The Plight of the parrot continues. The 3rd game for the 2nd team sees an almost entirely new team once again, and the loss to a weaker side suggests this could be the reason. No individual stood out this week in either positive or negative ways except perhaps for Dan Horne, whose incredible saves and a couple of poor decisions were only notable as the score could easily have been 10-0 or 1-0. but the positivity of the team and the attitude of the players proved to be strong that despite losing 4-0 we stuck it out together and are still optimistic for the future.
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In the early push back on Saturday, PHC mounted a fantastic come-back to claim their first win of the season. The game started with PHC only having 10 players, two of whom were goalkeepers – Oli Parren’s fantastic organisational skills were to thank for that. Although the extra players arrived only three minutes after push back, that was enough time to see Southgate use their extra man to score the opener. The arrival of the PHC extra man changed the game completely though, and PHC started dominating the game. However, while protesting not being given a short corner, the 4s were hit on the break and were suddenly 0-2 down within 20 minutes. However, we persevered and some quick passing triangles between Dave Young, Kesh Murthy and Emrys Hart saw PHC win another short corner on the stroke of half time. Simon stepped up and buried it, 1-2 at half time. The second half was more of the same from the end of the first, with fantastic play at a high quality from PHC. Another short corner resulted in another goal, this time from Stiller’s cross being tapped in by Tris. Southgate pushed back at PHC, but a combination of solid defence in the centre from Oli Parren and Chris Butler, brilliant tracking back from Seb Norman, as well as fantastic commanding from Udara Gamalath in the goal, didn’t allow Southgate an opportunity. As the game reached its dying embers, the ball broke to Jack Leech on the right wing, who cut inside and scored a spectacular 68th minute goal, which turned out to be the winner. A great result against the team that was second in the league last year, and something that the 4s can push on from. Win - 3-2 After a sound preseason the Chiswick men’s 1 were keen to start the league off on a positive note. The day started better than the teams last outing in Staines – they had more than 6 practice balls. From the whistle Chiswick imposed themselves on the game and spent most of the first half camped inside the attacking half. They had some good opportunities to go ahead. Nick Barrack came close after making a strong individual run into the circle only to see his shot hit the post. Things did not get much better for Nick as he then rolled an ankle and spent the remainder of the game watching from the side lines. Going into the break Chiswick were still positive and came out strong. Their possession and territory dominance was rewarded when the ever youthful Chris Hovington slammed home a penalty corner to put Chiswick ahead 1-0. This seemed to spur the opposition into action and Staines began to press a lot more. Some casual play at the back by Chiswick allowed Staines to create a turnover slot the ball home to make it 1-1. The game ebbed and flowed as both teams played hard for a win in the final 20 minutes with neither side able to hit the target. In fact Chiswick were so determined to go for the win, coach Niall Mutch put himself on up front. Draw - 1-1 In the early push back at Linford Christie, the Mens 4s took on top of the league Richmond with a new-ish looking squad, full of youthful exuberance (one of the PHC boys is so young, he has never heard of a floppy disk). A good start saw PHC go a goal up through Tom Poole, but then disaster struck, and three quick chances for Richmond led to them taking a 3-1 half-time lead. The second half started as the first ended, with Richmond going 5-1 up, before Chiswick finally showed the fight we have to claw it back to 5-3. However, as Chiswick looked for a fourth and, hopefully, fifth goal, we were hit on the break and ended up losing the game 6-3. Not the greatest result possible, but the boys played very well, and the scoreline didn't reflect that at all. Man of the Match was Tom Poole for his double, with DY picking up Dick of the Day for his obscene lateness. L - 6-3 The mens 1st X1 had their final hit out before the league season starts against a very organised and enthusiastic West Hampstead team. West Hampstead looked the stronger side with some very fluent interchanging up front. Chiswick somehow managed to open the scoring against the run of play through Nick Barrack with fantastic straight strike from a penalty corner. The pace of the game began to take its toll on the Chiswick team and West Hampstead managed to grab to late first half goals to take a 2-1 lead. In the second half Chiswick began to play with more confidence and revised energy. Ben Bell slotted home a fine penalty corner drag flick to make it 2-2. Bell also managed to score from a goalmouth scramble following the next Chiswick penalty corner to make it 3-2 to the home side. Chiswick continued to create a number of good goal scoring opportunities however were unable to convert any. This allowed West Hampstead to slot in two late goals to take the game 4-3. Chiswick will take heart from the success of their penalty corner set up and a vastly improved performance from the previous week, however coach Niall Mutch will have a lot on his plate as Chiswick forfeited possession far too easily and failed to convert any of the field chances they created. PHC Chiswick Mens 1s lost to West Hampstead 1s - 4-3 In winter sport leagues it is safe to say you can't win a league by Christmas, but you can lose it. At the rate the Mens twos are going, they are going to make it very difficult to achieve the Promotion the team feel is overdue.
Flashes of magnificent hockey and a few lapses in concentration meant that being 2-1 behind at half time, seemed fair. The mens 2s welcomes back the indispensable Andrew Greenhalgh to the forward line and debutant Goalkeeper Johnny Clowe. 2 goals for Chris Henderson and some excellent hockey from Spencer ended the game 6-2. Best of luck next week where Chiswick have the chance to play Spencer 6s. The question is, will they break their Duck? |
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