17th February 2007 Penguin 1 - 5 Marden Russets Mens 1st XI Although this column has, in the past, been guilty of hyperbole, the date of Saturday 17th February will live long in the memory of Russets fans. Whilst still in control of their own destiny, the importance of Marden’s 5-1 victory away at Penguin was multiplied in the context of Kings College’s defeat at home to league leaders Old Bordenians. The gap between second and third has now stretched to eight points, with just five league games remaining.
The game itself was a tight affair, with Penguin’s typically combative style testing a robust Russets defence. The home side, taking full advantage of a hugely unpredictable pitch executed their rather direct game plan, smashing balls into the circle and feeding off the scraps. Whilst this tactic has brought them success at home, Penguin had not accounted for the heritage of the Marden defence, reared on furrowed fields, using an apple as a ball, and tree branches for sticks. Ah, halcyon days. With such an upbringing, the pitch was no match for veterans Clive Felton and Alisdair MacDonald. The youthful Ollie Reynolds and Tom Horton excelled, with another of Marden’s aging conquistadors, Pete Creelman lending a hand when required.
Russets eased into a two goal lead, through strikes from midfield dynamo Andy Beer – the first a powerful thump from a short-corner, and the second a far post deflection following good work from Horton. Penguin were rewarded for their swift counter-attacking play with a close range deflection, but Beer re-established the two goal margin with another short- corner to record his second hat-trick in two weeks. Beer’s resurgent form in front of goal has been attributed to his diet, the little known Kraft Plan, where the individual can consume as much food as they want, as long as it’s manufactured by the American food giant, or its subsidiaries.
The second-half saw the home side contest every ball in a bid to get back into the game, but the defence stood firm, and when another Beer short-corner was stopped on the line by a Penguin flipper, the penalty flick was dispatched confidently by Dan Simms. The final goal proved highly significant, for, as well as being the best goal of the afternoon, a short- corner smashed into the corner by a Creelman cover drive, it was also the team’s 100th competitive goal of the season.
It was a much happier ladies team who left the pitch after a well-fought draw against Herne Bay, who beat us just four weeks ago at home.
It was good to have Sam back in goal where she played a blinder, saving a number of potential goals. Marden had quite chances in the first half with most of the possession, but just couldn’t capitalise on them. In fact, it was Herne Bay who scored first, from a penalty corner and not long before half time.
The game opened out a lot in the second half as legs got tired, giving us more space up front. Anne Romilly, who seems to have a support on every limb and joint, had the remit to goal-hang. The crosses were coming thick and fast from Charlotte Sharp on the right wing. It was the third one that found Anne Romilly’s stick and deflected perfectly into the goal.
Marden then took the lead for the first time in three weeks (!) when Sandra Tipples got a straight ball through to Romilly, who was standing on the goalie. A neat turn and in it went.
Sadly, Herne Bay pulled one back almost immediately. We then spent the remaining 9 minutes defending as Herne Bay increased the pressure in their circle. In true heart-in- mouth fashion, the final action was a Herne Bay penalty corner, followed by another. This was deflected off by Victoria Wickham, taking us to the final whistle.
Well done to everyone on the pitch for pulling out all the stops on this one. Ok, it wasn’t a win, but it was the closest thing we’ve had to one since 27th January!
Holcombe 0 – 9 Sutton Russets This week’s game against Holcombe was a landslide victory. From start to finish Sutton dominated and had virtually all the possession. Zoe Wright made some key passes up to Margaret Turner who, on left wing, was on fire this week with a total of 5 goals to her name. Great linking play in midfield from Alex Auger ensured Naomi Martin and Emily Sullivan each scored from in front of goal. Liz Talbot also gained a goal from a strong top of the D strike. Naomi Martin’s second goal was slotted in from a penalty corner strike taken by Alex Auger which deflected off the keeper’s pads.
Towards the end of the second half Sutton began to wane and Holcombe had a few chances on goal. However, keeper Chloe Auger was as dynamic as ever making some dazzling clearances as she denied the opposition of any reconciliation goal. Margaret Turner has deservedly been awarded player of the match for her excellent positioning which enabled her to slot in all 5 of her goals.
Marden Russets 2nd XI 1 - 2 University of Kent
Marden Russets 3rd XI 1 – 3 Sevenoaks Russets went into this bottom of the table clash seeking a 4th straight home win and with a squad boasting no less than 6 of the talented U16 side. Things took a little while to settle but Oaks got the crucial opening goal, which was scrappy to say the very least from a short corner. Kennedy was called upon to keep the scoreline static with a couple blocks at close range but Marden made it half time with no further damage. The second half saw Russets really step up a gear and they tested the visiting Keeper on a number of occasions but sadly he was proving equal to the task. With time moving on, an equalizer seemed almost inevitable but as Marden committed more players forward, there was always the possibility of getting caught on the break and so it came to pass. A hasty clearance by the visitors found three of their guys with only Crispen between them and another clear sight of goal. Amazingly he almost pulled off the impossible as the ball carrier delayed his pass but the ball fell to one of the other forwards who dispatched a first time effort into the bottom corner. Oaks then stretched play by leaving both for their forwards high up the pitch and they grabbed a third goal from another short corner. Credit to Russets for continuing to plug away and finally Adam Giles slotted a deserved goal when he coolly picked up a rebound from the keeper and fired home. Hancox (Jnr) joined his father on the bench when he blocked a short corner rocket with his knee but thankfully there didn’t appear to be any long lasting ill effect. A disappointing result but an admirable performance, particularly from the youth who demonstrated great potential for the future.
Marden Vets 4 - 3 Ashford A Premiership manager's injury worries have nothing on those now facing Peter Ludgate. Within the first 5 mins of the match Wickham and CJ added to the list of Sunnucks and Ludgate not to mention other age related leg problems affecting several vets members, to leave our erstwhile captain/team manager wondering where help was going to come from. The cavalry (on Saturday) arrived in the form of a Ludgate infinitely better looking, younger and certainly more skilful in front of goal than Ludgate (senior). Possibly the first lady to play for the vets, help us find our goal scoring touch, it was Rosie to the rescue.
Marden started somewhat slowly, more like walking pace for much of the first half although after Ms Ludgate came on as sub things moved up several gears. Two poacher goals from Ms. Ludgate after quality build up play left Marden wondering if we had turned the corner. Burdge rediscovered what the goal looked like and crashed one home from the top of the D to leave us 3-0 up. Ashford however, had other ideas, pulling a goal back from a neatly placed short corner. 3-1 at half time gave us an unheard of comfort zone. Unfortunately the Bardsley half time team talk about strong tackles, ball speed and basics such as passing to a yellow shirt fell on deaf ears. Ashford capitalised once again from their short corner routine to juggle one in on the second attempt from a Haswell line clearance and a third deflected in past a wrong footed Kennedy off a Steel stick. Bewilderment at how Ashford had got back into the game at 3-3 led to interesting team discussions between centre half, right back and umpires. With three minutes to go we looked like a team with no ideas or mates until some crisp passing from a 16 found Judd one on one with their goalie. The master of the one handed dribble nonchantly rounded the keeper and stroked the ball home. Jubilation all round, a win in 2007 at last.
Marden Mixed 0 Phoenix Mixed 4
Country Roads Take Me Home, to Perfidious Albion (Road)
Prohibited by the rules of neutrality, it’s not often that this Kent Appointed Umpire, Marden member, lacto vegan, champagne socialist and recent convert to the cult of onanism, gets to blow his Fox 40 at the hotbed of the Countryside Alliance that is Days Sports Field.
In my own black Japanese contribution to global warning, burning carbon at twice the rate of umpiring expenses, I plough the decaying Kent tarmac from Sutton Valence to Herne Bay, Folkestone to Wapping, clocking up mileage like a Tunbridge Wells divorce lawyer does fees.
With the prospect of being prevented from umpiring many Regional League games by Marden Men scything their way to promotion, this umpires future only point downwards!
Headlong, 46th year beckoning, I walk into a Sunnuck’s conspiracy to dispatch my liver to the nearest renderers and then find out that they have plans to usurp my position by becoming qualified umpires!
Oh deep joy mixed hockey National Cup, The Twins, Horton (I’ve picked up one of Ali Mac’s wrenches), Captain Blunt, Lurpak Traill, I’ve forgotten I’m not Captain anymore Creelman & Dr Johnson (the kicker is mightier than the pen) Smith (sic).
However, thanks to two County Umpires, the best mixed side in England, (Cup Winners 2006), balance was restored!
Cards - Marden 3 – Phoenix 0
Yellow – Traill (axe tackle) - Green – Horton (sick tackle) - Green (jaundiced) Smith (obfuscation).
*Goals – Marden 0 (0) Phoenix (1) 4.
Now where is that number for Holcombe?
(Since the writing of this article the writer has checked into the Priory).
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