HSBC Hockey Club
3rd Team Match Reports
7 January 2012
HSBC 6 - Sutton Valence 3
HSBC 3rds 6 Sutton Valence Veterans 3
The 3s entertained their old rivals from Sutton Valence in a New Year friendly, with both teams looking forward to "blowing away the cobwebs" after the excesses of Christmas.
In captain Tony's absence on holiday, Tom captained the side and had a squad of 13 players, enabling us to provide an extra player for SV, who only had 10. The lucky recruit was Nick H., who was given this honour as he was last to arrive !
The Bank team contained a number of "old faces" some of whom we had not seen for a while - Kevin made the long trip from Cambridge, Robin made a rare appearance, and Studs was sufficiently recovered from injury to play his first game of the season for us. With Swifty, Rob C and Mark recruited from the 2nds, and regulars Tom, Nick G, Bill and Richard I all able to play, there was plenty of experience in the team (but not much youth - apart from you Rob!). Special mention to Chris, who played at short notice and control of midfield was a key factor in the win, and to Joe, who actually played 3 matches that day, having played for Horley in the morning and going on to play for his new club Wellcome later in the day. There was even a brief appearance by Ian, who had not expected to be around because of umpiring commitments elsewhere, but arrived in time to come on as an extra sub. late in the second half.
The Sutton Valence Veterans team contained a lot of the old faces who we've known for many years - they had the honour of being the first ever opposition to play on our astroturf pitch when it was opened in 1999, when we invited them to participate in the pitch-opening celebrations. A number of the team that day were playing in this match, including Paul and Charlie, the two wingers, who are both now well into their 70s. The match that day ended as a 6-6 draw, and the result of this match could have been similar. Also playing for SV in both matches was Bob Sagrott, a former member of our club (when it was Midland Bank HC), having been a key member of our 1st team way back in the 1970s.
The match itself was end-to-end, with attacks dominating, countless chances made and quite a few taken. Mark opened the scoring and Chris added a second, before SV's best player had time to smash the ball past Tom to pull one back. Then, on the stroke of half time, Joe's deflected shot gave us a deserved two-goal lead at the break.
The second half was a different story, with Sutton Valence pushing forward and creating a number of chances - Tom set a great example as captain by making a series of excellent saves to keep them out. They then did bring the score back to 3-2, but straight away HSBC counter-attacked and Mark got his second goal to make 4-2. With the opposition's legs starting to tire, and despite some determined defending by Nick H., Mark and Robin added further goals before the end, each converting crosses from the right wing, before SV scored a consolation in the final minute. On the balance of play, 6-3 was probably a bit of a flattering score-line, but the finishing of Mark, who kept up his excellent goal-scoring record for the club going back many years, was the key difference between the teams.
The 3rds maintained their reputation for being excellent hosts by keeping the oppo. well supplied with Spitfire in the bar afterwards. The socialising went on late into the afternoon as everyone took advantage of the chance of a "re-union" for many of the team.
Scorers: Blanchard 3, Binns, Coelho, Turnbull)
19 November 2011
HSBC 4 - Tonbridge Black Nights 2
We had assembled a strong team to play our old friends, Tonbridge Black Knights, who included our former stalwart Paul Tomlin. TBK also had their usual left back, also called Paul, in goal. The latter has, on more than one previous occasion, clashed with the absent Mike Studholme.
On a beautiful sunny autumn day, we had Bob Jordan as umpire, fresh from officiating in the 1st X1 match. At the toss, Bob gave the team captains a seminar on the 5 metre rule, offering us a choice of interpretations, the thrust of which was somewhat lost on yours truly.
Bill Lovelock had recruited his friend Chris Binns, who had not played for 15 years, but had previously played at a high level. We also welcomed back Ian Remedios, Gus Rebello and Rob Fox, while Peter Watt of New Beccs guested for us.
Matthew Abbett played a pivotal role in midfield, thoughtfully involving as many of our team as possible in a series of constructive moves while, behind him, Bill ran tirelessly, and showed rapidly improving skills, to limit TBK's opportunities, ably supported from left midfield by Nick Holman. We had as many as three exponents of the aerial ball, Matt, Ian and Gus.
It came as no surprise when Chris Binns opened the scoring for us and, shortly afterwards, Richard Inch made it 2-0. However, TBK responded with a good attack down our left side and a cross from Paul Tomlin found Chris Dyer unmarked in front of goal. His first time shot left Tom Sharp with no chance.
At half time, Chris Dyer took over umpiring duties from one of his teammates, and was soon faced with a difficult decision. Another cross from TBK's right wing found Carl unmarked, but falling over, in front of goal. His shot, while he was lying on the ground, gave Tom no chance. However, the question arose as to whether he was allowed to play the ball from that position. Wisely Chris referred the decision to Bob. Cue another comprehensive seminar, ending in the goal being awarded.
Stirred by the fact that our two goal lead had disappeared, we returned to the attack, and a Rob Fox's powerful shot put us ahead again. Bob then awarded us a penalty flick, a very rare development in 3rd X1 friendlies. Gus stepped up calmly to flick the ball into the top left hand corner of the net.
With about two minutes to go, a TBK defender flung his stick along the ground, in the D, in a futile attempt to make contact with the ball. Bob immediately pointed again to the penalty spot, but this so incensed Carl and one of his teammates that they walked off the pitch, and we called it the end of the game, thus denying Gus another opportunity to score. Bob said afterwards that, in a league match, the stick flinging would have merited not only a flick, but also a yellow card.
Fortunately this premature end did not spoil our excellent relationship with TBK, who stayed to socialise long after the end of the game.
We are very grateful to Bob for umpiring and trying to improve our understanding of the finer points of the game, and we were very pleased that he too stayed to socialise.
Our next match is scheduled for 7 January at 1.30, against Sutton Valence Vets. The are no other HSBC hockey fixtures that day. In my absence, Tom has kindly agreed to captain our side.
Scorers: Binns, Inch, Fox, Rebello
12 November 2011
HSBC 1 - Canterbury Friars - 2
The 3rd X1 finally started their season, with a narrow defeat against regular opponents Canterbury Friars, who borrowed Leon, New Beccs' first team keeper.
Our squad of 10 was supplemented by Matthew Abbett and Jason, who initially alternated. In goal we had the reassuring figure of Tom Sharp, fresh from keeping a clean sheet for the 2nd X1.
By early in the second half, however, we were 2-0 down, conceding goals to two unrelated Jonesys, and we then lost Ian Remedios to a calf muscle strain. This meant that both Matt and Jason played for the rest of the game. An aerial ball from Matt, cleverly flicked on by Mark Blanchard, led to a well taken goal by Fidelis.
Bill Lovelock, Nick Gibbs, Nick Holman, Richard Inch and Peter Hilliar all ran tirelessly in midfield. By the end of the match we were creating numerous scoring opportunities, but all our best efforts were brilliantly saved by Leon.
The game was played in front of what was probably our largest ever crowd. Many thanks to members of our 1st and 2nd X1s who left the bar to support us. We were also watched by a New Beccs team and their opponents, who had arrived for a 4.30 start, and many of the New Beccs ladies team.
We are very grateful to Mike Hughes for organising the team and umpiring his third consecutive game, and to Headless and Matt Bowley who officiated for a half each.
Our next match will be on 19 November, at home, at 3pm, v Tonbridge Black Knights.