead for coming back for teas

Zeros : Steve for creaming Keith's ankle before he even got on the pitch for the warm-up !!!

Starting the game without Gordon, Simon and Chris (G) was not ideal considering we were playing the best hockey playing side in the league; who have scored the most goals by far, and have a massive positive goal difference over every other team.

Unsurprisingly it was the opposition who took the game to Staines in the early stages - but we kept calm and started to build a few forays of our own into the West Hampstead half. However the more we pressed forward the more dangerous they became as their lightning breaks were a constant threat. Their incisive one touch passing and quick support play soon started to build up pressure on the boys in blue. As the pressure mounted a few mistakes were forced and it wasn't long before they were rewarded with a series of short corners. One whistled just wide of the left post. Another was blocked, but then midway through they converted one with a crisp shot just inside the post. We kept competing and managed a couple of promising attacks but always had to be wary of the quick breakaways. Half-time and no-one could complain that 1-0 to the visitors was a fair scoreline.

The second half started in the same vain as the first but then after ten minutes Staines rolled forward with more intent and started to worry the visitors defence. First in a scramble in the goalmouth Ada was twice denied by the keeper as he tried to flick it over him, and then he saved again as Martin followed up with a reverse stick flick. The ball ran free and Martin pushed the ball goalwards only for it to be stopped on the line by a covering defender ... rats !!!! The ball was cleared but we were now camped in the West Hampstead half and the pressure could be heard as the visiting defenders were barking loudly at their teammates. The visitors attacked once more but were repelled and now it was our turn to launch a quick counterattack, and were only thwarted when Danny's powerful shot was toe-nailed away just avoiding the onrushing Aiden and the far post. Rats again !!!!

Credit to the visitors as they re-grouped and stormed forwards again, and forced a series of short corners that were to prove decisive. The second goal coming when Danny blocked the hit at the top of the circle only to see the ball spin perfectly for the man at right slip who then smashed the ball onto Keith's foot on the line (well it was 3 sizes larger after being Rengerr'd before the game !) - result a penalty flick which was smoothly despatched.

It was an excellent end to end game and we can be proud of our second half performance in particular, however we must learn to release the ball quicker and to keep up the off the ball movement if we are going to beat the top sides in the division. Best wishes to West Hampstead and surely they will go up ... well we don't want to play them again next season do we !!

Martin Jackson

Mens 5th XI

No report submitted.

Mens Centurions

No report submitted.

Ladies 1st XI

Staines Ladies 1st X1 5 Hounslow & Ealing III 0

A home game this week for Staines Ladies who needed a win to keep them top of the league. Their opposition knew the pressure was on them to stop the home side winning as their second eleven Ladies team are second in the league. Staines were in control of the first half but unable to score the vital goals. Over eagerness to score left Staines scrambling around in front of goal. After the half time team talk, Staines came out in the second half a different team. They passed the ball around and opened up the play, leaving the opposition nowhere to be seen. Staines took command and their scoring tally was started by Sarah Hamilton. Next to score was Lizzie O'Neill with a reverse stick flick over the goalie. Kerry Maskery scored from a short corner for Staines's third and Nicki Walsh scored the forth. The fifth was a second for Lizzie O'Neill, and continued determination from the team nearly saw many more goals with Sue O'Connell and Melanie Attfield just missing out.
Staines chose the team as player of the match for the second half performance.

Ladies 2nd XI

Staines 5 - Hounslow & Ealing 0 With an extra half hour lie in on Saturday morning, we were more with it than normal and rearing to go, which was clearly demonstrated when Clare Holloway (using a borrowed stick after forgetting hers) scored her first goal of the season after just 30 seconds. It wasn't even our pushback, but Julia won a tackle straight away and we never looked back! Things got even better after Juliet scored 2 minutes later and we didn't have to wait too long for the next goal either, after their defence scored an own goal. By half time it was 4 - 0 after Juliet scored again. H&E did have a couple of chances but Anya (still stinking of booze from the night before) came up trumps saving from a flick! Late on in the second half Clare scored again to make the final score 5 - 0 (I guess she won't be giving that loaned stick back!). So all in all a good result, but it could have been more!.

Ladies 3rd XI

No report submitted.

Ladies 4th XI

No report submitted.