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| Hockey Colts D Team 'Blog' |
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Colts D Hockey XI 2011 Squad: William Morrison; Ketak Chaudhari; Oliver Crosby; Frank Turley; Alexander Gladen; Rhys Davies ©; Jack Small; Christopher Thomas; Conrad Orleans-Lindsay; Freddie Hindley; Joseph Belcher; Joseph Fernandes; Thomas Williamson.
Game 2 v Hall Grove Wednesday 30th March Home Railton Eagle House 0 - 2 Hall Grove Team Selected: William Morrison; Ketak Chaudhari; Oliver Crosby; Frank Turley; Alexander Gladen; Rhys Davies ©; Jack Small; Christopher Thomas; Conrad Orleans-Lindsay; Joseph Belcher; Thomas Williamson; Joseph Fernandes. After a glorious performance last week it was important that the players showed that this was no flash in the pan and that they could play consistently at this high standard. The prospects were made a little more difficult with the promotion of Freddie Hindley to the C side and the absence through illness of Conrad our key striker and Ketak, our key defender. This actually left the side with only ten players, Edward Scott was kind enough to come and play for us. This meant that every fit boy in the school was out on the pitch starting the match, with no substitutes available.
I was very pleased with the way the game started. The Eagles showed their skill and commitment and put the Hall Grove defence under enormous pressure in the first half. The general run of play was certainly in the favour of the home side and Edward, Jack and Joseph featured strongly. This was a much more even and meaningful game but Thomas was able to show his delicate stick skills in midfield while Ollie and Frank were able to break up attacks early before they threatened the goal. Joseph Fernandes picked up some important interceptions before Alex started to combine well with Rhys and a steady flow of attacks up the right wing found players in threatening positions on the edge of the visitor's 'D'. However all this skill and endeavour floundered on the excellent play of the Hall Grove sweeper who I will refer to as Bobby Moore as he anticipated the many threats, swept athletically across the field to tackle with precision and cleared the ball with a resounding bullet-like strike. (Added to this he was blond and elegant, hence the moniker.) He really did frustrate our attacks. Jack, Joseph, Rhys, Alex, Edward, Thomas and Chris all got themselves into brilliant positions to mount a strike on goal, but time after time they were thwarted by the outstanding play of the 'former England Captain.' One of his clearances was so well struck that it turned last ditch defence into attack, the ball speeding like a meteor from one bye line to the opposite goal area - it caught the home defence cold and Hall Grove pounced on a simple tap in goal.
Hall Grove had provided for a stout contest and they were certainly a capable team, but they were surprised and delighted to go into the second half with a goal lead. After the break, Eagle House continued to have the edge in possession but the visitors looked increasingly threatening on the break. It was a little frustrating for our boys to work their way manfully to the opponents' area but to thwarted over and over again, however I was pleased to see them keep their heads up and make their effort. They played bravely, no one more brave than Chris who caught a howitzer on his thigh and knuckle but returned quickly, knowing that we had no substitutes, to play a full part in the game. When the boys went a second goal down following another break away score, Joe Belcher, Edward Scott and Oliver Crosby became inspirational. Playing like demented ninjas, they threw everything at Hall Grove, feeding Rhys on the edge of the D. His quick turn beat the last defender and he had a brief opportunity for a shot a goal . . . . ah, but the ball bobbled cruelly, 'Bobby' recovered and the chance was gone. This was a great game and many thanks to our visitors for their contribution. Our boys played against a strong all round team with one outstanding player and none of them looked out of place. They played with skill, enthusiasm and courage and did all that they could to earn the win but had to accept a narrow loss due to exceptional play. Edward Scott was my man of the match today but there were many close contenders.
Game 1 v Lambrook Haileybury Wednesday 16th March Away Lambrook Haileybury 0 - 3 Eagle House Goals: C. Orleans-Lindsay (2) F. Hindley Team Selected: William Morrison; Ketak Chaudhari; Oliver Crosby; Frank Turley; Alexander Gladen; Rhys Davies ©; Jack Small; Christopher Thomas; Conrad Orleans-Lindsay; Freddie Hindley; Joseph Belcher; Joseph Fernandes; Thomas Williamson. Such excitement - The first match of the season, away at Lambrook-Haileybury. The boys have been practising in earnest all term and we are all interested to see how they perform against similar opposition. From the start of the season I have been impressed by the enthusiasm for the game displayed by the children, which is not often a 'given' at this level. All the boys have shown a willingness to work on their technique and a keenness to improve, so it was very pleasing to see them apply these skills to good effect in match conditions. Hockey is not the strongest aspect of Lambrook sport and players of the calibre of captain Rhys Davies and Freddie Hindley were a cut above anyone else on show. Their clean passing and ability to run with the ball under control from midfield ensured that the Lambrook defence was put under constant pressure. The momentum was such that Joe Belcher, Alex Gladen and Chris Thomas were also able to make important contributions. However, the last line of defence held up strongly for some time and the visitors were starting to get frustrated before Conrad Orleans-Lindsay stepped up and smashed a shot decisively from the edge of the area. The ball catapulted into the base of the goal with a resounding 'thunk' and his team were one score ahead. . Conrad smashes in Goal Number One! The occasional Lambrook break out was met by some efficient defensive work from Oliver Crosby and Frank Turley. Ketak Chaudhari and Jack Small found themselves with little to do and so joined the attack, Jack just missing with a sharp shot from close range. After further pressure and any number of short corners, Conrad scored a second, with a similarly decisive shot, to come in at half time with a two goal lead. Thomas Williamson and Joseph Fernandes joined the game at this point and Thomas was quick to make some important contributions passing to Freddie who made a great run up the left flank before striking a sweet third goal. It was a little bit of hard for the defenders who felt compelled to maintain their positions despite the dominance of their midfield and therefore had very little to do. (Will Morrison may have wondered what he let himself in for playing as a goal-keeper) However this is a good sign that players take their roles seriously and on another day their skills and concentration will be vital. For today though, they were able to play with a level of comfort and it was nice for the team to win their to win their first match. Rhys Davies was the outstanding player today but there were many in the team who showed that they are skilful competitors and this was a great team win.
Will looks on while Freddie scores Goal No.3
Triumphant
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