Match Reports For Saturday 17th September Season 2005 - 2006

Mens 1st XI

Mens 2nd XI

Our first proper game, our first home appearance in front of our beloved fans and our first victory as PTOTY took on the strong Barnes team that were promoted out of our league last season. This fixture usually guarantees sticks flying and cards aplenty, but both sides played the game in good spirit as we eased ourselves towards a new season.

Committing ourselves to Coach Duncan’s Uber System, PTOTY set off at a fast pace and had much of the early play, pressing Barnes high up the pitch and keeping the majority of the action in their half. But Barnes are a quality outfit and more than once they threatened to catch us out on the break with their pacey front line. But it was PTOTY who took the lead after 20 mins following a prolonged period of attack which saw Humphreyseys and Dodwell combine to set up Dodders for an easy tap in, which was stopped on the line by a Barnes foot. JD converted the stroke to put PTOTY 1-up.

Barnes were quick to reply as their attack began to find holes in our attacking system, with Bolty and Jezza mopping up the majority of their advances. But eventually a breakthrough came and Barnes equalized through a quick counterattack leaving our defence with a 4 on 2 and little chance. 1-1.

PTOTY continued to press, enjoying a large proportion of possession and looking more aggressive going forward. Neat moves from Watson, Hampton and Griggs in midfield almost brought us a second, but it was another slick move from Dodwell and Humphreyseys that saw PTOTY regain the lead. This time it was JD who beat the last man and deftly slipped the ball to Matty, who coolly finished from a yard for his second in 2 games. 2-1 PTOTY.

But Barnes got themselves back into it before half time as they again caught PTOTY on the counter attack. They again found a hole in our forward press, and from a 16-yard hit caught Seamus and Timbo napping, leaving their nippy left winger and centre forward with a 2 on 1 against the keeper. The CF’s movement was excellent, but his shot miscued, leaving keeper Roy wrong-footed as the ball looped into the net. Roy was typically harsh on himself, but he stood no chance. 2-2 at the break.

Positive words from Duncan’s understudy Seamus and Skipper Watson saw PTOTY re-emerge with spirits high, and within minutes had retaken the lead. As Barnes tired, the midfield engines of Hampton, Griggs & Watson provided our forwards with countless opportunities, but it was Humpreyseys who would steal the glory with a strike of pure class/luck. Once again the ball had broken to Humph left of the goal, and with players queuing up at the far post, he emulated his goal last year against A*%$&!d by ignoring the lot of them and bitch-slapping it top right, leaving the keeper, his team-mates, the crowd and his bird utterly astounded. The silence was deafening as he raised his arms aloft. It took a few seconds for the crowd to realize what had happened, but eventually they broke into a rendition of ‘We love you Humphreyses’ for what was a great goal. Looked like a pass to me.

As both sides grew tired, opportunities opened up at both ends, but neither side could take advantage. Fitness probably won this battle for PTOTY, which is pleasing. Lazy tackles started to fly in the final third, which wound both Umpires up but not the players. The game remained friendly, and both sides recognized the late pre-season challenges for what they were and shook hands after a hard fought game. It was a good workout against a good team. Although the result is meaningless, PTOTY can take heart from a victory against a team from the league above. Pity we couldn’t have beat them last year though, eh lads.

Didn’t get around to voting for post-match awards, so I get to choose. Special mentions to Beno for leaving his uber-pregnant wife to come play hockey, and turning his phone on silent in case she dare give birth during the match, and to Seamus for his PTOTY debut. Form is temporary, class is permanent and all that. DOD votes to Shane for cheating on PTOTY and to Watson for not knowing where to take short-corners from, then fluffing the push out in front on the crowd. Watson wins it for that. MOM votes to Griggs and Horan, because we built the website. But MOM has to go to Humpreyses for his 2 goals (3 in 2 games) which won us the game and which puts him top of the scoring charts. Fines to everyone who has scored less than him.

Marlow away next week. Party back at Beno’s, as long as Emma has dropped. If she’s in labour, just let yourselves in and don’t forget to feed the dog.

Mens 3rd XI

Mens 4th XI

Mens 5th XI

Mens 6th XI

Mens 7th XI

Mens Centurions

Ladies 1st XI

With only 1 week to go before their first ever League game in South Div 1, Staines produced their most lackluster performance of their pre season, leaving coach Seamus O'Connell with a headache ahead of the visit of Havant this Saturday.

Although winning by a comfortable margin, Staines never got into their stride and had to wait until the 22nd minute to open the scoring, Ros Suter with a trademark opportunist goal. Jo Ive then made it 2 minutes later before the visitors scored with their first shot of the game. A 2 goal cushion was resumed moments before half time when Sarah Chandler finished in clinical fashion.

A change of tactics in the 2nd half saw an improvement in the performance although several chances went begging before Chandler got her second following good work by Mel Martell on the right of midfield. Teddington immediately hit back and scored from their only penalty corner of the match. As the game turned into a midfield battle with Staines trying to dominate and the visitors stop them there was just time for the home team to make it 5 ten minutes before the end.

A lot of work will need to be done on the training ground this week if Staines are to get off to a good start this Saturday. Staines will be receiving the inaugural"Most Sociable Team of the Year" for South Clubs last season,as voted for by the Leagues umpires,before their game this Saturday.

Ladies 2nd XI

We had a training day at Ashford Hockey Club.

First match (3 lots of 20 mins) was against Ashford and we drew 1-1 – Oli Flint scored our goal.

Second match (2 lots of 25 mins) was against newly merged Hounslow & Ealing & Barnes – we won 2-1 – Serena Jacob and Ruth Crawford scored our goals.

The last match against Sunbury was abandoned.

Ladies 3rd XI

Ladies 4th XI

Ladies 5th XI

Staines 3 - Chiswick 1

Goal Scorers
Charlotte Ellison - Assisted by Ingrid Fear
Emma Crawley - Assistted by Charlotte Ellison (Penalty Flick)
Heather Howell - Assisted by Charlotte Ellison (Penalty Flick)