What a weekend! Watching the results come in was an emotional roller-coaster: one second crying out with joy, the next uncontrollably sobbing on the sofa. I haven’t been this disorientated since Brokeback Mountain.
For a while it looked like a clean sweep of wins might be on the cards but then the result pigeons from the Men’s 1s and 2s limped home with their sad news so our clean sweep will have to wait a week.
Scores
| Ladies 1s | Gore Court 1 | 5 | 2 | Lucy 3, Charlotte, Katherine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ladies 2s | Old Loughtonians 4 | 3 | 1 | Nixon, Hogan, Suzy |
| Ladies 3s | Redbridge & Ilford 2 | 4 | 1 | Karen 2, Lydia, Rachel |
| Ladies 4s | Thurrock 3 | 5 | 0 | Walkover |
| Men’s 1s | Cambridge University 2 | 2 | 3 | Jacko, OG |
| Men’s 2s | Maldon 1 | 3 | 5 | Immy, Waz, Guy |
| Men’s 3s | Redbridge & Ilford 2 | 3 | 2 | Ash, Brett, Wayne |
| Men’s Otters | Upminster 6 | 0 | 2 |
Ladies Reports
Gore Court 1s vs Waltham Forest 1s
Waltham Forest Ladies 1st team had a strong start to the season with a 5-2 victory over Gore Court away. After a long period of sustained pressure from Waltham Forest the first goal was scored by Katherine Abbie after a well placed pass from Hannah Dobbin. With Waltham Forest looking much the stronger team Lucy Butcher then furthered the lead by two goals in quick succession from two short corners. Gore Court then managed to get a goal back just before half time and shortly after half time a penalty flick was awarded to Gore Court which brought them within reach of the Waltham Forest side. It was a battle between both sides with Gore Court fighting hard to get level, before Lucy Butcher completed her hatrick with a reverse stick shot in open play. With a two goal lead Forest regained their confidence and put on the pressure for the final 10minutes. With only a few minutes to go another flick was awarded, this time in favour of Waltham Forest; Charlotte Pether calmly stepped up and fired the ball into the back of the net to take the scoreline to 5-2. A brilliant start to the season for the Ladies 1st team. Man of the Match was awarded to Lucy Butcher.
Waltham Forest 4s vs Thurrock 3s
Ladies 4s off to a winning start!
There was no match! That’s right, Thurrock were so scared of the Ladies 4s they claimed they only had two players but we all know that was an excuse because they were quivering in their pink astro boots!
3 points to Ladies 4s and not even needing to get out of bed!
Men’s Reports
Waltham Forest 1s vs Cambridge Uni 2s
Forest had enjoyed a good pre-season and the prospect of hosting a Cambridge Uni team, who finished second last season, was met with relish.
It was a closely fought competition throughout but it was the visitors that took the lead from a well executed short corner. Forest came back minutes later, following a neat tap in by Ed Jackson after a mazy run and cross from Chris Drewe. 1-1 at half time.
Forest started the stronger team at half time and dominated possession early on. However, Cambridge Uni made it 2-1 on the break with a tidy finish over the oncoming keeper.
Then, with 25 mins remaining, Forest had to contend with facing the rest of the game with 10 men – a real challenge against a fresh University team. Forest battled well and even pulled level after more good work in the D from Chris Drewe led to an own goal.
Forest had worked tirelessly to pull level, but the strain had been too much… A last minute winner came from Cambridge, as tired Forest legs couldn’t get back in time to help defend another counter attack.
3-2 at full time, but Forest showed incredible heart and we’re unlucky not to get something from the game. You couldn’t help feel that if they had 11 on the pitch during the second half things would have been different…
Waltham Forest Otters vs Upminster 6s
After a tight, goalless first half, with Roly dependable as ever at the back and Jon playing a great first game for us in goal, we started to play some more expansive hockey after the break, with Joshua and Jack providing some excellent width. We then conceded a couple of soft goals which we were unable to pull back, to finish 0-2 losers. Man of the match, using Teamer online voting and hence no casting vote (I wonder if any of you tested out whether you could in fact vote for yourself?), was shared between Rob for a smooth and composed central defensive display, and Dike whose pace was a constant threat down the middle. A disappointing match result, but many positives to take from it, and things to work on in training.
