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THE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF CLIFTONVILLE HOCKEY CLUB

RESULTS, SATURDAY 20^th JANUARY

 THIS WEEK, SATURDAY 27^th JANUARY

 FORTHCOMING MATCHES, SATURDAY 3^rd FEBRUARY

CLUB HOUSE DUTY = THE 1^st XI

DATES FOR THE DIARY

Club Supper – Saturday 24^th February
Club Dinner Dance – 31^st March 2001

Match Reports

1st XI vs. Ashford, lost 4-1
The 1st XI seem to have found another bogey team in the shape of Ashford, who replace Maidstone as the team we seem unable to beat. This was the third time that we lost to them this season, and whilst I am convinced that they are the best team in the league, the margin of victory flatters them.

On what can best be described as an ice rink, similar to the famous Neasden Empire Plastic Ice Park, the 1’s defended valiantly and thwarted Ashford, with Jules Warre in fine form despite almost a year out of the game. Shortly half time, a quick free hit on the edge of the opposition D saw the ball fall to Steve Burton, who coolly slotted home and give the 1’s a chance of removing the hoodoo and gaining valuable points.

It wasn’t to be.

At this point, as seems to be usual, the WHOLE team fell to sleep and gifted Ashford four goals in the final fifteen minutes of the game. A combination of poor marking, ball watching and the skippers bad tactics can all be blamed for this, as well as Ashford wanting to win the game more than we did. Oh well, makes for an interesting run in at the end of the season…

Note must be made of the fine tackle made by Matt Young on Giles Osborne of Ashford. Unfortunately Matt the Superbowl isn’t until Sunday…

1st XI vs. Yateley, lost 5-4 (golden goal rule)
Bugger. Despite what Roddy may say, this was by far the best performance that Ville have turned in this season. The team were simply magnificent, the result wasn’t.

1-0 down within five minutes against an attacking side, Ville drew level almost immediately through a Don Elmore short corner strike, only to lose the lead again. Andy Dunn drew the sides level with a thundreous flick at goal (which only crossed the goal line due to the magnetic pull from the Neasden Singularity) leaving the game all square at the interval.

2-2 at half time became 3-2 to the Ville when Matt Westby scored, and then 4-2 to Ville when Matt Young scored when rounding the keeper after a pitch long build up involving Don and Westby the Younger. So rattled were Yateley that by this stage they had received two yellow and six green cards, and a Ville victory seemed inevitable. The only thing that could bring them back into the game was lady luck, who again put the blinkers over the umpires eyes when he awarded a penalty stroke for against Stuart, apparently cause he “had it coming”. Another bizarre awarding of a short corner against Roddy followed this; apparently it is not legal to try to tackle someone with your stick. 4-4 at full time.

Five minutes into extra time Yateley scored from a penalty corner, leaving Ville feeling like they had been mugged. Performances like this in the league will bring points.

Floppy

 2nd XI vs. Old Willies, won 1-0
This match was always going to be a tough one. They were top of the league and we were second so whoever won this match would stand a good chance of winning the league, a real 6 pointer to coin a phrase.

With a strong team and mercifully a defrosted St Lawrence we threw ourselves into the fray like men on a mission and after periods of good play we managed to create a opportunity that allowed Adam to fire home a shot from a difficult angle. Willies then came close with a combination of the post, feet and fine goal-keeping keeping them from scoring. Half time and 1 –0 up.

Second half we again created many chances but failed to score. Even Roddy commented on the forward’s inability to put one away. Ooh err misses!

Then the chance to beat all chances, a penalty flick. Up steps Adam Kalifa, a man with an eye for goal. He flicks the ball, the keeper dives, gets up again, calls his parents in Neasdon, makes some tea, cleans his ears, prepares some Bombay duck, cleans out his pipe and then makes the save. I am not saying the flick was slow but in only got to the keeper because the wind was behind it.

The defence then was put under a period of intense pressure with us having to defend at least 10 consecutive penalty corners at one stage. The defensive routine of Lambert, Burton, Buchanan and Robinson held firm and the noise of the final whistle was music to our ears.

With 2 league games to go if we keep our heads and with a bit of luck and a following wind we should be there at the end of the season

On a final note it was good to see that Nick Waite and Adam Kalifa are able to go to the clubhouse despite rumours that they had no idea where it was.

Sea Cucumber

Court and Social

Lottery…the club won £72 on the lottery last Saturday when four of our numbers came up.

Happy Birthday…to the aging Porn Star, Gary Ingoldsby, who reaches the landmark figure of forty this week.