Marden Russets Hockey Club
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Marden Russets match reports 15th March 2008
Marden Mens 1sts 1 – 2 Blackheath
And so as the battle to avoid relegation from the Kent Sussex Regional League enters its
final week, it remains possible for any one of five teams to join the long-since condemned
Burnt Ash. In retrospect having considered the other results in the league this weekend,
this was Marden’s golden ticket to safety, cruelly snatched away.
Absorbing pressure, and repelling some excellent early chances for the visitors, it was
Russets who took the lead, a sweeping counter-attack being finished by Nick Greenwood
with a precise low shot. In a period where Blackheath enjoyed the majority of possession
but were always susceptible to breakaways, Henry Lee was pole-axed by the Blackheath
goalkeeper, who, because he cried a little bit and complained about a headache,
miraculously escaped unpunished, and even earned his side a free hit. Sam Traill also had
a decent chance saved by the goalkeeper, who was by now feeling much better.
The visitors’ mobile forwards were a constant threat, running at defenders and in the
majority of cases finding a foot in the circle and earning a short-corner. Unsurprisingly,
having withstood a barrage in the first half, it didn’t take too long for Blackheath to find an
equaliser with a low shot through a melee of players following the breakdown of a corner. In
a tight game with few chances from open play, efficiency from corners was likely to be
decisive, and so it proved, as with five minutes remaining, a low flick was dispatched into
the bottom corner to seal the victory.
Victory at already relegated Burnt Ash on 29th March will guarantee survival for Marden
but anything less leaves the door open for neighbours SV to leapfrog them if they can win
their last game at home to an out-of-form Folkestone. Horsham and TW also play each
other on the final day knowing that defeat could see either of them go down, whilst a rout
for Herne Bay would leave them vulnerable so it’s all to play for!
Blackheath 4 – 4 Marden Ladies 1sts
This last league match of the season was against the league leaders Blackheath. Marden
were lying in 3rd place and couldn’t catch the top two teams, but we could rearrange their
order and guarantee our position in the table.
We all arrived on time and even had a few minutes to warm up, so why we went 2 goals
down in the first five minutes is a complete mystery. Both of them were fairly soft goals, the
first from a corner, and the second from open play. At that point I think we all thought we
were in for a good stuffing.
After about 15 minutes Marden upped the ante and started to play their own game, instead
of letting Blackheath take the lead. It’s amazing how fast a game can turn around. Joy
Henson scored first, finding a hole in the Blackheath defence with a well-struck penalty
corner which went under the goalie’s pads. At this point Marden had the majority of the
play and quickly pulled level when Harriet Bardsley crossed from a free hit outside the
circle, finding Anne Romilly on the spot to finish it off. No doubt Blackheath were kicking
themselves for losing a 2-goal lead.
After the break Marden didn’t let up at all. Everyone attacked hard and really put the
pressure on Blackheath as they struggled to clear the ball out of their defence. For the
first time in the match Marden took the lead when Charlotte Sharp stole the ball from a
defender, drove into the right edge of the circle and roofed it into the top left corner of the
goal (“I’ve waited 20 years to score a goal like that.”). Goal of the season for sure!
Sadly our advantage didn’t last long as Blackheath shortly drew level, making it 3-3. They
didn’t bank on Helen Tipples, who sniffed out a goal on the left post, once again putting us
in the lead. We couldn’t hold onto it however, as Blackheath once again drew level. The
final ten minutes were frantic as both teams pulled out all the stops, having their chances
but not converting them. At the final whistle the scores remained level at 4-4.
What a great game. Everyone ground out every last drop of energy right up to the final
whistle. Julia Moen deserves a mention for sticking to their ‘star’ player and undoubtedly
preventing a fistful of opportunities coming their way.
Blackheath must have some inside information as they seem convinced they are still going
to get promoted into East Division 2, despite our result bringing them down to 2nd in the
table below Sevenoaks (normally 1 goes up but it’s all very complicated). Marden have
secured their highest position yet in the Kent Premier Division, coming 3rd with 36 points
and only losing 2 out of 18 matches. Well done to Sandra for her captaining skills.
Whatever she did it obviously worked!
Sevenoaks 5 – 0 Marden 2s
Marden 3s 1 – 2 Sutton Valence
These sides had drawn twice already this season, so another close encounter was always
on the cards. SV started brightly, forcing a decent double save from Kennedy and an
excellent block by Ward before some great interplay down the Marden left ended with
Bardsley abandoning his defensive duties to slot home a fine goal. The visitors hit back
with a series of swift breaks, often finding space behind the Russets back line and despite
some last gasp clearances and tackles from Freeborn in particular, it was no surprise when
they equalised, courtesy of an unchallenged striker seeing his shot deflected in by his
unmarked partner.
A frank team talk at the break saw Marden improve notably in the second period with Iles,
Ridge, Burdge & Bishop working tirelessly in midfield. SV took the lead from a rebound
after a short corner variation but were then pinned back inside their own half for long spells
as Russets poured forward. Unfortunately Marden couldn’t convert their possession into
goals, with several short corners being charged down and the SV keeper making a fine
save from another as they held on for the win. Overall, an excellent and enjoyable game of
hockey which bodes well for next season, although another year means that the average
age of the side will also probably increase from the current position of 42. Before then
there is a final game to secure 6th place away to Holcs who lie only a point behind in 7th
and they'll have to it without several regulars including Captain Davidson-Houston who has
led by example in a solid first season at the helm.
Marden Vets 2 – 3 Maidstone
Burnt Ash w/o v Sutton Russets
Sutton Russets were unable to field a side and Burnt Ash are awarded a 4-0 win
Juniors
Marden U10s v Canterbury and Maidstone
Once again some of the smallest members of the club did us proud this weekend. This
U10s triangular (whereby our A and B teams each play everyone else’s in a series of mini
matches) was held at Maidstone on this wet Sunday morning at 9.30. Enough to drive any
self-respecting adult back to bed, but every one of the kids was keen and raring to go.
Canterbury had confidently turned up with vast numbers of kids, all decked out in named
shirts. In their first match Marden A (the older of the group, mostly 9 and 10 year olds)
calmly beat them 1-0, with some great passing and attacking play.
Marden A team then went on the beat Maidstone B, Maidstone A and Canterbury B,
scoring 9 goals and conceding only 1, making them overall winners of the competition.
Marden B (mostly 8 or 9 year-olds) won their matches against Maidstone A and Maidstone
B, but lost to Canterbury A and B, scoring 2 goals and conceding 2 and finishing in the
middle of the pack.
This was a fantastic end to the season, with both teams showing a vast improvement and
holding their own against some very tough opposition. Well done to all of them. They
have been a pleasure to coach this year and hopefully they’ll all come back for more next
year. Thanks too to Paul Pashley and Paul Sunnucks for all their help with the coaching.