Marden Russets Hockey Club
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1st March 2008
Folkestone 4 – 5 Marden Mens 1sts
Despite a decent performance and three vital points, results elsewhere saw Marden remain
in the relegation zone, albeit with the dangling anticipation that a third straight win on the
road this weekend could lift Russets up to the heady heights of ninth place.
Much of the sport psychology research available supports the unremarkable hypothesis that
the home team has a distinct advantage, and not for the first time, Russets’ recent
outstanding away form, and their disappointing home form, has bucked that trend. Dr
Simon Hughes, eminent academic , and expert in human excrement feels that, whilst
normally referees feel pressured by a vociferous home crowd, the obtuse personality
profile of a hockey umpire welcomes the barracking and begin to sub-consciously revel
masochistically in the agrarian guffawing. The alternative view, held by lover and poet Tom
Horton, is that one swallow does not a summer make, and Russets’ good form on the road
has more to do chance, opposition, selection and form. Wise man.
The game itself was a thriller, with Russets racing into a two goal lead as the selfless
running of Will Page and Henry Lee earned Marden a penalty flick which was converted by
veteran Clive Felton, and Lee crossed for Page to finish from close range, all within the first
five minutes. Folkestone pulled a goal back in the final stages of the first half with a close
range volley, Barry Bonds-style (which should have been disallowed), only for a Horton pass
to be touched home by Page from close range as half-time beckoned, in a move that owed
much to the goalkeeper being blinded by the glare from Horton’s new pumps.
With Felton’s Groundhog Day oration absorbed, 3-1 remarkably became 5-1, as the
ubiquitous Lee grabbed two further goals, and then as the Earth tilted on its axis,
Folkestone began to play. As with the previous away game at Horsham two weeks ago,
having established a 6-1 lead, Russets sat back, setting the home side the challenge of
scoring more goals and as the eventual 4-6 score-line ultimately showed, they made a
decent attempt. This week, a similar lead, a similar challenge set, and near-similar
disastrous consequences as first from good work on the right wing, and then via two
(generous) short-corners, Folkestone manfully added respectability to the score, and very
nearly pinched a point.
Marden Ladies 1sts 4 – 2 Meopham
The play in the first half seemed fairly even between Marden and Meopham. Charlotte
Greenwood scored first for Marden with a well taken reverse flick over the goalkeeper.
Straight away after Meopham scored making it one all at half time.
Marden upped their game with Anne Romilly scoring and then one from Helen Tipples on
the left post. This stirred Meopham in to action creating another goal making it 3-2 to
Marden. Helen Tipples sealed the win for Marden by scoring the fourth and final goal.
Well done to everyone for another win keeping us third in the league.
Marden 2s 4 – 1 BBHC
“Loss, followed loss, followed loss” The advert went something like that, anyway I know it
said “good things come to those who wait”, and this performance was defiantly worth the
wait.
Showing only one change from the team beaten 9-0 the previous week Marden produces an
awesome performance. There was even the luxury of starting with 11! The ball was moved
square and even backwards as the man in possession had two or three options. Marden
took a deserved lead after 10 minuets when Adam Giles won a short corner after some
good approach play. The ball was slipped back to Dixon via Wilday and although his initial
shot hit a foot, advantage was player and he calmly slotted home the rebound. BBHC were
restricted to a couple of shorts, which came to nothing. The disciplined Marden defense not
giving them a sniff in open play. It was 2-0 five minuets before the break, a long corner was
turned home by Rob Stephen for his first Marden goal.
BBHC came out strongly after the break and bossed the opening 10 minuets, but it was the
home team who scored the decisive third. Great work by Peter Stanly, who tackled the
defender and slipped it to Copper, who couldn’t miss. Marden dominated the rest of the half
and scored the goal of the game to make it 4-0. Good interplay between Dixon and Hancox
on the right resulted in a ball smashed into the D, Baxter not only controlled it first time on
the reverse but beat the defender with his first touch before finishing confidently. There
was even time for Dixon to get yellow carded (again!), for a second cynical foul. BBHC got a
consolation when a lucky rebound left the keeper stranded. It should have been 5-1 but
Jones was denied the goal his constant running deserved by a smart save.
It would hard to pick out a stand out player, as all twelve players were immense throughout.
Folkestone 1 – 1 Marden 3s
It’s a funny old world when you play hockey because just 7 days after pushing Champions
Kings all the way, Russets were lucky not to become the first side this season to lose
against relegated Folkestone.
Excuses? We could try a few such as the joys of Operation Stack which meant that several
players went straight from car to pitch and one player, never actually made it to Folkestone
at all! There was also the unfortunate matter of Capt Davidson-Houston twanging another
muscle in the 3rd minute, which alongside P Sunnucks and P Ludgate, meant that the
defence was unlikely to put itself in contention for Olympic sprint trials. Finally, just to ensure
we've scraped the barrel completely, we could say it is no surprise that Folkestone
themselves decided to take their 1st XI fixtures away from this pitch.
Right, now all that’s in the open we should graciously admit that Marden totally lost their
shape, often failing to link defence, midfield and attack and despite several individuals
putting in a lot of effort, things didn’t come together as a team. We should also acknowledge
the tremendous sporting attitude of our hosts who are nurturing a squad of talented
youngsters and who made every attempt to play hockey as it should be played. At the end
of the day, the conditions are the same for both teams and both sides had to cope with
injuries.
For the record Marden got the only goal of the first half when Hop-along Captain had the
presence of mind to release Wickham with a quick pass and he stormed up the wing and
into the circle before beating the keeper at his near post. After some debate about the exact
positioning of that post the goal was correctly allowed to stand. Folkestone almost scored
themselves from a couple of short corners but it remained 1-0 at the break.
A second goal for Marden would probably have been enough to kill the game and
elderflower-powered Burdge came closest with a surging run and shot which tested the
keeper. With Russets continuing to misfire as the half wore on, you could sense that the
hosts fancied their chances of at least a point. They forced Kennedy into action on a couple
of occasions before their playmaker was allowed to advance unmarked into the circle and
having received the ball, he promptly buried it in the far corner for a deserved equalizer.
Marden were grateful to play out the final five minutes without further drama and other
results meant this actually moved them up to 5th in the table. A much more disciplined
performance will be required next week against New Beccs who will be smarting from a 7-1
thrashing against Kings and need to win to have any chance of taking the second promotion
spot away from Herne Bay.
Marden Vets
No game this week
Blackheath 0- 3 Sutton Russets
After a long week getting a team together for this weeks game, Sutton Russets pulled
together and produced a fine performance, ending with a great result.
From the start to the finish, the Russets predominantly had the ball with lots of opportunities
to score. Within the first 10 minutes of the first half, Margaret Turner opened up the lead
with a strike from the edge of the D. The Russets produced a great team performance with
some excellent passing from defence providing lots of opportunities to the mid field and
forwards. The new sister duo to the team, Fran and Gina Scott played extremely well and
worked well together as right half and right defence. Sophie Garner provided the second
goal with a great deflection from Margaret's pass across the D. The second half, the
Russets still had all of the forward play however Blackheath did persevere and made some
breaks with the ball but the Russets defence were too strong and stopped them in their
tracks everytime.
A great team effort from the Russets this week who were well deserved with the victory.
Man of the Match: Margaret Turner
Juniors
U14 Girls
This Sunday’s contest was always going to be tough as Sutton Valence were already
unassailable in the league. Russets were also short of several key players. Sutton totally
dominated the first 15 minutes and Marden found it extremely difficult to escape the press.
Kaya Jago was kept busy in goal but kept the score line respectable. Russets were probably
lucky to only be 0-4 at half time. In the second half the team concentrated on releasing the
ball out down the right. Lucy Baxter, doing her best to mop up at the back, behind a
determined Lizzie Payne. Annabel Sunnucks showed composure on the ball and Alice
Walden Smith used her skill and pace to drive the ball down the wing. Talea Roberts was
also making good use of the space available but was still a little rusty due to previous injury.
Sutton were still too strong in both skills and distribution and won several short corners on
their counter attacks, scoring 3 more goals. Russets were not without some matching skills
in the centre with man of the match, Charlotte Miles, outshining her counterparts as the
game wore on. Sheer determination saw the visitors making openings into the Valence
defence with a well deserved consolation goal from Alice Walden Smith. Final score 1-7.
The last coaching session will be on 16th March where awards will be presented.