SUSAN’S EXTRA SPECIAL STRIKE

Last Saturday week we had what was claimed to be the save of the season while last Saturday we had without a shadow of doubt the goal of the season. It came when the Ladies’ 2nds were leading Broxbourne 3-2 at home and when their supporters were by no means sure the team could hold on to their lead having just after half time been 3-0 up. Susan Wessels, playing her first game of the season due to work commitments, took the ball just into the circle in the inside left position before unleashing a reverse stick shot high into the far corner of the net. It was a shot and goal worthy of a player who has twice played for South Africa in the Olympics. If we are lucky enough to see a better goal all season I would be amazed. With five minutes to go it ensured a deserved but hard fought win for the team but not before they had to withstand a determined come back by Broxbourne who made a mockery of their lowly league position. By half time Magpies were two up with goals by Anna Tighe and Catriona Maciver and when Mel Ludlam made the score a slightly flattering 3-0 early in the second half victory seemed assured. But for some reason Magpies, for whom it was good to see Lucy Kin the 1sts, then had a very poor spell allowing Broxbourne back into the game and home players and supporters were mighty relieved to witness Susan’s extra special strike which made the final score 4-2 in favour of Magpies. This coming Saturday the team has a long trip to play Canterbury 2nds (1.15).

The day had also started well for the club at Weybread with both the Boys’ and Girls’ Development teams winning. The Boys made it four wins from four games when they beat Dereham 6-2 and they did so after conceding the first goal. But by half time they were 2-1 ahead with goals by Jude Pottruff and Jack Robertson and in the second half further goals by Jude (2) and two by Alex Kilbourn gave them a well-deserved victory over hard working opponents. Meanwhile the Girls were getting the better of Pelicans winning 3-2 without ever being behind with goals by Taylor Freeman (2) and Georgie Cantrell. Although winning is not everything it is pleasing to see how the team has recovered from losing its first two league games to bounce back with this win following the one over Yarmouth two weeks ago with the friendly victory over Lowestoft Railway sandwiched in between.

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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 [email protected]

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

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This left five more matches to be played at a very mild Weybread resulting in just one further home win and that was achieved in the final game of the day whenafter their defeat the previous week the Ladies’ 5ths returned to winning ways beating Reepham 1-0 with a second half goal by Matilda Warde-Aldam. This was a hard fought win for Magpies who had to weather very heavy Reepham pressure in the last few minutes. This Saturday the team are away to Norwich Dragons 4ths (11.00).

Earlier the Men’s 2nds looked to be well placed when they equalised against Saffron Walden but as the game progressed big gaps began appearing in the home defence with on several occasions more Saffron Walden forwards to be seen than Magpies’ defenders! The final score of 7-2 (David Francis 2) was a little flattering to the visitors – and extremely hard on Tom Yallop who made some excellent saves in the home goal – but there was no doubt they deserved their win. It has been a disappointing start to the season for the Men’s 2nds but there is both talent and promise combined with talent in the team and if they have faith in themselves better results will follow. This Saturday the team are away to Cambridge University 2nds (1.30).

The home supporters had no goals to cheer in the other three games with the Men’s 6ths losing 2-0 to IES 4ths, the Men’s 4ths going down 3-0 to Sudbury 2nds and the Ladies’ 4ths losing to Norwich Dragons 3rds with the score line matching Treacle Griffin’s 50th birthday (no – they didn’t lose 50-0!) which she was celebrating. Many happy returns Treacle. It was good to see Graham Ramm back umpiring the Men’s 6ths and good of Tiger Young to umpire two consecutive games – the second game in response to an emergency call.

Ben-Wright-IMG_6532

Away from home there were mixed fortunes for the two 1st teams and wins for the Ladies’ 3rds and 7ths. The Ladies’ 1sts conceded a goal after three minutes and thereafter Bedford ‘parked the bus’ so to speak and did so very successfully winning 1-0 to secure their first points of the season while the Men’s 1sts beat Felixstowe 7-0 thereby showing no mercy to their friend and ex-Magpie Marc Lloyd in the home goal. When our team got back to Weybread I was told that all their goals had come from penalty corners after the hours of practice they had put in following my criticism last week. I was prepared to believe what I was told before I was informed (while shopping later in town to be precise) that it was a load of nonsense! Never believe a word that the 1st team vice-captain tells you! If you don’t know who he is he’s the one who likes his photograph on the website nearly every week. For the record our goals were scored by Ben Wright (2), Chris Barber (3), skipper Mark Wheelhouse from the penalty spot and Martin Fields. I gather there was one penalty corner conversion in there somewhere! This Saturday at 12 noon the table topping Men’s 1sts host Chelmsford who are just one point behind them and who last Saturday beat Dereham 7-4 so a very tough game is in prospect while the Ladies’ 1sts have an equally challenging encounter with the visit of Horsham (2.00).

Meanwhile the Ladies’ 3rds got back to winning ways beat UEA 2nds 3-0 (Kara Kilbourn 2 and skipper Sarah Legg) while the Ladies’ 7ths beat UEA 4ths 2-1 with Shirley McAllen converting two penalty corners to set up their second win of the season. Also away from home the Men’s 3rds drew 4-4 (Gavin Cole, Matt Brand 2, Jon Aldridge) with Lowestoft Railway after being 2-0 up and 3-4 down; the Ladies’ 6ths lost 3-0 to Norwich Dragons 4ths and the Men’s 5ths came from 1-0 down to draw 1-1 with league leaders Norwich Dragons 4ths following Kieran Peters’ second half penalty corner conversion.

Last Sunday four of our youth teams were in EHB Championship action producing two wins, one draw and one defeat. The U14 Girls followed up their win over Pelicans by beating Dereham 3-0 at home with goals before half time by Taylor Freeman and Phoebe Eglington with Millie Preece making the game safe after the interval. Away from home the U16 Girls continued their good form with a splendid 7-0 away win over Norwich City with their goals coming from Abby Gooderham, Alice Hopgood, Lauren Rowe, Tor Findlay (2), Anna Tighe and Matilda Warde-Aldam. Meanwhile the U14 Boys were losing 8-1 away to IES and the U16 Boys were twice ahead before drawing 2-2 (Archie Winter 2) with Norwich Dragons. All four teams are next in action on Sunday 9 November.

Good luck to all our teams this weekend. Please see the website for the full list of fixtures.

MAGPIES ON MUSTARD TV

Please click on below (and then on Part 1) to see what happened when the Mustard TV cameras came to Weybread recently. Please be quick as this video will only be available for a few more days.

http://www.mustardtv.co.uk/episode/the-mustard-show-143/

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With kind regards Mike Denham [email protected] 21/10/14