| Marden Russets Hockey Club |
24/11/07
Marden Mens 1st XI 0 – 0 Old Bordenians
No goals, but no shortage of drama in this tense clash between the two newly-promoted
sides in this division. With the visitors sitting in third in the table, and Russets third from
bottom, it is a measure of how problems with availability, confidence and in particular,
goalscoring, have hampered Russets’ efforts this season.
In a game where both defences had the measure of their opposing forwards, Marden
carved out more, and better chances, hitting the post, and the side netting with the
goalkeeper beaten. In contrast, Russets, and the defensive unit of Steve Marks, Ali
MacDonald, Mike Sibley and the supreme Matt Lucas, dealt with the Bordenians attacking
threat comfortably, reducing them to very few goalscoring opportunities.
Deal 1 – 1 Marden 2s
Despite surrendering a 1-0 lead for the second consecutive week, Marden will certainly
view this as a point gained rather than two lost. Again changes in midfield and up front led
to a lack of consistency. After an open first 5, Deal took control and created several
chances in the D as well as some slick short corners. Terrific last ditch defending, and the
inspired Insley in goal kept them out. Marden’s first coherent move of the match earnt a
short, which despite a poor injection from Dixon was fed back to him, to sweep home the
opener. It was almost 2-0 but Copper fired at the keeper after Hancock sent him clear.
Marden were lucky to be up at the break after Deal got confused at flick, thinking it was
rugby they converted it high over the posts.
The second half was all Deal as Marden struggled to get out of their half. Deal finally
broke Marden’s brave resistance with 10 to go after a series of short corners. (In truth an
avalanche of about 10 in as many minuets.) This spurred them into life and they got
more men forward and forced a short of their own. This alas came to nothing. Deal
however now seemed content for a point and the final 5 petered out.
Next up are Sevenoaks at home and Marden will need to improve to get a result.
Hopefully a warmer climate will result in a change in fortunes.
Marden 3s 0 – 2 New Beccs
Having pushed the league leaders so close 2 weeks ago, Russets produced another
creditable performance against promotion chasing opposition but again ended with
nothing to show for their efforts except plaudits. In truth Marden lacked that vital spark up
front to really trouble a well organised defence although their own tight defensive unit
meant the visitors didn’t get that many clear sights of goal either.
Bardsley and Kennedy combined to deal with a couple of first half short corners before
Beccs took the lead with a fierce shot from an excellent cross. At 1-0, Russets were always
still very much in the game and with Crispin intercepting many of the visitors forward
moves there was always the chance of an equalizer. Both Freeborns, Bishop and Iles
toiled hard in midfield but unfortunately a loose pass left NB in a two on one break and
they finished with clinical precision to take the game away. There was still time for Bardsley
to see his short corner pushed round the post by a defender before NB sportingly owned
up to a foul after they seemed to have scored a third. Less sportingly perhaps, when the
same player won a clear-cut penalty, Kennedy pulled off the save to leave the final score
at 2-0.
Ashford 0 – 0 Marden Ladies 1st XI
Marden dominated the game for the majority of the first half with Anne Romilly and
Charlotte Sharp having several shots on goal and short corners but Marden where unable
to make them count. In the second half Marden dropped their game a little and Ashford
got their chances on goal but Marden defence and Jenny Holman in goal worked hard
against the Ashford forwards and kept them from scoring. Charlotte Greenwood and Lucie
Romilly worked tirelessly also Helen Tipples did some nice lay offs to create some good
chances for the forwards. In the last minute of play Ashford where awarded a short corner
it was struck to the right post which was swept off the line by Sandra Tipples keeping it to
0-0.
Sutton Russets 2 – 1 Blackheath
Although a tough game from start to finish, the Russets dominated and had the majority of
possession. Superior passing in midfield lead to the Russets winning an array of penalty
corners. Unfortunately we were unable to capitalise on this opportunity and the ball
rapidly found its way down the other end of the pitch. Carol Turner made some great
saves in goal and Claire Matthews’s strong clearances ensured Blackheath were kept at
bay.
As the Russets pushed on, Morgan Neale made a superb run up the centre of pitch and
fed the ball to a surprised Jane Bishop on the right wing, who managed to slip the ball in
past the keeper at what appeared to be an impossible angle. This encouraged the team
to maintain their excellent performance and gave us the 1-0 lead going into the second
half.
After a heartening half time talk from our Captain Claire Matthews, the Russets came back
on to the pitch determined to double their score. However, some sloppy marking in
midfield lead to Blackheath equalising as their right wing was given the run of the field.
Not to be deterred, the Russets really came together as a team and dramatically improved
their passing and tackling. Lottie Woolly and Sophie Garner, in particular, gave the
Blackheath defence the run around and came close to scoring on several occasions.
Again, we won a series of short corners which saw a Liz Talbot strike deflect on to
Margaret Turner’s stick on the left. Margaret, in turn, pushed the ball to player of the
match Emily Sullivan who was positioned perfectly on the penalty spot to slam the ball
home to give us the 2-1 lead. All the Russets needed to do were hold out for the last 10
minutes of the game, which they did with energy and vigour.
Russets U16 Boys 3 - 3 Canterbury
If anyone had told us beforehand that we’d be disappointed to draw against a strong
Canterbury side, we probably wouldn’t have believed them, but such was the quality of this
performance, in which Russets led twice before being pegged back in the last five minutes.
From the start, Canterbury played the ball around well, but without any penetration as
Marden held their shape well and repelled every advance. On the break, Russets looked
dangerous and had the first two scoring chances of the match, but Canterbury took the
lead with an excellent piece of individual skill - a back-handed snap-shot from the edge of
the circle. Undeterred, Russets fought back and equalised from their first penalty corner,
Ali Welchman drilling one straight down the middle. Further chances came on the break,
culminating in an excellent passing move between three Russets players, finished off when
Richard Lawton drew the keeper before slipping the ball to Tom Carr to tap in at the far
post. Half time arrived with Russets deservedly in the lead - nothing needed to be
changed for the second half, but discipline would be needed, especially as our hard-
working midfield inevitably began to tire.
Canterbury continued to press with a fluid formation that often had the Russets defence
stretched, but several excellent interventions in midfield and defence prevented
Canterbury from getting into clear scoring positions. When they did draw level, it was a
scrappy affair, with the ball bundled over the line form close range. The fear was that
Russets’ confidence would be dented, but not a bit of it! Breakaways sparked by Ali
Welchman and Harry Waters from midfield gave Tom Carr, Will Henderson and Richard
Lawton opportunities to show their pace up front, and Russets created several scoring
chances, finally converting one when Tom Carr forced the ball over the line. Canterbury
put everything into attack for the last quarter and drew level for the final time from a
penalty corner, setting up a nervous last five minutes.
It occurs to me that I have only mentioned the attacking players, but it was the lions in the
defensive half that created the platform with their dogged determination, so well done to
Matt Thomas (aka Sweden) in goal, Rob Hancox, Josh Luckhurst, Ben Steel and Phil
Daley in defence, and Jonty Webb (in his Gareth Barry role) and George Thorpe in the
defensive midfield berths.
To reach the Semi Finals (via a top-two finish), we will now need to beat Bromley and
Beckenham, as well as winning the less demanding fixtures (on paper, at least) against
Maidstone and Folkestone. If we play with this much conviction and positional discipline,
we have every chance. Well done everyone.
Thank you to those of you that came along to support, and to Nigel Bardsley for umpiring.
I hope you all felt well-rewarded for your efforts on a cold day.
Russets U16 Girls 2 – 1 Herne Bay
Russets U16 girls played Herne Bay on Sunday at home with good support from the
sideline. The first half was a very even contest with Herne Bay attacking well down their
right and Russets replying with counter attacks down both wings. Gemma Shireby finally
breaking the deadlock to put the home side ahead with a fine goal. Herne Bay still proved
dangerous and before half time evened the score. In the second half both Russet wings
and halves staying wider giving the midfield more room. Man of the match Emily Sullivan
made good use of the extra space and Marden dominated the second half putting ‘Bay
under more pressure. Eventually Russets managed to score through Sophie Garner. The
defence was now showing more aggression, slowing up the attacks down the right. Marden’
s confidence grew and it looked as though the home team would comfortably finish the
game but the ‘Bay keeper denied Russets from going ahead. Final score 2-1 to Marden, a
thoroughly deserved win with some very effective hockey emerging throughout the game
though our finishing in the D still needs some work.
Marden Mens 1st XI 0 – 0 Old Bordenians
No goals, but no shortage of drama in this tense clash between the two newly-promoted
sides in this division. With the visitors sitting in third in the table, and Russets third from
bottom, it is a measure of how problems with availability, confidence and in particular,
goalscoring, have hampered Russets’ efforts this season.
In a game where both defences had the measure of their opposing forwards, Marden
carved out more, and better chances, hitting the post, and the side netting with the
goalkeeper beaten. In contrast, Russets, and the defensive unit of Steve Marks, Ali
MacDonald, Mike Sibley and the supreme Matt Lucas, dealt with the Bordenians attacking
threat comfortably, reducing them to very few goalscoring opportunities.
Deal 1 – 1 Marden 2s
Despite surrendering a 1-0 lead for the second consecutive week, Marden will certainly
view this as a point gained rather than two lost. Again changes in midfield and up front led
to a lack of consistency. After an open first 5, Deal took control and created several
chances in the D as well as some slick short corners. Terrific last ditch defending, and the
inspired Insley in goal kept them out. Marden’s first coherent move of the match earnt a
short, which despite a poor injection from Dixon was fed back to him, to sweep home the
opener. It was almost 2-0 but Copper fired at the keeper after Hancock sent him clear.
Marden were lucky to be up at the break after Deal got confused at flick, thinking it was
rugby they converted it high over the posts.
The second half was all Deal as Marden struggled to get out of their half. Deal finally
broke Marden’s brave resistance with 10 to go after a series of short corners. (In truth an
avalanche of about 10 in as many minuets.) This spurred them into life and they got
more men forward and forced a short of their own. This alas came to nothing. Deal
however now seemed content for a point and the final 5 petered out.
Next up are Sevenoaks at home and Marden will need to improve to get a result.
Hopefully a warmer climate will result in a change in fortunes.
Marden 3s 0 – 2 New Beccs
Having pushed the league leaders so close 2 weeks ago, Russets produced another
creditable performance against promotion chasing opposition but again ended with
nothing to show for their efforts except plaudits. In truth Marden lacked that vital spark up
front to really trouble a well organised defence although their own tight defensive unit
meant the visitors didn’t get that many clear sights of goal either.
Bardsley and Kennedy combined to deal with a couple of first half short corners before
Beccs took the lead with a fierce shot from an excellent cross. At 1-0, Russets were always
still very much in the game and with Crispin intercepting many of the visitors forward
moves there was always the chance of an equalizer. Both Freeborns, Bishop and Iles
toiled hard in midfield but unfortunately a loose pass left NB in a two on one break and
they finished with clinical precision to take the game away. There was still time for Bardsley
to see his short corner pushed round the post by a defender before NB sportingly owned
up to a foul after they seemed to have scored a third. Less sportingly perhaps, when the
same player won a clear-cut penalty, Kennedy pulled off the save to leave the final score
at 2-0.
Ashford 0 – 0 Marden Ladies 1st XI
Marden dominated the game for the majority of the first half with Anne Romilly and
Charlotte Sharp having several shots on goal and short corners but Marden where unable
to make them count. In the second half Marden dropped their game a little and Ashford
got their chances on goal but Marden defence and Jenny Holman in goal worked hard
against the Ashford forwards and kept them from scoring. Charlotte Greenwood and Lucie
Romilly worked tirelessly also Helen Tipples did some nice lay offs to create some good
chances for the forwards. In the last minute of play Ashford where awarded a short corner
it was struck to the right post which was swept off the line by Sandra Tipples keeping it to
0-0.
Sutton Russets 2 – 1 Blackheath
Although a tough game from start to finish, the Russets dominated and had the majority of
possession. Superior passing in midfield lead to the Russets winning an array of penalty
corners. Unfortunately we were unable to capitalise on this opportunity and the ball
rapidly found its way down the other end of the pitch. Carol Turner made some great
saves in goal and Claire Matthews’s strong clearances ensured Blackheath were kept at
bay.
As the Russets pushed on, Morgan Neale made a superb run up the centre of pitch and
fed the ball to a surprised Jane Bishop on the right wing, who managed to slip the ball in
past the keeper at what appeared to be an impossible angle. This encouraged the team
to maintain their excellent performance and gave us the 1-0 lead going into the second
half.
After a heartening half time talk from our Captain Claire Matthews, the Russets came back
on to the pitch determined to double their score. However, some sloppy marking in
midfield lead to Blackheath equalising as their right wing was given the run of the field.
Not to be deterred, the Russets really came together as a team and dramatically improved
their passing and tackling. Lottie Woolly and Sophie Garner, in particular, gave the
Blackheath defence the run around and came close to scoring on several occasions.
Again, we won a series of short corners which saw a Liz Talbot strike deflect on to
Margaret Turner’s stick on the left. Margaret, in turn, pushed the ball to player of the
match Emily Sullivan who was positioned perfectly on the penalty spot to slam the ball
home to give us the 2-1 lead. All the Russets needed to do were hold out for the last 10
minutes of the game, which they did with energy and vigour.
Russets U16 Boys 3 - 3 Canterbury
If anyone had told us beforehand that we’d be disappointed to draw against a strong
Canterbury side, we probably wouldn’t have believed them, but such was the quality of this
performance, in which Russets led twice before being pegged back in the last five minutes.
From the start, Canterbury played the ball around well, but without any penetration as
Marden held their shape well and repelled every advance. On the break, Russets looked
dangerous and had the first two scoring chances of the match, but Canterbury took the
lead with an excellent piece of individual skill - a back-handed snap-shot from the edge of
the circle. Undeterred, Russets fought back and equalised from their first penalty corner,
Ali Welchman drilling one straight down the middle. Further chances came on the break,
culminating in an excellent passing move between three Russets players, finished off when
Richard Lawton drew the keeper before slipping the ball to Tom Carr to tap in at the far
post. Half time arrived with Russets deservedly in the lead - nothing needed to be
changed for the second half, but discipline would be needed, especially as our hard-
working midfield inevitably began to tire.
Canterbury continued to press with a fluid formation that often had the Russets defence
stretched, but several excellent interventions in midfield and defence prevented
Canterbury from getting into clear scoring positions. When they did draw level, it was a
scrappy affair, with the ball bundled over the line form close range. The fear was that
Russets’ confidence would be dented, but not a bit of it! Breakaways sparked by Ali
Welchman and Harry Waters from midfield gave Tom Carr, Will Henderson and Richard
Lawton opportunities to show their pace up front, and Russets created several scoring
chances, finally converting one when Tom Carr forced the ball over the line. Canterbury
put everything into attack for the last quarter and drew level for the final time from a
penalty corner, setting up a nervous last five minutes.
It occurs to me that I have only mentioned the attacking players, but it was the lions in the
defensive half that created the platform with their dogged determination, so well done to
Matt Thomas (aka Sweden) in goal, Rob Hancox, Josh Luckhurst, Ben Steel and Phil
Daley in defence, and Jonty Webb (in his Gareth Barry role) and George Thorpe in the
defensive midfield berths.
To reach the Semi Finals (via a top-two finish), we will now need to beat Bromley and
Beckenham, as well as winning the less demanding fixtures (on paper, at least) against
Maidstone and Folkestone. If we play with this much conviction and positional discipline,
we have every chance. Well done everyone.
Thank you to those of you that came along to support, and to Nigel Bardsley for umpiring.
I hope you all felt well-rewarded for your efforts on a cold day.
Russets U16 Girls 2 – 1 Herne Bay
Russets U16 girls played Herne Bay on Sunday at home with good support from the
sideline. The first half was a very even contest with Herne Bay attacking well down their
right and Russets replying with counter attacks down both wings. Gemma Shireby finally
breaking the deadlock to put the home side ahead with a fine goal. Herne Bay still proved
dangerous and before half time evened the score. In the second half both Russet wings
and halves staying wider giving the midfield more room. Man of the match Emily Sullivan
made good use of the extra space and Marden dominated the second half putting ‘Bay
under more pressure. Eventually Russets managed to score through Sophie Garner. The
defence was now showing more aggression, slowing up the attacks down the right. Marden’
s confidence grew and it looked as though the home team would comfortably finish the
game but the ‘Bay keeper denied Russets from going ahead. Final score 2-1 to Marden, a
thoroughly deserved win with some very effective hockey emerging throughout the game
though our finishing in the D still needs some work.
Above - How close can you get without scoring! (Pics courtesy of P Bishop)
Below - PC lines up another SC Rocket....
Below - PC lines up another SC Rocket....
