MENS 1s KEEP ON TOP:
Posted by Nobody on 12 December 2015
No: 14 – 24/11/15
MENS 1s KEEP ON TOP:
Wapping's visit to Luxborough Lane was the second top of the table clash in consecutive weeks for the Mens 1s. The team were on a high following last week’s 3-1 win against previous table toppers St Albans. The game lived up to its billing with the sizeable crowd being treated to a fast and sometimes frantic encounter which was full of entertainment and drama. Loughts started brightly, winning a short corner following a fast break early on. The opportunity was squandered due to a miss-trap but the boys in purple and white continued to dominate the early exchanges. Wapping settled into the game midway through the first half, carving out a number of chances to open the scoring. Half time came with the scores level at 0-0 with both teams rueing missed opportunities.
The second half continued in much the same way, with Wapping applying sustained pressure and Loughts looking dangerous on the counter attack. Loughts resolute defence was rewarded when a fast break resulted in Ross Hetem being brought down by Wapping's goalkeeper and awarded a penalty stroke which was converted by Aleix Roset. Hetem came within a coat of paint's width of putting the result beyond doubt as his powerful flick rattled the underside of the crossbar. Wapping pushed forward looking for an equaliser launching wave after wave of attack. Loughts' defence continued to stand strong much like the combined army of men, dwarves and elves at Helm's Deep but the mounting pressure resulted in Loughts players being removed from the game with the regularity of a poorly played chess match! The resulting grandstand finish saw Wapping have a barrage of short corners which they were only unable to convert due to heroics from Loughts goalkeeper Fred Whitfield. Wapping thought they had snatched a point with almost the last touch of the game only to be denied by the eagle eyed umpire spotting an infringement.
After the match Roset said "escoltem, estem molt contents amb el resultat encara Wapping se sentirà mala sort de no haver guanyat almenys un punt." The result keeps Loughts at the top of the table, a point ahead of Wapping and St Albans with a game in hand. Loughts travel to in-form City of Peterborough this Saturday looking to maintain momentum into the Christmas break.
LADIES HELD TO DRAW:
The Ladies 1s match on Saturday was a game of two halves. Loughts forced their usual high press in the first half, causing Broxbourne to crumble at times. There were turnovers galore by the forward line, multiple circle penetrations and shots on target. The Broxbourne goalkeeper kept them in it though, making many good saves including one with her helmet from a fiery one-on-one shot from Helen Wakefield. Loughts have admittedly struggled to convert short corners this season, with the many hours of practice not quite paying off. A spell of good luck was due however with an attacking corner attempt breaking down and a great shot by Wakefield being deflected by full-back Sarah Smith to finally get them off the mark. The next attacking corner attempt, similarly saw a deflection hit the cross bar and bounce down towards the turf. With no goal-line technology available, the Ladies had to settle for a no goal decision from the umpire and took the 1-0 lead into the half time interval.
Half time saw the coach, highlight a few points around the Ladies new formation of 3-4-3 but despite a detailed instruction Loughts were slower off the mark in the second half. Broxbourne's change of pace and new found desire saw them gain momentum which led to the Ladies defending several corners and a deflection from the Broxbourne injector finding the net. Loughts were resilient though and put the pressure right back on with a forceful attack. A quick free hit and clinical passes found Sorcha Crowley with the ball at her feet which she slotted coolly past the keeper to make it 2-1 to Loughts.
The final section of the game was less easy for the Loughts supporters to watch. Broxbourne took to the aerial ball, a high riser finding the stick and the hip of the Broxbourne player. But with the offence being on the blind side of the umpire play continued and the Broxbourne centre-forward ploughed on through a baffled Loughts defence and bundled past Gifford to bring the game back to 2-2. The final period of the game was less than pretty for the Ladies but raw determination saw the game out and a sigh of relief for all those involved.
German National Greta Haberer tests her speed and skill against the opposition
The point gained however was a valuable one, pushing the team 1 point above their next opposition Maidstone, who they face in 2 weeks’ time. Sitting seventh in the table out of 12 teams at the half way point in the season they will be looking to prove themselves where points have been lost. Back to the training ground they go with more determination than before and hopefully let the results speak for themselves! The Ladies will turn their attention this weekend to the East Women’s Indoor Premiership competition over two days at UEA.
LEAGUE RESULTS:
Mens 2s lost 1-3 to Spencer at home; Supervets lost 0-1 against Southgate; Academy 2 were beaten 11-2 at Old Southendians and the Loppers also lost 2-9 at home to Wapping. The Ladies 2s won 0-3 at Ipswich; 3s also won 2-1 at Romford; 4s lost away at Waltham Forest 0-2 and the 5s drew 0-0 at home to East London.
CUP ACTION:
The Mens 2s secured a slot in the next round of the 2nd XI Cup at home on Sunday when they beat East London after drawing 2-2 and then winning 6-5 on flicks. They will play Southgate at home in February.
In the Over 50s Cup match away at St Neots on Sunday Loughts were down 2-0 but then scored three goals. St Neots equalised and then with a couple of minutes to go Loughts scored again to win 3-4. The scorers for Loughts were Nigel Creswell, Gerald Padfield and Kevin Foot (2). Alec Waterhouse in goal for Loughts saved a crucial penalty flick to ensure the win. It was a very good competitive game, played in great spirit against a very good St Neot’s side. The Over 50s will entertain Southampton at home in February in the next round.
MARKETING SKILLS:
If anyone has, or knows someone who has, marketing skills and might be able to help the club find additional sponsors, please contact Julie Warwick-Munday our Chairperson directly: juleswm@virginmedia.com.
CHRISTMAS TRAINING DATES:
The week commencing Monday 7th December will be the last week of outdoor training at the club before the Christmas break.
Adult training will restart on the week commencing 4th January. Colts training will recommence a week later on Wednesday 13th for the Girls and Thursday 14th for the Boys.
Youth Academy will finish on Tuesday 15th December and restart on Tuesday 12th January at the usual time.
Monday evening Fitness training will finish on Monday 7th December and restart on Monday 11th January.
MINI HOCKEY CHRISTMAS REMINDERS:
As the first half of the season draws to a close, just a few reminders:
v Last session before Christmas is Saturday 12th Dec. This is Christmas Fancy Dress, with prizes for the best U8/U10/U12s. Mini hockey restarts on Saturday 9th January.
v 21st and 22nd December - Hockey Christmas Camps (book through the office).
v Indoor Hockey - there are three very successful indoor hockey sessions open to all U10s and U12s.
Coaches will now select their teams for the Indoor Tournament on 2nd January in the Copperbox at the Olympic Park. Team members are asked to attend the following two sessions on Tuesday 8th and 15th December at Woodbridge School. We have also managed to book an additional session for team members on Wednesday 30th December 10 am - 1 pm at Woodbridge School for those who can make it. This is a very exciting tournament and we would encourage as many Old Loughts supporters to attend as possible. There is no entry charge so maybe a chance to spend a little time at the Olympic Park and see some great hockey is a good way to finish the Christmas holidays!
v Old Loughts Bunting - we would like all Mini Members to decorate a piece of Bunting to add to our string!
Blank sections are being handed out to Minis over the next week. Be as creative as you like but we would like all you to add your names so in years to come we can all look back and see who played for our club. Remember to leave a couple of centimeters at the top so we can sew it to the tape. Please return it to the Mini Meet and Greet Desk on a Saturday morning. We are asking for a £1 contribution to cover the cost of the materials. We will then take this to tournaments to show off our great Mini Section. First outing will be the Indoor on 2nd January!
v Changes to the Fixtures Calendar - the Essex League Finals Day will now be on 7th and 8th May and the National Junior Finals 14th and 15th May (these dates have swapped).
v Next Outdoor Fixtures - U8s are playing matches during normal training times against Waltham Forest and Bishop Stortford on Saturday 5th December; U10 Boys have matches at Felsted School Sunday 6th December 9 - 10.30 am; U12 Boys have matches at Felsted School Sunday 6th December 10.30 - 12 am. Next Essex League Matches are 24th January (A Teams at Crostyx and B Teams at Upminster). We are also in the process of arranging friendlies away to Cambridge City on Sunday 17th January (details TBC).
CHRISTMAS CAMP:
Bookings are now being taken for the Christmas Camp to be held at Luxborough Lane
on Monday 21st and Tuesday 22nd December.
To secure a place complete and return the booking form with payment to the club office.
FITF:
Details for next year’s FITF over the bank holiday weekend at the end of May are now available – keep an eye out for the flyers around the club for details.
OLD BOY:
For those of you who have been members of the club for some years the attached link may be of interest:
James Bailey went through the Minis, Youth and played for our first team before moving on with his hockey career to become a GB goalkeeper. James and his dad, Bill will be affectionately remembered by a lot of our members and it is great to see him go on from strength to strength.
ACTIVE ESSEX SPORTS AWARDS:
For the first time, the annual Active Essex Sports Awards event will be streamed live from The Weston Homes Stadium on the Active Essex website on Wednesday 2nd December from 7 – 8 pm and also broadcast live on BBC Essex Radio. You can watch it here.
These awards celebrate the achievements of talented, commitment and determined athletes, coaches, clubs and volunteers across Essex. Nominations have been announced and can be found here.
See the winners, soak up the atmosphere and hear from local sporting heroes such as Max Whitlock and Richard Chiassaro.
WATCH OUT:
If you are coming down to the club especially in the dark – please watch out in Luxborough Lane because some kids have on a couple of occasions pulled rubbish into the road causing an obstruction which could damage your vehicle. The Police have been made aware of this and Essex County Council are notified about fly tipping as soon as possible so hopefully it will not happen again!
PAYING OLD LOUGHTS:
Please can you help us – if you are sending the club a cheque please in future write the whole club name: “Old Loughtonians Hockey Club” and not OLHC. Unfortunately the bank will no longer accept the shortened form so to save you and us time please make the cheques out correctly – thank you!
