Marden Russets Hockey Club
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1st December 2007
Blackheath 3 – 1 Marden Mens 1st XI
Amongst the many influences on selection this season, Marden captain Sam Traill has
placed a huge emphasis on a Benitez-esque rotation policy, in a bid to keep all squad
members fit for the final title push in March. Following the efficiency of last week’s draw
against Old Bordenians, Traill gave player-coach Clive Felton the week off, and sent Matt
Lucas, a man already responsible for 12% of the world’s carbon emissions off to Sharm-el-
Sheikh to recharge his batteries in preparation for the crunch tie against Burnt Ash next
week.
These rotation options, allied with injuries to Simon Hughes (Camber Sands induced
knee), Tom Horton (broken foot), Will Page (broken finger), Mike Sibley (food poisoning),
as well as the continued absence of Johnny Stubbs (serial apathy) and Dan Sims (iron
man), meant that Traill used his 72nd player of this campaign, with a welcome return for
Marden legends Ludgate and Tipples to bolster the ranks.
Like an average evening with Tom Horton, Russets experienced the 812th positional
change of the campaign, with the attempt to switch seamlessly from the 4-4-2 to 4-3-2-1 to
0-0-7-3 causing a few jitters in the visiting defence, and resulting in Blackheath racing into
a two goal lead. Despite the personnel issues, Russets steadied the ship, and prevented
Blackheath adding to their tally through some stoic defending, in particular from Ali
MacDonald, and the fact that Blackheath aren’t actually any good, unless given the ball,
unmarked in the circle, with no defence within 20 yards. Fortunately for Blackheath, this
happened on several occasions.
The home side added to their tally when the umpire failed to spot a foot from three yards
and the run of the ball presented a two-on-one situation, and late in the game Russets
added a consolation through Henry Lee after some excellent work from Pete Creelman. A
special mention must go to the umpire, not just for his contribution to this game, but his
overall contribution to the season. Russets, fortunate enough to have been allocated this
gentleman for the past four weeks, have in that time earned a solitary point, and that from
a game where he was replaced at late notice. If the mark of a good referee, or umpire, is
that they go unnoticed, sir, you have been noticed.
Marden 2s 4 – 3 Sevenoaks
What a match, Marden overturned a 3-1 half time deficit to claim a thrilling victory. A wise
man once said “sport is a game of two halves”, that was certainly vindicated here.
Once again the Marden team had several changes from the previous weeks team at Deal.
Marden started well thou, they employed this new age idea of passing to yellow shirts and
over short distances. Low and behold it worked and the open exchanges were lively with
Marden in the ascendancy. Sevenoaks took the lead when they caught Marden on the
break to take an early lead. The match was level 5 minuets later when a Cooper cross,
somehow went behind the keeper, Paul Robinson style to claim a deserved equaliser and
his first of the season. The game was even with Marden more than holding their own,
Clive Baxter rolling back the years, playing more right wing than right back. However two
well worked shorts meant oaks were 3 –1 up at the break. This was harsh reward for one
of their best halves of the season.
It was 3-2 within a minuet of the restart, another flowing move resulted in an Ant Hughes
shot from the top of the D. The keeper saved it but Dixon swept home the rebound.
Whether Oaks sat back or Marden were more adventurous the second half was all the
home team. They were justly level mid way through the half, Scopes rounding 3 players in
the D before pulling it back to Dixon to equalise. This spurred oaks into life and they
forced a couple of shorts. Marden got the winner with 3 minuets to go, Hughes flicking the
ball into the roof of the net from close range. They held out for deserved victory.
With Bexley Invicta dropping points this sets up an interesting game next week when the
two unbeaten teams going head to head. A Marden victory would send them top at
Christmas.
Sutton Valence 1 – 1 Marden 3s
Yet again Marden produced an excellent performance against promotion chasing
opposition only to gain scant reward for their efforts, because this was a game they
thoroughly deserved to win.
Traffic problems meant several players came straight on the pitch with no time to warm-up
and the hosts took full advantage of a flat-footed GK to score from close range within 2
minutes. Kennedy went on to make a few decent saves as SV continued to pose the early
threats but once Russets got into the game, it became one way traffic. The Hancox father
& son combination up front was causing the home defence all manner of trouble and with
Bishop and Davidson-Houston pushing through from mid-field, an equalizer was the least
Russets deserved in the first half. The goal duly arrived, courtesy of another Bardsley
short-corner strike to leave the game level at the break.
The second half was more of the same, with Taylor, Ridge & Walker pressing on the left in
support of the right sided attack options meaning that SV were effectively pinned in their
own half for the first 20 minutes. Despite some rather robust challenges, Trow, Crispin and
Steel combined a solid defensive wall with excellent forward play themselves to snuff out
any chance of a respite for SV and Bardsley controlled things from the back with ease.
Sadly Marden couldn’t convert the constant pressure into a goal and SV rallied towards
the end to force a couple of short-corners but the fact that they failed to get a single shot
on target in the entire second half illustrates the dominance of the visitors. Such is the
evenly matched nature of this league, that even a point against a side with aspirations of
promotion still leaves Marden in the bottom two. Points are therefore required from the
final fixture before the festive break against a mid-table Holcombe side who became the
first team to beat league leaders Kings & Alleyns…..it should be a good game!
Marden Vets 1 – 4 Sevenoaks
Marden Ladies 1st XI 2 – 2 Blackheath
With Marden Ladies starting with only 10 players on pitch they were already at a
disadvantage to the strong Blackheath side but after a few minutes Marden's 11th player
arrived to even things out. For the marjority of the first half Blackheath dominated the
game and Marden didn't look very sharp and allowed Blackheath to have a few chances
on goal. Blackheath's quick forwards managed to score the first goal and another from a
short corner. Making it 0-2 to Blackheath at half time. In the second half Blackheath came
out hard and still had several chances on goal but goalie Jenny Holman played very well
keeping them out. Marden fought hard and were awarded a short corner which was
finished off with a good strike by Lauren Rowsel. Blackheath forwards proceeded to keep
testing the Marden defence but Marden kept them out with good play at the back from
Lauren Rowsel who also made some good attacking runs up the front. Marden manage to
get another short corner which was struck to the left post and slotted in by Helen Tipples at
the corner.
Sutton Russets v Gillingham Anchorians cancelled by Oppo
U 14 Girls
Tunbridge Wells 1 - 2 Marden Russets
Beating Tun Wells is always sweet. Beating them when they are league leaders and
unbeaten this season is always sweeter. This away game was never going to be easy and,
in atrocious weather, it only needed one of the goals to topple over and the game would
be abandoned. There was to be no toss up as their umpire had already decided it was
best to get on and allow the visitors to play into the wind and hail! No matter; Russets took
the game to the opposition, particularly on the left with some slick passing from Ella
Robinson, Amy Baxter and Alice Walden Smith. ‘Wells defended well and denied Marden
from capitalising on their superior play. Eventually the wall was broken and Talea Roberts
forced the ball through their resilient keeper. Far from submitting, ‘Wells were spurred into
action and now it was the Russet defence who were under pressure with Kat Merrifield and
Annabel Sunnucks forced to make some important tackles. The pressure did not diminish
and a determined ‘Wells fired into the D which was deflected towards the roof of the net. A
superb save by Kaya Jago saved a certain goal. Unfortunately the ball fell favourably for
‘Wells who were able to bury the ball and equalize.
The second half was dominated by Marden with Charlotte Miles shining in midfield. ‘Wells
were not to be underestimated, however, and gave the visitors plenty to worry about when
they broke from the press. Kat rose to the threat and calmly rob them of possession and
Lucy Baxter and Ella R were always on hand to assist. Eventually a trademark ball from
Charlotte Dodds was slotted past the ‘Wells keeper by Alice Walden Smith. Once again the
home team were roused into action and the last five minutes required great defending to
deny ‘Wells from equalising. Final score 1-2 against the “auld enemy”.
My thanks to David Dodds, for umpiring in such foul weather. Great result, great effort,
great hockey. Men of the match: Chizzle Miles and Kat Merrifield.