Ladies 1s v Sevenoaks

The women's 1s headed to Sevenoaks on Saturday with a squad looking a little on the 'light' side this week, nonetheless, the girls were out for points!

From the start it became clear we had a tough game ahead but some expert defending in open play as well as penalty corners kept the Sevenoaks efforts at bay with just one shot finding its way to the backboard. Top performances from our returning ‘keeper Zara Rose and Margo (no-last-name-required) on her debut. Speaking of season firsts, Zara White had mixed emotions when shown a green for an offence none of us could quite figure out. Whatever it was though, she didn't do it again!

The second half saw the Loughts side take things up a notch as the team executed a 15 min burst of SAP (that's sustained attacking pressure, dontcha know) but unfortunately no conversion was achieved despite some dangerous-looking play from Jenny Farrow and Chloe Stack. 

The opposition retaliated when our attacking phase subsided and the goals came quickly for the Sevenoaks, as did a yellow for Chelsey Toms, leaving the final score at 5-0. At the end of the game two things were certain, 1) we're winning next week, and 2) no more school trips allowed! 

BIG support for the ladies on Saturday as they take on Canterbury at HOME 1pm

 

Willows overcome early nerves

Well, it was beautiful weather for the Willows first ever league game at Lee Valley on Saturday.  Early jitters and an aggressive start by the opposition saw us reeling for the first quarter, with numerous fumbles and intercepted passes.  The Waltham Forest Otters line-up bore no resemblance to the team we had beaten twice in summer friendlies, and their many new youngsters had been well-trained in finding space off the ball and making those rapid short passes we have been striving to learn.  Things looked desperate for a while.

But our defence was solid, and we weathered the attacks.  In particular, Michael “The Wall” Manlangit showed great timing (and by standing firm showed quite a few 13-year olds the way to the floor).   Gradually, we turned the Otters and made inroads into their half and, when new boy Charlie Britt cleverly gave us a cheeky first league goal, the pressure was eventually eased.   

Coming out after half-time, we found our shape and space.   The Willows game flowed better, but the Otters responded as well and it increasingly looked like they would steal a soft goal and a 1:1 draw.   Hearts were in mouths as an unexpected through-ball found a green shirt alone and unmarked in our D.   But, aggressively charged by our stampeding stand-in keeper, Javier “El Toro” de Diego, the terrified attacker trembled and shot wide.

Heads lifted, and the Willows’ trademark last-quarter rally began in earnest.  Effort was called for and given, with rapid rotations giving mere moments of recovery time.  Our youngsters started to play with increasing confidence, with Jack Ashworth winning a flurry of one-on-ones on the wing, Matthew Punt battling on manfully despite a broken shoe and Jacob “The Juggler” Jayaraj carrying the ball on his stick into their D on several occasions, finally rewarding us all with a good strike into the opponents’ net to make it a comfortable 2:0 win.

Most unusual green card of the year was awarded to John “Ooh!” Wright for a small exclamation when whacked on the legs after having executed a beautiful clean reverse-stick tackle.   Well, to be fair, we were all on a final warning for too many appeals to the umpires….     John also won his own “John Wright £1 Willows Crêpe” award for most flamboyant dummy, described by some as “almost balletic in its poetry” and by others as “so wrong on so many levels”.

Next Saturday sees our first proper home game at 4pm, just before the Men’s 1s, so hopefully we’ll all be celebrating in the bar afterwards.  The Willows will be the rowdy ones.

Better things to come

The men’s 1st team had to take the long trip over the Richmond for Saturday’s late slap off.

The first half was spent in Richmond’s half, Loughts creating huge amounts of pressure but unfortunately struggled to find the end product. Richmond however caught the Loughts boys with a quick break that saw a deflected effort find the goal. The game opened up from there, both teams working incredibly hard, no quarter given.

The second half was more frenetic, Loughts again creating chances but the goal simply wouldn’t come. The final blow came when a contentious short corner was given and converted by Richmond. The game itself came with a huge number of positives that Loughts will take into a big game against Old Georgians next weekend.

Post-game Will Smith stated – ‘Look, we’re looking sharp out there but just were thwarted at the last. It was a long day, starting at 6 is tough, I had to be on the building site all day before hand putting up scaffolding! However the lads are very professional and we will take the positives and move onto the next one.’

Elsewhere, the men’s second team cemented their dominance on the league with a 2-0 victory.

U18s England Hockey Cup

The under 18s travelled down to Eastbourne for their EHC match. With a depleted squad due to university exams looming and only ten men the boys knew it was going to be a tough game especuially as the opposition had 3 subs. 

Nevertheless, the boys went about their task absorbing a lot of pressure before the boys broke free, Nathan taking the ball into the D and launching it into the back of the net. The boys looked at each other and the belief stated to set in that the match was winnable. Just before half time Eastbourne pulled one back. This didn’t stop the boys who came out in the second half with gusto 2 quick shots expertly taken from Max lifted the boys. An unfortunate card for Josh meant the team needed to go into lock down which they did. Josh quickly joined the defence again. The re-adjustment in shape wasn’t quick enough and Eastbourne scored quickly and an unfortunate own goal by Loughts meant it was all even. This time it was Eastbourne with their heads high and they went on to score again.

The Loughts boys didn’t give up and with very tired legs and a physical opposition the clock ticked down. Strangely it was the opposition that started getting hit by cramp due to the end to end game. With less than a minute to go Max launched an aerial ball into the air aimed at Nathan who stopped the ball dead turned his player then laid it off to Callum who put it into the net. The restart whistle sounded immediately followed by the final whistle.

With the match ending 4-4 and a quick check of the rules a penalty stroke competition was required to decide who would go through. Nathan, Max, Josh, Omer and Callum put themselves forward to stake the shots and our ever resilient Xavier ready to keep. One by one each side scored until the final round when Callum’s shot was saved. Xavier who had come close on a couple of the previous shots stood there with the weight of the teams hopes on his shoulders. Unfortunately Eastbourne put the ball into the net.

With disappointment all round from the team nothing can detract from the stunning hockey the boys played. The team performance they put in is a result of how these boys have trained and grown through the years.

Team: Xavier, Josh, Jake, Omer, Richard, Max, Callum, Nathan, Ben and our guest player Matt Fish.

Scorers: Nathan,  Max (2) and Callum

Evo Hockey Camp

Just a reminder that the club are hosting a 3 day EVO Hockey Camp during the half-term school break from Monday 23rd – Wednesday 25th October. The camp caters for boys and girls aged 6-17 of all abilities and is run by a number of international players and specialist coaches. The cost is £160 for all 3 days, £110 for two days and £60 for one day. To book a place please visit: https://www.evo-hockey.com  OLHC members are entitled to a 10% discount and should use the following code when booking your place: LOUGHTONIANS17

McMillan Coffee Morning

Louisa would like to invite you to join her for morning coffee or afternoon tea on Thursday 26th October here at the club. She is aiming to raise as much money as possible for cancer research by selling a nice slice of cake to accompany your tea or coffee.

Cake donations are very welcome and can be deposited in the old school room from Monday 23rd.  The first brew will be poured from 10:30 so please come and join us.  Louisa is looking forward to seeing you there.

Bonfire Party 4th November

The Club will be holding a bonfire party on Saturday 4th November.  You are invited to come along and join in the fun which will begin at minis training where they will be encouraged to bring along their homemade Guy and pumpkin lanterns.  With both the Ladies and Men’s first teams playing at home sparks are bound to fly both on and off the pitch. For £5 you will get a 10” hot dog in a bun and a mug of hot chocolate plus some musical entertainment later in the bar.

Mini Festival

The minis will be hosting an Essex Junior League event on Sunday 5th November and are looking for volunteers to umpire and support those that do take up the whistle.  If you can offer your services please let Sam know

Training Opportunities

Two day Paediatric First Aid - 30th November and 1st December 9:30am – 4:30pm, at Communities Training Room, 25 Hemnall Street, Epping, Essex, CM16 4LU

Cost £60 per candidate.

Sports Coach UK Safeguarding and Child Protection Training - 6th December 6:30pm – 9:30pm at Communities Training Room, 25 Hemnall Street, Epping, Essex, CM16 4LU

Cost £30 per candidate

If you would like to book a place on either of the above mentioned courses please visit the online booking page shown here  http://eppingforestdc.bookinglive.com/

Parking @ OLHC

Only emergency vehicles should park in the designated ambulance bay.  Members cars that park in this area may be clamped and subject to a fine.  This space is covered by CCTV!  Please leave this space for those that might need it.

Safeguarding

Youth training on Tuesday and Thursday evenings starts at 6.30pm.  Players should not be on the pitch unsupervised or before the coach arrives as this creates a serious safeguarding issue.  Parents are reminded that they should not leave their children at the club without appropriate supervision.

Availability and travelling arrangements, especially for away games, must be confirmed with the team manager/captain.  It is the player’s responsibility to keep team management updated!

Items for HH to office by Monday 10 am please