Men's 1s -vs- Robinsons
27th September 2008
4 - 2
The last Saturday in September saw Cheltenham HC Men's 1st XI open their 2008/2009 league campaign against Robinsons HC from Bristol. The two teams had met the week before with Cheltenham dominating the game and running out 9-3 winners. However, having been relegated from the National League at the end of last season and with years of experience in this division, Robinsons were not expected to be rolled over quite so easily for a second week in a row.
Both sides were largely unchanged but the return of Giles 'Tripod' Rooke in goal for Cheltenham was an extra boost for an already confident side. The game started at a pace more familiar to cup games but soon settled down with both sides looking to get an early upper hand. Robinsons played with confidence considering their disastrous collapse the previous week. Cheltenham on the other hand seemed nervous but untroubled by what Robinsons threw at them with their steady and reliable defence comfortably coping with the oppositions daring three pronged attack.
The adventurous approach Robinsons were taking proved to be their early undoing with Cheltenham scoring an early break away goal with an emphatic finish by Peter Duffy on 7 minutes. The rest of the first half saw a similar pattern emerge with Robinsons failing to capitalise on their possession and territory as the impenetrable Cheltenham defence controlled by two calm and experienced centre-backs refused to crumble. As the minutes passed the experience and vision of the Cheltenham back four began to set up a wave of counter attacks. A master class in turning defence into attack. These counter attacks were given a creative edge by young Robbie Cullimore who was tearing holes in Robinsons at the other end of the pitch. Cullimore's outstanding play paid off just before half time seeing him double the hosts lead on 32 minutes. So Cheltenham went into the break in the perfect position to finish their visitors off again and send them back down the M5 disappointed and humiliated once more. Robinsons, however, had different ideas. The first 20 minutes of the second half saw Robinsons dominate with the Bristol side winning a hard fought midfield battle. If it were not for a succession of outstanding saves from Cheltenham's day-glow goalkeeper Robinsons would surely have done more than just level the score at 2-2.
So with just a quarter of the match remaining Cheltenham were left with the prospect of not just regaining control of the game but scoring again. Their cause was not helped by their captain when a careless late tackle led to him being forced to take a short break by a vigilant umpire. Down to 10 men and with the run of the green against them Cheltenham dug deep. Some more excellent work from the impressive Cheltenham defence led to more break away attacks and on 69 minutes Cheltenham got their breakthrough with Alex Hay finishing of a well worked attack. Robinsons did not give up and a solid and committed last ditch save on the line by unflappable post-man, Tom Ward, meant the home side kept the lead. Another, last minute, goal from Alex Hay sealed Robinsons fate. So, with the final score 4-2, Cheltenham have started their promotion campaign in the best possible manner and will be looking forward to visiting fellow promotion hopefuls, Taunton Vale, next Saturday.
Goal Scorers: Peter Duffy, Robert Cullimore, Alex Hay (2)
Player of the Match: Tom Ward
Men's 2s -vs- Devizes 2s
28th September 2008
4 - 3
Cheltenham Men's seconds team enjoyed an early start with a 10 o'clock meet for a 12:30 pushback at Deviser's leisure centre for the first round of the EH 2nd XI Trophy against Devizes 2nd team. The weather seemed, at first sights, to be less than perfect, with the promise of a gloomy day looming. However, by the time we had reached the leisure centre, the weather had changed and it had become a warm Septembers day.
The match began with relatively evenly matched teams, with both sides fighting for possession, and Cheltenham having a few chances at goal, although the Devizes keeper was well up to the challenge and pulled off several spectacular saves. After 12 minutes, Devizes received their first real attacking chance with a short corner, which was dispatched with a well practiced routine. Cheltenham, shocked by this sudden goal, fought back with Phil Richardson striking the ball through the legs of the Devizes keeper during a short corner. This was then quickly followed up with Russell Brookes slotting a penalty flick nicely into the netting.
The second half started with Cheltenham dominating play, with a Devizes player picking up an unfortunate yellow card. Cheltenham quickly took advantage of their extra player with Tim WE finding the bottom corner with a shot from top D, and Rob Cullimore also scoring from the top of the D, making the score 4-1.
Play then became more frantic, as both teams began to tire, with formations going awry and tempers starting to rise, which led to several green cards for ill discipline. James Foster then managed to top these green cards and picked up a yellow card for a deliberate foot inside his own 25. Devizes didn't waste their chance of the extra man, and, after 5 successive short corners, put one in the back of the net, making the score 4-2.
With just 4 minutes left, and with both teams back up to 11 men, Devizes slipped another one past Cheltenham with a lucky deflection, causing anxiety on the Cheltenham bench. However, Cheltenham kept hold of the ball after the restart and managed to run down the clock without any risks of conceding another goal.
Goal Scorers: Tim Williams-Ellis, Robert Cullimore, Russell Brookes, Phil Richardson
Player of the Match: Mike Woodford
Men's 3s -vs- Lansdown A
27th September 2008
6 - 4
Against the run of play Lansdown scored first. Cheltenham were quick to respond with a goal from Ben Gibson, Cheltenham then made their pressure count with another goal. Lansdown fought back well to equalize before half time. Cheltenham proved to be the stronger side in the second half scoring twice, Lansdown came back again and scored another one. Cheltenham then stretched the lead with another 2 goals before Lansdown scored late on.
Goal Scorers: Ben Gibson x2, Johnny Brayshaw, Chris Sandey, Aled Howells, Tristen Gardner
Player of the Match: Ben Gibson
Men's Castlers -vs- Lansdown B
27th September 2008
2 - 2
Our first match of the season was welcomed with a hot sunny morning. It was always going to be a tough game in the heat against Lansdown B who were playing in the league above us last year.
The game started well with early opportunities but Lansdown struck first with a goal that crept inside the far post. It wasn't long until Peter Kirkness hit back by first beating the keeper and then slotting the ball into the goal from an ever-increasing angle. Before half time Lansdown had re-established their lead and Cheltenham went in, 1-2 down. Fitness levels held out throughout the second half with Mike Huysinga grabbing the equaliser. The remaining minutes could have resulted in the match going either way. Ultimately a 2-2 draw was a fair result and is a solid start to the new season.
Goal Scorers: Peter Kirkness, Mike Huysinga
Player of the Match: Dean Rea
Ladies 1s -vs- Exe 2
27th September 2008
0 - 1
The Ladies 1s finished a match they did not deserve to lose saying it was just one of those days. Exe 2, a top 3 team last season, were for large parts of the game outplayed by a gutsy Cheltenham side. The Cheltenham defence looked very solid, but Exe scored a soft goal from a short corner going through the goalkeeper's legs - one of the few Exe shots on target.
Cheltenham pushed hard for the win and girlie of the game Georgie Jefferies enjoyed a lot of success on the left wing, but the Cheltenham forwards were denied by some athletic goalkeeping by the Exe keeper.
A disappointing result, but a strong team performance that bodes well for a good season in the West Premier league.
Player of the Match: Georgie Jeffries
Ladies 2s -vs- East Glos
27th September 2008
2 - 3
Cheltenham's first North Division match of the season proved to be a tough one. They started well and had as much if not more possession than their opponents. East Glos scored from a break away and within 5 minutes scored their second before half time. In the second half Cheltenham looked a lot more determined and played some good hockey. They were awarded a penalty corner and scored from Helen Lord who was able to deflect a shot from Karen Keating. East Glos again hit back and scored their third goal through open play. Cheltenham ladies fought hard and again were awarded a penalty corner from continuous stick tackles. A straight strike from Sophie Jowett saw the ball slammed into the goal. Cheltenham continued to pressurise but East Glos held on to their 3-2 victory.
Goal Scorers: Helen Lord Sophie Jowett
Player of the Match: Hannah Tredgett
