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THE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF CLIFTONVILLE HOCKEY CLUB

 RESULTS, SATURDAY 24^th FEBRUARY 2001

THIS WEEK, SATURDAY 3^rd  MARCH 2001

FORTHCOMING MATCHES, SATURDAY 10^th MARCH 2001

CLUB HOUSE DUTY = THE 5th XI

DATES FOR THE DIARY

Club Dinner Dance – 31^st March 2001

Bonus Ball Winner: Steve Burton

Club Lottery Numbers: 13 17 22 27 36 41

Match Reports

1^st XI vs. Old Bordenians, lost 6-2 (17^th February)

Following the excellent performance against Maidstone 7 days previously, the mood was determined yet confident as we made our way to Sittingbourne to face Old Bordenians. Not even thoughts of a detour to Neasden temple distracted us from the task of taking 3 points off the team 5 places, but only 5 points ahead of us in the league.

Reinforced by the return of skipper ‘Floppy Jaffa’ Brooks, we started well against the ageing opposition. Possession was retained for long periods without too much difficulty, with play for the most part in the opposition half of the pitch. A short corner after 20 minutes provided us with the opening we sought. A fierce Don Elmore shot was saved by the ‘keeper, but Matt Westby was on hand to put home the rebound.

Having taken the lead, we should then have gone on to put the game out of Old Bordenians reach, but that didn’t happen. Tim Elmore was unlucky to see a shot beat not only the keeper, but also the post having been put through by Andy Dunn. From here things went downhill. Old Bordenians managed to score twice before half time.

Cliftonville started the 2^nd half a little better than we finished the first, but the first period of the 2^nd half was very even. We seemed unable to find the form that had allowed us to dominate the first 20minutes. We did manage an equaliser, when Matt Westby again found that net, following a mazy dribble from about 25 yards out, which he finished in fantastic fashion with a miss-hit shot that fairly crawled its way to the backboard! Paul Cobb would have been proud…

So, with 20 minutes to go and all square it was all to play for. What happened though is difficult to describe. A combination of O.B’s stepping up half a gear from slow to mediocre, and Cliftonville seeming to lose all the spirit that had served us so well against Maidstone, and we found ourselves conceding four goals, one a dubious penalty flick to say the least.

I for one am at a loss to identify exactly what happened, which is worrying. For the final four league games of the season it is important that we pull together to secure the points that we need to ensure survival. We have to remember that it takes all 12 players at the game to win, as much as it is the ‘fault’ of all 12 should things not go according to plan.

Hopefully, by the time you read this report we will have bounced back and taken 3 points off Newhaven, the bottom side in the league, and without a win all season. If not you will find us travelling west, to the domed edifice that is Neasden temple seeking spiritual enlightenment…

Steve ‘Chewie’ Burton

1^st XI vs. Newhaven, won 4-1

What better way to restore the confidence following a dismal performance against Old Bordenians the week before than with a game against Newhaven, bottom of the league and without a win all season?

Following a minutes silence for Jim Beugg, a recently departed Vice President of the club, the game got underway. Within 30 seconds Cliftonville took the lead, Matt Young finishing off a quick and incisive break. If only we made the game look that simple all the time. A perfect start which shortly came apart.

Newhaven broke swiftly down the right and in to the D, and proceeded to score their first goal from open play all season, according to one of their players. Maybe we had relaxed, thinking 3 points were going go be easy to come by having scored so early ourselves, I don’t know. But it was quite a soft goal to concede.

So, all square and barely 10 minutes played. Having equalised, Newhaven decided that putting 8 men behind the ball was the way to go, and they sat back for the remainder of the game. Thus, Cliftonville had the lions share of the ball, and spent most of the game camped in the Newhaven half.

Breaking down a packed defence has been something we have struggled with this season, and so it proved again. A Don Elmore short corner (Straight through the stand in goalkeepers legs), and a close range effort from Tim Elmore made the score a comfortable looking 3-1 at half time.

At half time came the news that the opposition only had 10 men on the pitch, which started to put things a little more in perspective. Wise words from Andy Mair formed the basis for renewed optimism in the 2^nd half.

Despite the advantage in numbers, and in the scoreline only one further goal was added in the 2^nd period, when Tim Elmore hit a first time shot from about 12 yards out on the left which looped inside the far post. Cliftonville continued to dominate, but were unable to break down what was now a 9-man defence. A slightly faster build up and better decision-making in the D may have produced a more emphatic victory.

However, the main target had been reached, namely 3 points, and this result should be viewed as a stepping stone to better things to come.  Another important game this week, as we take on Sevenoaks, with 3 points once more a must.

Steve ‘Chewie’ Burton

3^rd XI vs. New Beccehamians, drew 1-1

We had to work very hard to get a result against an organised New Beccs. side.  This was mainly because we continued our lethargic play from the previous week for most of the game, but also because this team bore no resemblance to that which we played up Neasden way earlier in the season.  The first half was fairly even, but it was New Beccs who looked more likely to score and did after 20 minutes as goalkeeper Morgan was unable to follow up his first save with the defence left stranded in no man’s land following a short corner.  We were not helped by the loss of right half Adam Strickett to an injury early in the half.  Consistent passing to the opposition’s most dangerous player wasn’t an intelligent tactic either…

The second half saw Rob Garnier being pushed into attack and old-boy Mike Ellner being drafted into midfield as we started to press forward.  Despite having the lion’s share of the possession we appeared to be in for ‘one of those days’, only going close on a number of occasions.  However, with just over 10 minutes to go we managed a break down the left-hand side and the ball was passed into Rob Garnier who beat the ‘keeper only to see his shot agonisingly hit the post and trickle along the line.  Right winger Kriss Tupper was able to pounce in to score the goal.  It was a suitable time for Kriss to score, as this was his final game for Ville before going into Navy basic training.  He followed up his goal with a green card for telling (the wrong) umpire what he thought of his decisions… (Also a suitable conclusion.)

The game became a little heated towards the end as both teams pushed for a winner, but neither could get the victory, even though we probably edged it (he said biasedly).  In the end it was probably a point gained rather than two points lost, Brian.

Team: D. Morgan(c), R. Macer, G. Ingoldsby, E. Foster, A. Strickett, M. Ellner, D. Lewington,

G. Howard, R. Garnier, A. Kingston, K. Tupper, M. Keenagh Sub: K. Redman

CLIFTONVILLE IVs' SEASON UPDATE!

Since last report: Played 10 Won 6 Drawn 1 Lost 3 Goals: For 33 Against 14

Back in November we lost our first game of the season at Kent University to a solitary short corner routine which roared in to the net off my foot. Dignity was restored with 3 straight wins against Sutton Valance, HSBC and Old Bordenians. We then played against Tonbridge on a crisp frosty sunny morning at Tonbridge and drew 2-2 against probably the best side we had come up against so far. We were unlucky not to win as they equalised in the last minute; fair result. Winning ways were restored in late January with an 8-0 thrashing of Old Bordenians, 4 players avoiding a hat trick by scoring 2 each! It now appeared that the rest of the league were now realising that we are a force to be reckoned with as we were still top of the league past half way through the season with only really Herne Bay still in touch. Next was against Holcombe, at Strood which is in North Kent James Hopkins and Dan George... We lost 3-1. We have not got a problem with loosing as long as we are beaten fair and square and the match is played in a proper manner. However, the behavior of some of the Holcombe players, those whom I did not recognise from previous encounters (and were a bit useful...) was deplorable. They questioned almost every decision by both umpires, even if their umpire was probably not the most proficient decision-maker I have ever had the displeasure of being officiated by. He was, and I think the whole team would agree,

PANTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can only say, from limited experience, "If you don't or can't see it, DON'T give it!"

Next game: The Big One...Herne Bay, the Rematch. No weak links in the side, whole team up for it. As the game progressed beyond 2 minutes, we could not believe that a club would stoop to such depths to win a game by including in their 5th Eleven, at least 2 first teamers and perhaps 3 other excellent "squad" members. We were torn apart at times and take our hats off to their youngsters who played very well. It would have been a good match if they had played with a reasonable team, but that wasn't the case and we were frustrated and humbled 3-0. It’s not the losing; it’s the principle. This IS Kent Open Div 3. We just hope that 2 teams go up at the end of the season.

Enough griping. Our last 2 games were against Bexley-Invicta and Wellcome. Both away games, both won, 7-1 & 3-1 respectively. The B I game had several memorable points: Danny George scored the most outrageous goal I have ever witnessed: I have never seen a ball reach probably 30 feet in the D AND land in the goal, be it just at the intersection of the post and cross-bar. We all stood in disbelief and looked at the umpires. They had a quick word and agreed that no offence had been committed and that the ball had actually gone in. Top Goal. And I scored my first of the season. And Roddy B scored his first of the season, each full back setting the other one up! And England won 3-0.

This week, Kent University. A win will secure second place.

Amendment: In my last report I incorrectly reported that James Bugden had scored 6 goals and Danny George 5. It should read James Bugden 7 and Danny George 4. I apologize for my crap addition.

Since Nov 11th the following players have accrued:

James Bugden: 9 Goals, Danny George: 6 Goals Rob, Garnier: 1 Goal, Dave Gough: 2 Goals, Mark Williams: 2 Goals, Chris Martin: 1 Goal, Michael Knell: 5 Goals, Paul Goatham: 1 Goal, Kris Tupper: 2 Goals, Phil Joy: 1 Goal, Microphone Head: 1 Goal, Roddy Buchannon: 1 Goal, Mick Gore: 1 Goal.

Here endeth the second lesson.

Mick