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| Hockey 3rd XI Team 'Blog' |
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3rd XI Squad ( at present) : Tom Gray; James Saunders; Jack Rhodes; Patrick Davies; Ben Confortola; Ed Joslin; Rhys Davies; Joe Britz; Alex McClelland; Morgan Edwards; Harry Leach; Will Gray; Freddie Hindley; Kai O'Callaghan; Max Baldwin
RESULTS Wednesday 14th March v Lambrook (Away) Lost 1 -2 Goal : Harry Leach The game followed a similar pattern to the match at Highfield only the skill level was higher with the game being played on the astro surface. We had the better of the first half and Harry scored yet another goal to give us a 1- 0 half-time lead. We needed to play with greater accuracy in passing and the mid-field and attack needed to increase the tempo to both create and convert more opportunities. It was Lambrook who upped their game and midway through the second half forced home an equalizer. Some tired defending saw the home side take a 2 -1 lead with 6 minutes remaining. To our credit we did push forward and created a couple of half chances but we could not beat the determined Lambrook goaslkeeper and ran out of time. Overall the game was evenly balanced it was just not our day. Wednesday 29th February v Highfield (Away on grass) Lost 1 - 2 Goal: Harry Leach An end to our winning run in a disappointing match on grass. Grass is a great leveller and we did not adapt well to this surface in what was a scrappy game. It was a game of 2 halves. We dominated the first have half, down the slope, but our attacks were too slow allowing Highfield to get back and defend in large numbers. The home goalkeeper made several good saves before Harry forced the ball home to give us a deserved 1 - 0 lead at half time. I asked players to up the tempo and play with less touch and more power and pace but it did not happen. Highfield dominated territory and possession and basically outbattled us. James had his best game in goal but it wasn't enough to stop Highfield scoring twice for what was a deserved victory. We were very downhearted at the end but hopefully we will learn from the experience and realize that teams will not sit back and let you win even if you think you are the better team. Bring back the all-weather surface.
Wednesday 22nd February v Hall Grove (Home) Won 4 - 3 Goals: Harry Leach (2); Ben Confortola; Joe Britz Match Report by Patrick Davies It was a tough match at Wellington against Hall Grove. With a brilliant first goal from Harry in the first 5 minutes followed shortly by a great push-in by Joe our winning run of matches looked like it would continue. Unfortunately a great shot got into the back of the net from one of the Hall Grove attackers (2 -1) before Harry scored again to make it 3 -1 at half time. The second half got off to a bad start and 2 goals were conceeded in the first 10 minutes to level the score at 3 -3. In a tense finish Ben ran the length of the pitch before putting in an 'insane' cross to Joe who slid the ball under the legs of the Hall Grove goalie making the final score 4 - 3 to Eagle House.
Wednesday 1st February v Hoe Bridge (Away) Won 7 - 2 Goals: Joe Britz (3); Harry Leach (3); Ed Joslin (3) This was a 9-a-side match played on a small astro pitch. Another good and deserved win but the small pitch worked against us we struggled at times to hold our positions squashing the game even more. When we did play the ball wide, especially to Morgan, and he attacked the goal line before crossing into the 'D' (as we practised) we looked threatening with Joe and Harry again looking for rebounds and finishing well. We started poorly (again) playing far too timidly before giving the ball away letting Hoe Bridge in for a good strike on goal. This woke us up and we quickly recovered equalising and then our extra power and knowhow saw us move to a 5-1 lead. The game was won at this stage but I was a bit disappointed with the casual way we lost the ball to let the Home team in for a second goal. 5 - 2 at half time. We took 3 subs and on a cold day the constant changing of players and positions did not help. Although we had the best of the second half scoring twice more to win 7 -2 credit to the Home team who stuck at the task well. Everyone made a good contribution to the game and we have moved forward again. Cranleigh away on the grass on Saturday should prove another tough challenge so lets keep our heads on the ground and work hard at practice. Well done. Thanks to the parents who braves the cold to support the boys.
Wednesday 25th January v Parkside (Surbiton H.C.) Won 6 -2 Goals: Harry Leach (4); Ed Joslin (2) An excellent result and a confidence building start to the hockey season. We played well and improved as the game went on. We gained in confidence and composure as our power and strength started to dominate a tiring Parkside team who had the advantage of already having played and won a match. It was Parkside who after an even first 10 minutes found themselves 2 - 0 in front. We gave the ball away too easily and often wanted too many touches on the ball. Our heads could have dropped but Harry scored the first of his 4 goals following a short corner and this gave us the boost we needed. We equalised before half-time and went into the interval feeling confident. I asked the boys to pass with more accuracy and look to use Morgan on the right wing more. They responded well quickly scoring again with a great attack down the right wing, a pass across the 'D' and Ed was waiting to slap the ball home. We dominated after this and went on for an easy 6-2 win. Everyone worked hard, in particular Ben at sweeper and Alex in the centre of mid-field. Just the start we had hoped for and if Mr Grafton does not take too many of the team we can enjoy a good and successful term of hockey. - CT
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