Men's 2s -vs- Robinsons B
22 November 2008
8 - 1
A game where Cheltenham scored eight goals and only one from a striker perhaps suggests something about Robinsons plan, although it appears in hindsight a little ill conceived.
Tactically one would assume they set out to frustrate the team by keeping men behind the ball, however double marking the strikers and not the midfield in any way shape or form was to prove their downfall. Robinsons held out for 30 seconds, when they conceded a short corner. Giles Smith stepped up and shot against the crossbar, the rebound fell to him but he cleverly left the ball in a well practiced air shot routine leaving Fynn to strike past the keeper.
Robinsons held out for almost twice as long before they conceded the second, but given the first went in after 30 seconds this was hardly much of an achievement, especially as the second was nestled in the goal from Smith shot after 2 minutes.
Evans was frequently found with time and space to pick his pass and he found Brookes who fed Williams-Ellis to make it three. The fourth was from a slightly unusual source Woodford who nonchalantly strolled up from the back and slipped the ball through the somewhat distraught keepers' legs. The fifth was probably the most traditional in that it was scored by a striker. It was after a rare Robinsons attack broke down the ball was fed up to Hill who picked out with and he crossed for Troughton to score a trademark tap in.
Half time was entertaining, Cheltenham knew that he game was won so resolved to play good hockey and not force the game. Following this Purnell conducted half time jackanory with little direction this proved too much for many, yet not enough for Williams-Ellis.
Smith now revelling in his Jan Molby role, as opposed to jam, was enjoying the gentle stroll into the area and unimpeded shots as he scored his second. The third was not long in coming as an attack was stopped, albeit in an illegal manner a short corner was awarded and converted with little fuss.
As hockey was clearly not paying dividends, Robinsons resorted to rough house tactics for the remainder frequently levelling Brookes and Hill and beating the whippet Troughton. Troughton, yes Troughton rather than offering the opposition player the customary 'cap in his a**' undertook the mature and moral high ground; perhaps an indication of the debauchery on display.
There was time for an eighth, a moment of true comedy as after his first short was played back to Fynn and with Hurcombe and Hill waiting unmarked on the posts his second shot a reverse stick was topped two foot in front of him, nonetheless he wandered around the ball at a mediocre pace and placed his third shot into the goal.
Sensing a clean sheet Purnell got a case of the Moores when an unorthodox defensive corner backline failed to provide adequate cover and from the third un-cleared rebound they netted. However eventually Purnell calmed down went about his area and cleaned up the toys which were scattered hither and dither. 8
The winning margin was probably a fair reflection on the game but Cheltenham will be aware of sterner tests ahead.
Goal Scorers: Giles Smith (3), Richard Fynn (2), Mike Woodford, Ben Troughton, Tim Williams-Ellis
Men's Castlers -vs- Winchcombe
22 November 2008
0 - 4
On a cold and uninviting afternoon the Castlers put up a brave performance against a Winchcombe team that looked dominant throughout the match. The main disappointment arose from the fact that this was the first match that the Castlers failed to score a single goal, despite a number of chances that failed to be capitalised on. Special mention must go to Pete Kirnkess' new beard, which owes its existence to a national beard growing campaign to raise awareness for prostate cancer.
Ladies 1s -vs- Lansdown
22 November 2008
1 - 0
After several seasons of proximity, Cheltenham finally got the better of local rivals Lansdown to gain a well-deserved 1-0 away win on Saturday. Despite the early pressure from the experienced and physical Lansdown team, the Cheltenham defence of Emma Dunn, Kim Cook, Sian Evans and Gemma Stevens held firm to deny the early Lansdown possession and pressure. Justine Naylor gave Cheltenham the lead against the run of play as Lansdown paid the price for sloppy defending at the end of the first half with a clinical short corner strike which fooled the Lansdown defence. Despite the controversial sin-bin offence against inside-right Sophie Whittaker, Cheltenham held firm and the few late Lansdown attacks were thwarted by Girlie of the Game, 18 year old Corrie Farrell in the Cheltenham goal. Shelley Walker made her experience show alongside captain Gayle Ashby in midfield to deny the Lansdown attack. Helen Lord, making her debut for the fist team was strong and determined, and Nat Lewis and Emma Jones kept the Lansdown defence occupied. The youngsters Georgie Jefferies and Laura Jaques made their presence felt as their dazzling stick skills fooled the slow Lansdown defence. Despite the Lansdown pressure, Cheltenham deservedly kept their first clean sheet of the season and wowed the ardent spectators with earn a well-deserved 1-0 win to take them higher in the West Premier League. Lansdown were not impressed but the Cheltenham fans were.
Goal Scorers: Justine Naylor
Player of the Match: Corrie Farrell
Ladies 2s -vs- Colwall & Malvern
22 November 2008
10 - 0
Cheltenham travelled to depths of the Malvern countryside for their eighth league game clash with middle-of-the-table Colwall & Malvern. Cheltenham enjoyed an explosive start, finding themselves 3-0 up after 10 minutes, by playing simple, passing hockey. The first goal came from excellent passing work from the midfield through to Jowett, who took the ball brilliantly at the top of the D, and unselfishly slipped a pass for Taylor to slot the ball home. Maffey scored the second from a well-worked short corner, and Jowett took the third and fourth. The visitors continued to dominate the first half, with the entire team pressing the opposition back into their own half, and ended the 35 minute period with a 6-0 advantage, thanks to a superb solo effort from Keating and a third from Jowett who was unstoppable up front. Midfielders Keating, Tredgett and Chicken worked tirelessly, providing easy triangles, to enable the smooth-flowing hockey that the team is becoming renowned for. The second half, and Cheltenham took their foot off the pedal, enjoying a period of retaining play, where the defence of Shayle, Maffey, Howell and Metters switched play from left to right, by passing the ball cleanly around the back. The forward line up of Noble, Taylor, Jowett, Sumaria, Anderson and newcomer Drum - who made an excellent debut - continued to barrage the D and pepper the goal with shots, to keep the Colwall goalie under constant pressure. The first goal of the second period came from a Maffey short-corner, followed by two well-earned goals from player-of-the-match Chicken; the first, an impressive flick into the inside net of the goal, and the second, a less impressive push at goal that nutmegged the keeper. A final goal from Maffey, again from a short corner, completed the rout, with Cheltenham leaving the pitch worthy winners. A mention must go to the Cheltenham keeper, Jenna Lepore, who did not touch the ball throughout the entire game.
Goal Scorers: Jo Taylor, Fiona Maffey (3), Sophie Jowett (3), Rachel Chicken (2), Karen Keating
Player of the Match: Rachel Chicken
Ladies 3s -vs- St Gregory's
22 November 2008
4 - 0
Only one team was going to win this match today and that was Cheltenham Ladies 3s, and with a cracking 4-0 win at that. In adverse conditions (cold, rain, hail, sunshine) the ladies were slow to break the score line despite a lot of possession, however once the goal silence was broken, and with a half time team talk, Cheltenham put away three more goals in the second half. Guidance from Angie Pearce at half time highlighted the team's need to go for goal rather than passing near the D, and to nip in front of players to steal the ball before the opposition got it. Passing was good, and supportive play noticeable as 95% of the time there was someone to pass to. With the defence pushing high, the whole team could move up the pitch, with Dowsett and Burton doing well to hold the space and use their skill to get past players. Work rate was again high in the whole team. With Bayley getting her first attacking goal in her new role on pitch this season, team spirit was high.
Goal Scorers: Sarah Sutton (2), Sue Bayley, Fran Centamore
Player of the Match: Bev Stevens
