RUTHLESS MENS 1S PUT 5 PAST IPSWICH:

On what can only be described as a miserable November day the Mens 1s played host to an Ipswich side currently sitting in mid-table, but with plenty of players who could pose problems against any side in the league. The first 20 minutes were fairly even with Loughts dominating possession, however it was the away side who were having the better chances, with the ever reliable Fred Whitfield in the Old Loughts goal making a number of key saves to keep it all square. 

 

The breakthrough came just after the 20 minute mark when Loughts produced a lightning counter attack to put the home side ahead. The Ipswich attack broke down at the top of the ‘D’ and all it took was one pass to Will Hopkins and he was off, beating a number of experienced Ipswich defenders with great pace. Will forced a fine save from the Ipswich keeper, but it was free-scoring midfielder Harry Kempe, who has mastered the art of the one yard finish, that deftly slotted the ball into the back of the net on the back post. Harry himself was not quite sure how he managed to sprint the length of the pitch to get there in the first place. 1-0 Loughts.

 

The 10 minute period either side of half time was well balanced, with both defences cancelling out any attacking opportunities. It was once again on the break where Loughts were having their best moments. Luke Mepham, who was using a wooden stick older than at least 2 of the squad, looked dangerous and forced the keeper into a fine save from a well hit shot. He was not to be denied though. After beating a number of Ipswich defenders with great skill, Luke found himself at the top of the ‘D’ with only the keeper to beat, and duly smashed the ball into the bottom corner. 2-0 Loughts.

 

It was 3-0 shortly after. Centre back Rob Bloss somehow found himself on the ball so high up the pitch that not one Loughts player was ahead of him. Unsurprisingly, Harry Kempe was ‘covering.’ With a mixture of skill and true determination Rob managed to win his side a short corner. Up stepped recent recruit, Ross Hetem, who produced an unstoppable drag flick into the roof of the net - his first goal for Loughts!

 

Then it was 4-0.  Loughts were playing with confidence, maintaining possession and sticking to principles worked on all week. Martyn Lear drove with pace into the heart of the Ipswich defence, attracting a number of questionable tackles. The ball popped out to Jonny Sloman, who calmly despatched the ball into the bottom corner from the top of the ‘D’.  With less than 10 minutes of the game to go, Ipswich scored a well worked short-corner, ex-Loughts player James Southgate with the goal. Having thrown away a three goal lead the week before Loughts knew now was not the time to be complacent. Thankfully, Joe Nelmes popped up at the death to make it 5-1. 

 

Forward Martyn Lear had this to say “Look, we knew we needed a good result going into the next few weeks where we take on the best three teams, so to put in a performance like that and score some good goals is a huge boost to the team and hopefully we can carry it over.”

 

It is also worth noting that there were some memorable performances off the pitch as well, where the duo of Rob Bloss and Tom Wilson dethroned the ‘smack talking’ pair of Harry Kempe and Martyn Lear to claim the title of current beer pong champs. Challengers are welcome!

 

The 1s have a very important match away on Saturday against St Albans at 3 pm.  St Albans are title rivals and taking some points could prove crucial!

 

LADIES 1S DIG DEEP AND TAKE WELL DESERVED POINTS:

This weekend the Ladies 1s welcomed Cambridge University to Luxborough Lane on what was a pretty miserable and rainy day. This didn't deter Loughts though, who were fiercely on the hunt for 3 points this week, with Cambridge nudging ahead of them in the table following last weekend's results. 

Despite quite a short warm up, Loughts started the game confidently, turning over possession, creating a two-on-one and forcing the keeper to make a save within the first 30 seconds. Within the next two minutes Loughts forwards had again broken the defensive line, forcing a second save. A quick free hit on the half way line by Beth MacGregor forced two Cambridge players to put pressure on Sorcha Crowley but both dived in leaving her with the ball and another two-on-one with the Goalkeeper. A perfectly timed pass found Jenny Farrow on the p-spot who coolly pushed it past the keeper putting Loughts 1-0 ahead. Within the next 10 minutes, the situation repeated itself down the right of the pitch, with Claire Boyling taking the hit and again Sorcha  leaving two defenders in her dust and Jenny Farrow finding it just as easy to find the net for a second time. 2-0 to the ladies was a comfortable score line, maybe a bit too comfortable with Cambridge's long balls slowing in the rain, and finding the high Cambridge forwards. Some great defending of penalty corners and some easy saves for Gifford saw Loughts maintain the scoreline through to half time. 

It was clear that Cambridge were going to come out hard in the second half and for the first time in weeks the opposition's fitness exceeded the home team's and Cambridge looked to their skilful centre midfield players to create some magic. This forced several penalty corners for Loughts to defend. The Loughts defence however is well-practiced in this set play and saw saves from Gifford, clearances from Danni Jewell and a save off the line by Sarah Smith. A rare moment of indecision by Gifford on the next corner though, saw her falter on the way to the floor and the straight strike cruised past her, pulling the score back to 2-1. The pain of no points from the weekend before however was still fresh in the minds of Loughts who used every last bit of energy, grit and determination into the last period of the game. The full whistle eventually came and the girls were delighted with the 3 points.

Next week the girls face top of the table, West Herts. With one goal in most score lines this season, the Ladies will be taking a huge amount of confidence with them. Bring it on!!

LEAGUE RESULTS:

Unfortunately the lower XIs were not so successful with Mens 2s losing 0-4 at home to St Albans; 3s lost 3-0 at Oxford Uni; Academy 2 lost to Brentwood 2-0 away but the Loppers bucked the trend winning 3-2 at home against East London and The Supervets also won 4-1 away at B&B.

 

The Ladies lower XIs also didn’t have a great weekend.  The 2s lost 4-0 at Sevenoaks; 3s lost 2-7 at Wapping; 4s were beaten 0-2 at home by Basildon and 5s also lost at home 0-1 against Brentwood.

 

CHRISTMAS JUMPER EVENING!

Saturday 28th November

A chance to get out your Christmas Jumpers for the first event of the festive period!

 

 

The bar will be staying open late – stay behind after your match or come back to the club with your teammates and get your Christmas festivities off to a jolly start – no ticket charge.

And don’t forget your jumpers!

 

LEVEL 3 UMPIRE PASS:

Congratulations to former Club Treasurer, Teresa Jolly who started her umpiring career at the Club and has now passed her assessment to become a full level 3 umpire umpiring National League matches!

 

HEATHER CALLS TIME:

The Club was sad to hear that Heather Sandhu, our bar manageress, has decided to leave the club in January after 16 years of service.  We now have to find someone to take up the reigns of the bar.  If you think you may be interested in the position and would like to know more please contact the club chairperson: Julie Warwick-Munday directlyjuleswm@virginmedia.com and she will be happy to give you more information.

 

SPARE ROOM AVAILABLE?:

Eleanor James is a Uni student who has been playing in the Ladies section of the club for a couple of years.  She is having to move out of her current accommodation imminently and is looking for a spare room or flat share.  If you can help then please contact Eleanor directly on: eleanorcajames@gmail.com.

 

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.

 

INDOOR SUPER SIXES:

-       Sunday 31st January 2016, The SSE Arena, Wembley

-       Fancy dress –a great opportunity to get your team fancy dress fix for the season

-       Shift back to 6 aside

-       Will include the women’s semi-finals, meaning 6 games for the price of 4.

-       Full details www.englandhockey.co.uk/super6s

Discounts and offers:

-       All group bookings get a free ticket for every 10 tickets booked – book 10 get one free; book 20 get 2 free, etc.

-       Take advantage of early bird offer – any groups booking over 30 people will also receive afree box of hockey balls if the booking is made by 15th December.

-       All groups purchasing 30 or more tickets will be entered into a draw to win one of 2coaching sessions/appearances from an England athlete, with runners up getting 10 sought-after tickets to the Champions Trophy in June 2016.

 

Matt Baddeley is the person to contact to make your group bookingsmatthew.baddeley@englandhockey.co.uk 01628 897522 or 07584 414578.