EMMA GIVES TREBLE TROUBLE TO CHELMSFORD

There can be no doubt that the Ladies’ 1sts deserve top billing this week for their outstanding 4-0 home win over Chelmsford last Saturday. A good–sized crowd had assembled for the match with some of us thinking of last season when in the corresponding fixture Chelmsford hit back with two late goals for a 2-2 draw. Fortunately there was to be no repeat this time although the outcome of the game was hard to predict in the early stages with both teams having their moments with Charlotte Lee-Smith in the home goal being forced to make a good save. But it was an encouraging sign for Magpies that the walking wounded of the last two weeks, i.e. Debbie Francis, Charlie Harrison and Emma Lee-Smith, were moving well to help make up for the unfortunate loss of Kath Johnson who is having a scan this week to check on the latest state of her injury sustained against Ipswich two weeks ago. Lizzie Clymer put Magpies ahead in the 18th minute with her third goal of the season with a shot just inside the left post and in-form Emma made it two-nil in the 30th minute with a firm penalty corner strike. I later told the Men’s 1sts that they should take a lesson from Emma about taking penalty corners! But more about that below.

By now Magpies were clearly on top with the visitors rarely troubling the home defence which was being well marshalled by Debbie. Two-up became three-up in the 44th minute when Emma banged in another penalty corner and a minute later she completed her hat-trick when she dived to guide the ball into the net at the left post. Even I was beginning to think we were safe but Cannock coming from 4-1 down to beat the Mixed team with four goals in the last fifteen minutes last season was on my mind! But there was no need to worry despite Charlotte being forced into making another sharp save. The game was well umpired by Colin Burton and Annette Thorpe and being miked-up to each other I understand that both of them had the benefit of hearing the same helpful touchline comments! This coming Saturday the team are away to Bedford (1.00) but they will need to be mindful that Bedford came within a minute last Saturday of picking up their first point of the season in going down 3-2 away to Wimbledon.

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Fireworks Spectacular (Friday 7 November)

a) Tickets are on sale at the clubhouse bar (they are £1 cheaper than on the gate).

b) If you are able to help on the night please add your name to the board in the clubhouse or contact James Smith on 01379 898767 or via ssmith091

The club is committed to finding 50 members and friends and family of members to help run the event.

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Preceding the Ladies on the water-based were the Magpies Mens 1sts up against a very useful looking Wapping team who in their previous game had thumped Dereham 4-0. It was the visitors who drew first blood when the home defence parted to allow a Wapping forward a free shot on goal. But by half time Magpies, for whom Richard Larkin was in fine form in defence after an uncertain start, were 2-1 up when first skipper Mark Wheelhouse fired home after yet another penalty corner went awry. The ball went out of the circle for several seconds before finding its way back to Mark who duly obliged. Magpies then went ahead when Ben Wright was on hand with his fifth goal of the season from close range. After the break Magpies, for whom goalkeeper Matt Collinge was playing well, never really got going and they were forced into defending several penalty corners with one conceded by vice-captain Leigh Sitch who after the game claimed with some justification that his resulting yellow card was a little harsh! By now a draw looked on the cards and it duly arrived so to speak when Wapping showed how to take a penalty corner with an expertly executed drag flick. Fortunately Magpies survived another penalty corner with two minutes to go to move to the top of East Premier A with former leaders Chelmsford losing to City of Peterborough. Two goals each was a fair reflection of how the game went; a game in which a) there were far too many appeals by players of both sides to the umpires and b) Magpies’ misfiring penalty corner routine was again on display. It is clearly a work in progress!

After the game the Magpies’ players were told of coach Les Howlett’s pre-match decision to stand down. Sadly efforts to get him to change his mind have been unsuccessful. Les returned to the club as coach of the team at the beginning of last season since when the team has played twenty six matches winning 18, drawing 5 and losing just three. Les will be badly missed and he goes with our best wishes and thanks for his enthusiasm and skilful guidance of the team who this Saturday are away to newly-promoted Felixstowe (2.15). Let’s hope they do not find ex-Magpie Marc Lloyd in inspired form in the Felixstowe goal!

The last game of the day at Weybread was the eagerly awaited clash of the Men’s 3rds and 4ths and 3rd team skipper Matt Brand soon had his team ahead when he lifted the ball over goalkeeper Andy Palmer. Gavin Cole quickly made it 2-0 when he dived to deflect in his first goal of the season before the 4ths, with injured skipper David Blackmore out of action for several weeks, came more into the game without seriously testing Jordan Wiseman in the ‘home’ team goal. After the break Andy Johnson and Gavin, with his second, made it 4-0 but not until Andy Palmer had pulled off what he modestly called ‘The save of the season’! Andy had flung himself to his right to push away a fierce goal-bound shot. The 4ths, for whom it was good to see James Smith playing after injury, continued to play some good hockey in the second half with forwards Myles King, Alfie Fawkner and Greg Jagger displaying their promising skills. This Saturday the 3rds are away to Lowestoft Railway (2.30) while the 4ths host Sudbury 2nds (3.15).

In other matches at Weybread the Girls’ Development got the day off to a good start beating Lowestoft Railway 4-2 in a friendly with two goals apiece by Georgie Cantrell and Grace Collison while the Ladies’ 5ths suffered their first defeat of the season when Evergreens packed their defence in San Marino fashion but did it more successfully before breaking away to ‘steal’ the points with a late winner. Meanwhile the Men’s 5ths,for whom David Cadman was making a promising adult debut, dominated their game with Dereham 4ths but had to rely on a goal two minutes from the end by veteran Stuart Peters to share the points. Stuart was on hand to steer the ball slowly over the line off a defender’s foot. In the end it is the what and not the how that counts!

Away from home the Ladies’ 2nds, with goalkeeper Calianne Clark in fine form, built on their win over Ipswich 2nds by taking a good point in their 0-0 draw with Wapping while the Boys’ Development made it three wins from three when they secured an outstanding win beating Norwich Dragons 4-2 with goals by Alex Kilbourn, Jude Pottruff (2) and Rob Neal. This Saturday the Ladies’ 2nds are at home to second bottom Broxbourne (12.00) while the Boys’ Development entertain Dereham (10.45).

Also at home on Saturday will be the Men’s 2nds – after their 9-4 away defeat at the hands of Waltham Forest with their goals coming from Jack Frere-Smith, Will Dunn (2) and James Baker – who play Saffron Walden (2.00) and the Men’s 6ths who take on IES 4ths (12.15) and the Ladies’ 4ths who after losing 3-1 (Katie Woollatt) to UEA 2nds host Norwich Dragons 3rds (1.45).

NB. Please see the website for the Ladies’ 3rds highly entertaining match report.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OUR TEAMS THIS WEEKEND including the U14 and U16 Girls and Boys who will be in EHB Championship action on Sunday. Please see the website for the full list of fixtures.

IN BRIEF

a) It is ‘thank you’ to Andrew Longe for repairing two of the floodlights on the sand-based pitch last week and to David Cobbald and John Pestell for putting up some new advertising boards and for removing some old ones.

b) It is also thanks to organiser Leigh Sitch and everyone who supported last Saturday’s very enjoyable Halloween Fancy Dress Party at the club.

c) Congratulations to Magpie Tom Graham on scoring for Durham University last Saturday in their 6-2 EHB North Conference win over Leek.

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With kind regards Mike Denham [email protected] 14/10/14

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