Mens 1st Team
The Mens Ist XI play in the East Midlands Premier League
Mens 1st Team News
We are the Champions! Congratulations to you all. You are very worthy Champions
and congratulations to Adam Innocent who ended the season as the 3rd top goalscorer in the division with 40 goals to his credit. David and Martin Ebbage were also in the Top 10 Scorers - David was 6th with 19 goals and Martin 10th with 15 goals. Well done to you all
20.3.10 South Nottm v Loughborough Town - Away. Won 1-7
Adam Innocent 2 Paul Innocent 2 Martin Ebbage 1 Rob Earlam 1 Chris PInk 1
On a damp late afternoon at Loughborough University South gave a controlled competent team display of why they are league Champions. After a slow start Adam Innocent was the first on the score sheet with a short corner rebound. A few minutes later Martin slammed in a great srike from the edge of the D. Loughborough Town scored from a short corner and then Rob Earlam made it 1:3 . The second half saw 4 further open play goals - 2 from Paul Innocent, 1 from Chris Pink and a 2nd from Adam Innocent to complete another convincing win.
6.3.10 South Nottingham v North Notts. Won 8-2 HT 4-1
Chris Pink 3 Paul Innocent 2 Adam Innocent 1 Martin Ebbage 1 Rob Earlham 1
What a great match ! South Nottm back on top form with Adam Innocent opening the scoresheet after 30 seconds. Martin Ebbage made it 2:0 from a short corner rebound and then Rob Earlham popped in a 3rd from a great Adam Innocent break the length of the pitch. Paul Innocent converted from a short corner and then just on the half time whistle North Notts pulled one back from a penalty flick . Chris Pink was on the end of 2 more superb runs by Adam Innocent and another from David Ebbage to claim another hat trick. North Notts scored again and then Paul Innocent made it 8:2.
20.2.10 South Nottingham v Sikh Union (Coventry). Won 6-4
Chris Pink 4 David Ebbage 1 Paul Innocent 1
It was less than ideal preparation for the game for both teams. The start of this game was delayed by over an hour after it was initially postponed ( due to the weather) only to be 'put-back-on' to the delight of both teams.
This game was seen by many as the league title decider and it started fast, furious and high quality. South were acquainted very quickly with the exceptional quality of Didara Singh as he took down an arial ball in the D and was unlucky to see his effort fly past the back post after 30 seconds. It took Didara only 2 minutes to open the scoring when he unleashed an unstoppable drag-flick into the South goal after the first tackle of the game inside the South 25 was deemed to be a penalty corner. It takes more than an early set back to stop South and they showed excellent character to construct a superb flowing hockey move involving David Ebbage, Martin Ebbage and Adam Innocent playing a final ball for Chris Pink to sweep past the on-rushing SU goalkeeper. 1-1 after just 3 minutes! 30 seconds later and another Didara drag-flick saw SU 2-1 to the good. Again this lead was short lived as David Ebbage flicked home from a tight angle to draw the teams level after just 7 minutes! South then took the lead for the first time when Chris Pink swept home his second of the game to give South a 3-2 lead after 8 hectic minutes! South tried in vain to settle the game and were thwarted when, with his third drag-flick of the game from his third penalty corner, Didara made it 3-3 in the 15th minute. Shortly after levelling SU took the lead in the game for the final time when a rare South defensive lapse saw SU steal a 4-3 lead with just 17 minutes on the clock.
This time South were determined to stop the SU goals flowing and with a few adjustments did just that and started controlling the game for themselves. Good pass and move hockey saw South create more opportunities than SU and Chris Pink was on form to convert 2 of these on 20 & 22 minutes to complete a first half hat-trick and put South 5-4 up at the interval.
South were well aware of the mammoth task ahead of them to defend this lead and stop the Micky Hayer - Didara Singh partnership from blossoming. Excellent defensive work from all and touch tight marking jobs by Sam Gallop, Paul Innocent and Phil Young ensured that SU created very few clear cut goal scoring opportunities in the 2nd half. They did however manage to craft 2 excellent goal scoring opportunities and a massive well done goes to Captain Pete Hextall as he showed why he IS the best goalkeeper in the league with 2 top-class saves. Firstly, from a Didara Singh strike on an angle, Pete leapt to his right and prevented what was a certain goal with a fine stick save in mid-air. Pete followed this up with another fine stick save from a rocket of a drag-flick again from Didara Singh. This sent confidence through the South team and they sealed the win on 65 minutes when great work down the left by David Ebbage was met by a superb diving finish from Paul Innocent. 6-4 and the job was done!
South came off the pitch and for all their blood and sweat were rewarded with the great news that South Nottingham 2nd XI had also got a 3-0 away win at Newark to ensure promotion into 'East Midlands 2nd XI Premier Division' for the 2010-11 season. Well done boys!
A great day all round, South now need just 4 points from the remaining 5 league games to ensure promotion into 'Midlands Division 1' for 2010/11 and 7 points would see them take the league title. South travel to Highfields next Saturday in search of 3 of the required points to take on struggling Players, who need points for completely different reasons.
13/14 Feb 2010 - a weekend of mixed fortunes!
League v Hampton in Arden away win 2:7
Adam Innocent 4 Chris Read 2 Gaz Bland 1
The tour minibuses left Bingham on Saturday and headed for the league away game against 3rd placed Hampton in Arden. Chris Read opened the scoring after 1 minute and Adam Innocent followed up 7 mins later . Both goals from open play. Hampton came back strongly with 2 goals to level the scores and then Adam Innocent scored again from open play to give a narrow lead at half time. Seven minutes into the 2nd half Gaz Bland scored from open play and then six minutes later Chris Read scored his second from a pc to make it 2:5 Adam Innocent put the nails in Hampton's coffin with a further 2 open goals. He is currently the Prem Division's top goal scorer holding the status jointly with Hampton's striker Daffyd Bowles. A great win!
Unfortunately, injuries sustained in the Hampton game meant that the squad was somewhat depleted for the Sunday game in Round 4 of the EH Trophy against Eastbourne ( Eastbourne play in the equivalent of our Midlands Prem Division ). After a long trip to the south coast , an overnight stay in some prestigious motel near Eastbourne, and a last minute change of venue due to an unplayable pitch the game got underway with hardly any prep time.
South started the game the stronger side and good chances were created by Martin Ebbage, David Ebbage and Gareth Bland but all went begging. South were then hit on the break and conceded 2 quickfire goals from the quick thinking and fast paced Eastbourne forwards. South re-grouped and were unlucky to go into the break 2-0 down after a string of close calls from penalty corners.
South came out strong at the start of the second half and were rewarded for their efforts when they pulled a goal back from an Adam Innocent penalty corner. South continued to pile on the pressure but were again caught on the break and found themselves 3-1 down when Eastbourne bagged their 2nd penalty conrner of the game. As South pushed forward try to save the game they were again caught on the break when a long ball into the D was deflected past keeper Peter Hextall in the South goal. South did get a consolation when Adam Innocent flicked a penalty corner high into the Eastbourne goal with 39 seconds remaining.
Well done to all of you . And a very big thank you to Steve Bateman and Steve Ebbage who drove the minibuses and to Jan Ahmed for his coaching wisdom.
28.11.09 South Nottingham v Solihull Blossomfield - Home. HT 6-0 FT 13-0
Scorers – Adam Innocent 6, Adam Henfrey 3, Gareth Bland, Rob Jenkins, Martin Ebbage, David Ebbage.
With three games remaining before the Christmas break two of which are at home, South will be happy with nothing less than 9 points. The first of the three tough tests came against Solihull Blossomfield, a side relegated from Midlands Division One last season. Despite their low league position South planned to enter this game with the upmost respect for their opposition. South named an unchanged side from the side which beat North Notts 10-2 last week.
After dominating the first ten minutes South eventually got their reward when great work down the left by David and Martin Ebbage led to Martin slipping the ball neatly to Adam Innocent on the penalty spot who duly rattled the back-board for his 20th goal of the season. The second soon followed when within one minute James Bateman found Rob Jenkins with an inch perfect through-ball and Berto smashed the ball home with an excellent ‘one-timer’. After this flurry South opened the floodgates and at the interval found themselves six goals to the good as Adam Innocent added a further three to his tally and Gareth Bland was well placed to make it six on the stroke of half time.
It has been known in the past for South to take their foot off the accelerator in the second half but this certainly wasn’t true today. Within four minutes of the re-start Adam Henfrey started what would become his first South Nottingham hat-trick- he’s proving to be an excellent signing. Adam Innocent added another on 47 minutes. Then on 54 minutes came the goal of the game. Under pressure the Solihull defence tried to clear its lines with an aerial ball over the defence. The recently excellent James Bateman leapt like a salmon to bring the ball under control on the half-way line, he laid a ball inside to Sam Gallop who smashed a ball to Adam Innocent, who found Martin Ebbage free on the top-left of the D with a first time deflection. Martin took a touch and smashed the ball into the top corner giving the shell-shocked Solihull keeper no chance. South went on to grab a further 4 goals in the last ten minutes. Adam Henfrey grabbed two to complete his first South Nottingham hat-trick, David Ebbage got in on the act and Adam Innocent got his sixth of the game to take his tally to 25 for the season.
A massive well done goes to Pete Hextall, James Bateman, Craig Young, Phil Young, Tom Straw and Sam Gallop. Recent defensive consistency and performances have built a platform for the team to go forward and create so many chances. Although the score-line might not suggest it, this was not South’s strongest attacking performance of recent weeks and a hard weeks training is required for the boys, as they face a strong Loughborough Town side at home next week, who are enjoying a good run of form.
22.11.09 South Nottingham v Burton. HA Trophy Round 3. HT 3-1 FT 5-2
Scorers – Adam Innocent 2, Martin Ebbage 2, David Ebbage.
The weather was again bleak at the Banks as South prepared to take on Midlands 1 side Burton in the 3rd round of the EH Trophy. The two sides are no strangers in this competition and met at this stage last year when South ran out 10-4 winners. Burton have since been promoted to Midlands Division 1 and were at the top end of that going into this cup-tie.
After a cagey start in which both teams struggled to take control South eventually opened the scoring when Adam Innocent picked up on some poor defending and smashed past the Burton Keeper on 12 minutes. South failed to capitalise on this lead and conceded a scrappy goal on 13 minutes to drag the scores level. The score stayed level until David Ebbage converted on 19 minutes following a great South passing move. This time South did capitalise and the goal of the game came as Martin Ebbage turned his marker inside out and rocketed a strike from the angle past the Burton Keeper. South, through excellent defensive work held out for Half time and went in at the break 3-1 up.
Burton came out with renewed enthusiasm and got their reward through an excellent reverse stick strike into the top corner on 41 minutes. However, Burton’s enthusiasm took a huge knock on 56 minutes when Martin Ebbage converted a well worked South short corner to restore the 3 goal lead. Great defending from Craig Young, James Bateman, Tom Straw, Phil Young and Sam Gallop and some fine stops by keeper Pete Hextall saw South keep the 3 goal lead until they killed the game in the 62nd minute when Adam Innocent raced clear and slotted past the rushing keeper to make the score 5-2.
Another excellent cup day at the Banks for South and the reward is a trip to South Hockey League, Premier Division 2 side Eastbourne in the last 16 on 14th February 2010. Thanks again to all today’s supporters who braved the abysmal weather.
South Nottingham Vs North Notts 21/11/09 HT 5-1 FT 10-2
Scorers – Adam Innocent 3, David Ebbage 3, Gareth Bland 2, Chris Pink, Martin Ebbage.
South arrived at Manor Park well aware of the mammoth task ahead of them, it’s never easy going to Manor Park to play local rivals North Notts especially when there is top-of-the-league pride at stake. South welcomed Adam Henfrey and Chris Pink back to bolster the squad.
Any early game nerves were settled when David Ebbage was on hand to capitalise on poor and edgy North Notts defending when he poked home from 2 yards on 4 minutes. South took the initiative and pushed North Notts back and got their second of the game through Martin Ebbage on 6 minutes. South then sat back and controlled the game, it was at 2-0 up that they had Peter Hextall and the defence to thank for a series of fine stops and saves. It was from one of these fine defensive displays that South broke away in the 21st minute and Adam Innocent’s strike was too hot to handle and put South 3-0 up.
North Notts regrouped quickly and grabbed a goal back through a fine Alex Greer drag flick on 23 minutes. Fortunately this did not halt South’s momentum and within 3 minutes Adam Innocent restored the 3 goal cushion when he slid in to convert David Ebbage’s cross on 26 minutes. South hadn’t finished the first half scoring and were put even further ahead with a sublime chipped finish from Chris Pink on 34 minutes. South went in at the break 5-1 up, but, realised as good as the finishing was they had a goalkeeper and 4 defenders to thank for the 4 goal cushion.
It was the 4 goal cushion and the squad of 15 players that allowed South to rest players with one eye on Sunday’s Cup game. This didn’t affect South’s momentum, tempo or desire. They further increased their lead on 52 minutes when Adam Innocent raced onto Martin Ebbage’s superb through-ball, rounded the keeper and smashed home from a tight angle to complete his hat-trick. David Ebbage followed suit and completed his hat-trick in the 57th minute with 2 goals in 2 minutes to put South 8-1 up. Gareth Bland grabbed himself a brace in the dying minutes either side of another Alex Greer drag-flick to make the final score 10-2 to South Nottingham.
This was a great performance and shows the progress made over the last few weeks. A big thank you goes to the 2nd team players who braved the wind and rain to support the lads and spurred them on to an excellent victory.
South Nottingham Vs Players 14/11/09 HT 5-0 FT 12-0
Scorers – Adam Innocent 4, Sam Gallop 3, David Ebbage, Martin Ebbage, Robert Jenkins, Phil Young, Gareth Bland.
South, well aware of Players’ tactics for this game and were well prepared and more than ready for the contest. Following a great win last week South faced a Players team that should have approached the game with confidence having won 3 of their last 4 games.
South took just 4 minutes to open the scoring when top-scorer Adam Innocent latched onto a good ball into the D from Martin Ebbage, made room and flicked past the Players keeper at his near post. One quickly became two when Adam Innocent doubled his tally on 5 minutes. In a first half which South dominated Sam Gallop, Martin Ebbage and Adam Innocent completed his hat-trick to send the home side in at the break with a 5-0 half-time lead.
South saved their best for the second half with further goals from David Ebbage, Sam Gallop got a further two to complete his hat-trick, Gareth Bland, Phil Young with an excellent reverse stick sweep and Adam Innocent Bagging his fourth of the game. The best goal of the game was South’s 7th, Craig Young played a long line ball down the left onto Adam Innocent’s long lead, Adam picked out Rob Jenkins in the D who dropped his shoulder leaving the Players defence on the deck before putting the Players keeper on his back and powerfully flicking home.
This was the best performance South have produced this season, however, still with room for improvement South look forward to the top-of-the-table / local Derby clash with North Notts on Saturday, 2pm start at Manor Park Sports Complex (NG19 8JY). All support will be appreciated.
Match Report Vs Sikh Union (Coventry) 07/11/09 Away Win HT 1:2 FT 2:5
Scorers – Adam Innocent 2, David Ebbage 2, Martin Ebbage.
South made the trip to Coventry knowing that only a victory would be good enough against one of the league's top 4 teams with some excellent individual players. South had a game plan and knew that it would need to be stuck to like glue if they were to leave Coventry with all 3 points.
The first 10 minutes were a tense affair, nothing like the blistering start that South have become used to. After 12 minutes Sikh Union, won a short corner and following an excellent save by Pete Hextall, Shin Bhachu was on hand to place home the rebound. South were one down and their character was going to be tested. South came back strong and heaped the pressure on the Sikh Union defence who stood firm, very firm. On 20 minutes Adam Innocent won South’s first penalty corner of the game and duly converted to bring the scores level at 1-1. South really mounted the pressure on the excellent Sikh Union defence and got their reward when Martin Ebbage picked up on a save from South’s second penalty corner of the game and powered into the roof of the net to put South 2-1 up at the break.
The blistering starts South are used to was saved up for the second half and within 2 minutes South were 3-1 up after an excellent aerial into the D from Martin Ebbage, Adam Innocent controlled well and rolled the ball into David Ebbage's path for him to roll into an empty net.
Sikh Union were not going to lie down and fought back with great intensity and vigour. They were rewarded for this after a series of great saves again by man-of-the-match Peter Hextall, the Sikh Union striker was on hand to thrash into an empty net. The next goal was crucial, the game was flowing from end-to-end and South were releaved when the ball popped to Adam Innocent at the top of the D, he adjusted his feet quickly and smashed the ball giving the Sikh Union keeper no chance. South defended well from here on and credit goes to Tom Straw, Phil Young, Craig Young, James Bateman and Sam Gallop for their excellent discipline. There was time for one more for South when Rob Jenkins smashed a ball for Adam Innocent who dummied leaving David Ebbage to again roll into an empty net.
5-2 didn’t do South justice. It was a great performance against an excellent side, South can be proud of what was achieved and take this unbeaten run into Saturday’s visit of Players to The Banks 1.30pm start.
EH Trophy R2 West Bromwich v 1.11.09 Home Win HT 7:0 FT 9:2
Scorers –David Ebbage 3, Sam Gallop 3, Martin Ebbage 2, Adam Henfrey
Cup fever struck Bingham for the first time this season and after a good victory in the league the day before and a nice early night after watching the Antiques Roadshow, South were refreshed and ready to go again. The opposition were again an unknown quantity from the West Midlands, this time West Brom made the long trip north to the Banks.
An electrifying start saw South 1-0 up with just minutes on the clock when Sam Gallop was well placed to smash in from close range. Then followed 4 goals in 10 minutes from David Ebbage (2), Adam Henfrey then Martin Ebbage, South were 5-0 up within 22 minutes. Then came the goal of the game and probably season so far an excellent passing move with every South player touching the ball was completed with an excellent through ball by Martin Ebbage onto Adam Innocent's long lead, Adam took the ball in front of the charging keeper and played a sublime reverse stick flick into David Ebbage’s path who had an open goal to tap into to complete his hat-trick. South weren’t finished there and Sam Gallop took his tally to 2 with a perfectly executed power-flick sending the West Brom keeper the wrong way. 7-0 at half-time and this cup tie was almost over.
South started the second half as they finished the first. Sam Gallop completed his hat-trick within a minute of the restart. 8-0 down but West Brom heads did not drop. They fought back hard and were rewarded with 2 goals on the 51st and 60th minute. Martin Ebbage completed the scoring with 65 minutes on the clock and the game finished 9-2.
A great cup win today, South worked hard and got their just reward, the ultimate reward for this victory is another home tie against Midlands 1 pace setters Burton in Round 3. Burton are a good team and this promises to be a mouth watering tie.
Please support the lads - 1pm on SUNDAY 22 NOVEMBER at Bingham
Match Report V Hampton-in-Arden 31/10/09 Home Win HT 8-0 FT 12-3
Scorers – Stuart Croston 4, Adam Innocent 3, David Ebbage 3, Sam Gallop, Gareth Bland
A great buzz was in the air ahead of South’s first League and Trophy double header weekend. Cup excitement was put to the side on Saturday as South faced what threatened to be a tough, unknown Hampton-in-Arden side. Reports from other teams were that Hampton are a physical side capable of playing some excellent Hockey. South were not going to be caught out at home as they were on the opening day against Loughborough Sharks.
South knew a good start was vital and once again that’s just what the spectators got after just 34 seconds Stuart Croston opened the scoring when he was perfectly placed to volley home after great work down the left by Martin Ebbage, South were made to wait until the 10th minute before doubling their lead when Stuart Croston was again well placed to finish off an excellent passing move from Rob Jenkins and Martin Ebbage. Then followed a whirlwind 15 minutes in which South scored 3 times through David Ebbage and Stuart Croston added 2 more to double his tally for the game to 4. So with 24 minutes on the clock South found themselves 5-0 up and hungry for more. Then followed another excellent 10 minutes of Hockey in which South scored 3 more times through Sam Gallop, Gareth Bland and David Ebbage’s second of the game. The score at half time was 8-0 much to the displeasure of the Hampton Goalkeeper who vented his frustrations on the goal frame!
At half-time South talked about maintaining and raising the tempo and couldn’t have been happier with the start when Adam Innocent’s reverse stick effort found its way to the net after a goalmouth scramble. Hampton did start to play Hockey in the Second half and posed a considerable threat when Dafydd Bowles was in possession. Hampton managed 3 goals in the second half but South were certainly the happiest team with further goals from David Ebbage and Adam Innocent both completing hat-tricks and making the score 12-3.
On reflection this was an excellent result against a strong side who will upset the top 4 throughout the season..
Match Report South Nottingham V Leicester Thursday Away Win 24/10/09 HT 0:3 FT 0:7
Scorers – Adam Henfrey x 2, Gareth Bland, Stuart Croston, Sam Gallop, Martin Ebbage, David Ebbage
On arriving at St Margaret's Pastures for the second time in 3 weeks South were well aware of the challenge ahead. Leicester Thursday are one of the strongest teams in the EMPL and are rightly considered strong promotion contenders. That said, South seem to enjoy playing at St Margarets having scored 44 goals in their past 7 trips there.
South started brightly, got themselves on top and nothing really changed from there. Adam Innocent was denied early on by a great save by the Thursday keeper at his near post, but this was shortly followed by a Stuart Croston goal as he was on hand to sweep a short corner save neatly into the goal. Adam Henfrey was making his South Nottingham debut and scored within 3 minutes of coming off the bench, he latched on to a poor defensive pass by Thursday, raced away from the defence and coolly slotted the ball past the on-rushing Thursday keeper. South went into the break 3-0 up after Sam Gallop got his second goal in two games with a short corner power flick!!
With confidence high South stroked the ball around well and showed exceptionally high levels of discipline as Thursday got more and more frustrated, it was this frustration that led to South’s fourth goal. Martin Ebbage out powered, skilled and paced the Thursday captain and his retaliation was to trip Ebbage, but quick thinking Ebbage popped back up to his feet self-passed and found Henfrey free in the D to finish off his debut brace. Further goals from David and Martin Ebbage from short corners and a ‘gambling’ Gareth Bland meant that the scoring finished 7-0. Bringing South’s tally to 51 in 8 at St Margarets Pastures.
Match Report v Leic Westeigh 10.10.09 Away Win HT 1-2 FT 1-10
Scorers – Adam Innocent 5, Sam Gallop 2, Gareth Bland, Martin Ebbage, David Ebbage
After the disappointing home draw with Loughborough Sharks the previous week South knew that nothing but 3 points was acceptable against a Westleigh side who grabbed an excellent point the previous week against newly relegated Solihull.
South started the game at a great pace, something they failed to do the week before. As a result ,South won a string of penalty corners and created many chances, however, the Westleigh keeper had decided that today was going to be his day and produced a string of fine saves. It was from one of those saves, that South gave away possession far too cheaply from a rebound and Westleigh were on a break and as easy as 1,2,3 the ball was in the back of the South goal, the final quality finish coming from James Williamson. Peter Hextall in the South goal had the right to tell his defence and midfield exactly what he thought as this sort of defending simply isn’t good enough. That however was the final mistake made by South this game and would be Westleigh’s only chance to cheer. Within 2 minutes Adam Innocent picked up on some good work by James Bateman down the right, beat an onrushing defender and keeper and slotted home from a tight angle to draw the sides level. Westleigh weathered the storm until 1 minute before the end of the half when Sam Gallop won possession with a strong tackle in the middle of the park, weaved his way into the D and fired a superb finish past the Westleigh keeper. South were relieved to go in at the break 2-1 up.
The message from the side at half time was to stop making the Westleigh keeper look good and work the ball. South did just that! Martin and David Ebbage bagging themselves a goal a piece from PC’s putting South 4-1 up within 10 minutes of the restart. Then came a dramatic 7 minutes in which Adam Innocent grabbed himself a hat-trick, one of which was a beauty struck from the top left of the D like an arrow into the top right hand corner of the goal crashing in off the crossbar and post joint. South were then moving the ball around well and in a destructive mood 7 became 10 with further goals from Sam Gallop, Gareth Bland and Adam Innocent taking his tally to 5 for the game.
On reflection this was a great performance and the score line was good, but South feel that they have more and are probably playing to 80% of their full potential. With a week off then a trip back to St Margaret’s to play promotion contenders Leicester Thursday on 24th October South Nottingham spirits are high!
Match Report v Loughboro Sharks 3.10.09 Home draw HT 1-1 FT 2-2
Scorers – Martin Ebbage, David Ebbage
The sun was shining on The Banks for the start of the 09/10 season, South Nottingham were full of optimism ahead of the season after finishing 3rd last year, promotion this year is a must.
South were put under pressure from the start by a well organised and vastly improved Sharks side who were 10 times the team that South beat 10-0 and 6-0 last season. Sharks got their just reward for all there pressure on the 17th minute when Richard Mearns was well placed to pick up on the loose ball and slot home from 2 yards after several ricochets and missed opportunities to clear the lines by the South defence. This sparked South into life and their superior creativity showed when a great show of skill down the right and the cross ball was met by a powerful finish from David Ebbage. The sides went in level after 35 minutes.
The second half started poorly for South conceding another scrappy goal after just 4 minutes when Jack Baker tapped in from no more than a yard out. South then went on the offensive creating an abundance of chances but failing to convert, most notably Stuart Croston latched on to a Sam Gallop through ball but saw his effort beat the keeper and slide just the wrong side of the post. Shortly after this South got over excited and David Ebbage and Adam Innocent both received deserved yellow cards. Fortunately the boys on the pitch kept their calm and it was whilst South were at 10 men that there were gaps appearing in the otherwise excellent Sharks defence, Martin Ebbage capitalised on one of those opportunities and struck South level with 14 minutes remaining. Failure to convert penalty corners and open play chances ended up costing South dear and ultimately 2 points as South were unable to grab a winner.
Credit goes to Loughborough Sharks who were a great opposition on the day and gave South Nottingham an early season wake-up call.
A valiant fight
The Mens 1st team travelled to Manchester on Sun 4th October to play Bowdon ( 6th in the EH Premier League!!) in the 2nd round of the EH Cup. Ater 21 minutes we were 4:0 down on a very springy aquaturf after 2 superbly taken pc's and 2 great open play goals. But for the next 35 minutes South matched Bowdon and played great hockey with some wonderful end to end play. Only in the final 15 mins were Bowdon able to penetrate our defence and score 2 further open play goals. The boys did the club proud and Bowdon awarded them total respect..
More good news
The Club is thrilled to announce the return of former 1st Team Captain Adam Innocent . Pete Hextall, the new 1st Team Captain said "we are all delighted that Adam has returned to further strengthen the 1st team and spearhead our bid for promotion"
Fantastic victory in the 1st round of the EH Mens Cup - 3 : 2
An extra time golden goal gave us a deserved victory away at North Stafford HC on Sun 20 Sept. A goal in the 1st half by Stuart Croston was equalised by North Stafford just before the break. Martin Ebbage scored shortly after the break only for North Stafford to equalise again at full time. Five mins into extra time a foul against Chris Pink resulted in the award of a flick which Martin Ebbage duly converted.
New signings
We welcome 3 new signings to the mens 1st team squad. Adam Henfrey joins us from Newark HC and will be looking to add more fire power to an already impressive forward line up! Talented twins Phil and Craig Young make a welcome return to the club having returned from University. Phil returns from Warwick Uni to bolster up the defensive line and Craig, returning from Bristol Uni will be a great asset with his adaptability. Pete 1st team captain says ' I look forward to playing with these guys, starting on 5th Sept against North Notts in the inaugural President's Cup.'
EH Trophy Round 4 v Eastbourne lost 4:2
Adam Innocent 2