Marden Russets Hockey Club
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10th November 2007
Ashford 5 - 1 Marden Russets Mens 1st XI
In one of his more rational moments, after going all Hong Kong Phooey on a Crystal
Palace fan and before his summary of the Common Fisheries Policy, the great French
philosopher Eric Cantona likened a football to a woman – “she loves to be caressed”. The
idea can be extended, as one seeks to protect the ball, to retain the ball, to manipulate the
ball to one’s desires, and, perhaps most fundamentally, one cannot score without the ball.
Far from caressing, protecting and retaining the ball, Russets took their tactical lead from
Assistant Coach Tom Horton, discarding it mercilessly and with a feeble excuse – “it’s me,
not you” – in the post-coital, post-Strawberry Moons haze. This was a harsh lesson for the
newly-promoted visitors in their clash with top-of-the-league Ashford, themselves keen to
continue their 100% start to the season. The home side dominated the game in terms of
possession and chances created, scoring two goals in the first half, and missing a penalty
flick. In that time, Russets, although well-disciplined in defence, failed to build a coherent
attack, and in their haste to relieve the constant pressure, only invited more of the same.
The second half told a similar story, with Ashford extending their lead from a well-executed
drag-flick, only for Russets, with their only meaningful shot of the game, to pull a goal back
through Henry Lee. Against a tiring defence, two goals in the final ten minutes put a gloss
on the result for Ashford, but given their dominance in possession, the margin of victory
was fair. With Nick Greenwood taking on the role of “Mr Lubba Lubba”, in a bid to increase
the amount of caressing of balls in the Russets camp, for a final piece of hockey
philosophy, as repeated time and again by the great Peter O’Boyle, lest we never forget,
“Rule 5.2 boys, rule 5.2.”
Marden 2nd XI 4 – 2 Burnt Ash
Shock, horror Marden’s starting line up showed changes yet again, four this week. It didn’t
show as they produced almost the perfect first 25 minutes of hockey. With the
experienced Scopes and Hillier bossing the mid field they stormed into a 3-0 lead. A break
down the right resulted in a short which Wilday slipped to Brooks on his left to fire home. It
should have been 2-0 5 minutes later when a mazy Brooks run was ended by a crunching
stick tackle. Dixon however missed the resulting penalty, the keeper making a good save.
The skipper made amends almost immediately when, when a brilliant one touch move
involving Hillier, Hunter and Stanley resulted in a lose ball at the top of the D and Dixon
fired into the bottom corner reverse stick. After 25 it was 3-0 when Hiller won and
converted another flick. Ash pulled back a goal on half time much to the home teams
frustrations.
The second half was more one way traffic with marden pouring forward spurred on by their
biggest crowd of the season. (three men but alas no dog). They cold have had many
more by the time Wilday and Brooks repeated their trick of the first half for the fourth. Mike
Copper put in an early contender for miss of the season when he missed an open goal
after Jones had rounded the keeper and squared. The keeper made further good saves
from Jones and Hunter. Despite Redman’s first OG of the season (7 last time!), marden
secured a comfortable victory.
Kings & Alleyns 2 – 1 Marden 3rd XI
Coming off the back of three straight defeats, you might have thought the last thing
Russets needed was the long trip to London to face the rampant league leaders, who
themselves were fresh from a 14-0 victory. As it was, a superb team display saw Marden
come within a few minutes of an improbable result, one which they deserved.
Straight from the start, the Old Boys showed that the league table doesn’t lie as they
moved the ball with confidence and purpose but it was Russets who created the better
chances – both Wickham and Bishop tested the keeper and in the latter example Taylor
narrowly missed collecting the rebound. The Marden defence held firm, with L Freeborn,
Ward and young Steel repelling the attackers whilst Bardsley picked up the few raiders
that made it through and Kennedy dealt with those who dared manage a shot. The only
goal of the half came when the Kings centre forward stole in behind the lines and then
collected, controlled and dispatched an aerial pass with some aplomb.
Heads could have dropped but in the second half it was Russets who penned the table
toppers back in their own half with the younger element to the fore. Luckhurst, Hancox and
Giles tested and teased the home side with N Freeborn, Bishop and Wickham adding the
experience when required. Marden thought they’d got the equalizer they richly deserved
when Wickham’s shot seemed goalbound only to cannon off the post but they were not to
be denied for much longer. A short corner was switched from Bardsley to Wickham and
this time his shot was diverted past the keeper by the predatory Bishop. With time running
out, either side could have won it but in the end an Old Boys striker set off on a mazy
dribble and fired home, much to the relief of the home side who probably expected to
collect all three points without anything like the level of effort or drama. A huge
performance from Marden which was by far their best of the season against a side who
have only dropped two points and boast a GD of +41. If this standard can be replicated
against the other sides in the division, there’s no reason why Russets shouldn’t be winning
again very soon.
Tunbridge Wells Vets 6 – 0 Marden Vets
Last sat was always going to be a tough one as yet again we have no keeper. Surprisingly
as TW had out their strongest team we held them for ages with sterling work from all.
However it was only a matter of time before we were beaten but in the end only by 6 two of
which were a bit unlucky. The consensus was that everyone enjoyed the task and
everyone played extremely well. hey ho we must find a keeper.
Marden Ladies 1st XI 2 – 2 Tunbridge Wells
Marden put in a good all round team performance to get a well-earned 2-2 against
Tunbridge Wells.
Russets were 2-0 down at half time despite having several chances.
In the second half Russets controlled the game. Lotte Greeenwood scored their first with a
reverse stick flick and then with minutes remaining Lauren Rowsell, who had a great game
in defence, powered the ball into the area for Lotte Greenwood to slot home her second
and level the match.
Wellcome 4 – 3 Sutton Russets
This week the Russets faced an unfortunate defeat against Wellcome at Swanscombe.
The omens were not good when half the team managed to get lost on their way to the
game. Throughout the match, Russets had the majority of the possession and
considerably more attacking opportunities. However, due to the team being disjointed, our
basic errors in passing and not using the width of the pitch to our advantage meant
Wellcome was able to make some strong counterattacks with efficient ease.
Russets opened up the scoring with Mel Russell-Vick clinically striking from the top D in a
well worked penalty corner routine with Margaret Turner hitting out with her usual
accuracy. However it was not long until Wellcome responded with 2 goals just before half
time.
The second half seemed more positive as Russets’ passing improved and the width of the
pitch began to be considered. However, sloppy marking in midfield paved the way for
Wellcome to advance rapidly towards our goal. Debutant keeper and Captain Claire
Matthews made a sterling effort at blocking Wellcome’s bombardment of shots on goal, but
unfortunately they got 2 more past us.
Russets continued to work hard in attack determined to end the match with a draw. Again,
on another penalty corner Mel Russell-Vick scored her second. Great link play in midfield
between newcomer Morgan Neale and Emily Bush ensured the ball found its way up the
pitch again. This enabled Sophie Garner to smash the ball against the left post which in
turn deflected across the goal line. Regrettably, the final whistle blew before we had the
opportunity to retaliate further. Too many mistakes made early on in the game meant that
the Russets had to accept defeat, but we will be looking to improve upon our performance
in next week’s challenge against top of the table Broms & Becks.
U16 Girls
Having fought off a peeved Sevenoaks U14 girls team (who were under the impression that
they had a match vs Burnt Ash at same time as us in Sidcup) the U16 girls started their
match a little slowly, perhaps still basking in the sight of Sevenoaks retreating back home.
For the first 15 minutes our defense of Claudine, Zoe, Gina and Amy had to work very
hard, but they held out, ably supported by Jenny in goal who provided a couple of good
saves, including a double save to a crisply struck shot.
Gradually Marden started to play the game in the Burnt Ash half with the midfield of Emily,
Lucy and Ellie interchanging well, with Claudine providing excellent support.
Good Marden passing made good use of excellent positional play from our wings - Sally
and Sophie - and it is beyond me how we did not score from good balls into the D from the
wings. Gemma managed to wriggle free and have a good shot saved superbly and thus it
seemed bound for a goal-less first half; however, a brief lapse at the back allowed Burnt
Ash in, and this time Jenny had no chance.
Soon after the break, two further goals by the home side could have deflated Marden, but
again Marden drove forward, having numerous short corners saved again by a good
opposition goalie, but eventually Emily confidently tucked away a chance, making it 3-1.
Try as they did, Marden could not breach the Burnt Ash goal again and thus the game
ended with no further scores. The hockey this match had some very encouraging phases
and was a good performance.
U14 Girls
Remembrance Sunday for Marden U14 girls will certainly stick in the memory of those
present as a great game of hockey played with vigour by both sides. Sevenoaks A put the
Russets, particularly Georgie Waters, under intense pressure for the first 15 minutes and
the ball seemed trapped on our left side for most of the time. The game was then stopped
for a minutes silence and perhaps gave the girls time to contemplate the request from the
coach to attack down the right. Charlotte Dodds and Amy Baxter combined well to attack
Oaks left flank and Charlotte was firing the ball into the D giving chances to score. Still
Oaks continued to press and Charlotte Marsh made two fine saves, one off her face
shield, to hold them at bay. The second half saw Russets more dominant, in this closely
fought contest, with both sides having good chances to score. Kaya Jago was forced to
make some scrambled saves as the second half goalie. It was still anyone’s game when
man of the match, Charlotte Dodds, made an inspired pass from outside the 25 and drilled
the ball to Ella Robinson who calmly scored. The last few minutes were tense, with Oaks
desperately trying to equal terms, but some fine defending, especially from Emily Harris,
and solid stick saves and clearances by Georgie Waters and India Harding, gave Marden
a 1-0 win.