Marden Russets Hockey Club
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19th (& 20th) January 2008
Tunbridge Wells 2 – 3 Marden Mens 1sts (League)
H Lee x2, P Creelman
Tunbridge Wells 2 – 6 Marden 1sts (Sunday 20th - Kent Plate Q/F)
H Lee x2, R Brett, P Creelman, T Horton, S Traill
If one was to juxtapose these two Wealden giants into a musical theatre performance, it
would take the Bronx Bard, Billy Joel to provide the context for the clash between the
Uptown Girls (no particular reference to No. 9’s haircut) of affluent Tunbridge Wells, and
the Downtown Guys of rural Marden. The implication of the hosts, “living in their right
bread world, and getting tired of their high class toys”, and the visitors, well, boasting
about their new combine harvester, and 20 acres – the latter lyric inspired more by The
Wurzels rather than Billy Joel.
Two dates in two days – one in the league, one in the cup – would define the relationship
for this season. Indeed, calling two dates a relationship, whilst stretching the definition for
mere mortals, relies hugely on the protocol ascribed by Professor Thomas Horton of
Hollingbourne University, whose Strawberry Moons Theorem is considered the seminal
work in this field.
The first date, like all first dates, was a nervy affair. Both sides had performed all pre-date
rituals; thorough preparation and best pants, and the early moments were focused on,
“getting to know you, getting to know all about you”, ...... no, that’s The King & I. Anyway,
TW struck first when a penetrating pass inside Mike Sibley at left back, was touched home
confidently. Despite enjoying a reasonable share of the possession, Marden failed to ignite
in attack, until, following some excellent work by Sam Traill, Henry Lee tapped in from close
range.
With Russets in the ascendency, Henry Lee put them ahead with a wonderful run and
finish, only for the home side to regain parity with a controversial goal that appeared to be
controlled on the TW player’s thigh, foot, thigh, foot and then his thigh again before
prodding home. The umpire’s decision was understandable as this may have been a trick
of the light, and it is difficult to see five consecutive breaches of the rules from five yards
away. With nerves jangling as we reached the end of this first date, in the anticipation of
either ecstasy or disappointment, veteran Pete Creelman coolly flicked the ball over the
goalkeeper to give Marden a late lead. The home side, aware of the importance of this
result continued to press, forcing several late short-corners which were confidently
repelled by the Russets defence to record a vital three points.
The model for second dates was also adopted from Professor Horton’s work in this field,
that field and the other field, and even his van. None of the preparation that went into the
first date was applied for the cup match the following day. All players wore dirty pants, dirty
shirts, and conveyed none of the pleasantries of the previous day. Indeed the home side
couldn’t even be bothered to field a goalkeeper, the romantic equivalent of waking up on
the green baize, opening one’s van door, and introducing your nocturnal visitor to
teammates with a slurred, “Meet my friend”.
The fact that TW had no goalkeeper will naturally raise eyebrows to readers of this column
as to how Marden failed to score more than six goals. Benevolence, myopia and, in the
case of Rory Brett, a crushed pelvis, have all been suggested as reasons why Russets
failed to add the goals scored by Creelman, Brett, Traill, Horton and two from Lee, but
regardless of this result, when we apply Horton’s Theorem, we know that performance is
incidental, because there is always next Saturday, and fresh meat.
Marden 2s 4 – 4 Ashford
Maidstone 1 – 5 Marden 3s
Russets eased further away from the relegation zone with a dominant victory over their
near neighbours. Bishop, Bardsley and Freeborn all went close before Marden finally
broke the deadlock when a well worked short-corner ended with Ridge deflecting home
Freeborn’s fierce cross-shot. With the formation working a treat this week, Russets created
a host of opportunities but for all their domination, that was the only goal of the half which
meant the game was far from safe.
As expected, the home side pressed forward with more purpose in the second half but
Ward continued where he’d left off last week as nothing got past him, leading to increased
frustration amongst the Maidstone players. Thankfully two goals in quick succession from
Burdge & Bishop eased the pressure although it did trigger a fair amount of dissent from
the hosts who at one stage almost squared up to each other. Solid umpiring from
Sunnucks helped to calm the situation before Hancox slotted a fourth. Freeborn made a
goal-saving tackle and Bardsley pushed a short corner round the post as the hosts
regrouped but hopes of a clean sheet were dashed when a Maidstone forward got his stick
on a drive into the circle. Marden were still dangerous going forward and up popped
Wickham (Jnr) to give Marden their fifth with an excellent finish – indeed Russets could well
have had more but for some good goalkeeping and desperate defence. This was a great
team performance and whilst it’s unfair to select individuals for praise, the midfield of
Burdge, Bishop, Isles and Freeborn delivered the solid platform from which Russets
controlled most of the game. Marden host Gravesham next Saturday knowing another win
would cement their place in the top half of the table.
Marden Vets 3 – 1 Ashford
From rags ( 8 men on Wednesday, possible cancellation) to riches ( 3 subs on Saturday
and a win) Marden were delighted to record a long time coming victory. Ashford were not
so impressed departing swiftly at the end of the game. Goals by Paul Sunnucks ( lucky
deflection) Stephen Wickham ( top left corner from a very firm hit) and Peter Ludgate ( a
sprint from the half way line rounding the keeper and calmly finishing) all helped give a
much needed buzz in the dressing room afterwards.
Apologies for the gross oversight last week when Paul Sunnucks was incorrectly awarded
both our goals against T. Wells. It has been pointed out by our joint leading goal scorer in
2008 that Peter Ludgate should have been the correct entry.
Marden Ladies 1sts 3 – 1 Bexleyheath & Belvedere Ladies
The pressure was on the vice captain (ex captain) this week with the Ladies 1sts sitting at
3rd in the table having lost just once in the season. The captain was away and I didn’t
want it all to go pear-shaped on my watch.
Typically we found ourselves introducing players to each other five minutes before the
game started. With four regular players missing, three of which were defenders (including
the captain!) this barely recognisable team were going to have to go some to beat BBHC,
even though they are languishing near the bottom of the table. This was compounded by
the consistently late twins not being there to start the match.
With only ten players and the regular CF starting the match at CD the first five minutes
were thankfully not indicative of the rest of the game. The BBHC centre forward managed
to deflect a free hit into the goal within just a couple of minutes.
Once the twins had arrived, we actually had 11 players on the pitch and they were all in a
fairly sensible position, it was a totally different first half for the home team. On almost her
first touch Anne Romilly took a shot slightly right of the goal where Lottie Woolley was
waiting to calmly tip it in. From then on in, the forwards worked fluidly and fast, leaving the
BBHC defence standing. There were a number of crosses from the right, all of which were
hit slightly wide of the goal. Romilly scored the next one from a lone charge up the middle
of the pitch, smacking it from the edge of the circle into the right hand corner. The third
goal came shortly afterwards from a penalty corner, with Henson sliding it back to Romilly
on the left post to be tucked away. A fourth goal from Sheri Venes was disallowed when
Romilly couldn’t bear to see anyone else score and smacked it into the goal at shoulder
height! The score at half time, 3 – 1.
For some reason Marden ladies seem to lose the plot in the second half of their games. If
we had just carried on in the same fashion as the first half, we would have doubled our
score line. However, our midfield no longer covered the middle of the pitch, the defenders
couldn’t clear the ball out and the forwards couldn’t hold onto it long enough to hit the
goal! Saying that, BBHC had a very good go at breaking our defence and couldn’t get
through. Jenny Holman, in goal, and Lucie Romilly blocked a number of direct shots. So
whilst we didn’t make any ground in this half, we didn’t lose any either. The final score
remained the same as the half time score, 3 – 1.
Special mentions to the three youngsters on the pitch, all of whom handled themselves
very well: Claudine Lott, Emily Sullivan and Lottie Woolley.
And on that note I can hand this job back to the captain with absolutely no regrets that I
don’t do it anymore!!
Sutton Russets 7 – 0 Dartford
This week’s game against Dartford was a landslide victory. The first goal was scored
within a minute of first pushback. Emily Bush and Morgan Neale working together down
the right wing set up centre-forward Mel Russell-Vick, who coolly swept the ball into the
goal. This was followed by numerous penalty corners in our favour, which we were unable
to capitalise on initially as we were spending too much time trying to dodge round
defenders rather than either looking for the easy pass or to indeed have a shot.
It was not until just before halftime that Mel Russell-Vick managed to get a touch on the
ball after a scramble in the circle to bring us 2-0 up. The opposition seemed to almost give
up completely in the second half. After yet another short-corner, Mel Russell-Vick
smashed the ball into the backboard to complete her hat-trick. Morgan Neale had a
fantastic game in midfield and was instrumental in feeding up the ball up the pitch. A
Morgan Neale strike deflected off the goalkeeper leaving the chance for Sophie Garner to
slap the ball in from the right post. A further goal followed again from Sophie Garner
tapping the ball in.
The most impressive of all the goals scored came from only three touches of the ball.
Dartford becoming exasperated at having to take yet another pushback ended up hitting
the ball straight at Liz Talbot who smashed the ball down into the far left corner for left wing
Margaret Turner to pick up and make an exceptional cross to Sophie Garner who pushed
the ball into the goal to equal Mel’s hat-trick.
The final goal was a solo effort from Emily Bush who ran down the centre of the pitch and
slammed the ball home from a top-D strike. This week was a quiet day at the office for our
defence line.
U10s triangular v Holcombe and BromBeck
We don’t normally report on these really mini minis, but this week’s result definitely
deserves a mention. We took a group of U10 boys and girls up to BromBeck early on
Sunday morning to play a triangular tournament, where 7-a-side teams play round robins.
On this occasion they were 8 minute matches. We divided the group into an A and B
team, both of which in turn played a Holcombe A and B team and a BromBeck A and B
team.
Our B team (who in general are relatively new to the game and don’t play at school) won 1,
drew 1 and lost 2. This is a vast improvement on the start of the season where they lost
every game.
Our A team (who generally play at school and have a bit more experience) won 3 and drew
1, scoring 8 goals in total and beating the best of Holcombe and BromBeck.
This is the fourth tournament of this kind that the U10s have taken part in this season and
at each one they go up against the ‘big clubs’; Holcombe, Ashford, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge
Wells etc. At that age, who they are playing means very little. They have gone out there
on every occasion and got stuck in regardless of the skills or size (and some of them are
huge) of the opposition. Their competitiveness, determination and hard work definitely
paid off today.
Thanks to Paul, Paul and Scott, and all the parents for their support. Well done to each
and every one of the children who took part today. It’s great to see you all progressing so
well and enjoying yourselves at the same time.
Charlotte
U9 Colts
Marden colts U9's A team won their tournament on Sunday ..... P 4 , W 3 , D 1 , L 0 GF 8
GA 0 . They beat BromBeck A and B sides and Holcombe without conceding a goal. Great
performance.