Weekly SCORE-pion 14-10-23

A few tough matches took place this weekend, however fantastic hockey and determination from all players meant there was plenty of action for The A Team. Well done to everyone.

Most teams will have a well-earned break this weekend, however the Ladies' 1s will be in action at the Ifley Road Sports Centre vs Oxford Uni at 10:30am on Sunday 22nd - do head down to support if you can.

Men’s 1s 3-3 vs Sonning

Harry Hewitt-Chick

Buoyed by the fantastic start to the season, the M1s travelled away to Sonning. Sonning had also started the season incredibly well, and were also staking a claim at top spot in the league.

The first half was very competitive and despite Abingdon taking an early 2-0 lead, Sonning were well structured and played equally nice hockey, pulling 1 goal back before halftime.

Momentum changed in the second half and despite a valiant effort from Joe in goal to keep Abingdon in the game, Sonning equalised early in the second half.

The game looked to end all square until some last-minute drama, Sonning were awarded a Short Corner to which they scored. For Abingdon, if they wanted any points from this game the time to act was now.

An immediate response from Abingdon saw Ollie Lovibond go down to the other end and win a short corner of our own. In this high pressure moment, who other than this season’s short corner specialist Tim Chilvers to step up and secure the draw.

The match ended 3-3, which was a fair result by all accounts. Abingdon remain top of the league and are still undefeated.

PotM: Joe Shearer-Rust

Goal Scorers: Sam Chilvers (2), Tim Chilvers

Assists: Tim Chilvers, Ray Prince, Marnix Achterbergh

DoD: Tim Chilvers

Ladies 1s 2-4 vs Yateley

Goal Scorers: Fi Bethel (2)

Assists: Annie Cook, Megan Smith

Men’s 2s 5-0 vs Berkhamstead

Ladies 2s 0-4 vs Enigma

Laura Cardy & Emma Bell

Our Saturday started with a long old trek up north to Milton Keynes for a 10am push back.

The game started and there were elbows flying, sticks at chests, so we could tell it was going to be a battle. 

Enigma started strong and scored 3 in the first half. We came out fighting in the second half, having plenty of opportunities but couldn’t quite get them over the line. 

The ladies 2s put in a real good effort, and played extremely well in the conditions.

I think we are all looking forward to having a week off to recover ahead of the next run of games before the winter break.

PotM: Rachel Hossack

Goal Scorers: Emma Bell

Men’s 3s 6-0 vs Berkhamstead

Matthew Deverill

Dominant performance and win. Lewis S the hattrick hero, scoring back to back drag flicks from short corners and then for his 3rd goal arguably his best short corner with a well-placed shot bottom left corner.

Tom H scored the world's slowest goal, the pace of the ball clearly bamboozling everyone. Tom H also won himself a Penalty Flick which was well saved by the experienced keeper.

Just before half time Ollie D scored an absolute cracker, beating several players with a darting run down the right and lifting it over the goalkeeper in a high paced one on one.

Right towards the end of the game Chris Y went on a valiant run from RB and from wide smashed it in past the goalkeeper.

Ollie T made just two saves all match, a solid and professional performance for everyone.

A great day out to Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead Hockey Club, very welcoming team and great umpires.

PotM: Lewis Singleton

Goal Scorers: Lewis Singleton (3), Ollie Douglas, Tom Hambridge, Chris Yates

Ladies 3s 1-2 vs Aylesbury

Michelle Lewis

Another fantastic team effort, great work on and off the ball. We we pressed in to our half for a little while in the first half but eventually broke free and dominated the game for a good proportion of the first half.

A brief half time talk encouraging the team to come to meet the ball which payed off and saw less interceptions from the young (and fast) Aylesbury. More of the same attack in the second half, good passing, good opportunities leading Ruth scored a great short corner. We dominated and held the game fore a long period with Aylesbury breaking but being held out. Lots of attack, but couldn't convert. 2 Unfortunate quick goals from the opposition didn't dampen our spirits or attack. but alas we couldn't get the ball over the line again.

PotM: Charlotte Barras & Olivia Goodwin

Goal Scorers: Ruth Gilmour

Assists:

Men’s 4s 1-1 vs Berkhamstead

Trevor Wiggins

The first chilly match day had finally arrived with added worms as a bonus.

On "paper" this should have been an easy day for the 4s as we were playing the bottom of the league who only had 10 players.

As is often the case a 10-man side proved difficult to break down with the experienced Berko players using all their skill and experience to frustrate the 4s attacks.

There was nothing between the 2 sides for much of the match until a defensive error allowed Berko to score midway through the second half (yes i got DotD for it ).

A quick formation change and the 4s started to apply more and more pressure and finally got a break through with a late short corner which Malcolm converted, securing the draw. (One very relieved captain).

George’s immense shift in defence where he was literally everywhere earned him a well-deserved POTM.

PotM: George Cole

Goal Scorers: Malcolm West

Mixed 3-6 vs Witney

Trevor Wiggins

Witney are a new team to the mixed calendar for this season and from the evidence of their first game will be a welcome addition.

We can be a bit disorganised in the mixed team and have a rather relaxed approach, this sort of bit back this week as both teams assumed the other was playing in their home kit and so we were both in white 🤦‍♂️😱. Thankfully between most of the juniors being organised and having a blue top with them and a few bibs we were soon good to go.

The match was full of end-to-end hockey with both teams producing some fine attacks and making the defence really work. There wasn't too much in it for much of the game, the only real difference was Witney being more clinical in front of goal.

Theo scored a fine brace of goals either side of Greg’s mazy run which saw him score a fantastic solo effort.

Greg and James combined throughout the match and gave the juniors plenty of opportunity to shine which they did. George followed on from his display in the 4s match with another solid shift in defence and midfield. Alex W put in another fine display and his aerials in the 2nd half added an extra dimension to our play.

Big thank you to our supporters/ taxi drivers who I’m told thoroughly enjoyed the match 😁 Thanks to Alex W and Theo who not only umpired at the avengers festival but also umpire a 1/4 each (their first senior umpiring experience).

A great afternoon of hockey.

PotM: Greg Hughes – with Alex Wang and George Cole a close second

Goal Scorers: Theo Becker (2), Greg Hughes

Avengers Festival

Amy Walker

The Avengers festival was another successful day for the club. It was lovely to see so many children smiling whilst playing hockey.

The Avengers displayed really great hockey implementing what they have learnt at training. All teams showed resilience and enthusiasm in each game.

Well done all!!

Big thank you to all the umpires and organisers who volunteered their time to help with this festival.