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THE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF CLIFTONVILLE HOCKEY CLUB

 RESULTS, SATURDAY  3^rd  MARCH 2001

THIS WEEK, SATURDAY 10^th  MARCH 2001

FORTHCOMING MATCHES, SATURDAY 17^th MARCH 2001

CLUB HOUSE DUTY = THE 1st XI

DATES FOR THE DIARY

Club Dinner Dance – 31^st March 2001

Bonus Ball Winner: Stuart Jones

Club Lottery Numbers: 13 17 22 27 36 41

Match Reports

3^rd XI vs. Holcombe 3A, drew 3-3

An enthralling match at a chilly Strood Astro saw us fight back from a 3-1 half-time deficit to ruin Holcombe’s chances of winning the Open Premier title and end their 100% home record. (Ha!)

We attacked right from the start and made it very difficult for Holcombe to pass.  Captain Morgan decided to adopt the 3-5-2 formation, which had proved such a success for us against Canterbury a few weeks before, and this allowed our strong midfield presence to dominate early on.

Former player and visiting guest star Andy Dunn was immense in midfield and it was his break that led to the opening goal, a superb finish from Rob Garnier after a pinpoint cross in as good a move as I have seen this season.  However, we immediately relaxed and allowed Holcombe to get back into the game – after all, our opponents had only one defeat all season.  They started to break in numbers and following a defensive error (GARNO! helping out I might add…) managed to grab an equalizer.

Within 2 minutes they were in the lead as a stray pass in midfield allowed them to pour forward, outnumbering our defence embarrassingly and firing the ball home.  Our players were looking shaken and Holcombe took full advantage with a third goal of a clinical 7-minute spell.  This time the right wing was able to cut into the area and beat MR M on the inside post (whoops…).  Fortunately the whistle went for half time and we were able to rearrange the troops.

We seemed totally refreshed and determined after the break and good work from new-boys Chris Havenden and Phil Joy down the left-hand side allowed Michael Knell to pop the ball home after a goal-mouth melee.  For the next 10 minutes or so, we were in total control but couldn’t make a further breakthrough.  Holcombe were reduced to making isolated attacks, which were easily dealt with by another guest star, defender Jez Parkin.  PAUL GOATHAM also did an excellent marking job on their main danger-man, preventing him for being the playmaker again.

Eventually, after a period of pressure with a number of short corners being awarded to us, it came as little surprise when vice-skipper PORNO INGOLDSBY fired the ball home, bringing us deservedly level.  The final 10 minutes were a mixture of frantic tackling, wild shots and tired legs as both teams went all-out for victory but in the end it was we players who were happiest with the result, while Holcombe were left with little hope in the league.  Hopefully this means goodbye to Tonbridge 1s!

Team: D. Morgan(c), E. Foster, J. Parkin, C. Havenden, R. Garnier, A. Dunn, P. Goatham, P. Joy, M. Knell, M. Keenagh, G. Ingoldsby

4^th XI vs. University of Kent, won  

Another grudge match. Kent University are the only side in the league to beat us on what we would call level terms. Last time the beat us with a solitary short corner Exocet. This time not a serious shot on target and every one of their half dozen odd short corners exactly the same: Stopped hit and aimed just inside my right hand post, all anticipated and dealt with accordingly. I always said university boys had no common sense; fancy not changing the routine just once? John Lowden and Carl Perez did their usual Rottweilers on heat, charging off the goal line to thwart just about all of their short corner attempts. We only had one, and we scored with it, Dan George taking it, having it back off James Bugden and slapping it into the net. It is so simple but has worked on numerous occasions. 

Our first goal came from James Bugden: a quit sublime effort comprising a great turn followed by a rising reverse sweep. I was gob-smacked. It looked so clinical, I couldn't quite believe that it was James scoring! Dan George scored the next two goals, the first one a hotly disputed waist high volley - nothing wrong with that, the second, the short corner routine he termed "Number One" Please explain to me what "Number Two" might be. In complete contrast to James' first goal, our last goal, - good start, player anticipated and made a good run, received, took it round a defender and into the "D", - was quintessential crap. I wound up my shot, and topped the ball. It trundled toward the goal. I stood in disbelief and watched its lonely journey. They watched too. So did their keeper, who in all fairness made a valiant attempt to not get in the way of it by dancing around it without touching it. Ball hit the backboard with just enough force to bounce back an inch, 4-0. I turned around and walked back to our half shaking my head in amazement. They all count. Good game, sound result, guaranteed second in the league.

Team: James I've burst my Helmet" Hanley, Mick "Alan Shearer" Gore, John "Rottweiler" Lowden, Carl "Rottweiler Puppy" Perez, Kevin "Dark Destroyer" Redman, Dan "Svelte" Lewington, Andy "Honest" Kingston, Dave "Shaggy" Gough, Jason "Crazy Legs" Jackson, Andy "Ruthless" Dunn, James "I'm Club Top Scorer" Bugden, Dan " No your not, I am!" George.

Ringo Gore

Court and Social

Clubhouse duty update…The scores so far…

So, apologies to the 5^th XI, and get ready to put your rubber gloves on Mick Gore!

Recently seen at Howletts…Andy Dunn, visiting his latest conquest!

Wanted…£500 in unmarked notes of small denominations in a brown envelope from Andy Dunn to stop the publication of certain photographs!

Two match reports in a row shocker…from the fourth XI! That’s four for the season!

Gazette 3^rd XI Match Report shocker…Captain Morgan UNMENTIONED for the first time this season…Dave Morgan said to be in counseling following this scandal.