Men's 3s -vs- Stroud
7 March 2009
5 - 0
A very impressive performance from start to finish from Cheltenham. There was some outstanding attacking hockey, with both high quality passing and movement off the ball and some dynamic and skilful running at defenders. But there was also calmness and intelligence in defence when short periods of pressure were exerted and, in particular, following an early injury took us down to bare 11 and two (entirely accidental) stick-to-face incidents threatened to reduce us further. Overall the sort of performance which, if replicated against better sides, will make us worthy league winners.
Goal Scorers: Johnathon Stott, Mark Gayler, Ben Wright, Jonny Brayshaw, Jo Hammonds
Player of the Match: Will Hayes
Ladies 1s -vs- Isca
7 March 2009
2 - 0
Cheltenham were keen to put in an impressive performance, after the previous weekends disapointments, which is exactly what they did. Cheltenham started strongly with some stylish attacking play through Sophie Whittaker immediately putting Isca under some considerable pressure. Unable to cope, Isca soon conceeded a short corner, which Georgie Jefferies slammed home, giving Chelt a well deserved lead. Jones, Jaques and Jefferies continued to cause Isca problems tearing their defence apart. Cheltenham's high intensity work was soon rewarded with a second when some smooth link up play found Natalia Lewis is space to place the ball past keeper into the side netting. However Isca were not going to give in easily and turned up the pace striving for a goal before half tme but some cool and collected defending from Maffey and Evans ensured this accounted to nothing.
Isca came out from the break pressing to get back into the game, but captian Ashby was stalwart in defence putting in some key tackles and regaining controll of the game for Chelt. Cheltenham finished the game on top striving to increase their lead and were unlucky not to do so. Girlie of the game Gemma Stevens had a solid game replacing the injured Naylor.
Goal Scorers: Georgie Jefferies, Natalia Lewis
Player of the Match: Gemma Stevens
Ladies 3s -vs- St. Gregorys
7 March 2009
5 - 1
A superb match in which our team work was outstanding. We are growing to know where each other will be and will want to pass the ball and this is showing.
After working on short corners at training it was great to reap the rewards with two goals scored from these. These were the first two goals of the match, with the first goal by Becs sweeping it in from the well worked passing maneuver perfected at training. The second was scored after we kept on the keeper and Cat swept it back in after the goalie tried to clear it, and Bev got on the end of the ball that came through the players. We have moved on so much from the beginning of the season in not letting the corner break down after the keeper makes a save, and chasing up every rebound.
The third goal came from another set play, "me me me", practised at training. A straight strike from a free hit outside the D was guided into the goal by Jemma Jones, who was excellently positioned with her tilted stick, lifting the ball into the goal so smoothly even the umpire didn't see it. Cheering from the Cheltenham ladies and finding the ball in the back of the net was all the proof Billy needed!!
We passed the ball round acurately and with good pace, switching right to left and vice versa. Monie was always well positioned on the right side of the pitch to receive passes. Off one of these she drove up the pitch, smoothly crossed into the D where she proceeded to roof the ball in a spectacular 4th goal for the 3's! For this goal and general skill and ball pace, Monie won man of the match. Unfortunately the only goal scored against us came off Monie's stick - hence the headline and a giggle for the whole team! Monie is a great asset to the 3's with experience and voice on the pitch, which is rubbing off on all of us as we took command of the game, and demonstrated more confidence than the opposition.
Goal 5 was from play and an excellent strike from Ness who finally ended her goal drought. It was well deserved after such hard work from Ness this half season where she has been denied a place on the score sheet until now, despite her skillful dodges, great positioning and not giving up on the ball in the D.
Sarah D got a nomination for man of the match along with Jemma, Bec, Ness and Bev. With skillful dribbling on the reverse Sarah consistently drives the ball up the pitch, past bemused players and into the D in a fluid action. With great passing and running from her and Jemma we have a very strong midfield backed up by a solid defence. Sophie, Gail, Kelly, Becs, and Monie each deserve a mention for great tackling and working hard to get the ball not only out of the D and danger, but to get it to one of our own players to turn the play back into attacking mode.
Sue finally got her spot back on the pitch up front with Cat, who both got on the end of some great passes and put pressure on the opposition in their D.
It is a fantastic team spirit playing with the 3's and this is one of the keys to our success. Things to work on at training: more of the same - whatever we have worked on at training we have successfully implemented in games. Great work girls - lets keep it up!!
Goal Scorers: Becci Brown, Bev Stevens, Jemma Jones, Simone Williams, Vanessa Burton
Player of the Match: Simmone Williams
