Upon arrival, the skies had cleared, the sun illuminating the pitch as Old Cranleighans 4’s clashed against Surbiton 8’s following a two-week break due to frozen pitches. Fortunately, OC’s defensive position avoided direct sunlight. Surbiton initiated with the first pushback.
During the first half, a goal emerged as Charlie manoeuvred into the D, delivering a pass to Bernie, who assisted Colleen for a bottom corner finish. Unfortunately, Charlotte’s knee injury forced her off the field, reducing OC to 11 players without substitutes.
Manny’s near-goal, a close attempt with a reverse flick to the top left corner, was thwarted by Surbiton’s goalkeeper. Despite having the majority of possession, OC faced challenges in converting opportunities. Charlie and Charlotte showcased remarkable runs down the pitch.
Improved passing in the second half, notably through 1-2 plays along the right side, brought about a more connected gameplay. Charlotte’s return to the pitch provided a substitute, yet conserving energy became crucial, relying on strategic ball movement.
OC’s defence remained steadfast, effectively thwarting Surbiton’s breakthrough attempts. Despite several scoring chances, OC couldn’t capitalise, resulting in a lack of goals. Lizzie claimed the player of the match title, with Charlie as the runner-up. Manny’s assistance from the 3s was greatly appreciated.
By Jasmine Meers
Ladies 6s 0 – 9Cheam 3s
Traffic delays resulted in B & B starting with 10 men but we did not take advantage of the domination we had in the first 15 minutes as the stragglers from Kent appeared. A couple of decent saves from their keeper, a scratchy short corner routine and a number of slightly misplaced passes and edges prevented us from taking the lead that eventually came back to bite. From their first corner they nabbed the goal that gave them the lead at half time with a worked move fell kindly to Bob McGlashen who popped the ball home.
Our worst period followed at the start of the second half with our being under the cosh for the opening 10 minutes and eventually conceding another short corner goal giving B & B a 100% shortie conversion rate against our zero% from 6.
We created chances that went begging or found their dependable keeper in the way but eventually scored with a few minutes to go. Press as we did until the death was not enough to draw us level as the final whistle went to signal the end of 2023 Puritans league hockey.
Thank you to Tim Cook and CJ for umpiring with Cookie managing to go home with his wallet, phone and keys, a major improvent from last week’s eveing curry at The Red Rose.
M o m – none of us have capacity to remember the game well enough to be able to vote on this
Goal – Knapp
D o d – as with m o m.
Hamstrings 1 – 2 Sunbury & Walton Hawks Griffins O50s
Starting strongly, Hamstrings dominated the game, but incredibly came away with Nul Points. The result was in injustice, and an absolute Robbery by the oppo. But having said that, we were too profligate in and around their D; failing to take many meaningful shots, or to win many short corners. The effort is there, but too often we are failing to gel as a team.
Well on top for most of the first half, we finally slotted one when Steve popped up in their D, and finished sweetly with a strong hit into the corner. We somehow let Sunbury back into it in the second half, and they equalised through a scruffy short corner, which we allowed to sneak in. And to pile on the misery, we conceded another short in the last minute, which they hammered in. SIGH. A bad day at the office, and one to quickly forget.
Next week we go again, at Guildford, with renewed vigour and hope springing eternal.
MoM: Howie