Men's 1s -vs- Taunton Vale
4th October 2008
3 - 2
Saturday was the start of Cheltenham's tour across the country looking for a weekend to remember. After a good week of training there was an air of confidence within the squad heading to Taunton. After last year's last-minute winner against us, and seeing them as one of the main contenders for the league, Cheltenham 1s knew this was a must-win game to make up for last year, to keep their unbeaten record going, and to put them top of the league.
From the outset the men knew this was going to be a tough game. The high intensity of the Taunton warm-up showed they knew the importance of the game, and from this Taunton came out with all guns firing. The first 15 minutes Taunton were the stronger team, playing quick pretty hockey; they dominated and took a deserved lead. This kick-started Cheltenham into life who quickly realised that simple direct hockey and possesion would hurt Taunton the most and close down their options. With Cheltenham gaining a short corner, Hay's straight strike was saved on the line by their post man. This gave the team confidence, and the next corner came quick with Hay taking the straight strike again but hitting the keepers side before ricocheting into the goal. At one-a-piece, Cheltenham took the game to Taunton, winning more corners and maintaining the majority of possession due to a good press from the forwards. All Taunton could do was throw aerials, giving Cheltenham more possession. Cheltenham would score again through Rich Finn and go into the brake 2-1 up.
After a motivated half time team talk from coach Robbo, all players knew their roles and 35 minutes of hard running would win us the game. Cheltenham continued from where they left off, hittinng Taunton hard. With the upper hand, the chances started to come. Hay converted again to give a 3-1 lead, then a flourish of chances for numerous players meant that Cheltenham could have been 6-1 up. Cheltenham knew they would have to dig deep as Taunton woul d keep coming; this was helped by a yellow card being issued for a forward's tackle.
The defence dug in with James and Mike running the channels and Neil and Ward making strong tackles at crucial times. The pressure kept coming; Cheltenham defended corner after corner and then, following a heroic goal line clearance from Ward and Lewis, a goal was awarded but the decision overturned to a corner. More pressure came and Taunton were awarded a penalty flick which was well converted.
Taunton believed they were back in it, but not keeper Giles Rooke, who had other ideas. With only minutes to go a misjudged pass led to a brake that gave the Taunton forwards a certain goal, but for the outstretched big toe of Rooke. This saved the ball and sent it past the unmarked man on the post. Taunton kept coming and won a corner with minutes to go. A well worked move saw their flicker shoot wide from the penalty spot. One mintue to go, another corner given and the Taunton flick specialist stepped up to the plate, unleashing a low hard flick. Tom Ward's knees started to anticipate pain, but for a bright orange kicker at full stretch picking it out the air to foil the opposition again. Cheltenham saw out the last few seconds, even with the clock being stopped to get the ball for our sixteen, and the final whistle was blown. The Cheltenham side celebrated, knowing the importance of the win. Off to london for 16 kebabs with silver service.
Goal Scorers: Alex Hay (2), Rich Finn
Player of the Match: Giles Rooke
Men's 1s -vs- Bromley & Beckenham
5th October 2008
3 - 4
After the hard fought victory over Taunton Vale in the league on Saturday, the Men's 1s travelled down to South London to take on National League East side Bromley and Beckenham in the HA Cup. Following a Saturday night spent 'rehydrating' and playing in awful weather conditions, Cheltenham took the game to their higher ranked opposition and quickly established a two goal lead. Firstly, Alex Hay raced clear of at least two defenders before calmly slotting past the on-rushing keeper, unfortunately suffering a hamstring injury in the process. Despite this setback, Cheltenham's forwards pressed BromBeck's defence tirelessly, led by the superb Pete Duffy and hard working Rich Fynn, and it was this pressure which forced another Cheltenham breakaway, allowing Don Cock to fire into the bottom corner. Neat passing moves through the midfield involving Tom Gower, Phil Richardson and Tom Cole, well backed up by the overlapping half backs Mike Pierce and James Foster, created enough chances for Cheltenham to bury their hosts. Unfortunately, no more goals were added in this spell of dominance. BromBeck were always going to have their spell in the game and once Simon Padley received a yellow card for a dubious back stick decision, they bundled in a goal on the stroke of half time.
Galvanised by this, the home side, buoyed on by their crowd, came out after half time all guns blazing and scuffed an equaliser. BromBeck now had their tails up but were kept at bay with superb tackling from Ben Candy, Gareth Lewis and Tom Ward in particular. The hosts continued to press and were awarded a stroke, which Giles Rooke did magnificently to spread his legs and keep out. However, the pressure eventually told as the home side finished a flowing move to take the lead for the first time midway into the second half. Cheltenham now needed to respond if they were to leave Kent with their unbeaten season in tact and coach Lee Robson threw all available forwards on to get the equaliser. Robbie Cullimore showed glimpses of his precocious talent but it was captain Jonny Bryan who robbed the ball off the centre back before squaring to Don Cock to slot home his second and the leveller two minutes before the final whistle.
Extra time ensued but there was to be no fairytale ending for Cheltenham as four minutes into the additional period an outrageous piece of individual skill eluded everyone and rattled off the inside of the post to nestle in the bottom corner to bring to an end Cheltenham's cup run. Cheltenham can be proud of their performance and proved they were more than capable of holding their own at a higher level. Hopefully, Cheltenham can use this experience, continue to play their attacking brand of hockey and kick on to win promotion.
Goal Scorers: Don Cock (2), Alex Hay
Player of the Match: Jonny Bryan
Men's 2s -vs- Whitchurch B
4th October 2008
7 - 3
Cheltenham A got their North Division 1 campaign up and running with a good win over Whitchurch B. Cheltenham dominated the early stages with some good flowing hockey across the whole pitch. They were rewarded when Jo Hammonds scored from close range with a deflected shot after some good work from Rich Whitfield down the right. Whitchurch equalised with a well worked short corner, but just before the break Giles Smith restored Cheltenham's lead with a fine drag flick from a well worked short corner leaving the Whitchurch keeper rooted to the spot. Whitchurch equalised with a deflected shot giving Chris Purnell in the Cheltenham goal no chance. It was at this point that credit must go to manager Simon Kehoe who's tactical mind and control of key substitutions enabled Cheltenham to take control of the game and after sterling work by the Cheltenham midfield of Moore, Brooks and Whitfield. Man of the match Hammonds scored two quick goals to extend Cheltenham's lead to 4 – 2. Whitchurch pushed on for more goals but found the Cheltenham defence stood firm, with good performances and solid tackling from Candy, Brooks, Edwards and Woodford and several fine saves from Purnell. The Cheltenham midfield began to close out Whitchurch with a good press and some great tackling and endless running from John Moore, Richard Whitfield and Tim Williams-Ellis who was rewarded with a goal for his efforts. Whitchurch scored a third from a short corner, but Cheltenham finished the game on a high with a reverse stick goal from Chris Hill and a fine solo effort from Russell Brooks.
Goal Scorers: Jo Hammonds (3), Giles Smith, Tim Williams-Ellis, Chris Hill, Russel Brooks
Player of the Match: Jo "The Hammer" Hammonds
Men's 3s -vs- Cirencester 3s
4th October 2008
6 - 0
Another good win for Cheltenham Men's 3s, and six goals again this week, but this time with a clean sheet. The match started well with two goals in the first 10 minutes. Cheltenham had the majority of possession and the Cheltenham goalkeeper only touched the ball once in open play. There were no further goals by half time. An early goal in the second half from a penalty flick after a player handled the ball on the line (leading to Rich McKenny exclaiming "that's outrageous!") put the game beyond doubt. Three more goals then followed.
Goal Scorers: James Slee, Mark Gayler, Rich McKenny, Tristan Gardner, Will Hayes, Ben Wright
Player of the Match: Rich McKenny
Men's Castlers -vs- Gloucester D
4 October 2008
1 - 3
Castlers were unlucky to lose an even game that could have gone either way. The visitors capitalised on early pressure, scoring in the opening 5 minutes. Castlers responded well, dominating the remainder of first half, pushing Gloucester into their own half. After 20 minutes, the pressure was rewarded; fast build up play resulted in the Castlers being awarded a short corner, from which Pete Kirkness placed a crisp shot into the bottom left hand corner. Castlers continued their dominance, but were unable to find a second goal before half time. The second half was a more even affair, which Gloucester just about edged. The visitors scored mid-way through the second half, after applying heavy pressure. As Castlers pushed for a second equaliser, Gloucester caught them on the break, scoring again late on. A final score of 3-1 perhaps flattered Gloucester, and Castlers can take heart from their first half performance.
Goal Scorers: Pete Kirkness
Player of the Match: Pete Kirkness
Ladies's 1s -vs- Team Bath Buccs
4th October 2008
3 - 3
Cheltenham fought back hard to earn a deserved draw away at last season's league runner-up Team Bath Buccs. Cheltenham made their early possession pay with a short-range goal from centre forward Nat Lewis mid-way through the first half. Against the run of play, Bath equalised on the stroke of half-time and them took a 2-1 lead early in the second half. Cheltenham fought back well, with Girlie of the Game Gemma Stevens dominant at left half. A flowing move down the right saw Sophie Whittaker beat several Bath defenders before striking the ball home to equalise. Bath re-gained the lead, but with less than 5 minutes to go, Cheltenham gained a deserved point with a short corner conversion from Kim Cook.
Goal Scorers: Nat Lewis, Sophie Whittaker, Kim Cook
Player of the Match: Gemma Stevens
Ladies's 2s -vs- Lansdown 2s
4th October 2008
5 - 0
Cheltenham Ladies 2s produced some fantastic hockey against Lansdown; they were in control from the starting whistle. The first goal came from a cross from Karen Keating in the attacking circle which was deflected in by a Lansdown defender. Sophie Jowett scored the 2nd goal followed by Vanessa Burton making it 3-0 at half time. Cheltenham continued to play impressive hockey, their passing and running on and off the ball made it hard for the Lansdown team to mark. Two touch hockey lead to Cheltenham's 4th goal coming from the right side, finishing with Lucy Anderson drawing the last defender and slipping the ball left to Karen Keating who hit a fine shot beating the goalkeeper. The final goal was a repeat of the 4th but this time the attack was from the left side, Karen Keating drawing the last defender for Sophie Jowett to calmly slip the ball into goal. Lansdown had little chance of getting through the solid Cheltenham defence, It was a great team effort.
Team: Charlie Malcolm, Simone Williams, Fi Maffey, Carys Lewis, Sophie Jowett, Karen Keating, Hannah Tredgett, Vanessa Burton, Helen Lord, Fran Centamore, Lou Dowsett, Lucy Anderson
Goal Scorers: Karen Keating (2), Sophie Jowett (2), Vanessa Burton
Player of the Match: Charlie Malcolm
Ladies's 3s -vs- Newent 2s
4th October 2008
4 - 4
This was an excellent start to the league and although Cheltenham went 2-0 down quite early on, the ladies battled back hard and were unlucky not to win for all their efforts! Everyone worked hard and the passing during the match demonstrated a strength the ladies hope to continue and build on as the season progresses. A big thanks has to go to Sue Bayley for once again stepping into the goalie kit and putting in some great saves. We promise we will get you out on pitch this season(!), when Jenny (an actual proper keeper - shock for the 3s!) returns from injury sustained during training. Well done to all the players and thanks to the supporters cheering the team on.
Funniest moment: Both Jo and Jemma consecutively missing their swing at the hockey ball on an attacking short corner – the air went flying!
Goal Scorers: Steph Richardson, Jo Taylor, Jodie Baker, Lucy Howell
Player of the Match: Emma Dunn
U18 Girls -vs- Team Bath Buccs
4th October 2008
2 - 0
The newly-formed Cheltenham U18 Girls' team showed great team-spirit to ease into the 2nd round of the England Hockey Girls U18 Cup with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Bath Buccs. Sian Evans put in a strong captain's performance breaking down all of Bath's attacks and Cheltenham capitalised on their chances with 2 coolly taken goals from Emma Beresford, following strong attacking moves down the right wing by Becky Haggie. Round 2 is on Sunday 9th November.
Team: Charlotte Collins (GK), Sian Evans (capt), Lucy Howard, Effie Parnell-Hopkinson, Sophia McCrea, Alex Bogle, Maddie Leitch, Frankie Mayes, Emily Sumari, Becky Haggie, Shona Pratt, Emma Beresford, Helen Gregory
Goal Scorers: Emma Beresford (2)
Player of the Match: Emma Beresford
