Match Report

Newbury 2s versus Sonning 3s

Result: Newbury 2s 1 – 1 Sonning 3s

3:30 pm Saturday 26^th November 2011

Sonning arrived at the cold, weather-exposed Newbury pitch nice and early in preparation for a game of hockey they sensed they could win. From the start, Sonning made a valiant effort and were 1-0 up about half-way through the first half with a tap-in by Tim Hill. Sonning were playing well and looked in control of the game. Ricky Knight and Michael Powell combined well down our right flank. Chris Roberts as ever, worked hard up front creating chances. Gareth Lappin, Oli O’Mara, Geoff Turner, Colin Singleton and Pat Horne ensured Sonning were not overrun in midfield and Patrick Thomas was making good progress down the left flank from full back.

However, Newbury signalled their intent from the start of the second half, rushing at our players and putting us under pressure. And within 5 minutes a well-worked passage of team play by Newbury down their right and a ball struck in the air acorss our goal was swung in by their player at the back post. 1-1.

Newbury supplied both umpires and they would have some big decisions to make in the second half. As Newbury repeatedly played the ball down their right flank, they were able to repeatedly win free hits and short corners by running into poor Julian Sewell. Unlucky Patrick Thomas incurred a green card for not immediately retreating 5 metres. Newbury then had a goal disallowed as the ball was struck too high from a penalty corner. With about 8 minutes to go, a yellow card was awarded to one of our subs (Tim Hill) for dissent and we were reduced to ten players.

But not giving in Sonning made two or three more good attacks and a goal-bound strike from the skipper Colin Singleton was miraculously saved off the Newbury goaline. But not to be deterred, Sonning pressed forward again, winning a short corner with 2 minutes to go. Ricky Knight stepped up to the plate and scooped it home cleanly. 2-1! The Sonning players celebrated and returned to their half. The Newbury players desolute returned the ball to the centre spot ready to accept defeat. But wait! The game wasn’t over yet! The goal was disallowed for a Sonning player running in front of the ‘keeper. The match finished 1-1 but Sonning felt they had won it and Newbury knew they had really lost.

Team: Dave Price, Patrick Thomas, Oly Yiend, Julian Sewell, Michael Powell, Colin Singleton (c), Gareth Lappin, Ricky Knight, Oli O’Mara, Geoff Turner, Chris Roberts, Patrick Horne, Tim Hill

Cards: Patrick Thomas (green), Tim Hill (yellow)

Goals: Tim Hill

MOTM: Oly Yiend – solid in defence

Sonning Men's 3rd Xl v Marlow - 12th November

The mighty 'ning that constitutes the Mens 3s  gathered in the unseasonally warm weather under the mist of optimism and amongst the air of romanticism as they prepared for the chariot ride to the home of England Hockey - Marlow- a hitherto unknown entitiy whose league position hinted at something very powerful lurking in the Buck/ Berks border.

A short ride on chariot saw the knights arrive at the joust.  The air was thick with battle  and the pungent aroma of deep heat.... for Captain Singleton had left the magical purple snood at home and so in desperation was forced to apply lashings of deep heat to his throat in a bizarre pre match routine that resembled a preparation for a cross channel swim. The direct travelling Roberts arrived predictably late and, as usual, declared his intention to 'see them off' to atone for his wrong doings and perpetual poor time keeping.   Mattheson, fuelled by the effervescent conversation offered up by   Powell and Thomas on the journey over as O'mara had guided their chariot, was philosophical.   He  knew our power lay in playing our game andour shape.  And so we did - the first thirty minutes SHC were diligent and adamant in their pursuit of team work and shape.  Sewell and the helmeted Price were walrus like at the back, equivalent in speed but  sporting bizarre yet superior facial attachments as they absorbed pressure like a developing oil field in the north sea.  Horne and Preston (not to be confused with 'pressed on horn') were sharp and thoughtful......as they observed the first ten minutes.  Upon their entry and energy injection, SHC broke  away with deft skill from O'Mara to release the Cheese.  Raskouskaskaskaskaks was excitable as the ball approached him.  The Cheese was  rolling forward and we half thought he wouldn't stop. .....but a moment of  ' huxley esque ' clarity descended, the Cheese released  and like a Baby Bel the ball bobbled to toward the excited   Raskouskaskaskaskaks who controlled with great skill- hearing the unmistakeable launch of the Toon Express' he fooled the keeper, slotted to the, by now on time, Roberts who calmy rammed home.  1-0 the mighty ning.  A coup d'etat no less.

It wasn't long before the pressure told and Marlow broke the resolution at the back and equalised despite the respledant efforts of the agile Price, buoyed by his bronze medal in the pre match age contest.  This followed shortly by a well finished short and the visitors went in 2-1 down at the break.  Nevertheless the mighty 'ning were still in it and some great work form Hill ensured the chances of a sneak victory remained evident.   The freshly ressurected Turner survived an injury scare  when some autumnal colour was noted in his  cheeks as he worked hard to contain the pressing Marlow. 

Sonning held out   for much of the second half but a string of shorts led to a flurry of pressure and the mighty 'ning conceded a couple in short succession. By this stage the Toon Express had had the green flag waved but let this not detract fromt he miles put in up front.  As the efforts began to take hold, passing that, as the great Alan Hanson would only describe as 'sloppy' led to a further Marlow goal.  O'mara tired, grumpy and disappointed at discovering he was in the silver position for 'oldest player in the team'  had a couple of ill timed tackles penalised, resulting in a an upgrade of Roberts summery green to an Autumnal yellow and was off for the last three minutes.

The knights were resolute  in their efforts and the sorceror Singleton felt the lessons had been learnt declaring  the magic would begin next week withthe return of the snood.

Scorer Chris Roberts
MOTM Spike Price- kept us in it - great game
DOTD Oli O'Mara- who needs a reason??