Match Reports For Week 25 Saturday 22nd February Season 2002 - 2003

Mens 1st XI

After last weeks loss to league leaders Holcombe, Staines were determined to get back to winning ways against Henley. Although the scoreline looks comfortable Staines were made to work very hard for this win. The first half saw a poor Staines side struggle to break down a hard working Henley defence mainly due to some poor decision making and a general lethargy which seemed to affect the whole side.

The half time break came with the score 0 - 0 and not many chances for either side to reflect upon.

The second half was a much better affair with both Staines and Henley appearing much brighter after the rest. This was especially true of the Staines midfield who began to dominate their opponents in the middle of the pitch. Still Staines did not look like scoring and it wasn't until Mark Hampton strolled forward from his defensive duties that Staines took the lead. Hampton flashed his shot across the keeper and into the bottom corner after good build up play from the midfield. This goal seemed to inspire Staines and it was only five minutes later that they increased their lead with a superbly worked goal. The ball was cleared to Geraint Hughes who linked well with James Chapman and Robbie Watson and it was from Watson's pass that Mike Farmer rounded the Keeper to roll the ball into an empty net. It was now Henley's turn to rally and after a sending off for Adam Hart, they applied pressure to Staines' defence. Despite good work from Duncan Foster, John Stannard and keeper Neil Hallsworth, Henley managed to snatch a goal when a forward was left open at the top of the circle. The game became quite a tight battle with Staines being slightly more dominant with some great individual skill from Stuart Hall and Neil Toulson, holding on to their 2 - 1 lead. It was with Henley pressing for an equaliser a sharp break by Chapman and Toulson enabled Hughes to knock the ball into the net right at the death to make the game safe for the blue army.

After a poor first half display Staines were much brighter in the second half and it is this second half form that Staines will be looking for in this week's derby game against Ashford.

Mens 2nd XI

After last weeks' unfortunate loss against second placed Epsom, the Blue Army headed to Basingstoke hoping to pick up a win from a team that were, at the time, lying at a lowly position in the league. From the start it became apparent that the Basingstoke water based pitch was so bouncy it was like someone had placed some springs in the turf and the Blues would need a little time to adjust. When the short passes were played though Staines were looking dangerous. A short corner was won ten minutes into the first half. Jonny Dodwell pushed out, Andrew Oliver struck the ball causing it to lift off the ground but ultimately loop down to head towards the backboard. Before the ball could hit the back of the goal though, the Basingstoke keeper decided to get in the way and deflect it into the roof by lying flat on the floor. The umpire decided that the ball wouldn't have hit the backboard anyway and disallowed the goal. Then on the break, Basingstoke came straight back, won a short corner and scored. 1-0 down at half time.

Midway into the second half Andrew Oliver picked up the ball and banged it into the D allowing Jonny Dodwell to deflect it into the goal. No arguments there about this goal. The rest of the second half saw the Blues keep up the work rate but not converting any chances. A well fought game, but again this week Staines' passes to the opposition were more accurate than passes to their own players. We'll have to keep possession and go up a gear if we're to remain in the top half of the table.

Mens 3rd XI

Today was another historic moment in the annals of Hockey at the Staines Stade de Illuminaire. Today was the first time the Third Battalion were defeated at home in just over two years. A proud record has come to an end. Flags are at half mast, black armbands to be worn and flowers sent to grieving relatives.
The first half was reasonable, 1-1 at the break. But in the second half, the wheels came off faster than a 'borrowed' BMW being broken down by Scouse Forrester. In the end we were on the receiving end of a 7-1 thrashing - the worst deficit in living memory. Never were there a more miserable set of bunnies then the Men's 3's, at least not since Watership Down went down with Myximatosis.

After match voting was done quickly by Committee.
Hero 1: Mr Safety for the spectacular goal line clearance in the first five minutes, it was said therefore he could only have been crap for 69 minutes whereas everyone else was crap for 70.
Hero 2: Father Ted McDunners for the top quality bollocking, expertly delivered after the game (glad he is not my Dad).

BGB 1: Chubby Raynes - ran down too many blind alleys.....oh, and the Notcutts sniper got him again.
BGB 2: Sponging Student Lees-Low - gave away a P-flick for a lumberjack challenge in the D.
BGB 3: Scouse Forrester - got himself yellow carded, soft lad !
BGB 4: Housewives Favourite - just too many goals.

Mens 4th XI

Mens 5th XI

Well here we are at last. The mighty six-pointer against Woking ... High Noon ... well 11:30 actually. The visitors proudly boasted the only unbeaten record in the league and where sitting two points clear of us at the start of play. Mind you we did enter the game with 8 consecutive league wins since the 3-3 draw with Woking earlier in the season. So with Thames Valley having dropped off the pace since Xmas this match was going to play a vital role in deciding where the Championship goes this season.

With Keith away this weekend, we were fortunate to find that Ben was not working on Saturday for once, and he was quickly drafted in as cover. Dieg02 returned having been relegated to the 4's for a couple of weeks (he even scored for them you know!). We were extremely confident and totally focused on the job in hand. Martin walked passed the 15 Woking players and gave them a cheery "Good Morning!" ... to which there was a totally underwhelming response ... let's be generous and put it down to pre-match nerves and not to a lack of manners and/or respect.

Our team had all woken up in the early hours of the morning so excited they couldn't sleep ... Marco even dreamed of scoring a wonder goal ... Andy dreamed of attacking the opposition with his Body Shop blackhead remover ... and Frank held the record for broken sleep - everyday since Tuesday!

Mindful of the speed and trickery of the Woking players we reverted back to a back four this week with Jim slipping into the sweeper role. Ben came in at left back. The visitors started fast and they made a couple of early forays into our half. Then Edward the Cerise struck. After a mere 65 seconds the cack-handed child of the devil (he did choose to wear number 666!) ran through towards our 25 and dipped his shoulder into Richard ... the obstruction was seen by the eagle eyes of Edward ... our hit. The possessed one didn't like the decision one little bit and spat out that favourite of the persecuted ... F*?! Off ... Being so early Edward only gave him a green card - lucky boy.

This was just the encouragement we needed to start taking a grip on the game. Ben was looking the part after a shaky start ... his new muscular physique being a pretty good advert for daily trips to Holmes Place. There was plenty of snap in our play, all the way from the backs to the forwards, and we never let them settle on the ball. Then we had a purple patch and started putting on considerable pressure. Cheered on by a sizeable crowd ... most notably the Men's 1st and 3rd XI ... thanks guys ... we started to create some good openings ... and a couple of short corners. Then another break down the right and one of their defenders cut out the danger with a big foot ... faster than David Blaine Edward the Cerise had produced a bunny. a couple of doves and most importantly a yellow card.

With a man advantage we took total control and we won another short corner. This time we got it right and the ball was slipped back to Roly who swept home at the back post for a 1-0 lead ... yesss!!! A couple of desperate slash tackles from Woking midfielders chasing back gave us more short corners to work on, and their captain asked them to calm down ... otherwise they were heading towards 9 men.

Frank was even tighter than normal in his marking, reassured by big Jim being close behind him wherever he went (except of course after the match when he followed him towards the shower ...). With their passing options limited the Woking midfielders were being picked off regularly by the less skilful - but ever so more determined home trio. Dieg02 was introduced to add even more pace to our attack and shortly after we carved another opening that was only repelled by giving away another shorty. This time we failed to stop the push out but never mind ... Simon didn't panic in his backing up position and after the ball had gone more than the obligatory 5 yards he simply returned it back to Roly who swept it home off a defenders stick for 2-0.

Half-time : What a good performance. Keep it going. Duncan came over and gave us the thumbs up and more positive encouragement.

The second period saw a lot of slick play from both sides, but with a two goal lead Staines kept a more solid shape than normal to prevent the opposition from getting back into the game. Gordon livened up and went on a couple of those trademark one handed runs that leave the opposition in his wake. Sean went into overdrive tackling everyone everywhere. The visitors kept moaning about decisions ... strangely even when advantage was played and it was a hit to them.

There were short corners galore in the second half - the majority going to the visitors - but with the best chances falling to the home side. Brolly received the ball again at the back post ...Mmm... where is their marking ... but he swivelled and shot just in front of Sohail rushing in, and just wide of the far post .. murmuring of hatrick avoidance.

Time was running out and with about 15 mins to go Woking created their best chance so far... but although the shot beat Andy it didn't have enough power to beat Ben who was covering on the goal line. They came again and with only 5 mins to go they won a penalty-flick after Frank was adjudged to have deliberately obstructed the Woking forward. Who said Edward wasn't fair ... surely even a myopic supporter with a persecution complex and a civility transplant couldn't argue now ... or maybe not.

Up stepped their star player from the 1st game to take the flick ... but as everywhere else on the pitch .. his effort wasn't quite good enough and Andy made a good save. That deflated the visitors quicker than the Notcutts balloon at the end of the day ... and the clock was run off to give Staines a glorious victory.

Full-time : 2-0

Man of the Match : Mr "No Blackheads" Andy Bromley took the honours for his penalty save, from Duracell bunny Sean
Dick of the Day: One player won it with 666 votes ... or was player 666 with ...
Fan of the Day: Gordon was granted this special award for his raucous support for the 1st XI in the afternoon game. Nothing to do with all that Real Ale we were drinking!
Drinkers of the Day: Richard and Martin lasted the longest and were definitely in the "farts" category come the evening.
Antisocial Behaviour Award: Anyone involved in the pitch-side swearing and those who felt they had somehow been "cheated".

The win takes us a point clear at the top of the table, and with a game in hand we are now clear favourites to take the title. Six more matches - six more wins that's what is required. However the only bad news from the weekend is that our 16-0 thrashing of Kenley 4's is no longer the biggest victory in the league, Thames Valley won 19-0 against Kenley 5's.

Mens Centurions

Ladies 1st XI

Staines not only required a victory in this game, but were looking to make up some goals on joint league leaders Harrow. It was apparent from the start that Staines were the superior side, with the vast majority of possession. Attacks were relentless with short corners in abundance, but early attempts on goal were thwarted by an outstanding performance from the Winchmore keeper. Eventually however, a short corner lob from Ruth Hine was slotted home by Sarah Hamilton. Unfortunately Staines failed to capitalise on further attacks and two saved penalty flicks, but eventually doubled their tally with a superb individual goal from Ruth Hine, who skilfully lobbed an advancing keeper. The pressure now remains on Staines to achieve convincing wins in the remainder of their league games.

Ladies 2nd XI

Staines were determined to beat local rivals in this rescheduled league fixture on Saturday and played some of their best hockey all season during the first half of the match. Staines pressure and determination were soon rewarded with a goal when Captain Helen Fisher struck the ball and at the right post Bhav Patel cleanly put the in the back of the goal. The score remained 1 - 0 but after a positive and constructive team talk at half time from Coach John Stannard, Staines regrouped and passed the ball around well, making it hard work for the Ashford players. Sarah Chandler was unlucky on a couple of occasions when shots from the top of the D went slightly wide of the post after beating several players. Staines then won a short corner and Sarah Chandler struck the ball to the left of the post and Juliet Porter managed to get on the end of it to make it 2 - 0. Ashford to their credit didn't give up and applied continued pressure onto Staines and managed to pull a goal make. However, Staines team spirit and determination to win the match won through and the final score was 2 -1 to Staines. This result takes Staines 2nd in the league in their first season in Middlesex Division 1.

Ladies 3rd XI

Ladies 4th XI

Yet another week of last minute changes to our fixture, but thanks to some hard work on the part of Jo Ive, there was an opposition team waiting for us at the club by 9.30am. Camberley ladies looked far too eager for the time of the morning but the sunshine soon put us all in the mood to play.

Staines won the toss, opted for first push back and the game was underway. From the beginning it was obvious that both sides were very evenly matched and Camberley pushed Staines to use all of our energy as the game swung from one side of the pitch to the other. Staines defence kept out numerous attempts on goal by the Camberley attack, whilst our forwards and midfielders kept the Camberley defenders on their toes by constant pressure and some inspired passing moves.

A few short corners later at both ends and Camberley were on the offensive again, when Jude coming back with the midfielders to help defend got hit by the ball above her eye after it rebounded off a Camberley stick. With ten minutes left of the first half, Staines carried on with ten players to hold the first half at 0-0.

The second half began with all eleven of Staines players on the pitch. Jude, with a very attractive plaster above her eye, came back on - for which (in addition to some great play during the game) won her player of the match. There were some extremely close calls at both ends with goal keepers from both teams making some great saves. For Staines, there was some excellent defensive play from Sarah Everett and Penny Mixter, some amazing running in midfield from Alison Russell and some oh so close shots on goal from Alison Ford and Jude.

Staines and Camberley both worked really hard throughout the second half trying to score the winning goal, with neither team easing off in what was one of the most energetic, fought until the end, games that we have played this year. However, by full time no one had managed to find the back of the net and the score remained 0-0.

Thanks to Alison R's mum and dad for support - and the team photo! Thanks also to Heather and David for umpiring (Heather, a game at last!)