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| MENS MATCH
REPORTS |
| Brentwood 4 - 2 Waltham Forest men |
Forest finished their season with yet another loss and with only 3 wins since the Christmas break ended a lowly 7th in the table. This match summed up the season for the visitors as they dominated for much of the match but failed to convert a host of chances, with the unlucky Matt Tanswell hitting the post twice in quick succession in the first half, and then giving away 4 sloppy goals from the home sides only real shots on goal.
Forest started brightly enough and had the home side chasing shadows so it was no surprise when Tanswell scored from a well worked move. It was following this that Tanswell hit the post twice and from the home side first attack Richard Major in the Forest goal failed to clear the ball properly and kicked it straight to the centre forward who slotted it into the corner of the goal. Chances came and went for the visitors and it was debutant Marcus Webb who coolly slotted home after a neat through ball. 2-1 at half time and with the visitors so dominant there should have been only one winner but as so many times this season Forest let the game slip away from them. Brentwood drew level after Forest failed to clear the ball properly again and the home side went ahead when Major seemed to duck out of the way of a shot. Forest still had their chances but failed to convert any. The game was put beyond reach near the end when Brentwood's forward was left unmarked at the far post.
So a disappointing end to a season that promised so much at the start but Captain Chris Brown is quietly optimistic for next season, if the team can keep together, as the bunch of players he has at his disposal are as good as anything in the league and feels that all it needs to mount a sustained title challenge is the odd tweak here and there.
|
| Waltham Forest men 2-3 Ford |
The mens first team visited the run away league leaders Ford with only
10 players after a last minute drop out. Pre match talk was all about
containing the opposition with the hope of a break away goal to decide
the game. So, it was a nice surprise after 15 minutes of close play
that the visitors scored the first goal after some fine interplay
between Rob French and the scorer Matt Tanswell, making the job look
easy. This meant, however, there was still 55 minutes to defend a
slender lead and not surprisingly Ford upped the pressure but the heroic
Forest defence ensured little real opportunities for the home side. 10
minutes later and again from their own half Forest created another
chance and again scored, the same 2 attacking players, Tanswell and
French, combining well and this time French slotting past the keeper.
Forest endured more but were able to see out the first half, again the
defence on fine form.
The second half followed pretty much the same as the first half although
Ford were now making their presence felt in the D with better chances
coming and going. Forest never really managed to reach the heights of
the first half with tiredness creeping in and passes a little wayward
and so had very little time to steady themselves for the next attack.
Still chances came and went for Ford so it was looking like Forest's day.
Fords frustrations were showing and so the game got a little more heated
with the tackles getting a little stronger on both sides. Finally Ford
broke through and scored and whilst Forest still looked strong there was
definitely a feeling that the breach had been broken. A now exhausted
Forest managed to hold on until with 10 minutes to go from a short
corner Ford got their equaliser. And with seconds to spare at the end
from another short corner Ford scored the winner and their shrieks of
joy showed how much it meant to them having lost no games this season
they nearly lost to 10 men. Whilst Forest put in a good performance it
was frustrating to have gone so close. |
| Waltham Forest men 4 - 5 Old Southendians |
The end of the season cannot come quick enough now for Captain Chris Brown as Forest slipped to yet another defeat. A shortage of players meant that the home side came into this match with only 11 players and this proved to be their downfall.
The early exchanges were dominated by Forest and they were soon ahead after a drag flick from Nico Kurt after 5 mins. 2 mins later and the lead was doubled as Nico Kurt added a second from a penalty corner. Phil Peacock was carried off after being hit on the knee and did not return so Forest had to see the rest of the match out with only 10 players.
Things did not seem so bad when Matt Tanswell added a third but things then started to go wrong. Old Southendians got back into the match when they were allowed too much time out on their right to pick a pass in to the circle which was deflected past the despairing dive of Yogi Patel. They soon added a second from a carbon copy goal. 3-2 at halftime and Forest were looking drained after chasing the ball for most of the half. Old Southendians drew level when another cross was deflected in and they went ahead after the home team were stretched and the centre forward had an easy tap in.
Despite being down to 10 men Forest were creating chances and only the visitors keeper kept them ahead but he could do nothing when Rob French drew the home side level. Unfortunately the visitors then scored a breakaway goal minutes remaining to give the visitors a hard earned victory.
Elsewhere in the mens section the 2s beat Dunmow 1s 3-0, the 3s drew 3-3 with Old Southendian 3s and the 4s lost 9-0 to Thurrock 4s |
| East London 3 - 5 Waltham Forest men |
A comfortable win, and a much improved performance, against local rivals East London halted the run of losses for Forest.
The scoring was opened by James Wilby after only a few minutes when Chris Brown found him unmarked at the top of the circle from a free hit, Wilby's first touch took him slightly wide but from the angle his fired in an unstoppable shot. Forest were soon two up and in cruise control when Nico Kurt was first to react to a rebound and flick high into the net.
At this point East London were in disarray and rarely threatened the visitors goal as the defence of Greenwood, Stern and O'Rourke held fast. As is so often the case this season, a penalty corner caused problems in the Forest defence and O'Rourke, unsubtly, saved a goal bound shot on the line with his foot. The ensuing penalty flick was dispatched easily and suddenly East London were back in the match. James Milanovic restored Forest's two goal lead before half time after good work by Lucy Da Silva left him with an open goal. 3-1 at halftime
The second half was a bit tetchy and with 5 green cards being shown for various offences but it was forest who went further ahead through Da Silva. Another well worked move left him in acres of space and he made no mistake with his shot. East London gave themselves a glimmer of hope with their second of the day. Da Silva should have restored the 3 goal lead but from a yard out and the goal at his mercy his managed to drag the ball onto his foot. As it was Matt Tanswell did restore, a pinpoint pass from O'Rourke at the back found Rob French in full flight down the wing who in turn found Tanswell in the middle who sneaked the ball past the goalkeeper. Near the end East London managed to give the score line some respectability which their performance probably did not deserve.
A better performance and 3 points which would have pleased Forest captain Chris Brown.
Elsewhere in the mens sections. The 2s beat top of the table Chelmsford 4s 3-1 to move into second place. The 3s match was postponed and the 4s lost 6-0 at home to Crostyx 4s
|
| Waltham Forest men 0 - 4 Ramgharia |
This, as the cliché goes, was a game of two halves. The home side dominated the first half and should have been 3 up by the break but the missed chances came back to haunt them in the second half. Forest's first half display was perhaps the best of the the season and kept 2nd placed Ramgharia pinned back into their own half for long periods.
The build up play was slick and the home side probed both flanks looking for the gaps. Matt Tanswell, Jams Milanovic, Nico Kurt all had clear chances to put Forest ahead but, as many weeks, this went begging. 0-0 at halftime and the visitors were lucky to be level As so often the case this season a penalty corner became Forest's undoing, A straight strike found its way between goalkeeper Yogi Patel's legs and from that moment on there was only going to be one winner. As Ramgharia piled on the pressure the home sides structure disintegrated.
Where slick passing and movement existed in the first half, now disjointed play existed. A second Ramgharia goal effectively killed the game as a contest. The visitors added 2 more goals in the closing moments to make the scoreline 4-0. For the second week in a row the home side were left to wonder about what could have been had they taken their chances.
Elsewhere in the mens section the 2s had they promotion bid dented by a 3-0 loss away to Southend 2s. The 3s maintained their promotion bid by beating Upminster 4s 9-0. The 4s lost 4-1 to local rival East London 4s |
| Wapping 5 - 3 Waltham Forest men |
With only one win in four matches since the Xmas break the wheels have well and truly fallen off the Waltham forest season. This could be due to the fact that neither promotion or relegation is a serious prospect and the team's focus has gone but surely captain Chris Brown expects more.
Saturday's visit to lowly Wapping was another display which lacked energy and the basic skills of hockey. Forest could have taken the lead when Nico Kurt hit the crossbar from a short corner and Brown fluffed his shot on the rebound. Almost immediately Wapping went up to other end and scored. Things got steadily worse for the visitors as they were soon 2 down from a straight strike at a short corner, so often their undoing this year. Soon it was three when the Wapping forward was allowed to shoot, unopposed, from a tight angle and found the corner of the net. Forest had a glimmer of hope just before halftime when Rob French pulled one back. The captains halftime speech focussed on upping the energy levels to match the oppositions and the fact that as badly as the team had played they had more than enough chances to be winning.
Wapping pulled three clear after another straight strike from a short corner found the backboard. Shortly after a fifth was scored by the home side. Suddenly Forest started to play hockey, perhaps fed up of the embarrassment, and for the last 10 minutes it was all one way traffic. Forest Matt Tanswell pulled one back and then Rob French got on the score sheet for the second time. If the chances had been put away Forest could have salvaged something from the match but alas it was all to little to late.
As the visitors wandered off the pitch at the end they were left to wonder why they only played for 10 minutes of the match and rue the missed chances.
Elsewhere in the mens sections the 2s beat Saffron Walden 3s 6-0, the 3s won 5-1 against Saffron Walden 5s and the 4s had a 3-0 walkover against Old Southendians 5s
|
| Waltham Forest men 5 - 2 Uni of Essex |
In the end this was a match won comfortably by the home side but the score perhaps did not reflect the true competitive nature of this match. The opening exchanges were a scrappy affair with both teams squandering possession far too easily. Forest, still looking rusty after the Xmas break, struggled to do the basics correctly, such as stopping the ball, after finding good positions.
It was the home side who opened the scoring when Matt Tanswell fired in a shot from a penalty corner and Phil Peacock got a telling touch to divert it goalwards. Forest were soon 2 up when Nico Kurt scored his sixth goal in 3 matches from his trademark drag flick at a penalty corner.
With Forest 2-0 the students started to get niggly and perhaps one or two should have seen yellow and some off the ball incidents. The students could have scored one or two but thanks to some poor finishing and good goalkeeping they stay 2 down but they did pull a goal back just before halftime.
The visitors besieged the Forest circle at the start of the second half and it was no surprise when they equalised, a hard hit from outside of the circle was deflected past Yogi Patel in the Forest goal. At this point there looked to be only one winner and it wasn't the home team. Suddenly Forest woke up and a quick break found Tanswell and Rob French alone with the visitors keeper, a well timed past from Tanswell left French with an open goal and his shot crept in just under the bar. This was to open the floodgates in the last 10 minutes and first Tanswell and then Shaun O'Rourke added to the score.
Elsewhere in the mens division, 2s won 2-1 away to Brentwood 4s and the 3s won 3-1 away to Harlow 2s |
| Thurrock
4 - 3 Waltham Forest men |
A disappointing start to the second half of the season as Forest looked rusty after the Christmas break and never really got going in this match. The home team went ahead when they managed to squeeze a shot in at the near post from a very tight angle and they soon went 2 ahead after a quick break left Shaun O'Rourke alone at the back against 3 forwards and they made no mistake. At this point it look like the visitors were going to be on the wrong end of a thrashing as nothing seemed to be going right for them. Their passes were weak and off target, the tackling and marking none existent. Nico Kurt gave a glimmer of hope just before halftime when he produced a drag flick into the top corner from a penalty corner.
2-1 at halftime and the visitors felt that if they could up there game just slightly then they could get something from the match. It was the home team who came out on top though. A carbon copy of the second goal with the defence over-run leaving a tap in for the forward. Again it was Kurt who put Forest back in the match with his fifth goal in two matches, another drag flick into the top corner. Unfortunately Forest could not draw level despite having the chances and the home team pulled further away with a fourth goal. With 2 minutes left Forest got a third but it was all too little too late.
Captain Chris Brown will be looking for more efforts and a vastly improved performance for University of Essex visit next week
Elsewhere in the mens division the 2s beat Thurrock 2s 3-1 and the 3s suffered their first defeat of the season 1-3 at home to Witham 3s |
| Upminster
1 - 5 Waltham Forest men |
|
The first half of the season finished with a
resounding victory for Waltham Forest in atrocious conditions.
With the rain teeming down the visitors dominated the opening
20 minutes but were unable to convert their possession into
goals. Captain Chris Brown stepped up to show the way after
a burst through the middle and a weighted pass from Matt Tanswell
found him at the edge of the circle, his first touch was impeccable
and with his second touch fired an unstoppable shot in off the
post leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. This lead to a glut
of goals from the midfield as Nico Kurt added a second before
halftime with a drag flick that seemed to be going high over
the bar until the home keeper deflected it into his own net.
Early in the second half the home team dragged themselves back
into the match with a goal against the run of play and this
led to some nervous moments in the Forest team. Forest to see
out the final 15 minutes with 10 men after Rob French had to
leave the pitch with a bad cut above his eye after a deflection
from the goalkeeper. What could have been tense turn into a
rout for the visitors as, first, Kurt scored his second goal
of the day with another drag flick which somehow beat the goalkeeper
at the near post. Brown then added his second, and the teams
fourth, as he controlled a deflected cross and buried the ball
on the half-volley. Kurt got his third of the day as he slid
in to convert a Tanswell cross high into the roof of the net.
Forest can be relatively happy with the first half of the season.
Playing some good hockey and not being outplayed in any match
they can look forward to the rest of the season with relish.
Elsewhere in the mens section the 2s had a walkover against
Marconi, the 3s notched up a 10-0 win against Maldon and Little
Baddow and the 4s narrowly lost 2-1 to Witham. |
| Waltham
Forest men 3 - 5 Ford |
|
This week saw Waltham Forest face league leaders
Ford who had just recorded a 6-0 win over 3rd team Plashet but
Forest still decided to start with an attacking line up.
The first 5 minutes saw most of the action in Forest’s
own half and so it wasn’t a surprise when an attack down
the left was crossed to a lone striker on the back post to knock
in a simple tap in. From here Forest picked up their game
and started to make in roads in to the Ford half giving as good
as they got in a high tempo game. Ford, however, were
to score the next goal and it was starting to look like it could
be a repeat of Ford’s previous result.
Forest weren’t reading the script though and managed to
claw a goal back after a cross from Rob French was met by a
James Wilby shot in to the Ford net. The rest of the half
was end to end stuff with a handful of half chances for either
side but it was Ford yet again to take advantage with the Forest
defence unable to do anything to stop a goal bound shot.
Soon after the goal an innocuous hit on the foot ended the game
for Steve Hare who went off injured. Matters weren’t
helped when a frustrated James Milanovic from Forest received
a yellow card and 5 minutes on the sidelines for hitting the
ball away at a Ford free hit. Forest managed to cling
to 3-1 until the half time whistle.
The second half soon saw Milanovic allowed back
on and Forest took the game to Ford determined to go down fighting.
In their push forward however they were vulnerable on the break
and Ford took advantage of this with a one two to put a Ford
player through with the keeper, Yogi Patel. He managed
to hold up the player but was unable to stop the pass to another
Ford player who slot the ball in to a partially open goal.
Again Forest kept persevering and were starting to knock the
ball around nicely, Ford seemingly happy to sit on their 3 goal
lead. From this Forest were able to get a handful of short
corners and finally from one of them James Wilby managed to
score his second. Forest tried to maintain the pressure
but again Ford pulled another goal out of the bag with some
efficient shooting in the Forest D to take the score to 5-2.
Forest managed to pull one back, a cross from Shaun O’Rourke
found Robert Boulton at the back post who scrambled the ball
back to Matt Tanswell who scored from his first rebounded shot.
Forest kept pushing forward and nearly managed another but for
a missed tap in from the back post by Rob French. Moments
from the end James Milanovic was shown another yellow card for
an off the ball incident and the game was seen out with no more
goals.
|
| Waltham
Forest men 1 - 2 Brentwood 2nds |
|
A match that Forest should
have won at a canter but through away with some sloppy finishing.
The home team started brightly enough and created chances but
some last ditch tackles, lucky deflections and the width of
the crossbar all prevented them taking the lead. They eventually
took the lead midway through the first half after a penalty
corner had broken down Matt Tanswell found himself at the top
of the circle with the ball on his reverse stick side, as is
now commonplace he put a shot on target which somehow sneaked
past the visiting goalkeeper.
At halftime the visitors has created nothing
in terms of chances and were lucky only to be one goal down
but as is often the case with Forest they didn't take full advantage.
In the first fifteen minutes of the second half chances came
and went for Forest, who perhaps should have had a penalty flick
when the keeper up-ended Tanswell after being beaten. Captain
Chris Brown perhaps should have done better when he surged through
the middle and latched onto a pass from Tanswell but age caught
up with him as he could only just get the end of his stick on
the ball with only the keeper to beat. Forest at this point
were dominating the game and creating chances at will but then
midway through the second half they reverted back to the bad
old days and started dribbling too much. Brentwood easily picked
them off and played long balls up to their striker. It was from
one of these long balls that the equaliser came as the striker
turned neatly and fired a shot into the corner. Still Forest
created chances but got hit with a sucker punch with 5 minutes
to go when another long ball found the striker who in turn found
an unmarked team-mate at the top of the circle who easily beat
Yogi Patel in the Forest goal. The home team could, and should,
have earned a draw when in the dying moments Rob French burst
through on goal but with James Milanovic and Matt Tanswell up
in assistance, creating a 3-on-1 with the goalkeeper, he inexplicably
dribbled into the goalkeeper and the chance had gone.
Next week Forest travel to Old Southendians hoping
for some better finishing.
Elsewhere in the mens section the news was better
as 2s travelled to Wapping 4s and returned with a 3-2 win, the
3s returned from Wapping 6s with an exciting 7-4 victory and
the 4s rounded off a good day with a a 4-1 victory at Southend
4s. |
| Clacton
3 - 3 Waltham Forest men |
|
Forest went on the annual trip to the seaside
to face a Clacton side who had beaten high fliers Plashet the
previous week. For the second week in a row the alumni from
York University were unable to read meet times with 3 turning
up 30 mins early and one facing a train trip to Clacton to turn
up at half time, what do they teach them up there.
Anyway back to the hockey, the visitors started
very slowly and soon found themselves 2-0 down, the first coming
from a deflected free hit, the second from a straight strike
at a penalty corner. Forest could not find any rhythm, their
passing was woeful and their general demeanour meant that it
was going to be a long afternoon. Suddenly they woke up and
all aspects of their games became a lot slicker, their passes
found their targets and they made inroads in the Clacton defence.
Halftime came and Forest were 2-0 down but Captain
Chris Brown told his team to carry on as they had finished the
first half and this was a game that could easily be won. Rob
French, having turned up at halftime, came on up front to inject
a bit of pace and it was him who got Forest back on track, a
quick break and a one-two with Matt Tanswell, French found himself
with only the keeper to beat and he did so, putting the ball
away from a tight angle. It was all Forest and Brown had a shot
smartly saved by the home keeper. It didn't take long for the
visitors to draw level. A well worked penalty corner found James
Milanovic free on the corner of the circle and his first time
shot beat the defenders on the line.
From a rare foray into the Forest circle, Clacton
earned themselves a penalty corner, one of numerous decisions
by the partisan home umpire which baffled the Forest players,
and their captain shot into the bottom corner. All the good
work seemed to be undone but the visitors were not finished
yet and another quick break again found French and his quick
turn and shot pulled Forest back level and they could have won
it at the death when another penalty corner found Milanovic
free and his shot went inches wide.
A good second half performance which could, and
probably should, have earned Forest all 3 points but after the
first half display they probably would have settle for one.
Next week Brentwood are the visitors to Douglas Eyre.
Elsewhere in the mens section, the 2s returned
to winning ways by beating Brentwood 3s 3-1, the 3s beat Brentwood
5s 3-0 and the 4s lost 4-0 to Ramgharia 2s |
| Waltham
Forest men 3 - 0 East London |
|
The home team won this match at a canter after
an impressive first half display. Forest proved to be too strong
for the visitors and dominated the match, using the width of
the pitch well the home team moved the ball around at will and
attacked down either flank whilst at the back the defence were
rarely troubled by a side seemingly devoid of attacking ideas.
The first goal come after a flowing move was
stopped illegal by an East London defender, form the resulting
penalty corner Adam Greenwood scored with a rasping shot which
the defender could only deflect into the net. Shortly after
Forest were two up when Matt Tanswell found himself at the top
of the circle, his reverse stick shot hit the cross-bar and
bounced down on the line, Imran Arshad, making his 1st team
debut, reacted quickly and bundled the ball over the line.
More chances came and went for Forest who could
almost open the visitors up at will. 2-0 at halftime and it
was looking easy.
As is now customary for Forest they started the
second half a bit slowly and East London tried to get back into
the match and enjoyed some possession without ever really threatening
the home side goal. And it was Forest who scored again after
a Phil Peacock deflection was poached on the line by Tanswell.
All in all an excellent performance and they
will be looking to continue when they face the long trip down
to Clacton next week.
Elsewhere in the mens division the results were
not quite a pleasing, the 2s early season form looks to have
deserted them after there second defeat in as many matches,
this time they went down 6-0 to Chelmsford 4s. The 3s drew 2-2
away to Clacton 2s and the 4s lost 7-0 to Crostyx 3s. |
| Ramgharia
4 - 1 Waltham Forest men |
|
Forest suffered their second defeat of the season
but the 4-1 scoreline did not reflect fully on the performance.
For large periods of the match Forest more than matched the
home side and it was only Ramgharia clinical finishing at short
corners which proved the difference.
From the start the visitors moved the ball around
well but most of the match was a midfield battle with neither
team looking likely to break the other down and so it a little
bit of luck with which Ramgharia scored their first goal. A
short corner took a wicked deflection from the foot of a Forest
defender and looped high over the stranded Yogi Patel in goal
to give the home team the lead. Patel then pulled out a tremendous
save to top the home team doubling their advantage as he parried
a rocket of a shot. Forest worked hard to get on level terms
and it was from a short corner of their own which provided the
chance to draw level. A shot from Rob French was stooped on
the line by a foot and Matt Tanswell stepped up and coolly dispatched
the resulting penalty flick. 1-1 at halftime was a fair reflection
of the game.
Ramgharia regained the lead from another well
worked short corner which left the attacker free sat the penalty
sport and he slotted the finish low past Patel. The third was
a carbon copy and effectively sealed the win. The icing on the
cake came for Ramgharia their midfielder somehow managed to
dribble his way past 3 defenders in the corner and his cross
was finished by the oncoming forward.
Captain Chris Brown will be unhappy at the scoreline
but not the performance and I am sure Forest will lay a lot
worse than this during the season and still win.
Elsewhere in the mens section the 2s lost their
first match of the season 3-1 against Southend 2s, the 3s continued
their fine form with a 6-2 in against Upminster 4s and the 4s
had the result of the day with a 14-0 win against East London
4s. |
| Waltham
Forest men 4 - 2 Wapping |
|
Forest made hard work of this victory in
this NE14HOCKEY Division 3SE match against visitors Wapping.
The home team made light work of the first
half against very poor opposition. Adam Greenwood, newly installed
in midfield, got the scoring going with a simple tap in from
inches out after some good work by the forwards. The second
came shortly afterwards. Matt Tanswell held the ball up in the
circle and his perfectly weighted ball allowed James Milanovic
to place his shot in the corner giving the visitors keeper no
chance. Things got even better shortly afterwards when Matt
Tanswell found himself unmarked at the edge of the circle and
his reverse stick shot from a very tight angle somehow sneaked
in between the post and keeper.
Halftime and Forest were 3-0 up and cruising.
Captain Chris Brown asked his team to keep doing the basics
and more goals to come. He also warned against complacency.
It was with these words that the second half started. 5 minutes
in and Wapping were back in the game as they opened up the Forest
defence. Another 5 minutes and another goal to the visitors.
Forest were getting stretched and a Wapping equaliser looked
likely. The home side could be grateful to keeper Yogi Patel
who stood firm in the Forest goal and produce a string of decent
saves.
The home sides nerves were calmed when James
Milanovic scored his second of the day which was a carbon copy
of his first. That was the end of the scoring and a 4-2 victory
to the home side.
Captain Brown will not want too many matches
like this as it is not good for his heart at his age.
Next week Forest travel to local rivals
Ramgharia. |
| Waltham
Forest men 2 - 3 Plashet |
|
In this NE14HOCKEY Division 3SE match Forest will count themselves
unlucky not to come away with some points. Forest were marginally
the better team in the first half against high-flying Plashet,
and always looked dangerous on the break with the pace of Lucy
Da Silva and Matt Tanswell upfront. It was Da Silva's pace which
created the first goal. A Plashet attack was broken up and a
quick ball up to Da Silva on the half way line allowed him to
easily beat the slow Plashet defender and a quick shot at the
top of the circle went high into the roof of the net allowing
the visitors keeper no time to react, skipper Chris Brown will
be wondering why he cannot show such shooting prowess every
week. Plashet slowly got into the match but had created very
few chances from open play and the only threat they really had
from penalty corners. It was form one of these that they scrambled
a goal home from close range. Matt Tanswell soon restored the
home team's advantage with his trademark reverse stick shot.
Towards the end of the half the game starting to get a bit tetchy
with Plashet stopping the quick Forest forwards by fair or foul
means. Halftime came and with the home team 2-1 ahead, Skipper
Brown asked for the team to cool and the match was theirs for
the taking.
 |
Unfortunately these words went unheeded and Plashet were
soon on level terms. Another penalty corner resulted in
a straight strike at goal which keeper Yogi Patel will
feel he should have done better with, and blotted an otherwise
excellent game. Another short corner put the visitors
ahead and it was a lead the home team could not claw back,
although they did create some good chances. As the match
drew to close it became a very stop-start affair as some
of the tackling became more robust and the match ended
with a Plashet player getting a yellow card for almost
decapitating a few people when he wildly hit the ball
away after disagreeing with a decision.
Despite the loss there were some positive points for
the home team, especially the man-of-the-match performance
of debutant Tim at the back. If Forest play like that
for the rest of the season they will be up there in the
promotion race. Forest entertain Wapping at home next
week with a 1pm pushback.
Elsewhere in the mens section the 2s continued their
good start to the season with their 3rd win out of 3 with
a 4-1 win against Colchester 3s, the 3s went top of the
Div 7SE with a 3-0 win against Wapping 5s and the 4s lost
their first match of the season 0-3 against Old Loughtonians
Academy. |
|
| University
of Essex 2 - 3 Waltham Forest men |
|
Waltham Forest Mens continued their unbeaten start to the season
with a hard fought win against the University of Essex. Forest
started well enough and a flowing move down the right ended
with a shot by Lucy Da Silva which the home keeper did well
to save but Jamie Lamont put the rebound into the back of the
net for his first league goal for Forest. The students slowly
got into the match and Forests good passing from last week was
nowhere to be seen. Both sides had breakaways but on the whole
the match was a scrappy affair until the students broke away
and scored with a soft shot that sneaked into the corner. Halftime
1-1. The second half started exactly as the first with Forest
scoring in the first 5 minutes, a short corner was struck on
target by Da Silva which was again saved by the keeper but James
Wilby followed up and put the rebound high into the roof of
the net. Again the students fought back and scored from their
own short corner via an unstoppable drag flick in off the underside
of the bar. The game looked like it was going to end in a stalemate
until Lucy Da Silva scored another rebound after the home keeper
have yet again thwarted another attack. Fulltime 3-2
With 4 players missing and never really hitting the heights,
captain Chris Brown would have been happy to come away with
all 3 points. In the past few seasons it is a match they would
have certainly lost.
The team will know they have to step up a gear if they are
going to beat Plashet next week who are sitting on top of the
table after 2 easy wins in the opening matches.
It was a successful weekend all round for the mens section
as the 2s beat Brentwood 4s 5-2 and the 3s beat Harlow 2s 6-2,
the 4s start their league campaign next week. |
| Waltham
Forest 0 - 0 Thurrock |
| A new look Waltham Forest team, including
3 new players started the season with a solid display against
last seasons third placed team. Traditionally slow starters to
the season Waltham Forest may have taken a point against the strong
opposition but perhaps will count themselves unlucky not to have
taken all three.
Forest played some decent hockey, moving the ball around well
and creating chances but their finishing did not match some
of the build up play. Generally the play broke down in the visitors
circle where an extra pass would have left somebody with an
open goal. It is this aspect of the game that Skipper Chris
Brown would have been most unhappy with and will be looking
for an improvement in the coming weeks.
The first real chance fell to Matt Tanswell after some good
work down the right by new boy and man of the match Jamie Lamont.
His skills took him past two players and found Tanswell at the
top of the circle, unfortunately the striker took a little too
long with his shot and the danger was cleared by the visitors.
Lucy Da Silva then created space for himself in the circle but
unfortunately again the shot was off target.
The second half continued much as the first with Forest pushing
forward and creating chances and Thurrock happy to play breakaway
hockey which the new look defence of Nico Kurt, Steve Hare,
Dave McGuiness and Robert Boulton easily repelled, goalkeeper
Yogi Patel only having two shots of note to save all day.
Brown would have been happy with this first outing of the season
as it gives a good platform from which to build. Next week Forest
travel to newly promoted University of Essex.
Elsewhere in the mens section the 2s won 8-2 against Thurrock
2s, with the opposition goalkeeper walking off at halftime when
they were 5-0 down. The 3s drew 2-2 with Witham 3s.
|
|
|
| LADIES
MATCH REPORTS |
| Bromley & Beckenham 2 - 0 Waltham Forest Ladies |
Forest ladies were determined to win this contest to claim the second spot in the league, but just couldn't find the back of the net despite throwing everything they had into the game.
The Walthamstow girls were clearly the better side on the day, with the vast majority of possession and play staying in their attacking half. Despite this, a goal mid-way through the first half delighted the home team, as the ball unluckily bobbled and deceived the Forest defence to open the scoring.
Forest were confident that they would win back the upper hand and played their hearts out until the final whistle. They battled well, producing a rock solid defence and a midfield busy winning tackles and making key interceptions to keep the pressure on. Forest had their chances - a couple of shots were just whiskers away from the goal post yet even with several penalty corners, Forest just couldn't find a way through the home defence. A fine aerial shot by Anna Pearson was one of Forest's better chances, but the 'keeper's fast reactions kept her sheet clean.
Returning from injury Kathryn Tucker showed what Forest had been missing with a good display from central defence and was voted the player of the match for her come back.
Although the result was disappointing, captain Ayleen Duske was proud of her players. "They gave everything they had, and that's all I can ask for". Forest have finished the season on great form, finishing fifth in the league, they currently boast the both the best defence and most goals scored, which must surely put them favourites for the top spot for the next league campaign. |
| Waltham Forest Ladies 2 - 0 ODF |
Waltham Forest notched another well deserved victory against bottom of the league Old de Ferrians on Saturday. The visitors were no push over team and despite a great number of chances Forest had trouble finding the gap in their armour. Forest kept possession well, but were quick to be punished for any mistakes by the determined visitors.
A penalty corner gave Forest their first goal. Ayleen Duske's quick pass back to injector Anna Pearson to sweep in at the near post for a textbook move executed to perfection.
Going into the second half Forest were playing confidently, but without as much determination as they perhaps needed given the narrowest of goal margins. With so many Forest players ploughing forward they were always going to be susceptible to a fast counter, and ODF produced some very quick and threatening moves to trouble the Forest defence.
Fortunately Jo Mitchell was on form as ever and stepped into action several times to thwart the visitors with her extremely effective reverse stick tackle. 'Keeper Mog Campbell also found herself saving the day on more than one occassion as she ably dealt with a couple of worrying one-on-one situations.
Forest's second goal was a carbon copy of the first. With Duske and Pearson repeating the successful formula to give Forest that all-important goal cushion.
From then on in, it was plain sailing for the hosts as their confidence rose and they knew the points were in the bag.
This win brings Forest up to third place in the league, although some surrounding teams have games in hand. With just one game left to play Forest will look to round up what has been a very promising season with a few more points. |
| Brentwood 0 - 3 Waltham Forest Ladies |
Forest ladies repeated the scoreline of their first encounter against Brentwood on Saturday putting another 3 goals past the hosts.
The first half was lively, with both sides well matched although the visitors could claim the edge with the closer and the majority of the chances. There were no goals, but it was an encouraging performance from Forest who were passing better than recent games and holding on to possession well.
Jo Mitchell and Mandy Briggs were both busy in the Forest defence doing an effective job of breaking down the Brentwood attacks, and out-of-position Emma Roscoe did an increasingly well-settled job at the back.
There was still plenty to improve upon however and Forest did just that in the second half. Following a double save on the line as first Linda Neimantas then Philippa Leguen de Lacroix attempted to sweep up Anna Pearson's saved shot, the umpire judged the ball to have hit the back of the defender's stick and duly awarded Forest with a penalty flick. It was a harsh decision for an unintentional foul, but it was inevitably only a matter of time before Forest scored. Captain Ayleen Duske stepped up to do the honours putting a fast high ball to the keeper's left and successfully put Forest in the lead.
Forest's second goal came from swift early balls as Leguen de Lacroix quickly passed to Neimantas who in turn found Pearson in the circle who dispatched a powerful shot on target to reward the team with a two goal lead.
Boosted by their lead, Forest played with much more conviction as gradually Brentwood heads went down as the result became more of a certainty. Sue Moore nearly swept in to score following some good work down the wing by Leguen de Lacroix whose textbook pull back was unfortunately put behind the approaching Forest support and wrong footed Moore who would have had a good scoring chance.
Player of the match Am Perry was involved in a great deal of play, intercepting, regaining possession and moving into attack which helped to give Forest the upper hand. Another good team goal starting from Perry onto Leguen de Lacroix, then Neimantas and finally some nifty dodging from Pearson culminated in Forest's third goal as Pearson caught her own rebound and thumped it against the backboard from close range.
With the season nearly at a close, Forest have just two games left to play. They sit only 3 points from the top spot, but are currently positioned fifth in an unusually close league. Next week Forest host bottom of the league Old de Ferrians and will hope to add a further 3 points to their campaign. |
| Waltham Forest Ladies 2 - 0 BBHC |
It was very much a game of two halves for Forest ladies on Saturday in Walthamstow as they showed a promising start, good movement up front and plenty of attacking action during a first half which featured two hard fought goals. The second half, however, was almost shambolic in comparison. Forest they lost all authority and most of possession and hardly troubled the visitor's defence during a spell they would be best to put behind them.
Forest's first goal followed a superb long ball from Jo Mitchell to Anna Pearson. Pearson did all the hard work and carried the ball up into the circle for Linda Neimantas to finish off with style. Neimantas skillfully rounded the final defender at the near post and from a tight angle squeezed the ball in at the far post.
 |
Following plenty more action in the circle, it wasn't too long before Forest notched their second. This time Neimantas turned provider to let Pearson through onto goal who neatly nutmegged the 'keeper and ran on through to make sure the ball crossed the line.
Several penalty corners were enjoyed by the home side, but their efforts were frustrated by good work from the BBHC goalkeeper who was quick to dive. Forest made note of this and wanted to make more of their chances in front of goal by going around the keeper in the second half, but had few opportunities to try anything new.
Indeed what seemed to be an early ten minute spell of possession by the visitors soon turned into most of the second half as they pressurised the ball and kept Forest out of the game. Despite BBHC upping their game, home 'keeper Mog Campbell had little to do as her defence did a good job of protecting her and keeping the visitors away from the goal mouth. |
Forest's own second half chances were also few and far between. The best of these were two penalty corners but both came to nothing and the home side instead looked tired and sloppy. Forest have no doubt that they should have done much better against a team languishing at the foot of the table. Next week they travel to mid-table Brentwood and recent form suggests that they will need to do more than pull their socks up if they want to claim the three points. |
| Canberbury 2A 2 - 0 Waltham Forest Ladies |
Forest's away form took another dent as they lost to an impressive Canterbury 2A side on Saturday.
Canterbury were consistently the better side on the day, with quick passing and effective movement off the ball, forcing Forest to spend the majority of the match camped in defence. The visiting midfield also didn't equal the strength and depth of the hosts and the forwards mustered only a handful fairly non-threatening trips into the attacking circle.
It wasn't all bad for Forest however, as the defence played their hearts out and managed to keep the scoreline limited to just one nil at half-time. The Canterbury goal, when it did come, inevitably followed a few well saved attempts and during the ensuing goal mouth pressure the visitors were eventually rewarded with their first.
Key tackles from Jo Mitchell and fast tracking back from Clare Bullivant thwarted the hosts time and again, with make shift defenders Mandy Briggs and Emma Roscoe admirably stepping into their injured team-mates' shoes to once again do a great job.
Typically it was 'keeper Mog Campbell who earned her stripes with a painful - but key - save, as the ball struck her knee cap. It looked as if the floored Campbell might have been ruled out for the rest of the game, but she battled on and kept the Canterbury tally down.
The second goal came in the second-half, another almost scrappy effort, but one which found a rare chink in Forest's armour and was again well deserved by the home side .
Although Forest's squad wasn't at its strongest as injuries and illness sidelined four of their usual players, there were still 11 of the first team on the pitch, so they will not look to this as an excuse and will need to focus on some dramatic improvements to their recent performances in order to climb back up the table.
This result sees the ladies drop to fifth, just five points off the leaders, and with four matches left to play, the championship title seems out of reach, but they will want to finish as high as they can. |
| Gore Court 3 - 2 Waltham Forest Ladies |
Waltham Forest ladies dropped off the top of the table following a disappointing result away against Gore Court ladies on Saturday in Sittingbourne.
The first half saw on-form Gore Court take an early lead, when Forest stand-in defender Emma Roscoe lost her footing in defense, the hosts dispatched an impressive strike just an inch inside the post.
Although on the whole it was a close match, Forest were frustrated by silly errors in possession and general poor passing. The slower pitch certainly didn't suit Forest's usual fast flowing game, but they were also thwarted time and again by the hosts who were quick to apply pressure and cut out angles. Forest therefore found themselves mostly camped out in midfield, with not nearly enough threatening attacks.
Gore Court found the backboard again following a good passing move which Forest failed to close down in time. Forest clearly stepped up a gear, as frustration turned to resolve. A shot by Anna Pearson was stopped on the line by a foot, and Ayleen Duske made no mistake with the ensuing penalty flick to close the gap to two-one before half-time.
The second half saw a mixed, but generally better display from Forest, although not before Gore Court had again restored their two goal lead with another successful effort. Forest responded with a penalty corner which was perfectly converted by a Duske pass to Philippa Leguen de Lacroix who deflected the ball high into the net for a textbook move.
In the dying minutes, despite an increasing number of efforts, Forest just couldn't find the third goal to equalise. Linda Neimantas came close following a superb move down the right wing from Mandy Briggs and Anna Pearson, but her shot was just inches wide.
It certainly wasn't Forest's finest hour, and there can be no real complaints with the result as Gore Court controlled the game and were probably the better team on the day. The next match sees Forest travel again to Kent, this time to take on Canterbury where they will hope to improve on the draw from the first leg of the fixtures.
|
| Gillingham Anchorians 1 - 1 Waltham Forest Ladies |
A top of the table clash saw Forest travel to Gillingham to take on the Anchorians.
It was a physical and hard fought game. Silly Randy gave away a flick which gave the Anchors the lead. Randy "doesn't really like playing in defence" she said, in her defence.
Mog logged or didn't log as I wasn't there to see it. I always like to imagine that Mog did log though.
Tucker got reduced and has a black and blue ankle for her trouble. Her crutches are making her hands sore. Not as sore as her broken ligaments though.
After the final whistle Forest just had a penalty corner to play out: everyone piled forward, and after a couple of rebounds, Anna Pearson got the ball over the line and in between the posts to equalise. Woo hoo.
Exciting last minute stuff. Legendary. If you were there. |
| Waltham
Forest ladies 3 - 0 Maidstone 2s |
Waltham Forest were keen to improve on the one nil away loss suffered earlier in the season against Maidstone, a scoreline they felt was somewhat against the run of play. So Forest should have come out fighting for the rematch at home on Saturday, but it was by and large a mediochre display.
Loose passes, poor concentration and a general lack of conviction made the game much harder work than was necessary for the hosts as they gave away possession cheaply, and tired themselves as they allowed the visitors to counter attack. Despite this, there was also the occassional glimpse of good hockey, with the improving forward line up showing some promise of better things to come. A great flowing move from deep in midfield produced an almost certain scoring chance, but what should have been a text book pull back was over-hit by Philippa Leguen de Lacroix out of reach of her goal hanging support.
It was no surprise that the goals when they came were generally scrappy affairs. Anna Pearson doing well to bury the first of the match from a rebound and missed clearance by Maidstone. Pearson was again on hand to find the net in similar fashion later in the half to take the score to two nil. They were much needed goals and relaxed the hosts somewhat when perhaps they should have retained more determination.
The first half was mostly made in midfield, with Sue Moore giving a gutsy performance, and Ayleen Duske working as hard as ever. The second half featured plenty of end to end action with Maidstone pressuring often. The hosts endured several penalty corners against them, but the fortress of the Forest defence was as inpenetrable as ever. Forest added one further goal before the final whistle. Left back Clare "Ginger" Bullivant showing the forwards how it is done by finding the backboard for her first ever league goal.
Forest can take heart that they did create some good scoring opportunities, even if on this occasion they weren't rewarded directly by goals. The final score of three nil was kind to the hosts, but they won't argue with fully deserving the three points which hoists them to the top spot in the league. |
| Hertford ladies 0 - 1 Waltham
Forest ladies |
Waltham Forest ladies travelled to a drizzly Hertford on Saturday to try to improve on the 2-3 loss they suffered earlier in the season during the first leg of their league encounters against Hertford ladies.
The match started at a fast and frenetic pace, with the hosts putting pressure on the visitors at every opportunity. A 15-minute spell tested the visitor’s defence to the full and lead to some stalwart defending by Mandy Briggs and Kathryn Tucker. Hertford would have surely scored were it not for a spectacular dive across the goalmouth by left back Clare Bullivant to clear the danger.
Although territorially, the hosts shaded the first half, Forest managed to edge the match in the second.
Following a rasping team talk by Captain Ayleen Duske, Forest were instilled with some much-needed confidence. Dogged determination coupled with some smooth moves up and down the channels eventually paid off with several short corners.
Mid-way through the second-half Anna Pearson dispatched a low reverse sweep, putting the ball beyond the reach of the keeper, to open the scoring.
Forest nearly made it two when the ball fell to Philippa Leguen de Lacroix in the circle, her first time shot was at a blistering pace, but hit directly at the ‘keeper.
With such a narrow lead the match continued at a high tempo as both sides fought hard to either protect or change the score line. The midfield trio of Duske, Am Perry and newcomer Sue Moore were constantly busy and provided the travelling supporters with plenty to shout about as the action swung from end to end.
As the conflict reached the final stages, Forest’s day was again saved by the brilliant ‘keeper Mog Campbell, who pulled off some great stops and together with sweeper Jo Mitchell Forest ensured their defensive record would remain the most frugal in the league.
This narrow win lifts Forest to second place in the division, although as many as seven other teams are all within the same five point margin and some have a game in hand. With so much riding on each result, the remaining eight fixtures of the campaign are sure to produce some spectacular clashes. |
| Waltham
Forest ladies 2 -2 Harpenden |
|
The first game of 2008 saw a promising start
for Waltham Forest ladies with a draw against league leaders
Harpenden.
It was a challenging match, with close marking
and good defensive pressure from both sides reducing goal scoring
opportunities. Although the action swung from end to end, both
keepers had little to trouble them in the first half.
The second-half was a better display, as both
teams warmed up to the action after the christmas break. Forest
opened the scoring with their first penalty corner. Anna Pearson
injecting to captain Ayleen Duske, whose first time strike was
deadly accurate and thundered the corner of the backboard to
the home crowd's delight.
With fifteen minutes left to play the visitors
managed to scramble the ball over the line following a corner
of their own to draw level. However, with plenty of time left
to find another goal, Forest did just that. A fully deserved
solo goal from an extremely determined Duske, who battled through
several tackles to flick the ball into the net.
Harpenden were far from out of it though, and
ultimately got the better of Forest with a final attack. Forest
cleared several times during a confusing melee in the circle
but the ball fell one too many times to the visitors. Eventually
a blistering aerial shot from the top of the circle put paid
to Harpenden's efforts and once again they drew level.
Although it was all Forest in the dying minutes
there were no hard feelings as on balance it was a fair result,
although probably more disappointing for Forest, to twice lose
a one goal lead, than for Harpenden.
Excitingly, the result leaves it all neck and
neck at the top of Division 2S in the NE14Hockey League, with
just 3 points separating the top 6 teams. With the league so
open at this stage in the season, all the teams must know it's
in their own hands to win the title and promotion. |
| Harpenden
1 -1 Waltham Forest ladies |
|
It was cold, wet and windy on Saturday when Waltham
Forest ladies travelled to played Harpenden in the NE14Hockey
East 2S division.
The wet and slippery conditions didn't produce
much in the way of flair from either team, with the ball skidding
about from even simple moves. Forest however seemed to get the
better of the home midfield, with Am Perry and Ayleen Duske
battling it out to win the majority of possession, and slowing
building up attacking play.
Midfielder Linda Neimantas opened the scoring
with her first of the season. Following a surging run from defender
Jenny Todd, Neimantas struck well to hit the backboard midway
through the first half.
Harpenden were quick to counter at times, and
the Forest defence were particularly busy. Ginger Bullivant
, Kathryn Tucker and Jo Mitchell all combining well to keep
Forest out of trouble. Mid-way through the second half however,
Harpenden found a gap, and it was following another fast counter
attack that they drew level.
Forest have been haunted by results turning against
them in such games, and know that concentration is vital until
the final whistle. Miraculously it looked for a second like
Forest were going to pull off a winner in the dying minutes,
but the umpire ruled out Kathryn Tucker's goal, deciding the
ball was struck outside of the circle. With no television cameras
to provide the replay, Tucker and team mate witnesses could
only vouch that the ball was hit whilst on the line itself.
It was a confusing moment, and play quickly continued, only
for Harpenden to have a penalty corner to play out after the
whistle. The home side piled in to keep the ball within the
circle, but speedy Ginger had other ideas and ended the game
with her clearance.
Forest didn't feel too hard done by with the
point earned, knowing that on balance it was a fair result,
but look forward to improving the points haul in the replay
next year, when league fixtures pitch Harpenden as the opponents
for the first game back after the Christmas break.
The results from other games played mean that
Harpenden go joint top of the league with this draw, with Forest
hot on their heels just two points behind. |
| Waltham
Forest ladies 2 - 3 Bromley and Beckenham 2s |
|
Waltham Forest failed to
extend their unbeaten run to five games when they met Bromley
and Beckenham at home on Saturday.
The visitors opened the scoring early on, a wayward
hit out by Forest was unluckily punished when the shot rebounded
off the post at an angle for a simple tap in by the winger.
It was too early in the match to worry Forest,
but the visitors were proving to be tougher opponents than anticipated
and finding the equaliser was a challenge. Stand-in winger Kate
Harrison produced a great solo run down the left wing to set
up Anna Pearson in the circle. Pearson's strike was picked up
in front of goal by Emma Livingston-Jones who did the final
work to get it past the 'keeper.
The second-half showed up some weaknesses as
Forest were not passing with their usual accuracy, and the quick
visitors made the most of this by frequent counter attacks.
Another goal against them shocked Forest but sure enough they
eventually found another equaliser. Livingston-Jones tapping
in a high ball as the umpire played advantage in the circle.
Although Forest were determined to take all 3
points it looked like the stalemate of 2-2 would last, but just
minutes from the end the visitors were visibly delighted to
find the backboard again, and Forest had too little time to
restore the balance. Forest certainly felt that a draw would
have been a fairer result but they can have no real complaints
as they didn't perform to their usual high standard. |
| ODF
0 - 2 Waltham Forest ladies /// Waltham Forest ladies 2 - 4
Henley (Trophy) |
|
Waltham Forest ladies climbed into second place
in the table with a comfortable win over Old de Ferrians on
a bitterly cold Saturday in Essex.
Forest dominated the game in the first half with excellent midfield
play from Mandy Briggs, Ayleen Duske and Linda Neimantas. Forest
looked certain to score after a swift one-touch move down the
left wing - Alison Crawford beat her opponent and put the ball
ahead to team mate Philippa Leguen de Lacroix who crossed to
Anna Pearson in the circle. Pearson's reverse stick sweep was
goal bound, but saved by the 'keeper.
Pearson had another chance soon after from a penalty corner
- Kathryn Tucker passed wide to Pearson who opened the scoring.
Later in the half Leguen de Lacroix extended the Forest lead,
by cleaning up Jenny Todd's shot from the 'keepers pads with
a flick past the ever ready defenders.
Forest didn't find the backboard again, despite several close
chances, as the host's defence kept them at bay. Indeed ODF
deserved a consolation goal from the match for pure perseverance
as they battled on and hardly looked like a team at the bottom
of the table. The second half produced several chances for both
teams, but neither side was able to capitalise.
The following day saw Forest in action again, this time at
home in the third round of the England Hockey Trophy competition
against Henley ladies. It was a tough game, and Henley were
certainly up for the challenge and getting the better of Forest
in open play.
Forest however seemed to rattle the visitors and when a 16-yard
hit out was misstruck, Emma Livingstone-Jones was the first
to react and take a shot towards goal. The rebound off the 'keeper
fell wide to the approaching Leguen de Lacroix who managed to
get a cross in rather than a shot, and Julia Raybould tapped
in quickly to open the scoring.
Forest continued to press and create chances, but it was Henley
who took control with two goals before half-time to take the
score to 1-2.
The second half saw some tired play from both teams, but Forest
continued to create chances and managed to claw one back. Leguen
de Lacroix equalising with a scrappy diving effort into the
corner of the goal. The deadlock continued for most of the half,
and just as thoughts were turning to the prospect of extra-time
Henley took the lead again - a reverse stick shot from a penalty
corner which was high and wide, but tapped in at the post. It
was a contentious effort, but the umpires allowed it. A few
minutes later the visitors made sure of their win with another
goal, and put the game out of reach of the hosts. |
| Waltham
Forest ladies 3 - 0 Brentwood ladies |
|
Waltham Forest ladies moved up a place into fourth
in the league following their convincing 3-0 victory on Saturday
against Brentwood ladies.
Some pacey work from the Forest forwards saw
Anna Pearson hit the woodwork within the first few minutes.
It was a sign of things to come, and the scoring opened soon
afterwards when Pearson made sure of Philippa Leguen de Lacroix's
goal bound shot which was heading rather slowly towards the
goal line.
Continued Forest possession and goal mouth activity
saw further chances fall to Emma Livingstone-Jones and Ali Crawford
during a great opening half, with several shots stopped on the
line by the well-positioned Brentwood defence. There was no
stopping Ayleen Duske's straight penalty corner strike however
which thumped the backboard in the bottom left corner to extend
the home side's lead.
It was a high tempo game, with more excellent
team work through midfield as Linda Neimantas, Am Perry and
Emma Roscoe made sure the forwards were well serviced. Mandy
Briggs returned from injury to also feature in the side with
a promising display. Going into the second half, Forest were
confident and pleased to have the upper hand against a tough
visiting side who were getting riled and frustrated as the game
wore on that their efforts were not rewarded by goals.
Indeed, Brentwood had an important spell during
the second half with much more productive play and a string
of penalty corners which seemed sure to grant them a goal. Solid
defending from Jenny Todd, Jo Mitchell and Clare Bullivant denied
the visitors, not to mention the legendary Forest 'keeper Mog
Campbell who timely stepped into action in the second half,
having not touched the ball during the first. A particularly
fine diving save, amongst others, kept her sheet clean and maintained
the all important goal margin.
Forest then put the game truly out of reach with
a third goal shortly before full time following a fumbled clearance
at a penalty corner. A delighted Leguen de Lacroix was on hand
at the post to smack home a reverse stick "cricket"
shot from a very tight angle.
On form Forest travel to bottom of the league
Old de Ferrians next week looking for another win and hoping
to break into the top three. |
|
BBHC 1 - 5 Waltham Forest ladies |
|
Waltham Forest were on fine form at the weekend whilst visiting
BBHC in Erith, Kent. The game started evenly between the two
sides, but Forest soon made the most of their possession.
Philippa Leguen de Lacroix opened the scoring with a strike
from the top of the circle, a fumbled stick stop confused the
keeper and the ball trickled over the line. BBHC promptly retaliated,
equalising via a high deflection from a short corner.
From then on, it was all Forest. A short corner strike hit
the post and Linda Neimantas dispatched a convincing shot, but
the goal was disallowed after being given as the original short
corner strike by Kathryn Tucker was deemed to be too high.
Forest were undeterred by this minor set back and continued
to pile on the pressure. Superb work in midfield from Emma Roscoe
and Am Perry provided good service to the busy forwards. Another
goal followed before half-time, Emma Livingstone-Jones finding
the backboard after Leguen de Lacroix put her through.
Forest were confident going into the second half and could
have scored many more than the three that followed, were it
not for some dogged defending by the BBHC back line.
Leguen de Lacroix's cross from the goal line to the penalty
spot had enough power to get past the defence and the ever-ready
Livingstone-Jones capitalised for Forest's third.
It was a great team effort from Forest, with all players working
hard. Ginger Bullivant ventured into unchartered territory with
a defender dodging run into the circle, and fellow defender
Jo Mitchell also got close to the attacking goal with a similar
run. Left wing Alison Crawford finally got onto the scoresheet,
with a close range sweep at the left post. A determined Ayleen
Duske wrapped up the win with a dribble past several defenders
before lifting the ball into the back of the net over the logged
'keeper.
This emphatic win sees Forest move up two places in the table,
into fifth place, but only three points away from the top spot
in a very open league. |
|
Waltham Forest ladies 1 - 1 Canterbury 2A |
|
Waltham Forest ladies could have done better at the weekend
against a visiting Canterbury side. Despite Canterbury hitting
the post within the opening five minutes, the first half saw
Forest dominate and create an early goal following a superb
solo run through midfield by defender Jenny Todd. She carried
the ball to the circle for an easy finish by Emma Livingston-Jones
who was waiting in front of goal.
Riding high on the early lead, Forest looked sure to add to
their tally with sustained pressure. Meanwhile Canterbury soaked
up the pressure and countered frequently. An unusual lapse in
marking let Canterbury equalise, a little against the run of
play, but by the end of the match, easily deserved.
Indeed, the second half saw the tables turn, Forest were camped
in their own half and lacked their earlier spark whilst the
visitors took the driving seat and could easily have taken the
lead. 'Keeper Mog Campbell saved the day with a number of fine
blocks and stops and won the player's player of the match for
her fine display.
A draw seemed a fair result by the end of play, and although
Forest would rue missed chances from the first half, they could
breathe a sigh of relief at holding on to one point instead
of being left with none. |
| Broxbourne
ladies 2 - 1 Waltham Forest ladies |
|
Keen to revenge the two nil loss that Broxbourne suffered at
the hands of Forest earlier this season, the home team came
out fighting.
They pressurised every ball, intercepted passes, won tackles
and generally made the visitors look like a passive and mediocre
side as they were repeatedly hassled off the ball.
Some good advantage play in the circle by the umpire gave Broxbourne
an early lead when following a lifted kick from stand in 'keeper
Anna Vass play was allowed to continue and the Broxbourne forward
made sure of the rebound.
With the majority of possession, Broxbourne could have had
more, but Forest defence worked hard to keep them out. Jo Mitchell
saved Forest's skin by stopping a goal bound shot on the line
with her foot. For the ensuing penalty flick Vass did enough
waving in the goal mouth to put off the Broxbourne player who
sent her attempt wide.
Stirring team talks at half-time from skipper Ayleen Duske
and player-coach Pauline Anderson bucked the team up, and the
second half display was certainly an improvement. Despite going
another goal down, Forest played with much more conviction,
neat passing, and fast counter attacks got them into the circle
several times. A superb solo dribble and flick from deep in
the circle by the inspirational Duske gave Forest a lifeline
as they clawed a goal back.
Forest nearly found the equaliser but unfortunately the whistle
blew for a penalty corner seconds before the ball fell to Philippa
Leguen de Lacroix who hit the backboard. Meanwhile at the other
end, Vass made another key save as she ran out to close down
the angle and the ball bounced off her shoulder and away from
the goal mouth. With just minutes to go, Forest again came agonisingly
close at another corner as Duske's tap on was just inches wide.
All in all, it was a fair result, and although the encounters
between these two teams are close affairs, Forest can have no
real complaints as Broxbourne were the better side on the day. |
| Waltham
Forest ladies 9 - 0 Gore Court |
|
Forest ladies were on cloud nine on Saturday in Walthamstow
when the goals wouldn't stop coming as they hosted bottom-of-the-table
Gore Court ladies.
A bright start for the home side saw them holding possession
and putting everything into attack, Livingston-Jones poached
Forest's first of the day, after Ali Crawford's ball snuck through
behind the 'keeper, by inching it over the line.
It remained just one-nil for a good part of the first half,
as Forest were busy in midfield with a "helter-skelter"
style of play and not playing to their strengths. Gradually
calming things down, the hosts improved and a more controlled
style led to another goal as Ayleen Duske found a narrow space
between the 'keeper and the post to flick home. Livingston-Jones
was again on hand to sweep in the third from close range before
the half-time time whistle blew.
The second half was still fast paced but much more composed,
and Forest were clearly enjoying themselves. Philippa Leguen
de Lacroix's shot was saved by the 'keeper, but Anna Pearson
pounced on the rebound to shoot home the fourth. Crawford also
found the net with a reverse stick shot, after some great play
by Emma Roscoe in midfield had won back possession for Forest.
A Leguen de Lacroix long corner cross was fortunate to find
Livingston-Jones waiting in the circle. The on form Livingston-Jones
dodged several tackles before rounding the 'keeper and slotting
home to complete her hattrick.
But she wasn't finished yet, and some tactical goal hanging
let Duske release a long ball to leave Livingston-Jones with
just the keeper to beat, which she did with style. Forest also
won several penalty corners throughout the game and made one
of them count as Kathryn Tucker's strike was blocked by the
busy 'keeper for Duske to quickly convert the rebound to take
Forest to eight.
|
Despite the deluge of goals, Forest were shown to be
vulnerable on the counter, and as they piled forward,
they twice they left themselves exposed at the back. Goalkeeper
Mog Campbell heroically protected her clean sheet on at
least two occasions.
Shortly before the final whistle, captain Duske released
Leguen de Lacroix through into acres of space on the left
hand side of the pitch, her ball into the cirlce found
none-other than Livingston-Jones again, who tallied her
fifth and the team's ninth to round up a very busy day.
In all, Forest looked extremely capable and comfortable
against a side who are not doing so well so far this season.
Forest will certainly have some tougher games to come,
and will need to use this goal-scoring confidence to their
advantage to progress up the table. |
|
|
| Waltham
Forest ladies 3 - 0 Gillingham Anchorians |
|
Waltham Forest ladies bounced back from two
defeats on the trot to record a convincing victory at home against
Gillingham Anchorians.
The game was fast paced and Forest were busy from the start
in both defence and attack. Gillingham came close to opening
the scoring but luck was on Forest's side as the visiting forward
unusually missed the ball. The stalemate at half-time wasn't
likely to continue however as both teams were quick to counter
and both were awarded several penalty corners. Forest were the
first to convert - a well worked routine to Linda Neimantas
on the left then to Anna Pearson on right post got the better
of the able Gillingham defence as Pearson deflected the ball
high into the net to put Forest in the lead.
Later in the half some good passing through midfield put Ali
Crawford through down the left wing towards goal. Crawford spotted
Emma Livingston-Jones waiting in the circle. With just the keeper
to beat, Livingston-Jones impressively dived onto the coming
ball to shoot before the keeper could close her down and gave
Forest their second.
The visitors pressed on and kept Forest on their toes in defence.
Some excellent work from Jo Mitchell and Kathryn Tucker at the
back protected the home side's clean sheet. Just five minutes
from time, a surging run from Jenny Todd out of defence lead
to Forest's third. A lovely series of one-twos with Philippa
Leguen de Lacroix and Todd put Leguen de Lacroix through into
the circle in space to take a shot. A fortunate deflection sealed
the win for Forest. The scoreline didn't do Gillingham's display
justice, but Forest will take the goals which have eluded them
in previous matches as a sign of good things to come. |
| Maidstone
2nds 1 - 0 Waltham Forest ladies |
|
Waltham Forest suffered a cruel blow away at Maidstone in their
third match of this season. The ladies seemed to have a slight
upper hand throughout the game, with the majority of possession
and a higher number of chances, yet again they couldn't quite
convert those opportunities into goals.
Several shots went agonisingly wide, and Maidstone defended
well clearing away several goal mouth scrambles which could
easily have fallen Forest's way.
Forest would have been satisfied with the point they fully
deserved from an away draw, but with just five minutes to go
the home side enjoyed a spell of pressure and corners, culiminating
in an unexpected yet sublime aerial shot from the back of the
circle which lobbed everyone, including the Forest keeper.
With precious few minutes remaining Forest came close to finding
an equaliser through both open play and a penalty corner, but
each time both Maidstone and the finish denied them. |
| Waltham
Forest ladies 2 - 3 Hertford ladies |
|
Forest ladies were disappointed at the weekend not to make
the most of their scoring opportunities by narrowly losing to
a determined Hertford side.
The visitors punished Forest early on by pouncing on a textbook
move around the back. The resulting one-on-one with the keeper
opened the scoring somewhat against the brief five minute run
of play.
Later in the half, a Hertford corner was clinically dispatched
into the bottom corner and a shocked Forest found themselves
on the ropes at two nil down despite holding the majority of
posession.
Forest battled on, but their focus seemed lacking, with stray
passes and loose balls always being picked up by the visiting
side. The visitors attacked quickly each time, with long through
balls slicing apart the Forest midfield leaving the defence
under tough pressure to keep Hertford out of the circle.
Crucially, Forest clawed one back before half-time. Emma Livingston-Jones
restoring the home side's hopes from close range.
The second half was better for Forest as more solid spells
of possession and pressure were rewarded with a string of penalty
corners. However, Forest failed to convert these opportunities
and should really have made their advantage count.
With just ten minutes to play, Ayleen Duske found the back
of the net with a well taken aerial ball. Relief at the equaliser
was evident, and Forest would have been happy with the draw,
but Hertford were not. Just five minutes later Forest uncharacteristically
let through a strong attacking run by the visitors as one player
rode out several Forest tackles, before slipping the ball wide
for an aerial shot which restored their lead.
Forest have certainly plenty to work on in the training ground
and will need to step up their level to do themselves justice
in this challenging league.
|
| Waltham
Forest ladies 2 - 0 Broxbourne ladies |
|
Anticipation was high for Waltham Forest ladies' first game
of the season against Broxbourne on Saturday. Following their
success in retaining the Essex County Rosebowl earlier this
month, Forest stuck to their new formation. After a strong start
and slight territorial advantage Forest gained two penalty corners.
The second of these was well struck but also excellently saved
by the visiting 'keeper. Kath Tucker collected her rebound and
tried again with a low aerial shot which found the backboard
and gave the home side a well deserved lead within the first
15 minutes.
However Broxbourne were strong on the ball and produced several
fast paced attacks which tested the Forest defence. Jo Mitchell
and Ginger Bullivant worked hard to keep the visitors out of
the circle.
Forest soon made it two nil when Philippa Leguen de Lacroix
threaded a ball through to Anna Pearson in the circle. Pearson's
reverse stick strike took some height and brilliantly lobbed
the 'keeper to make it two nil.
Into the second half it was end to end stuff, with the player's
player of the match Am Perry busy in midfield and newcomer Emma
Roscoe establishing her place in the side with a strong display.
Towards the end of the match Forest were tiring as the heat
of the day and the game's intensity took their toll. Yet the
homeside managed to retain their domination and despite producing
more penalty corner chances were unable to add to their tally.
Forest were happy to start the league campaign with a win, and
more so to take the points from a team they had not managed
to beat last year.
|
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2004-5
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