LAST CHANCE - HALF TERM HOCKEY CAMP:

Bookings are now being taken for the half term hockey camp on Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th February.  Applications forms are available in club foyer – closing date for bookings if Friday 12th February at 10.00.

 

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY:

The date you have all been waiting for Saturday 23rd April the club will be hosting the Annual End of Season Ball – keep an eye open for more info and don’t delay in booking your tickets when they are available because the event is expected to sell out fast!

 

DOUBLE HEADER DISAPPOINTMENT:

In hurricane like conditions the Ladies1s battled the first of the two Bedford home games in an attempt to bring home three points on Saturday. The game started a little uncertainly with Bedford dominating the match, showing their national league experience. Goalkeeper Gifford utilised her lightening like reactions making a couple of timely saves to keep the score line at 0-0. Jewell also put her body on the line, exchanging a foot injury for the ball. As the half progressed, Loughts battled back to regain form, showing Bedford they were able to compete at their level, winning several short corners with attacks being led by Melvin, back from injury, and Crowley, both unlucky not to make the conversion, but winning a few short corners. 

 

Perhaps the most promising attack of the half was an interception by Starkey, in the middle of the pitch which was driven forwards and onto Miranda 'Mazza' on the left who fired the ball into high forward Crowley who was looking strong to make the game 1-0 but was instead taken out by Bedford's over eager goal keeper! An immediate penalty flick was awarded for the offence and up stepped captain Toms to take it. What looked like an unstoppable 'textbook' flick to the bottom left was saved from nowhere by the Bedford keeper, keen to redeem herself. 

 

The second half started 0-0 once again and Loughts battled on into more wind (although thankfully no rain), chasing their three points. However, a strong attack by Bedford saw them win a short corner which they duly fired into the D and a defensive deflection saw them go ahead 1-0 up. With little time left, Loughts attacked onto the last, dominating the attacking half of the pitch and finishing in possession. Despite scoring a goal, three points were not to be this week, but hopefully next week away in Beckenham will be a greater success story!

 

The Mens 1s also had a home game against a Bedford side that are renowned for scoring goals but for being slightly inconsistent, so Loughts knew they would have a hard game.  Loughts started well, soaking up hard tackles and maniacal pressure from Bedford and before long Oliver Didham, returning from a stint away from Loughts, coolly slotted home a reverse hit finish to make it 1-0. The second goal followed shortly after with Ross Hetem finishing well from a short corner, questions over the final touch coming off a defender have once again called for the dubious goals panel!

 

The second half was a scrappy affair with hard tackling and tempers fraying, however Loughts got through a sticky patch only for Bedford to sneak a goal back. Didham once again popped up at the other end with a neat finish to make the game 3-1. Then it went wrong!  Bedford pressed hard and got a lucky second, then in the dying embers of the game snuck two goals in to complete a remarkable comeback. The Loughts boys looked utterly crestfallen to have lost their first home game of the season but will come back fighting, the title challenge is far from over.

 

Post match Doctor Pat stated: "Look, the labour we put in was great and the left wing position was strong. However, we often left gaping holes which inevitably cost us the game. Dereham better watch out - next week will be a Loughts team on the warpath again!"

 

LADIES 2S MOUNT REMARKABLE COMEBACK TO GET TO QUARTER FINALS:

Well done to the Ladies 2s who came from 0-3 behind to beat Bromley & Beckenham in a penalty strokes finish, in the England Hockey Ladies 2nd XI national plate competition. Loughts fielded a light side with a few weary heads from the Valentines social and broken bodies from some recent tough league fixtures.  They ladies grew into the game defending better as the match went on, but still found themselves 0-2 down at half time.  A change of formation during the break saw the home side harder to break down and easier to find support once in possession of the ball.  Despite some good attacks, Loughts found themselves 0-3 down after an amazing reverse stick strike from the top of the D which flew into the top right hand corner.  Undeterred, Loughts continued to attack well and it was Lynn Wright that finished smartly on her reverse stick to start the scoring off.  With less than 5 mins left the score was 1-3 to the visitors.  The ball fell to JP on the base line who finished excellently from an acute angle.   The balance of the match then swiftly swung in Loughts' favour.  Confidence was high and they could sense a result was on here.  Another turnover in midfield led to a ball through to Eleanor James who hammered the ball past the GK with a powerful shot from the top of the D.  3-3 with 2mins left and this is how it finished.

 

Straight into penalty flicks:  Phoebe Menear dived low to her right to save B&B's first effort and captain Margo stepped up to give OLs a 1-0 lead.  Loughts saw another effort go wide and also hit the woodwork but Phoebe was in fine form and pulled off a couple of great saves allowing her team the opportunity to score and take the competition to sudden death.  New girl Lucy stepped up confidently and sent the ball hard a high into the side netting.  Sudden death!  Lucy stepped up again immediately to take Loughts next stroke.  She showed skill and composure by firing the ball into the opposite side netting this time!  B&B stepped up knowing they had to score....Phoebe smothered the players effort and her save gave Loughts the victory and they now progress into the quarter finals!

 

Special mention must go to JP who had a great game, showing maturity beyond her years.  Lucy covered every inch of the pitch, and thank you to Emily Goodhew who stepped up last minute to help out a very depleted squad!  Your presence made all the difference!  An excellent match and a well-deserved victory - well done ladies!  They have a very tough draw in the next round playing Reading away on 28th February.  Team: Phoebe Menear, Imogen Cayley, Margo Black, Caitlin Black, Eleanor James, Zoe Wright, Lucy Falzon, Laura Oglesby, Emily Goodhew, Charlotte James-Pajwani, Faye Holmes, Lynn Wright.

 

LEAGUE RESULTS:

In other league matches from the weekend the Mens 2s lost 0-1 at home to Wimbledon; 3s were beaten 13-0 at Spencer; Academy 2 lost 7-1 at Clacton; Loppers won 4-1 at home against Witham and Supervets lost 2-6 at home to Indian Gym.  Ladies 2s travelling to Canterbury lost 3-1; 3s lost 2-1 at Harlow and 5s were beaten 1-2 at home by Phoenix.

 

U18 BOYS TRAVEL TO HAVANT:

After good wins in the earlier rounds against Blueharts and Bromley & Beckenham, the U18 Boys set out for the South Coast on Sunday to play round 4 against Havant in the EH U18 Cup competition.  A nightmare start saw them fall a goal behind after just two minutes when a misplaced ball out of defence was intercepted by the opposition near the top of their circle and calmly deposited into the Loughts net.  Further pressure followed with the Havant boys relying on quick interpassing going forward and determined tackling back when not in possession.  This meant Loughts were on the back foot for long periods and just couldn’t get their own game going and but for an inspired performance from Harry in goal, they would have fallen further behind before half time.  But they were however still in the game and coach: Jan’s half time chat asked the boys to raise their speed of thought as they were being caught in possession far too much.

 

It was becoming apparent that the second half would still be a tough assignment as Loughts only had the luxury of one sub whereas Havant had a full bench.  But the boys never gave up and with tireless running from the front three and great defensive work from Jamie, Will, Tom and Ciaran (not to mention further decent saves from Harry) the score remained unchanged. With five minutes left on the clock, Loughts secured only their third short corner of the match and after a deflected shot had been well saved by their keeper, Edward pounced on the rebound to level the tie at 1-1.  Unfortunately, the Havant boys were still full of running and tiredness at the back led to Loughts unnecessarily giving the ball away and Havant securing the winning goal with just a minute remaining.

 

This side has only had a squad of 13 players for the season so they were always going to find things difficult – especially against the bigger clubs.  So firstly a big thank you to all the boys who religiously made themselves available for selection for these Cup games – to Jan Lilley for coaching the side and to Ian Padfield for umpiring all the games.

 

 

TIME TO LISTEN AT THE CLUB:

An England Hockey Time to Listen Course has been booked at the club for the 2nd March.  The workshop offers delegates the opportunity to discuss a range of topics in a friendly and informal environment.  The tutors delivering these workshops are experienced in this subject and are familiar with hockey’s policy and procedures.  The workshop builds on basic awareness and focuses on practical ideas for implementation.  A must for Welfare Officers and anyone else in the club who feels they may benefit.  Ideally attendees should have attended a Sport Coach UK ‘Safeguarding and Protecting Children in Sport’ workshop or equivalent basic training.

 

Date: Wednesday 2nd March 2016           Venue: Old Loughtonians Hockey Club               Time: 7:00-10:00 pm