Match Reports For Saturday 14th January Season 2005 - 2006


Mens 1st XI

Staines started the second half of their season by taking on Chichester at home having been thrashed 5 - 0 by them in the first game of the season.
 
Staines were determind that this would not happen again and looked to start the game strongly, however it was the visitors who started the stronger pushing Staines on to the back foot and hitting the post early on in the match. As Staines weathered the early storm they began to get into the game and find some rhythm allowing them to push forwards and create some chances of their own. As the half wore on Staines began to get more control of the game and with some committed tackling began to dominate their younger opponents.
The scoring was opened by John Stannard who showed great reactions to lob in the rebound to a James Chapman penalty corner and soon after it was two, when Gary Kemish got his first ever goal for the 1st XI, again following up from a penalty corner. At 2-0 Staines had full control of the game and five minutes before half time Rich Cardigan increased the lead when he forced the ball home from close range after good build up play from Stuart Hall and Adam Hart. A 3-0 half time lead was there for the taking but in typical Staines style a penalty corner was given away just before half time and the ball was deflected home superbly over Andy Green's despairing dive.
 
With the interval over Staines looked to keep the pressure on the young Chichester side by scoring an early goal to finish them off, however the goal took longer than they would have wanted, but it did come. Again it was Rich Cardigan who strode forward to knock the ball over the line - Just!!! At 4-1 up the game was pretty much done and dusted but as always Staines managed to let in another to put a bit of pressure back on themselves. Soon after though Staines finished the game off with another goal for Cardigan to complete his hat trick and a 5-2 win.
 
This was one of Staines' best performances of the season and the deserved win puts them into joint second place in the table with a tough away game at West Hampstead to come this saturday.

 

Mens 2nd XI

6 Points from the Old Enemy
 
2006 started with an excellent away victory at arch rivals Ashford, sealing a 6 point season whitewash, and setting PTOTY up for a push for promotion.
 
Ashford did themselves no favours by giving PTOTY all the incentive they needed via email earlier in the week. Bolton's Ashford-friendly colleague passed on a message for PTOTY that "no-one gets points at The Fortress". Well PTOTY escaped with 3, and although made to work hard for them, even the Ashford crowd agreed they were deserved. Only kidding - they were sick as dogs. But stuff 'em. We won.
 
The game started at a belting pace, with their new SA attacker stomping around trying to take bites out of everyone. That boy is quick, and he covers every inch of the ground. But for all his shouting and bullying, he couldn't hit a barn door from a yard. And so it was PTOTY who took the lead with their first strike on goal via a straight strike short corner by Jerry. His new stick worked wonders as he fired one towards the corner, only for it to strike an Ashford foot and rifle into the top corner. Sure, it was against the run of play, but our token foreigner can hit a barn door from 10 yards, and it was a sweet strike.
 
It stayed 1-0 until half time, but not before Ashford exerted most of the pressure trying to get back into the game. That said, they never looked like scoring, with Jerry and Bolton mopping up most of the attack, calling on Roy only occasionally to pull off the odd wonder-save. 1-0 at the break and PTOTY feeling positive.
 
The second half started in similar fashion, with Ashford going at it hell-for-leather in the opening minutes, only for PTOTY to grab another via a short corner. This time it was JD's turn to step up to the plate, using the 'short' move to full effect. Robbie slipped it to Jonny, who had 3 days to line up his shot and lifted it gracefully over the keeper before clipping the right corner of the backboard. A great strike, and another example of our barn door skills. 2-0 and PTOTY cruising.
 
Well I  say cruising, but as the game drew to a close it got more frantic. In fact, with Ashford forgetting all about defence and going for goals, it opened up more than once for PTOTY. And if Barry wasn't drunk, or if JD's pass wasn't too good for Digger, Griggsy and Bill, PTOTY could have put this game out of reach. Instead, with only a couple left on the clock, Robbie dropped into defence to give Jerry a breather, and inevitably Ashford scored, setting up a tense final few minutes.
 
Predictably Ashford laid siege to PTOTY's goal, but crucial interventions from Roy, Bolton, both Marks and Jerry saw PTOTY eat up the final few seconds. Ashford then secured a short corner on the final whistle, but as Robbie shrewdly pointed out, they'd had 20 during the game and not yet had a strike a goal. And so it proved as Mr SA received the ball top-D, had all the time in the world to strike a winner, but chose instead to let Bolty close him down before spooning it gently to Jerry, who swept the ball of the side for a 2-1 PTOTY victory.
 
Sweet just doesn't do it justice.
 
So a great start to 2006 and one that PTOTY must build on. Taking a leaf out of the 1's book, we should fear no team  - home or away - and promotion is within reach if we keep up our excellent start.
 
Mid Sussex at 'The Fortress'. No comment.
 
As for voting, it was close run thing for both MOM and DOD.
 
MOM was between goal scorers JD and Jerry, but Jerry stole it for both his fine goal, and excellent defensive display. Forget to mention, he cleared one off the line, reverse stick, in mid air, facing the wrong way, with his eyes closed. He has The Force that one. Well played.
 
DOD was between Barry and Robbie. Barry for turning up drunk, playing drunk, thinking he plays better drunk...and not. Robbie for allegedly subbing Jerry off, letting Ashford in to score. Very harsh. I was there and Jerry was begging to come off. But justice prevailed and it went to a vote, with only one winner. Barry. Drunk in charge of a stick. Please don't do it again.
 
Happy New Year.

 

Mens 3rd XI

Staines 3’s v Oxford Hawks

A damp lunchtime saw a depleted 3rd battalion Blue Army meet for the long trip to the outskirts of Oxford to takes the ones they call the Hawks (well maybe fledglings would be more appropriate!!) 
A bit of creative accounting on behalf of absent skipper Bill in picking Hudson although he is still in NZ meant that Alex and Simon joined us from the 4’s at the 11th hour.
Once we had all arrived, despite Jezza’s efforts to get us lost, we started well, putting Hawks under pressure and had a couple of chance’s until Hawks broke away from a short and caught us on the break. 0-1
Then we started to really find our feet, Beno and Max working well down the right considering they were marking 2 kids with a combined age of 25!  We eventually equalised when Jamal put a rebound from short in.  1-1
We held our own for the remainder of the half and reached the break pleased with our efforts.

The second half was a close fought affair with chances for both sides but our defence held solid with Andy pulling off a couple of good saves to keep it level.  We had our chances with Jezza shooting just wide and Tart having one saved well by the keeper.  Then as before Christmas, Arnould had a rush of blood and cracked a lovely pass straight to the left wing, who made it 1-2.  To be fair by now it was dark and the lights weren’t great and they were wearing dark burgundy and you couldn’t see them very well but that was just an excuse!
1-2 down with about 15 to go, time for some Blue Army fight.  Max had had a fruitless afternoon so far, trying to cope with a 14 year old and the mother on the side line shouting at her poor kid!  He finally found enough space to squeeze a shot off that went in to make it 2-2. 
10 mins to go and we were back in it!  Lets make sure we don’t lose this one now lads!  We scrapped for everything and fought for what was left over and eventually gained a short which ended up at Jezza’s feet and in the goal.  2-3 Staines and it made the whole journey worth it!

Oxford 2
Staines 3
Jamal Shakir
Max Hall
Jeremy Rayne

MoM Max Hall
DoD Ian Arnould

Next week, OMT at 1600

Mens 4th XI

 

Mens 5th XI

 

Mens 6th XI

 

Mens 7th XI

 

Mens Centurions

 

Ladies 1st XI

 

Ladies 2nd XI

 

Ladies 3rd XI

Mill Hill 2’s v Staines 3’s – Saturday 14th January 2006

Another early start for our first league game of the new year as we were off to Finchley to play Mill Hill.  Jo distributed maps and news of Mrs. Hughes’ arrival in the UK to all who were gathered at  Faulkners..  we were still waiting for a crucial player – Chantel at 8.50am.  So much for an early start! 

Amazingly, the maps must have worked as everyone made their way to Compton School with time to spare, chat, change and even warm up (surely a new years change for the better?!) and Staines begun the league campaign for 2006.  Playing in white, we still huddled and chanted “Blue Army” before the first push back…  And what a first push back it was launching Kate on her way to what we hope will be the first of many hat-tricks for the season after the first minute.  Staines were jubilant but knew we needed a few more goals just to make sure.  Two minutes later Anika slotted away her debut goal for the 3rd XI with Lizzie slotting away another goal – Staines finished the first six minutes 3 nil up.  Knowing we couldn’t afford to be complacent Staines kept up the pressure with Chantel only touching the ball in the first half to fetch it for a sideline hit!  Little Legs Lozza Fear scored a triumphant goal after about ten minutes.  After this, my timing of goals got a little hazy as I was trying to keep up with who had scored, when they had scored and how many they had scored!  The goals pounded in and we were seven nil up at half time.  Anika scored the fifth goal, followed by not one, but two goals for Kate!  We were counting the jugs at half time! 

The second half wasn’t quite the goal fest that we were dreaming for – although a very special mention must go to Lou Clark who had been moved up from centre back to left wing at half time (it’s all about tactics people) and proved that she hadn’t forgotten where the goal was after “all this time” (one of the player of the match nominations and not an observation by me Louby!) as she pushed it past the Mill Hill keeper.  Frustration was the name of the second half: for us not being able to score more goals and the defence having to do something and Mill Hill were often disgruntled by decisions made by the force governing the game.  I do remember seeing Burkie almost get a nosebleed when she went on a run during the second half – if I’m not mistaken she reached the MH’s 25….!?  It’s alright Burkie I’ll cover you!  Von-von-von-von-von kept her cool as her opposite continued to attempt to lift it past her and Burkie gave away a torrent of short corners in the last half (well three, but it was three too many), Smithy attempting to save a shot on goal with her crotch and Burkie kicking everything in sight (Basher would have been proud!!!).  Nevertheless, Staines managed to alleviate stress and pressure on the defence and Anika was left to score the final goal of the game nicely finishing off her hat-trick on her debut.  A great result for Staines and it ensured that 13 girlies (and Colin) went home with smiles on their faces. 

Player of the match was a tough call, but Anika triumphed for her hat-trick.  She was challenged for the vote by Lizzie, Kate, Linda and Louby.  Doris of the day went not to Smithy (new year new start!?!) but to Linda for making us believe she had left her tracksuit bottoms behind at the pitch – only to find them packed in one of her many, many bags!!  In all honesty though, Coaches Sticky and Tim would have been proud of our game – everyone played brillantly!  Well done ladies – bring on Teddington next week!!

Ladies 4th XI

It's the Glorious Fours Show with our Very Special Guest Star, Umpire Heather!...

It's time to put on shin pads 
It's time to dress up right 
It's time to meet the players on the astro pitch today. 

It's time to blow the whistle 
It's time to hit the ball 
It's time to score some goals on the astro pitch today. 

Why do we get up early? 
To make it Saturday! 
They say it’s meant to be fun 
Let’s hope it doesn’t rain...

And now let's get things started 
(Why don't we get things started) 
It's time to get things started 
On the most sensational inspirational celebrational gloriousational 
This is what we call the G. Fours Show! 

Straight back into a 10am league game for us, at home this week against PHC Chiswick. The whole gang was there, eager to get on stage and do their thang for a small but appreciated audience.

 There were moments of good play in the first half with some unfortunate missed chances on goal. There were moments of messy play too with occasional mad scrambles back to the other end of the pitch to defend our own goal but the midfield and Vics in particular worked hard to find some space and support the defence to hold the score to 0-0 at halftime.

 

KathWB had been off-stage for the first half, all the better to give direction at half time and this helped us to a more polished performance in the second half – our professional poise only briefly spoiled by KWB’s less than graceful dive to the ground in what could generously be called a really committed tackle. Lindsey-who didn’t get in from work til 3am but still had loads of energy!-linked up with Jana who took the ball into the D for a goal within the first few minutes. Kerry was on the left post in perfect position to knock in a cross from the right for our second goal, and Michelle ran rings round a few players including the goalie and knocked in our third to complete the South African hat-trick. The defence were hard at work too, defending a series of short corners and Karen saved a penalty flick SHE DIVED SHE DIVED as the grand finale and highlight of the show.

 

As JP said, “a bad day on the hockey pitch is still better than a day in the office”. A SATURDAY on the hockey pitch is at least a thousand times better!

 

Star of the Show – Karen

Muppet of the Day – Kath WB