Hard work but no reward

The men’s 1st team had to face a high flying Oxted team who were looking to push their claim for top spot. On a pitch similar to an ice rink covered in fairy liquid the purples battled hard, frustrating the opposition and looking to cause trouble on the break. Unfortunately for Old Loughts the Oxted team converted a short corner at the end of half time. The second half was a similar story, strong tackles and hard running kept Oxted at bay, however with Loughts trying to push back for a reply they were punished by quick goals to end the game at 4-0.

This week Loughts face Brighton in an important clash on Sunday the 19th. Your support is appreciated as ever.

Willows Surge Back

Early rain had watered the pitch (and the Minis), saving Lester a job, but the weather cleared nicely in time for the Willows' morning game this week.   It was crunch time.  Having lost to London Royals last week, and now up against a team who had beaten us in a summer friendly, we were facing the possibility of slipping badly in the table.

East London proved to be a good quality team, full of experienced players, but their average age soon started to count against them, as well as the fact that some were starting again after long lay-offs.   The Willows dominated the play in the first half but found it difficult to convert in the D.   Mark "Donka" Donnelly gave us a masterful weaving goal from a short corner but when we went in at half time at one-all we knew we should be doing better.  

In the second half, we rotated frequently and benefitted from two extra substitutes, Jude Talbot and Charlie Britt, who had rushed from school matches to help out.   Our numbers and superior fitness started to tell, producing another short corner goal from the maestro known as Donka, plus a firm long-distance strike and a tight-angle miracle from Charlie.   Four-one was a good result, although more clinical and/or aggressive finishing could perhaps have produced more.

Rob "Anything you can do" Simmons had been taking lessons when Simon Rose ran on to the pitch without his stick a few matches ago, and produced his own fun variation on the theme by subbing on with a stick, just someone else's.   I also manfully made my play for a second forgetfulness award in consecutive weeks by leaving the half-time snacks in my bag.  However, not a single person complained about not being force-fed fig rolls this week, which tells me something...

Next week we have no league game, which means our rivals at the top of the table can steal a march.   But there's plenty of games to go, and we will claw it back!  

Results 11th November

Men                                                                                                        Ladies

1s v Oxted                        0 - 4                                      1s v Norwich Dragons                        1 - 2

2s v Hampstead & Westminster      5 - 1                       2s v Folkstone 1                                  1 – 2

3s v No game                                                                3s v Brentwood 2                                 2 - 1

Supervets V Brombeck Ravens        0 - 1                     4s v Chelmsford 5                               0 - 1

Academy v Saffron Walden 6           3 - 0                      5s v Redbridge & Ilford 3                  2 - 2

Loppers v East London 7                   4 - 5

Willows  v East London 9                   4 - 1

Results 12th November

Pitch 1

10:00 U16 Boys A v Crostyx – Mercian League            7 - 0

14:00 Mens 1st XI v Brighton – EH Cup – Cancelled/Walkover

Pitch 2

11:00 U18 Boys v Amersham & Chalfont – Mercian League   3 1

13:00 U14 Boys v Saffron Walden – Mercian League                 8 - 0

15:00 U14 Girls v Southgate – Home Counties League 0 – 5

 

Sunday Fixtures 19th November - Home

Men’s 1st XI v Brighton (League)                                      14:30

U16 Girls v Amersham & Chalfont (Cup)                        11:00

U14 Girls v Southgate (Cup)                                             16:00

Away

U16 Boys v Old Merchant Taylor     (Cup)     TBC

U14 Boys v Southgate (Cup)                            15:15

U18 Girls v Chelmsford (Cup)                          13:50

Top Goal Scorers so far……….

Congratulations to Max Garner who has continued his fine goal scoring form from last year and has already scored 10 times since the start of the season.  Also well done to Charlie and Freddie Britt with 5 goals each.

In the ladies section Sarah-Jayne Donaghey (L3s captain) leads the way with 5 goals closely followed by Laura Blatter on 4. 

Men

Goals 10 - Max    Garner  

5 – Charlie Britt, Freddie Britt           

4 – Nathan Rose

3 – Jacob Jayaraj, Daniel Karr, Elliot Mapes Smith, Rob Simmons, Max Sydenham, Ben Wakeley,

2 – James Beardwell, James Browne, Christian Cartwright, Rory Coltham, Mitchell Jones, Oscar King,Patrick Longson, Danny Sandhu, Tarun Sehmi,

1 – Callum Barber, Dominic Camilleri,Thomas Creswell,Patrick Duke, Jack Fernandes, Andrew Foinette, Chris Gladman, Luca Gormley, Johnny Hall, Jeremy Hopkins, Harry Kempe, Daniel Martin, Shane Martin, George Morris, Crayton Napoleon, Ethan Parr, Matthew  Punt, Brett Sicklin

Ladies

Goals 5 - Sarah-Jayne Donaghey

4 – Laura Blatter

3 – Rosie Bristow, Karen Leach, Julie Warwick-Munday,

1 – Samantha Gayler, Susy Harrison, Faye Holmes, Kitty Howson, Lois O'Neill

These figures are based on the results recorded on the website.  If you think your goals have not been recorded please contact your manager, coach or captain.

England Hockey Governance Survey

The survey is due to close at the end of this week so if you wish to participate please click this link https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/AGMResolution

Parent Event - "Maximising Your Child's Sporting Potential"

As part of The Forest School Conference Programme, the School will be hosting ‘Maximising Your Child’s Sporting Potential’ on Wednesday 15th November 7.00pm – 8.30pm, in the Deaton Theatre, Forest School, London E17 3PY.

The event will feature sporting experts who will share their experiences of empowering young people’s potential. wishing to attend can book a place at the evening here. There is a nominal charge of £5 per booking (this can be as many as a party of 4).

Items for HH to office by Monday 10 am please