South Nottingham Hockey Club

2nd XI v Sikh Union Coventry home 13/3/10

HT 2 - 1

FT 3 - 2

 

We have said before that there are no easy games in this league and this game proved it.  With SUC starting the match with just nine players we had every chance of creating space and threatening their goal.  It was three minutes before they touched the ball as we passed around and sought to drawn them forward.  Unfortunately they played a very disciplined game and refused to be drawn.  This combined with a distinct lack of drive and urgency meant that we made them look better than they were.  Sloppy passing also meant that SUC had rather more of the possession than they really should have had.  On nine minutes AJ, in his first match for some weeks, broke the deadlock with a well taken goal from open play.  South then settled a little and started to threaten on a more regular basis, though still with some overly casual play allowing SUC to counterattack and draw good saves from Tommy.  Gaz Bland put us further ahead on 20 minutes and we briefly upped the pace only to allow SUC to win a short corner from which they scored (31 minutes).  The last few minutes of the half were to say the least tense.

 

At half time we identified that lack of urgency was our big failing and resolved to push forward more in the second half.  SUC, bolstered by their late arrivals and up to eleven players, had other ideas and started the half rather more positively than their somewhat defensive first half display.  After sixteen minutes they drew level from another well worked short corner.  Whilst they rarely looked like scoring again and slipped back into defensive mode South too struggled to put any positive moves together.  Gradually we worked our way back into it with Joe Waldman, showing much better form than in the first half, linking well with Simon Good down the right. Tom Spencer similarly had some good opportunities on the left flank, it's a pity he'll miss next week as he's away on school hockey tour, he's had a great season and will be missed.  With just over three minutes left (31.54) AJ again picked up a loose ball and put us back in the lead.  Heads were raised and for the last few minutes we worked hard to get a fourth.

 

The final whistle came as a relief.  Winning ugly isn't great and this is the first game this season that I have not enjoyed, but a win is a win.  What can we take forward to the next game?  Tom Crossland's mature performance in the centre of defence was a definite plus point, he was my man-of-the-match; the fact that the team knows it played badly and is determined not to let this happen again and a belief that our midfield won't be absent again are three thoughts.

 

We play second placed Kettering at home next week and can expect a competitive game.  A return to the flowing style of play that has characterised our season so far would be ideal.  A good win will make us champions ~ alongside the 1st and 3rd team.  I can hardly wait.

 

2nd XI v Mansfield at home 27/2/10

2nd XI v Newark Away 20/02/10
HT 2 - 0
FT 3 - 0

So the hard work over sixteen games has paid off and we are now definitely promoted. This is just reward for what has been a pretty consistent team both in terms of performance and selection. None of which means it hasn't been hard, ugly or disappointing at times. This game was no different, though having consistently done well maybe we are at times a bit over critical, but let's leave it a few weeks and, surely, be champions before we start to congratulate ourselves too much.
The first half was one of our better performances we passed well and ran for each other, though at times the resident nutter practicing Tai Chi up an down the far touchline was arguably more interesting to watch. Will scored our first (13.33) following a neat passing move that took the ball quickly from defence into the Newark D, until eventually he opted to walk the ball over the line rather than try anything spectacular. Concerted pressure brought a short corner on 29 minutes and the practice we put in before the match paid dividends and Will again converted. Having scored two it was notable that he then opted for jug-avoidance, twice hitting the post.
The half time team talk as ever called for more of the same, Tommy reminding us that we have a habit of taking things for granted and going off the boil. This game was no exception, as ever we decided that it was only fair to let Newark have some of the ball and territorial advantage, if only to allow Tommy a few chances to show his value to the team ~ you may hear him mention that we have conceded fewer League goals than any other South team this season (or as he would put it ~ he's let fewest in). Ten minutes into the half we decided to play again and took control, Newark never looking like scoring. The goal of the game (21.39) came from Simon Good who finished off yet another good passing movement with a well taken strike.
Man of the match? No one stood out, as ever the team and how it plays together is key. This means that with the odd person slotting in from week to week they are quickly involved and play their part. This week it was good to see Rob Earlham back after a few weeks out and AJ turn out for a game of hockey rather than continue his spa-weekend (the question is what did Laura get out of this deal?). Tom Crossland in his third game for the team is looking comfortable and linking well with Tom Spencer. If all the rumours of new players coming to the club are true there will be some interesting selection issues next year.
Onto the great Batty goal debate ~ did Batty score at Daventry or was it Tom Spencer? Well Tom told me it was Batty's goal so I'll do my best to update the top goals scorers list in the near future. Apologies to Batty but he really ought to treat us to a proper goal celebration.
Finally we need a big game next week to take us into the mid-season break and opportunity to watch the 1sts trounce North Notts. Let's hope that's what we get.

 

2nd XI vs. Nuneaton Home 13/02/10
HT 0 - 0
FT 2 - 0

First things first I understand that Batty is aggrieved that I credited his goal against Daventry last week to Tom Spencer and he has asked me to put things right without any mickey taking. Well Tom didn't tell me he hadn't scored and there was no exaggerated goal celebration from Batty so I'm not sure which way to go on this one. I await developments on this front ~ does anyone out there have a view?
So onto Nuneaton ~ being at the top of the league brings its blessings and difficulties. One of the latter is that, especially in the second half of the season, teams come to play you with a distinct game plan. Nuneaton certainly did that their aim was to play a half court press which essentially means, packing the defence sticking in your own half and looking for a lucky break. They said afterwards that their aim was to have just two attacks, score from both and hope for a draw. Fortunately they failed.
Faced with such negative tactics and with a few changes in the side, welcome to Ryan Day and Paul Innocent both appearing for the first time this year, the latter after being out for three weeks with a broken finger, we took time to properly settle and whilst the first half saw us with 90% of the possession and a similar share of territorial advantage we failed to score. It was a frustrating afternoon for all involved.
At half time we once again agreed to stick to basics, pass the ball around, use space and to spread things wide. to some extent we managed this but persisted in looking for the "Hollywood" pass and in playing down the middle. With Nuneaton packing nine men and the goalkeeper into their half this was never a strategy that would crack them early and we became increasingly frustrated. Eighteen minutes into the second half Simon Goods shot from the edge of the D took a deflection off a Nuneaton foot and, with the umpires playing advantage, ballooned gently over the line. This heralded some of our best play as Nuneaton started to look worried their approach was going to fail but it took until 33 minutes for the industrious Paul Innocent to add a second a well taken strike from a preposterous angle out left.
Overall a workmanlike performance against difficult tactics. The youngsters in the side will have learned a lot from this and the fact that we continue to play as a team not individuals remain the major pluses.
So Played 15, won 13, drawn 2 ~ not only can we not be relegated we need just a point to be sure of promotion. It remains the case that there are no easy fixtures in this league and ours is the scalp that all the other teams are looking for, which means we need to concentrate on doing everything right away to Newark next week ~ simple passing hockey with fewer appeals to the umpire is our starting point. Better conversion rates from short corners would be a real bonus ~ we've had nineteen over the last two games and just Batty/Tom's goal last week to show for the effort put in. The fact that we have no long journeys for the rest of the season and should see some absent friends return over the next few games can only be in our favour

 

Mens 2nd XI v Barton Home
HT 0 - 0
FT 4 - 0

YEEEES! This is the performance that we have been waiting for all season. We used space, made the ball do the work, gave each other options and never sat back and rested on our laurels. It was good to see some 1st team players down to give their support and to be frank I have been smiling ever since the final whistle, and probably for some time before that. The only complaining voice was from Tommy Hall who pointed out that Hockey isn't a spectator sport. That said even he managed to get involved though it was hard to see whether he was goalkeeping or break dancing at one time.

The first half was full of endeavour and effort and we had lots of chances, Gaz Bland in particular being unlikely on several occasions ~ of which more later. So at half time all that had to be said was ~ keep it up and the goals are bound to come.

In the second half we had a slow start but never really looked like falling behind. Chris Read back for his first match in 10 months showed that concentrating on cricket had done nothing to blunt his pace and anticipation on the hockey field. He was at the centre of most of our best attacks and got his reward on 19.51 with a well taken goal from open play. That goal effectively broke Barton's resistance, up until then they had shown some resolve and no small amount of skill but once behind they knew they were not going to get anything out of this fixture. Just before 23 minutes Gaz Bland finished a flowing movement down the right with a strong shot that, having taken a deflection, looked likely to cross the line, until Tom Spencer made sure and added his name not Gaz's to the scoresheet.

South continued to press forward with Neil Batty risking a nose bleed by getting into areas of the pitch he should never be in, fortunately Joe Waldman continues to show his value to the team by linking well with midfield and attack and getting back to defend when other with slightly older legs can't quite make it. On 30.23 Ready added another and made things certain when he added his third less than two minutes later.

All round a superb performance which should give us heart for the long trip to third placed Daventry next week. As I said last week what would be good for both the 2nd XI and the club would be for as many of them as possible to get to training. Finally man of the match is without a doubt Chris Read, even without the three goals and welcome Jug (thanks to Gaz for his from last week). But mention must be made of Tom Spencer, Jack Howard and Matt Woods who played their hearts out and showed that we have great mix of experience and youth.

2nd XI v Leicester Westleigh 23/01/10      away    HT 2:1    won    FT 3:6

v Leicester University 24/01/10    home    HT 1:0      won    FT 3:0

Like most other teams we had a delayed return following the winter break and in both matches looked a little rusty and off the pace. Fortunately we managed to win both matches though, as is our wont, we made both Leicester teams look better then they really were.

Neither game was without controversy. Just four minutes into the Westleigh game their chairman, also chairman of the league, interrupted play because he was concerned they might be fielding a banned player. In the end he played on and it made no difference as we won quite comfortably anyway. The University game included a disputed goal, AJ's second, which took a deflection off a Uni stick but was definitely struck from within the D.

So how did we play? Against LW we started well spreading the ball around, Gaz Bland scoring the opener after six minutes following a speculative aerial from Brian Blackmore. We then lost a bit of shape in midfield and let LW into the game, that said they had few ideas or variation and only challenged us on the break. They drew level on 33 minutes, but just one minute later (1.03 to be precise) Grozzy marked his debut for the team with a well taken shot.

Into the second half we maintained shape in midfield well, Matt Woods effectively snuffing out LW's main playmaker for most of the half, and it was no surprise when Simon Good , having missed a couple of opportunities in the first half, added his name to the score sheet after just six minutes. LW managed to score from one of their counter attacks on 15 minutes but this simply ushered in a period of South dominance which brought goals from AJ "the woodwork hunter" (22 minutes) and another from Gaz (29). LW again briefly raised their game as we sat back a bit and scored from a short corner on 33 minutes. However, not disheartened we continued to press forward Gaz getting his hat-trick on exactly 35 minutes. Sadly with important games to come the next day we'll have to wait for his promised jug.

With pretty much the same team against Leicester University, Ian Lane making his debut at left back, and news that they had lost 7-1 to Kettering the previous day we went into the match with some confidence. Things started well with good passing moves and people getting into good positions, however LU were looking lively and it was hard to believe they were the same team that lost so heavily the previous day. On five and a half minutes LU's bare-armed keeper flattened AJ who had the goal at his mercy. Unphased by this he coolly converted the flick to put us ahead. From that point on we made hard work of things. Once again we lost shape in midfield and gave the LU players too much room, typical students they were quick and eager and punished us with some quick passing moves deep into our half. On a couple of occasions Tommy kept us in the game with saves and by challenging the attackers as only he can.

At half time Will was quite angry about the way we were playing and demanded more effort and application. We were looking for an early goal but none came. However our defence was looking solid, Ian slotted in well and Brian and Matt made some excellent tackles. It's sterling work in defence that is keeping us at the top of the league ~ when the midfield and attack go off the pace it's good to know that we can rely on our back four, in its various combinations to pull  us out of the mire. Whilst not wishing to single anyone out from what was a team/unit performance, the outstanding players were Tommy and Joe Waldman.  Tommy continued to show good form throughout the second half and gave plenty of encouragement to those in the outfield.  Joe demonstrated that he was the fittest player on the pitch,  particular showing that he could be all over the pitch and link well with the midfield, he and Tommy were my men of the match, a sentiment echoed by Will after the game. After twenty minutes Jack Howard helped settled us down a little scoring following a good move down the right of the pitch. LU were shocked by that and fought back strongly to win a flick following Brian's deft footwork on the line. Tommy was keen to keep a clean sheet and despatched what, to be fair, was not the best flick ever with no trouble at all. That took the wind out of LU's sails and a tiring AJ added the final goal on 29 minutes ~ 3-0.

So we maintain our unbeaten run and remain at least eight points clear. It's Barton at home next week and, despite their league place, they will be a challenge ~ there are no easy games in this division. We'll be looking for more discipline in midfield and to let the ball do the work.

 

 2nd XI v Sikh Union Nottingham   12/12/09    home      HT 2 - 1     FT 6 - 1

It's a cliche to refer to a game of two halves but this was certainly one of those. Having started the first half in impressive form, passing the ball well, running into space and giving each other options it was good to see us go ahead in the twelfth minute. Pinky arguably stealing the goal from Gaz Bland with a last inch touch over the line. Unfortunately, in typical style, we then went off the boil and let SUN into the match. As ever we decided that we would dribble past people and go for the ambitious pass. Tommy coped with the inevitable counterattacks and short conrners with his usual aplomb but we still leaked a goal on 29 minutes. Fortunately that was a wake up call and having won a short corner Will, once again, scored to give us a deserved lead at the break.

At half time we knew what we needed to do and it was more or less the same message as we have been giving throughout the season ~ pass, use space, take your time, trust and play for one another.

The second half, whilst not perfect, saw us doing all those things and SUN were unable to cope with the variety and options we created. Gaz, settling into the team well, scored open play goals in the ninth, thirteenth, and twenty eighth minutes ~ and even bought a jug on return to Caythorpe. In between Batty scored the goal of the game on twenty two minutes, having injected the short and receiving the return pass he took three attempt to score before lobbing the ball gently over the defenders. He gets the award for the "Most Camp Goal Celebration of the season" so far.

So that made it six - one and, had we played to full potential throughout it could have been more. We go into the winter break having won nine, drawn one and lost none with high hopes of similar results in the New Year. We are 8 points clear at the top of the league!

Thanks to Zoe Simpson and Katie Keward-Bright for umpiring for us at the last minute. Zoe had little experience of umpiring before and did really well, bringing the best out of Katie at the same time.

So what are the highlights of the first half of the season? The mix of experience and youth means that the club should be served well in the future. Tom Spencer in particular has settled into 2nd Team hockey really well. Our defence remains the meanest in the league and, even when they fail, Tommy continues to show that he remains reliable and alert. It is perhaps too early to be thinking about candidates for player of the season but I've certainly a couple of people in mind ~ what stands out though is that every match has been a team performance (sometimes less than we'd hope for) and when we play well it is because of that and not any one individual. I for one am looking forward to the second half of the season.

 

 

Match report  2nd XI v Kettering ~ away 5/12/09  HT 0-2    FT 1-2

As expected this was a tough match ~ Kettering were in second place just three points behind us so both teams had a lot to play for. We started very positively spreading the ball wide and making Kettering run after shadows. On ten minutes we won what proved to be our only short corner of the game, Will Brydon slotting the ball home neatly for us to take a well deserved lead. We continued to put pressure on Kettering but in doing so were vulnerable to counterattacks. With several people playing out of position, in the team for the first time this season, or hung over and with a couple of ill advised substitutions (sorry!) we let them back into the game. Tommy, once again showing what a class keeper he is, kept us in the game on more than one occasion. Having conceded six short corners we started to play more like the team that started the game and the last fifteen minutes of the first half saw us put increasing pressure on the Kettering defence. Gaz Bland, promoted to us from the first team for the first time this season, caused lots of problems in attack and was well supported by Matt Woods, Tom Spencer and Simon Good. Just before half time (33 minutes) Gaz put us two nil ahead, a real disappointment for the home side and their supporters.

At half time Will encouraged the team to play the ball wide and across the park and to stretch Kettering as far as possible. We were looking for at least a further three goals at that time. Unfortunately things didn't go that way. Whilst we started the half well we lost our way a little in mid-field and gave away lots of possession, the fact that they won a further five short corners in this half being evidence of that. On 12 minutes they converted one and we were under the cosh. We put ourselves under intense pressure when both Ali Hartley and Gaz were sin-binned for ten minutes, Ali first and Gaz a few minutes later. Down to nine men we showed our strength, playing as a team cutting off any chances Kettering may have had and forcing them to run after the ball. At times it looked like they were the team two men down.  During this spell Rob Peck, up from the 3rds for the first time this season provided the maturity and sense that has sometimes been lacking ~ well done Rob. Once back up to full strength we settled back into the pattern Will had asked for at half time and went close on a couple of occasions, though, to be fair, so did they.

At the final whistle we knew we could have done better and there was no sense of triumph. Kettering complimented us afterwards saying we were by far the strongest team they had played this season.

So next week we are home to bottom placed Sikh Union Nottingham and have a good chance of finishing the year unbeaten ~ but we need to work hard and maintain shape if we are ever going to win by the sort of margins the first team is managing. We are capable of it, let's hope it comes soon. 

 

21.11.09    Away  v Mansfield      HT 2-0 FT 3-0 

What a difference a week makes. Last week's 3-0 win was disappointing but this week's, despite being against one of the league's lowest placed sides, was a far more positive affair. Had we taken all our chances and the Mansfield keeper not been on song we might well have been close to double figures. So what was different? Essentially we did the basics much better, we used space well, let the ball do the work and didn't try to take on too much as individuals.

Our first goal (16 mins) came after a period of sustained pressure, Will Brydon converting neatly from a short corner. On twenty six minutes Simon Good scored an excellent goal following a flowing move involving quick crisp passing and good use of space. The only question is why did he only get this goal? From the side it looked like he had a hole in his stick, he gets the vote as the second most unlucky player. The most unlucky ~ Tom Spencer who refused to be bullied and was yellow carded just before half time for his troubles. That said he had another mature performance, probably his best for the team so far.

The second half brought further periods of sustained pressure with Mansfield unable to mount anything other than the odd counter-attack, which were quickly snuffed out by the most parsimonious defence in the league. In fact Tommy Hall was left wondering whether he should have stayed at the family wedding rather than turn out to watch the match ~ he had just one shot to save throughout. In the thirtieth minute we were awarded a penalty flick ~ Will, having missed one a few weeks ago, handed the responsibility to AJ who slotted it home neatly in the bottom right-hand corner ~ 3 - 0.

It's hard to choose a man of the match but Matt Woods stood out for his improved distribution and energy, it's great to see the midfield tracking back and helping out in defence and this is becoming a bigger and bigger part of Matt's contribution to the team.

So we have a week off next week to recharge the batteries and prepare for tough away fixtures at Sikh Union (Coventry) and Kettering. Anything other than wins in those games will be unacceptable for this team ~ that was clear from discussions after the game ~ and that attitude can only stand them in good stead.

 

Match Report  home  v Newark   HT 1:0   FT 3:0

They say that the best teams succeed by winning even when they play badly. On this basis then we must be a good team. Only our second clean sheet of the season  yet this was by far the worst performance the team has put together to date. Newark with just one win out of four were on paper a relatively easy proposition but it is folly to take any team lightly and the worry in the early exchanges was that this was exactly what we had done. There was nothing to show that this is a fairly stable side with only a couple of new faces appearing this week. 

It took ten minutes for the side to settle down to any rhythm and it was only in the 22 minute that AJ was able to convert a neat cross from Tom Spencer. Whilst we were in control for the rest of the half we didn't look like scoring. Fortunately neither did Newark.

After the half time break there were signs of some improvement with the team settling into its planned pattern, however this was not to last and again we started to look scrappy and tried to take on too much as individuals. Tom Spencer, looking increasingly comfortable at this level slotted our second in the eleventh minute. After the match he took the water bottles home saying, "That'll help me get picked for next week!" I'm beginning to think that some of the more established players might be advised to offer to do the same in coming weeks.

On twenty nine minutes Simon Good put us three up and we played out the last few minutes with some relief. Overall a deserved win but only just. We'll be looking for a more convincing performance next week against struggling Mansfield. One day we'll put a complete performance together and win by a country mile but on the evidence of this match it may be some time off yet

 

Match Report  away  v Nuneaton    HT 3 -0    FT 6-1

The 2nd X1 juggernaut ploughs on, this latest victory making it five wins out of five. Without AJ's influence and with no substitutes available we were looking for a big effort from the team and that was what we got.
The early exchanges were typically uncertain but there were hints that Nuneaton might struggle against a well organised South side and so it proved. After seven minutes a well taken goal from Simon Good settled the team down and soon we were constantly threatening the Nuneaton keeper. However, it took until the twenty second minute for  Matt Woods to put us further ahead with a trademark reverse stick shot. He tells us that he's scored more on the open side but we aren't sure about that. With Nuneaton looking increasingly lost for ideas and out of touch with one another it was frustrating that we had to wait until just before half time for Chris Pink to put us further ahead. His goal being just reward for some hard work providing chances for himself and others. The link on the righthand side between Joe Waldman, Simon Good and Pinky was particularly promising in this, our most dominant, period of play.

At half time Will was looking for another three but from the side it looked like another seven would be closer to the mark. Sadly it was not to be. Once again we spent the first twenty minutes of the second half letting Nuneaton back into the game. Fortunately this shocked them so much that they did not take advantage and it is testament to the strength of our back four, Joe, Rob Earlham, Matt Robinson and Neil Batty (when he managed to wander back), and indeed the ever voluable Tommy Hall, that they were unable to score. Will Brydon put things back on track ~ 4 - 0. However, as in previous weeks we let them back into the game and in the twenty fourth minute they pulled one back much to Tommy's disgust. This lead to a revival ~ instead of everyone trying to do everything themselves we started looking like a team again. Crisp passing moves, people moving into space and playing for one another, no cluttering the D, in fact all the things we spoke about doing or avoiding at half time started to fall into place. The Loughborough town team arriving for the next game remarked to me that we were clearly the better side, well drilled and good to watch. Towards the end of the first half it was the combination on the right that looked good but towards the end of the second-half our left flank shone. Tom Spencer linked well with Will and Ali Hartley and converted neatly in the twenty seventh minute. Five minutes later he sored the goal of the match after a short but mazy run drawing the keeper and scoring with a calm and confidence that bodes well for the future.


Match Report    home v Daventry     24.10.09   won   4 - 2

Following last week's strong performance against Barton we went into this match as league leaders and full of confidence.  Like us Daventry were unbeaten so had to be taken seriously and the opening few minutes showed we were in a game and suggested it was likely to be close.  However, as the first half progressed it became increasingly clear that we were the stronger side and that they were bereft of ideas in attack.  That said it took quite some time for the first goal, the best of the match, a well taken strike by Jack Howard.  The Daventry keeper was on fire and saved them numerous times, by half time we should have been three or four up at least.  The second half was a different matter.  In the first ten minutes we took control with Tom Spencer looking increasingly comfortable in midfield in just his second match at this level. The South midfield began to control the game.  Unfortunately with so much possession and so long spent in attack we left ourselves vulnerable to counter-attacks and Daventry managed to draw level.  This lead to  a period when we went off the boil and let them back into the game ~ falling 2 -1 behind with fifteen minutes to go.  Gradually we started to put on pressure and occasional player Jonty Barnicott converted to draw us level ~ aided somewhat by AJ showing great skill in slowly getting up of the keeper, whom he had pressed to the floor, thereby allowing us the chance to score.  "It was the only way we were going to beat him" AJ opined after the match. We continued to apply pressure winning a penalty flick, which Will didn't quite manage to put away.  Eventually AJ and Matt Woods converted chances to bring a 4 - 2 win that should really have been a lot easier and more convincing.

 

After the Barton match we said we would play a lot worse and win ~ it's a pity we proved this so soon.  That said there are a lot of positives to be taken forward to next week.  Matt Woods is showing lots of skill and is allying this to more physicality. Tom Spencer has fitted in well and there is a good spirit in the team and the consistency in availability means there is a better understanding across the side than at any time over the last three seasons. This was evidenced when heads didn't drop after we fell behind.  If asked for a man of the match it would have to be Daventry's keeper and had we converted even half the chances we created we would have been in double figures.So, much to play for next week at Nuneaton.  Let's hope for a more consistent performance with the team playing at its best over 70 not 50 minutes and some crisper finishing to increase our lead at the top of the table.

 

Match Report   away v Barton  17.10.09     won   1:2

After two relatively straightforward wins the match against Barton was expected to be the team's first big test of the season ~ they were one of only two teams to beat us twice last season ~ and so it proved. AJ organised an early meet so that we were there in good time to allow Tommy to top up on his nicotine levels and plenty of time to allow a short warm-up, after all there is no point peaking too soon. With Eileen on hand to provide technical input we were looking for a good performance. The opening exchanges suggested that we had the legs and they had the organisation but as the match progressed we settled down and started to look more and more like a team. At half time the score remained nil-nil and the spectators, predictably, felt that the first goal would be crucial. Fortunately it came South's way, Pinky neatly slotting the ball away twenty minutes into the second half after a period of South pressure. Barton were clearly unhappy with this and raised their game to win a questionable short corner ~ how many times are they allowed to kick the ball without being penalised? So back to one all and everything to play for. Again South put on the pressure becoming increasingly dominant in midfield and on 28 minutes a well taken strike from Will Bryden made it 2-1. The last few minutes were tense . On the final whistle it was clear the result meant a lot to both teams. So three wins out of three should take us towards the top of the table. The team is settling well with a good mix of experience and youth. Next week's match with Kettering is likely to be another tense affair, we only took one point from them last season, but if we can keep things going there is every reason to be quietly confident.

 

New Captain

Following on from a mid table finish last season, the 2nd team have their sights set on a promotion winning season this year.  Under the new captainship of Will Brydon, we're sure they will fulfill their ambitions!

 

 We had identified this as one of the big tests of the season. SUC were in fifth place prior to this match but had won three out of three at home.  The early exchanges were promising with South passing the ball around well and creating space.  However, SUC were very quick onto the ball showed lots of individual skill and started to put us under pressure.  After five minutes they went ahead, only slightly against the run of play.  This goal lead to a period when they were on song bringing a series of good saves out of a more than normally active Tommy Hall.  The flow of play was however broken when the umpires had to stop all action so that they could put on different coloured tops, evidently Batty had been marking one of them out of the game for five minutes, only spotting he didn't have a stick in his hand when he didn't attempt to tackle him.  After this break South seemed more affected than SUC and fell off the pace.  Towards the end of the half we started to put on more pressure and though we didn't have any clear attempts on goal SUC were clearly beginning to get a bit rattled.  They were as relieved as we were confused when the whistle went for the end of the half after just 32 minutes on my stopwatch ~ my guess is that the upires didn't stop the clock when they were searching for different tops.
At half time the side was confident that they could win but realised they were in a match.  Will exhorted them to make space and let the ball do the work, particulalrl round SUC's 51 year old left back who tackled everything in sight cleanly and effectively ~ how is it such a small man has such long arms?  

 

We started the half well taking control and building well from the back.  Unfortunately we went further behind on six minutes when  SUC converted a short corner with a well taken strike into the top righthand corner.
It was from this point the team started to show what it was made of.  AJ latched onto a ball in open play and scored with our first actual shot on taregt ~ nine minutes into the second half.  We continued to build well but let SUC through on the counterattack to take a 3-1 lead.
Having only conceded six in seven games we were in new territory.   It took us twelve minutes more to bring the score back to 3-2, AJ again providing the finish.  We then had to face an increasingly physical SUC side who were not prepared to let the match drift away from them, but showed that we had some classy players and determination, to win a flick in the twenty sixth minute ~ AJ converting again in the bottom right-hand corner  3-3.  Oddly the promised jug did not arrive after the match, we'll be looking for it in the next few weeks. We took control in the last ten minutes and put SUC under lots of pressure and should have had another flick when Tom Spencer was dumped somewaht agriculturally at the top of the D with only the keeper to beat ~ what is it about Tom that attracts the bullies?  
 In the last minute SUC managed to get their first decent possession in ten minutes and broke into our half winning a short corner right on the final whistle.  We were staring defeat in the face but amazingly they passed the ball straight to Rob Earlham who cleared to end the match. 

The next few minutes were almost the most exciting with the SUC team arguing amongst themselves and a few of them having to be physically separated.

So a close well fought match which proved again that we can take nothing for granted.  We have a massive match next week, away at second placed Kettering, who had this weekend off.  We'll be looking for an all round team performance and hopefully won't put Tommy in the position of being adjudged man of the match (based on a poll taken in my car on the way home).  If we'd been offered 7 wins and one draw out of eight at the start of the season we'd have taken it but oddly it feels like we've underperformed, lets make it 9 and one by the time we reach the Christmas break

 

HT 4 - 0

FT 7 - 1

For 50 minutes this was a great game to watch but once the seventh goal went in we lost shape and tried to do too much individually leading to what was a disappointing end to a match that had promised so much.

 

We started well, settling into our usual pattern of passing play, opening gaps by sucking the opposition into parts of the field they didn't really want to be in.  Matt Woods, showing no ill effects from his broken arm, scored the first on nine minutes and buoyed by that success was industrious for the rest of the half, particularly in attack.  The two Toms (Spencer and Crossland) combined well on the left with Spencer scoring twice in the thirteenth and twenty second minutes.  At risk of having to buy a jug it was hard to tell if he was relieved or not when Mike Shapland stole his third, being unable to get his stick out of the way, giving the ball the lightest of touches over the line.  Justice for the one Tom stole of Gaz Bland a few weeks ago perhaps?

 

So 4 - 0 at half time and the promise of more.  All we asked for was for the team to retain shape, continue playing as it had been, not to get too far up the pitch that we were open to counter-attack and enjoy the prospect of a double figure score.  With this in mind the second half started well, Grozzy determinedly taking the ball round the prone Mansfield keeper to put his name on the scoresheet after just three minutes.  On eleven minutes Tom Crossland finished a good passing move in which he had been involved several times, just reward for the efforts he put in throughout.  Whilst we continued to dominate Mansfield managed a few counter-attacks bringing good saves out of Tommy Hall, but on seventeen minutes he let one slip (never mind Tommy I understand you have still let in the fewest this season).  The shock of this goal led to some strong attacks one of which brought a short corner from which Batty converted the return pass from his injection.  There could be no doubt that this was his goal, it was certainly this week's most flamboyant celebration.  However, from that point on we decided en masse that this was the time to do things as individuals.  We took on too much and some odd sights resulted, Brian Blackmore dribbling into the opposition D amongst them.  Four points or an unlikely collapse by Kettering, is what we need to be crowned champions.  With next week off, to recharge batteries and have a little recreational archery by way of relaxation, we'll be looking for a big game against Sikh Union Coventry in a fortnight.