magpies-hockey.co.uk
Welcome to another Musings, and we start this week with a look at the progress of our future stars in the youth and development teams. You may remember that two weeks ago I mentioned the great success that our U10 and U12 boys and girls had at the first minis tournament of the season at Norwich City. This success has been echoed in both the boys and girls development squads. The boys have started strongly with three wins and one defeat, scoring 15 goals and conceding 5 (all in one game!) and so far 22 different players have put on a Magpies shirt. The goals scored have been shared by 5 different players and, most impressively, Harry Haigh (who joined us this season) has scored two hat-tricks and is currently top scorer. This season the girl’s development side have a very young squad which is run by Sandra Elliner who is the only adult in the team. The girls have also made an impressive start with 3 wins and 1 draw, beating North Walsham, Dereham, and Yarmouth. Well done to both our development teams and keep that winning momentum going!
A quick round up of some the action from the weekend, and the Men’s 1sts travelled away to ex-premier league side Canterbury for another tough fixture. Magpies welcomed back Ben Wright and Pete Bale, however Mark Wheelhouse and Tristan Baynes were out through injury, and David Ling was unavailable. Magpies had a great first half and pushed forward as often as possible. This continued pressure resulted in a goal from the returning Ben Wright and Magpies took a welcome lead. Canterbury responded well and at the end of the first half a small mix up in the Magpies defence allowed the home team to equalise. Magpies entered the second half wanting to emulate their first half performance but were undone by two quick goals to find themselves 3-1 down before they even got going. At National League level that is a mountain to climb but Magpies pushed on. The threatening play from Canterbury continued and they were able to score two more goals to make the final score 5-1. Elsewhere, and there were only two winning teams for the men this weekend where the 3rds beat Sudbury 3-0 taking them to 3rd place in the league and the 6ths taking 3 points against Bury St Edmunds. There was a draw for the 7ths against Felixstowe which was achieved with only 10 men so well done to Murray Graham and his team. The ladies fared similarly with two wins, three draws, and one loss, the wins coming for the 4ths who beat Thetford 2-0, and the 2nds continuing their winning ways to beat IES 2-1. The ladies 2nds now sit top with four wins out of four and three points clear of Ipswich in second.
This weekend and the Ladies 1sts entertain Old Loughtonians on Saturday in a game which could prove very competitive with both teams currently standing on four points in the league table. Magpies will go into the game this weekend with confidence following a very positive second half performance against Ipswich at the weekend to come back from a goal down to secure a well earned point. The Men’s 1sts entertain Bromley and Beckenham on Sunday at 12:15 at Weybread with the visitors having not secured a win yet. Also at home are the ladies 2nds who will want to continue their winning run against Old Buckenham who are currently sat in 5th position in the league but will come into the match against Magpies having taken a 4-1 win over Broadland on Saturday. Also at home for the ladies are the 4ths who host Pelicans 2nds. The Pelicans will also be sending their Men’s 2nds to Weybread this weekend to face the Men’s 5ths who are looking to improve on their 6-1 loss against Sudbury. The less said about that the better, as two of the Sudbury goals were in part down to me having a shocker!! Other action at home for the men this weekend and the 2nds host Long Sutton and a home derby between the 6ths and 7ths, where I believe there is much anticipation for the eagerly awaited Blackmore-Blackmore confrontation. As usual all the fixtures are listed on the website.
We are nearly half way through October and so it is at this point we begin to look forward to the annual Fireworks Spectacular on Friday the 4th of November! As always the event is being expertly organised and managed by James Smith. We are looking for a number of volunteers to help in a number of varied roles from 17:45 on the Friday evening and a few helpers in the daytime. There will be a board up in the clubhouse this weekend with the roles that need to be filled, so please sign up when you are at the club on Saturday. You can also contact James directly to offer your services either via email ([email protected]) or via phone or text on 07780663100. The fireworks is a highlight in the Magpies social calendar so please come along and all offers of help and assistance for the event will be most welcome.
Just a couple of things to finish up with:
· Check out all the details for the Fireworks Spectacular on the website.
· Good luck to our U18 girls who play Bury St Edmunds on Sunday in the National Cup.
· Our U16 girls start their championship campaign on Sunday at Weybread with games against Sudbury and Norwich City so good luck to them to.
· The next minis tournament for the girls and boys U10 and U12 teams at Pelicans has been moved to Sunday the 30th of October.
Best regards,
Will Main
ASD Consultants, Engineering, Architecture, Surveying
ASD Consultants, Engineering, Architecture, Surveying
