Men's 1s -vs- ISCA
6 December 2008
4 - 4
Cheltenham went to ISCA looking to get their season back on track after a poor run of results. After losing the toss the Cheltenham defence found themselves playing the first 20 minutes of the match with bright sunshine shining straight at them from behind the ISCA goal. ISCA used this to their advantage as they attacked with aerial passes into the Cheltenham half and it was not long before the home side took the lead. The opening minutes had also seen Cheltenham suffer two injuries as Hay and Foster took sticks to the leg and head respectively and coach Robson had to call on his first aid skills to patch them back together. Cheltenham struck back quickly though through a well worked goal, finished off by Tom Glenister from meter out. Tom was disappointed to hear that after the game his goal had been awarded to Alex Hay on the score card. A fine achievement by Hay as he was off the pitch at the time but was happy to claim it...They all count!! No sooner had ISCA restarted the match and another aerial ball bounced through the Cheltenham defence. Expecting the ball to roll off the base line, Cheltenham left it only for an ISCA forward to race on and finish well from an impossible angle. Cheltenham drew level again through a short corner, well finished by Don Cock but again ISCA regained their lead with a well struck shot from the top of the D high into the net. With half time approaching Cheltenham drew level again through Hay who found himself free in the middle of the D and able to finish from a fine cross from the left.
The second half saw ISCA lose their heads as they argued not only with the umpires but also each other. Cheltenham kept their focus and, after a through-ball from Finn, Hay raced on the round the keeper and give Cheltenham the lead for the first time. The cards began to flow and ISCA were down to 9. Cheltenham pushed to seal the victory but the home side kept them at bay and once back up to a full quota of 11 were awarded a penalty flick when Tom Glenister was judged to have gone through their player's stick as he was about to shoot. The flick was converted and the home team had secured a point. Cheltenham's run of losses was over but they were disappointed not to come away with all 3 points.
Goal Scorers: Tom Glenister, Don Cock, Alex Hay (2)
Player of the Match: Alex Hay
Men's Castlers -vs- Cheltenham 3A's
6 December 2008
1 - 3
This was the much awaited head-to-head between top of the table 3A's and recently-off-the-bottom of the table Castlers. Cheltenham 3As put the pressure on from the start with attaching hockey while the Castlers failed to deliver the free flowing hockey that had earnt them their win last weekend. The 2-0 score at half time a fair reflection of the match so far. Following a rousing half time speech from captain Dave Elks, the Castlers emerged from half time with a fresh vigour for the game, only to concede another goal. They did manage to pull one back to salvage some pride. Man of the match goes to Alex Harwood, who acted as a target man up front and was instrumental in the one Castlers goal.
Goal Scorers: Peter Cole
Player of the Match: Alex Harwood
Ladies 1s -vs- Swindon
6 December 2008
4 - 1
Cheltenham finished the first half of the season with a resounding 4-1 demolition of Swindon. Coming into the game Swindon were 2nd in the West Premier League having not lost a game and only conceded 11 goals in 9 games. Despite a slow start where Cheltenham struggled to get in the game, they took the lead with their first penalty corner converted by Kim Cook. Top goal scorer Emma Jones made it 2 when the forward line put the Swindon defence under pressure at the back and forced a mistake which allowed Jones to pass the goalkeeper in style. As Cheltenham had let the lead slip last week against top-of-the-table Clifton they were determined not to do the same again. Centre forward Nat Lewis pounced on a cross and slammed the ball into the roof of the new to make it 3-0. Swindon began to come back into the game as Cheltenham were temporarily reduced to 10 but the Cheltenham defensive unit held firm and GK Lara Harvey made several athletic saves. Sophie Whittaker made it 4 when she rounded 4 Swindon defenders before striking the ball home. Swindon gained a consolation goal late-on, but the result was never in doubt.
Team: Lara Harvey, Gayle Ashby, Shelley Walker, Fi Maffey, Sian Evans, Kim Cook, Emma Dunn, Sophie Whittaker, Gemma Stevens, Emma Jones, Nat Lewis, Helen Lord, Georgie Jefferies
Goal Scorers: Kim Cook, Emma Jones, Nat Lewis, Sophie Whittaker
Ladies 2s -vs- Clifton 3s
6 December 2008
1 - 3
The first 5 minutes of the match proved that Clifton Ladies 3s were not going to be easy competition, but the defensive power of the unit managed to hold them off. The game was fairly level with a lot of the battle being fought in midfield: the good teamwork and sharp passing from Pearce to Shayle and outletting up the wing to Chicken allowed the team to break up Clifton's firm press. Unfortunately, Clifton Ladies managed to slip one past our very own Noble in goal after 10 minutes of fair game.
The team came back through with a strong attack up the pitch with a strong pass up the wing from Metters, and picked beautifully by Tredgett. Burton ran infield and a square pass eliminated two Clifton defenders. A strong approach to the D and many worthy attempts at the goalie by Jowett, Taylor and Burton but the goalie's log seemed to block them. Impressive defence by Stephanie Malcolm resulted in an unduly knee injury, so after 15 minutes Howell slotted into the defensive unit, and Lewis swapped on for Burton after some tiring leg work upfront. With two fresh pairs of leg on the pitch, Cheltenham forced the ball towards the D with short passes between Keating and the midfield. Again though, Clifton's press seemed to break this spell and forced their way through the unit with a worthy bit of hockey down the wing and baseline, resulting in a 2-0 lead.
But with team perseverance Jowett's prowess managed to give Cheltenham a chance to win the game again, resulting in a 2-1 score after a lovely chipped strike from top D past Clifton. Half time saw the team confront some issues and the development seen in the second half was much better structured play, with good running seen between the midfields and forwards. When in possession, the 2s were effective in getting up the pitch, but the team generally found that Clifton broke down the play a lot with their press, and possession was soon overturned. A brilliant defensive tactic unfortunately saw Cheltenham's Noble concede a goal...from our very own Pearce! Pearce was rewarded with a hefty fine and much banter - so after a hard game, but good match, Cheltenham unfortunately lost 3-1, but the secure place in the league table reflects the effort given by the players in this first half of the season.
Goal Scorers: Sophie Jowett
Player of the Match: Carys Lewis
Ladies 3s -vs- Cirencester
6 December 2008
4 - 1
An excellent match and result this week! Cheltenham displayed good ball pace, with some excellent balls up the line on the right from Ellie McNulty and strong tackles to win the ball back from the defence. Apart from the first 5 minutes when the opposition scored, Cheltenham maintained control of the game. Two consecutive goals came from Bev Stevens - both strikes from the top of the D into the left corner - and the third from a well-placed penalty flick from Jemma Jones. The final goal of the day in the penultimate minutes of the match was a spectacular tackle from Louisa Dowsett to gain the ball from the opposition, and, defeating the defender she slammed the ball home.
Goal Scorers: Louisa Dowsett
Player of the Match: Bev Stevens
Girls U18's -vs- ISCA Dragoons
30 November 2008
1 - 2
After Cheltenham's long journey down to Exeter on a cold winter's morning, it was no real surprise that the home team quickly took a 2-0 advantage in the first 5 minutes before the visitors had got going. From there-on in though, Cheltenham were the stronger team, with GK Charlotte Collins's athletic saves coming to Cheltenham's rescue, and the defensive unit of Lucy Howard, Sophie McCrea, Helen Gregory, Sian Evans and Holly Hill rarely looking troubled. The Cheltenham forward-line of Alex Bogle, Beckie Haggie, Shona Pratt, Emma Beresford and Jemma Jones peppered the Isca goal, but despite winning over 10 penalty corners, and more open-play chances, the ISCA GK was on form to keep them in the game. Strong work by the young midfield unit of Effie Parnell-Hopkinson, Frankie Mayes and Emily Sumalia, all with at least 3 more years at this age-group ensured the game went all the way down to the wire. The classy Sian Evans put in a real captain's performance, beating 3 ISCA defenders before being felled to win a penalty stroke late-on, which she coolly converted. However, there wasn't time enough to secure the equaliser. The young Cheltenham side can take heart that on the day they were the better side and had been very successful to get to the last 32 in the England Hockey U18 Cup. A great achievement from a side that will only grow with confidence, and will be back next year!
Goal Scorers: Sian Evans
Player of the Match: Sian Evans
