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2006/7 Tables

Team 5 Archive - Dec / Jan

9 December 2006 – Chesterfield 4s 1 Nottingham 3

Scorers: Max Oliver Asbo Stedman

Humphries, Hillier, MacDuff, Cupitt, Henry, Keating, Oliver, Cunningham, Stedman, Abbott, Weston, Willott

MotM – Humphries (again)

TotD – MacDuff

Mentioned in despatches - Bo Peng Max Oliver Will Cupitt Tom Henry

Chesterfield –well they say that even the steeple is bent in Chesterfield – was to be our final game of the first half of the season. Three points here would be very useful.

Our route was very simple – up the motorway and off at J29 – Chesterfield. Now I admit I was leading the pack and did make a late turn at J29, which caused Asbo to miss the turning and take the more scenic route offered by J30. However, as the Motivator did say – “the Highways Agency put up big notices a mile before the exit and he should have been ready for it rather than following like a sheep”. Well said that man!

Now this is that side that won the division last year and we beat them home and away. So as Asbo said in the pre-match chat they were going to up for it and would come at us hard. “Who are their key players” said the Motivator – “They have a very fast right winger” said Robin (no slouch himself in that position!) – “And who’s playing left back” (Motivator) – “Me” I said – Silence. Thanks guys what a confidence booster.

So it was with surprise that when we walked onto the pitch we hardly recognised any of their players from last season. Not that we were going to fall into that one again – there has been many a game where complacency has resulted in disaster.

We reflected on the previous week’s game and Asbo was again quick to emphasise that we had to look for the easy passes and not hold on to the ball. I looked to see if the Velcro had been removed from stick but it was strangely not on view!

We started as we have done in the last few weeks on the attack, in the hope that we could unsettle them. For the first 15-20 minutes we had most of the play however it was noticeable that we were bunching in the middle and failed to get the ball out to Robin on the right.

We were awarded a short in this period. The injection was from Mark Keating straight to Asbo (who actually stopped it) and the conversion came from Max courtesy of a deflection off the defenders knee cap on to the back board. If it wasn’t for that, it may not have been allowed. The defender went down but unfortunately recovered to continue for the rest of the game to. Better luck next time Max!

1-0.

Now this is the second game that Max has played for us and I have to say he is certainly a physical player and is not afraid to get stuck in. I did ask how he managed to lose that front tooth-thinking naively that it was in some skirmish on the field of play- but being told it was a skate board accident –something about not looking where he was going. However it is noticeable that his “robust” style of play bears a striking similarity to the Welsh Wizard and our own Chopper Cunningham. As in the first game Max seems to enjoy his little chats with the umpire – no doubt discussing the finer interpretation of the game. Notwithstanding I thought he had an excellent game.

We continued in the first half to apply more pressure and the second goal came from open play and was ably converted by Asbo. Now this is 3 goals in three games and is becoming habit forming!

2-0 at half time.

The first half saw for 20 minutes some excellent hockey by us. The passing was crisp and we applied a lot of pressure with just rewards. It was noticeable towards the end of the half that some of the bad habits from earlier on in the season were creeping back into play. Whilst we were 2-0 up, we were perfectly capable of throwing it away. The team talk focussed on this.

The second half saw a concerted effort by Chesterfield, which almost saw them scoring when the ball was hit from the baseline past the defence, including me, and leaving their winger unmarked. He would have scored if he had not pulled the ball wide of the post. I put my hands up for that one and graciously except the TotD award for not being at my post – (in my defence the old leg injury played up!!).

Chesterfield had several opportunities and they eventually scored from what might be classed a dubious goal. The ball was played from a short corner, kicked away by Ollie to the right and the player came in and slapped it in. The flew past the defence into the back of the net. Our concern was that it was not a flick but a hit. The MIPP saw differently and the result stood.

2-1.

At this point we did start to lose some shape and certainly a few players were guilty of some “fluffy bunny” passing. We held our nerve and with 5 minutes to go Chopper smacked one from the top of the D and in true Poacher fashion, Tim deflected the ball into the back of the net. There is still some debate as to whether the ball would have gone in anyway but a timely goal.

3-1.

With a few minutes to go – Chesterfield pushed all their players up into our half. Now this was a similar tactic that they used last year and it did work against them on that occasion. Though we were under some pressure from the sideline there was a real opportunity if we had seen it. With Robins speed he would only have had the goalkeeper to beat and score that elusive goal. Maybe next season Robin!

The final whistle and another 3 points in the bag.

From the start of the season, we have definitely improved as a unit. We have won 5 of the last 6 games beating 3 of the sides above us. The low points were the games against Loughborough V and Beeston VI. The turning point was the game against West Bridgford V. Although we lost we did compete for most of that game. The win against Sutton Coldfield – previously top of the table- gave us a confidence boost and although we lost to Loughborough IV we were did not lose our spirit.

Whilst we don’t score a lot goals what is pleasing to note is that conversion rate on short corners (when compared to last year) has improved significantly.

The man of the match was again our keeper Ollie. For someone who has had an Oxbridge education he is not short on a few words to the backs and the mid-field if they are not where they should be. He again kept us in the match with some great saves. It was a real shame that we couldn’t have a clean sheet.

The “colt” players – Bo, Will, Max and Tom – all had good games. Both Tom and Will stuck to their men at the back to cut out any passing opportunities. Bo was solid in mid-field and passed the ball nicely.

So guys enjoy the break, hopefully there will be some club games before the re-start to work off the Christmas pudding. We have only done half the job and there is a long way to go.  

Notts 3 West Bridgford 6ths 2

2 December 2006

Team

Humphries, MacDuff, Hillier, White, Burd, Llewelyn Abbott, Stedman, Cunningham, Weston, Cursham

MIPP

Mike “the Headmaster” Allen

Sir Don Nettleton

In attendance - Dave “hop along” Sells

Late - “Chopper” Cunningham

Absent - Will Cupitt

Scorers - Llewelyn, Asbo, Cunningham

MotM – Humphries

TotD –

MacDuff – failing to stop the short

Chopper for being late and not being fully ready when he was there

Will Cupitt – late message saying he was not available

Mentioned in despatches - Robin Weston & Chopper Cunningham

It was a fine and balmy day at the Goose for this eagerly awaited encounter with WB. Having lost to their 5^th XI earlier in the season, we were hoping to square this up.

So the weather was fine, and the wind was blowing at 15 knots from the South West and 20 knots out of Rich Hillier’s a**e. “I’ll name that tune in one” said the captain. Clearly “the Thumb” had been eating a lot of beans the previous day.

Now I have to mention that I had to replace my “lucky” shorts that had somehow found themselves consigned to the bin after the present Mrs MacDuff counted the number openings and found 5 instead of the standard 3. So a trip to the local sports shop resulted in the purchase of a nifty new pair with the logo “YSL”. Unfortunately the team were totally under-whelmed.

Following the to-ing and fro-ing with the selections this week, we welcomed from the 4ths, the Welsh Wizard, Duncan Llewelyn (not Di Chotomy).

This was going to be an important game for us so it was a little disappointing that we started with 10 players. Chopper Cunningham having told us that a plumber was doing work at his flat meant that he would be late. Now I don’t wish to be over-critical here but I think I would have arrived fully ready to step on the pitch rather than “f***y” around in the hut changing!

Our other non-arrival was Will Cupitt – normally reliable. However a rather late text to Asbo meant we were without his services today. I normally don’t give the TotD to students but in this case it has to be presented to him for this oversight.

To the game – we started again at a brisk pace but with only 10 players it was hard work. However, we managed to keep them out whilst Chopper was leisurely changing on the side lines.

The opening goal for WB came from a short corner. Now it wasn’t struck very hard but it missed Ollie and rolled under my stick. Now I copped a bit for this after the game – but in my defence – I was unsighted!!!

So we found ourselves in the familiar position of being 1 down and having to up our game. At this point we were entertained by some rather robust tackles from the Welsh Wizard who had clearly seen Chopper in action. The recipient was one of the junior members of the WB team –“if he is playing a man’s game then he must expect it” said Mr Llewellyn later on. The thing is – there must be a bit of teachers union here as Mr Allen turned a blind eye to it. Which I think was a bit off-side because on those very rare occasions that I have been involved in an accidental stick tackle Mr Allen has not been slow to call me over for an impromptu coaching session.

The equalizer came shortly before half time. The ball was passed down the right and taken by Robin who in his usual manner sprinted to the D. The ball was passed back to Mr Llewellyn who converted. A timely goal to end the half.

There followed an interesting chat by Asbo which went along the lines of “we are holding on to the ball and not passing it” “pass the ball when the opportunity arises” etc. This was fine fighting talk unfortunately in the second half it was a case of “do as I say and not as I do” – as the ball remained glued to his stick.

The second half started and it was not long before we got a short. The ball was hit out to Asbo who played it right (on his own stick!) but then converted a fine shot to take us 2-1 up.

The equalizer came a few minutes later when the ball, in our area, ricocheted off a WB stick and went aerial. Remarkably Sir Don did not see it and allowed their scorer – a lad with an amazing set of dreadlocks to score.

OK we were disappointed but the game was on. We had many chances that were not capitalised on. Mr Llewelyn had an excellent chance that went wide, Robin had a number of chances but only succeeded in giving their keeper some kicking practice.

The winner happened when a ball was played loosely in their D and Chopper was there to convert with a sensible sweep shot rather than his usual wind up.

3-2 and that is how it remained.

Whilst this was a good result and a well deserved 3 points, it was by no means a polished performance. After the last 5 weeks when we were playing well as a unit, this game was in marked contrast. The points made at half time were true. We held on to the ball too long – again. We did not look for the easy pass. We bunched in the middle rather than looking wide. We will have to improve on this in forthcoming games.

The MotM was awarded to Ollie for yet again another good game. There were several moments in the game where we were under great pressure – one in particular when their striker had an opportunity and the ball was hit twice at Ollie before he was able to clear it.

We say goodbye to Robin Weston as he goes on his trek to Australia. We hope to see him for the 2007 season should he decide to stay in Nottingham. He has been a great asset to the side with his peed and skill on the right wing. Good luck and we hope to see you soon.

The last game for this half is against Chesterfield. Their form is good and a strong side will required against them.