Ladies 1s
Well not quite sure where to start with this one, here goes… Day started with a slightly longer, diverted route to Basildon, via a housing estate and a care home. Finally arrived to snug changing rooms, did a sock swap (still not sure why some had to go back inside) and we discovered that Faith has a mechanical arm that can launch a ball like a buzzard.
Finally started playing and went 0-1 up thanks to a pea roller special by Lucy Butcher. We then got two more by Lucy and Philippa Leguen De Lacroix and Mog did a fine save that is in her all-time top 20, so 0-3 at half time.
Not to settle on our laurels we kept fighting and got two more by Faith and Phil. 0-5. Could have had one more if Katherine Abbie hadn’t unselfishly passed to Phil who missed a sitter.
Another slight diversion past the tractors and an aircraft hangar, we arrived at teas for some high-quality chat by Ronnie Mcquilkin on the merits of Peterborough service station. Meanwhile George took the opportunity to show off her lovely heart purse.
MoM Emily (once Lucy had added it up properly) and DoD to Phil although worth noting a DoD vote for Kathy for not taking the shot and passing to Phil.
Stomach hurts from laughing.
MOM update: Peterborough Services- Another re-count, shared between Emily and Laura
Men’s 2s
Oooooooooooooosh: oh I DO love playing away.
Glen Lucas please stop inviting us to play candy crush and how long does it take to do the tiny pint of hair you have? POP
Ed Bear Stubbing surprising MOM. Welcome to your permanent home.
Great win despite a performance not up to our usual standard. Great flick from Tom Lowe and goals from Imran Arshad and Glen.
Ladies 3s
Pleased to report that the Ladies 3s won 2-1 against Southend Ladies 2s. We had a full team plus subs!!!!!
It was a great effort from what looks to be a promising new squad. Katie Illman receiving 7 votes was clearly MOM for scoring a goal, always being where she needed to be, picking up endless balls in midfield and putting them where they needed to go. Great passing from our forwards led to Amber Banbury neatly putting away our 2nd goal. Am completely proud of everyone who went out positively, despite the biting cold to bring home a well-deserved win. Some truly good play all round. However lots to work on so get to training ladies. The 3s are on the up!
Men’s 3s
Men’s 3s played at home to Redbridge & Ilford 2s on freezing windy Saturday morning!
Welcoming our new leader Lex Luthor into to the team we looked for world domination of the game and with the keeper only getting one touch in the match, surprisingly we only managed to win 2-1.
We would have kept a clean sheet but El Presidente managed to score an own goal by saving a shot that was going wide deflecting it into the goal. Fortunately our 2 earlier goals were enough to seal the win moving us closer in points to top of the league but only 5th with a game in hand. #CloseLeague
P.s. Happy 16th birthday Dan who surprisingly liked his non-alcoholic attempt at a dodgy birthday drink. But well done for downing your drink with a straw!
Goal scorers: Nate (1), Joe The Russo Kid (1)
MOM: Joe (Great goal)
POP: Matt (Great own goal)
Ladies 4s
Yesterday we faced bottom-of-the-league Romford in the dark and bitter cold. Although they only had 9 players against our 11, they were young and fast with hard hits. However, we definitely went out dominant in the first half, with many attempts on goal and most of the play in the oppo’s D. We converted one to a solid goal, but it was unfortunately disallowed because the whistle had already gone for a short. However, a lovely cross from Francis subsequently deflected off one of the oppo’s sticks and put us 1-0 up at half time.
Romford came back considerably stronger in the second half and scored an early, messy equaliser. Although our play was still strong, and largely attacking, we didn’t manage to convert any more opportunities into goals. Despite only having about five shots on goal, Romford managed to score two more (fantastic) goals, including one from a short corner.
As Heidrun said, we played very well, apart from the scoring. Once we get shooting down, and remember to get passes off nice and early, we’re going to be on fire.
MOM to Heidrun for fighting the entire game and winning almost every ball she went for. Francis and Minty were close runners-up, which reflected their tenacity too.
Men’s 4s
Saturday, we found ourselves back at Lee Valley, and on The Stadium Pitch for our 2nd consecutive home game.
After a 3-1 loss the previous weekend v Harlow 1s (incidentally the best team we had played this season, and IMO, the team that will go on and win the League) we faced 3rd placed Brentwood 4s. With us 4th bottom, but only 6 points adrift of our opponents (very tight league, other than the top 2, who are running away with it ATM) so this was a very big game for both sides.
We started very brightly, playing our fluid passing hockey, and absolutely dominating possession and territory. Although we weren’t creating clear cut opportunities we had enough half chances to have been in control. Again we were very profligate in front of goal. This could have cost us in the last 10 minutes of the 1st half, as we become very sloppy in our play, took our foot of the gas, and let Brentwood back into the game. As we reached HT, the game remained goal less, 0-0.
Have to say for only the 2nd time this season, our HT chat, was quite heated. We knew the game was there to be won.
2nd half, have to say again we weren’t at our fluid best, but we were clearly the better side, and we kept our shape better and our defensive display was superb, giving our opponents little or no space, and no chances. Having said that again we weren’t creating lots, but when we did create chances, again we were very wasteful.
Finally, with about 15 minutes left, after a good passing move from the back on the right hand side, Nadeem fed a ball into the D for Martin Hands-Clarke who after twice being denied the opportunity to get a shot off, just wouldn’t give up on the chance, and through his sheer desire determination and tenacity won the ball back, got his shot off and with the help of a slight deflection got the goal he and we deserved for our dominant performance 1-0.
Although we created a couple more chances, we did not add to our goal tally. So a 1-0 win, far from our best, but ground out a positive result, and a clean sheet to boot, which is always nice.
MOTM- Ben Summers- Superb in the holding midfield position, solid defensively, and fantastic ball distribution.
Well done all, we all played our part in yesterday’s win.
Onward to an away trip to Basildon ODF- another big game.
#ProudCaptain #GreatWin #CleanSheet #GreenArmy
Ladies 5s
Ladies 5’s took on top of the table Phoenix this afternoon at home. Thanks to the amazing Michelle in goal we only lost by 0-5. We did some great defending and were watching our feet in the D which meant less short corners for the oppo and again like last week managed to get the ball into the oppo’s D but just didn’t manage to convert it into a goal. We’re doing better and better every week. Despite only 4 of us attending teas, between us we selected a (wo)man of the match who is Julie Walker. So well done Julie
Men’s 5s
The Men’s 5s continued their unbeaten run with another draw against Chelmsford.
Result 2-2
Goal Scorers: Josh Field and Ammir Sultan
The Men’s 5s controlled the first half and took the lead though Josh Field from a short corner on the stroke of half time.
The second started in the same way, but some sloppy play from the 5’s earnt Chelmsford a short corner from which they equalised.
The Men’s 5s did regain the lead again though Ammir Sultan after a great passing move. The 5s continued to push for a third, but once again some sloppy play let Chelmsford in for their second equaliser.
And that’s how it finished. Once again a lot of effort by all, just need to cut out the unforced errors.
On the positive still undefeated
Otters
The Otters took on Thurrock 3 in a competitive and evenly-matched game at the Academy. Peter was solid at the back, and Man of the Match Gino dominated central midfield throughout but the visitors took the lead on the stroke of half time with a good strike from a needlessly-conceded short corner.
Despite all the attacking trickery of Ben, and the tireless running of Biel on the wing, whenever we penetrated a packed defence we found a Thurrock keeper in good form, and the second half remained goalless, for a final 0-1 defeat.
Investec Women’s Trophy- Round 2
The Ladies 1s travelled up to Lincoln for our next cup game. A short stop at Peterborough services en route where we discovered our ‘coach’ for the day Matt Lovell was wearing a turtleneck with Lincoln written on it. Cue DoD for Suzy Lovell. We then attempted to follow in convoy to the pitch only to be left swiftly behind by lead foot buzzard aka Faith.
Onto the actual game. Unfortunately we conceded in the first 2 minutes and then had to play with 10 players after D was injured after 20 mins. We played some great hockey though under a lot of pressure but couldn’t unfortunately find a goal.
Now on the way home. Still. Worked our way to J in the alphabet game. Any suggestions for J? Christmas themed…
