Men's 1s -vs- Cardiff University
1 November 2008
3 - 2
Cheltenham travelled to Cardiff for this top versus bottom clash, looking to build upon their strong start to the season while welcoming Glenister and Lewis back into the side. Talk before the game was of respecting a side who pushed Cheltenham all the way in the corresponding fixture last season, but focus was directed towards gaining another 3 points. Cheltenham started at a high tempo, looking to grab early initiative and pressurise the hosts. This paid off in the 5th minute, where good work in the Cardiff 'D' by Duffy set up a good opportunity for Padley to slot home from close range, only to have his shot saved; however the follow up fell to Duffy who lifted the ball over the keeper on his reverse stick. Cheltenham continued to pile on the pressure, pressing high and forcing the Cardiff defence to make nervous mistakes, creating opportunities for the Cheltenham frontline, who failed to beat the Cardiff goalie due to a series of good saves. As the half progressed Cardiff began to look more confident, gaining more possession and breaking through the Cheltenham press more often. Cardiff drew level in the 25th minute, taking advantage of a rare lapse in concentration by the Cheltenham defence, squeezing the ball into the bottom corner. This seemed to spark Cheltenham back into action, and then in the 32nd minute Cheltenham took a deserved lead. Hay's shot was saved onto the post with the rebound falling to Cock who showed the composure required and lifted the ball over the floored keeper. The 2nd half began in similar fashion with Cheltenham trying to press high and force mistakes from a more confident Cardiff outfit. Cheltenham seemed to dominate possession for large periods of the game, with Cole and Ward finding space to spread the ball, and the forwards creating opportunities but failing to make the chances count. With Cardiff trying to hit out on the counter and with a tendency to run the ball from deep, the Cheltenham bench were beginning to look understandably nervous. With time running out, Cardiff broke away in the 66th minute, and a ball from outside the 'D' was deflected into the bottom corner. Cheltenham reacted positively to this; by immediately pressing Cardiff back. A sideline free hit from Ward found Duffy in the 'D' who, while one on one with the keeper, found Hay who slotted the ball into an open goal with just two minutes to go. It seems from a Cheltenham point of view as though a match such as this last season would have ended up in the points being shared, however due to positive attitudes and determination from the whole squad the win leaves Cheltenham 3 points clear at the top of the league. Pressure is now on to maintain this 100% record with next week's visit from Westbury.
Goal Scorers: Peter Duffy, Don Cock, Alex Hay
Player of the Match: James Foster
Men's 2s -vs- Bristol University A
1 November 2008
3 - 2
A tribute to the academia of Bristol University and the writings of Edgar Allan Poe.
During the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day in the winter of the year, when the clouds hung oppressively low in the heavens, I had been passing alone, on horseback, through a singularly dreary tract of country; and at length found myself, as the shades of the evening drew on, within view of the melancholy Stad De Balcarras.
I know not how it was-but, with the first glimpse of the pitch, a sense of insufferable gloom pervaded my spirit. I say insufferable; for the feeling was unrelieved by any of that half-pleasurable, because poetic, sentiment, with which the mind usually receives even the sternest natural images of the desolate or terrible. I looked upon the scene before me: 13 tired peasant labourers, with an utter depression of soul which I can compare to no earthly sensation more properly than to the after-dream of the reveller upon opium. It's as much to say that a victorious day seamed like a distant dream to me. There was an iciness, a sinking, a sickening of the heart - an unredeemed dreariness of thought.
However my early prediction began to change as I gazed upon the opponents. A mediocre team of Bristol based students, replacing quills and snakebite with hockey sticks for one day a week in search of some moral salvation from an otherwise average existence...
Cheltenham began the game in a manner to which they are not accustomed, taking the control of the game and playing the ball with authority and precision. The flow of the game only interrupted by the gentle pitter patter of the Bristol subs limited ball skills on the sidelines, infuriating the umpires and bringing the game to a halt. The substitutes clearly taken the lead from the illusive Evans.
Moments passed and it wasn't long before a corner of the shorter variety was awarded. Smith so deadly from these situations had lined up the 'keeper prior to the game and duly dispatched, with all his regular haste, the ball into the top corner, 'keeper stationary and helpless.
Cheltenham continued to dominate with Richardson in central midfield acting as the oscillator to Cheltenham's play. The backline dominant and withstanding the flow of Bristol attacks, they were deconstructed and reversed as Edwards enjoyed considerable success on the left hand flank. The ebbs and flows were generally enjoyed by Cheltenham and the University relying heavily on the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune in defence. Nonetheless at the interval the score remained for Cheltenham by the singular.
Wise words, and some of a less wise nature were spoken and Cheltenham remained confident that the game was theirs. To this end their confidence seemed well placed. Although the high press of the Bristolians would suggest a period of dominance, the more astute would highlight although the territory was indeed for the students, little use was made of this and they were soon punished as from an incisive breakaway and a firm cross Troughton was left unmarked and deflected the ball past the previous resilient keeper.
This was a model upon which the Cheltenham's third and Troughton's second was based. Again pushing high, with a degree of naivety, Bristol's backline was ruthlessly exposed as the ball was played up the left flank to Smith who delivered a searing cross for Troughton to spectacularly deflect the ball into the roof of the net.
Cheltenham were now in unfamiliar territory controlling the game and with a three goal cushion, it was however not to last. Many would point to the previous capitulation of Cheltenham and therefore the nerves, others to the arrival of supporters Bryan, Hay and Padley, either way it was of little consequence. Cheltenham were forced onto the back foot and despite the hard work of all, there was an air of inevitability about the final 10 minutes with Bristol rallying and claiming two slightly fortunate goals. It could have been far worse had it not been for the wastefulness of another Bristol forward who missed the easiest chance of them all. Despite the last minute panics Cheltenham managed to close out the game just about holding on for an important 3 points.
Goal Scorers: Giles Smith, Ben Troughton (2)
Men's Castlers -vs- Lansdown
1 November 2008
1 - 5
Despite taking the lead, the Castlers were well beaten in the end by a strong Lansdown side, who scored 4 times in the second half. The Castlers began the game brightly with much of the early possession, and deservedly took an early lead. Just before half time, Lansdown equalised from a short corner. The second half was a more one-sided affair, as individual errors in defence led to the Castlers conceding 3 early second half goals. Lansdown scored a fifth with 5 minutes to go.
Player of the Match: Pete Kirkness
Ladies 1s -vs- Salisbury
1 November 2008
6 - 3
Cheltenham go into second place after travelling to Salisbury in the rain. It took Cheltenham a while to settle into the game, allowing Salisbury a break early on, resulting in a goal. Cheltenham were determined to equalise and were rewarded with a penalty corner after fast attacking play, which was confidently converted by Emma Jones. Cheltenham went ahead when Georgie Jefferies scored with an excellent strike, which they held onto until half time. This gave Cheltenham a chance to re-group and they went out ready to play their game, after Salisbury equalised. Cheltenham lifted themselves, rewarding Jefferies with another for the sheet, to make it 3-2. Jones' hard work was rewarded with a further two goals to complete her well deserved hat trick. Cheltenham's final goal came as a result of a switch of play giving Gemma Stevens a rare chance at goal, which she managed to tap in. Salisbury finished the scoring frenzy with a quickly taken free hit. Final score 6-3. Special recognition to youngster Frankie Mayes who took a tumble in the first half leaving grazes on her face, but she bounced back to finish the second half strong. Cheltenham are looking forward to carrying on their winning ways when they face Gloucester at home in a hotly anticipated local derby.
Team: Corrie Farrel, Gemma Stevens, Sian Evans, Fiona Maffey, Michelle Walker, Justine Naylor, Gayle Ashby (C), Sophie Whittaker, Nat Lewis, Emma Jones, Laura Jaques, Frankie Mayes, Georgie Jefferies
Goal Scorers: Emma Jones (3) Georgie Jefferies (2) Gemma Stevens
Player of the Match: Emma Jones
Ladies 2s -vs- Newent
1 November 2008
1 - 1
Cheltenham Ladies 2s were playing host to top-of-the-league Newent this weekend, and knew that they needed to raise their game to compete effectively. The visitors began the game with confidence, distributing the ball well and demonstrating why they remain unbeaten this season. However from the whistle, the home side made life very difficult for Newent, thwarting any attacks and playing with equal levels of conviction. For the spectators, this was a real treat of a match, played with high intensity and with chances at both ends of the pitch. Half time and the score was noughts-each. In the second half, Cheltenham took control of the game, with Pearce, Williams, Howell, Cook and Lewis dominating in defence; organising the marking and managing play from the rear. Cook's incisive 16-yard hits gave the Cheltenham attack plenty of opportunity to break forward with the ball, with solid performances from Burton, Lord, Centamore and Jones up front. In the midfield, Jowett, Keating and Chicken worked tirelessly for the full 70-minutes, supporting the defensive line when Newent attacked, and breaking with the forwards to pressurise the Newent keeper and win a hat full of short corners. Halfway through the second half and against the run of play, Newent scored following a strong attack down the left hand side of the pitch. It would have been easy for Cheltenham to accept defeat, but the home side rallied and were quickly rewarded with another short corner. With perfect delivery from Burton and a clean stop from Chicken, Cook struck the ball into the corner of the visitor's goal, levelling the score. Throughout the game, Harvey who was voted player of the match, was magnificent in the net, and pulled off the most tremendous save with 5 minutes to go. The final whistle was blown with the score at 1-1. Cheltenham Ladies 2s were pleased with the result and buoyed by the fact that this could easily have been a 3-point victory for them.
Goal Scorers: Kim Cook
Player of the Match: Lara Harvey
Ladies 3s -vs- Shipton Oliffe
1 November 2008
3 - 0
Another win under the belts of the Ladies 3s, thanks to 100% effort throughout both halves of the match and playing as a team from the whistle. This was a very different match to last week, where skills learnt at training were clearly visible on the pitch, with the introduction of J runs and switching the ball from one side to the other into the game. Thanks to a run through of positions and responsibilities by Graham at training on Thursday, the Ladies 3s were a lot more aware of each other on the pitch and worked better as a team. There was great communication from captain Becci Brown at the back, as the team worked on their swing - pressing the ball on opposition free hits and plugging the gaps. A few balls still got through, but the technique and consistency demonstrated a team that was listening to each other. Player of the match was Issy Shayle, who once again displayed solid defending and drove the play forward from the defence, initiating some great switches where she could, with hard running from all the midfield linking the play. Credit also to Louisa Dowsett for some brilliant running up front, despite illness. There was a good atmosphere on the pitch as the Ladies 3s were cheered on from the side lines and the three goals were good quality and well deserved. Practice makes perfect, and with a good turn out from the Ladies 3s at training, this is a contributory factor to great team work and effort during the match on Saturday.
Goal Scorers: Emily Sumaria, Becci Brown, Louisa Dowsett
Player of the Match: Issy Shayle
