Men’s 1s 5 – 3 Southgate 2s
It was a big club day on Saturday and with fans down to watch there was plenty of buzz around as the M1s welcomed Southgate 2s to the fortress for their second league outing of the season. Having won their opening fixture at home, OC’s went into this match sitting top of the table, however, Southgate – themselves coming off a win – ensured it would be anything but straightforward.
The match began with OC’s under early pressure as Southgate settled quickly into the contest and pressing keenly. It took some confident goalkeeping from Josh Doble to keep the scores level in that first quarter — several telling saves kept OC’s in the game and gave the team the platform to regroup.
OC’s then found their feet in the second quarter and started to click. Two brilliantly worked moves were finished with coolness by James Cutter – neat combination play and clinical finishing that for a while looked to have put OC’s in control.
The game turned when a harsh 10-minute yellow was shown to David Mawhinney – a decision that raised eyebrows on the sideline – and the numerical disadvantage swung momentum Southgate’s way. While down to ten, OC’s conceded twice as the visitors pressed hard and looked for a third before half-time.
Back to eleven after the break, OC’s steadied themselves and began to claw back territory, though the contest remained finely balanced. A yellow for Southgate allowed OC’s to crank up the pressure and from a wonderfully worked short-corner routine allowed Ben Tibble to slap home the tidy finish nudging OC’s ahead.
That lead proved fleeting however, as a soft goal from Southgate made it 3–3 and the game was very much still alive. OC’s, however, kept their heads. Winning another corner soon after saw Ali Clift get on the scoresheet with a well-aimed flick into the bottom corner.
As time ran down Southgate gambled by taking off their keeper in search of a late equaliser. It proved their undoing: a perfectly judged aerial and some neat baseline work from Cutter set up Tom Roberts for the simplest of finishes into an empty net to make it 5-3. The whistle followed shortly afterwards.
Not a flawless performance, but a gutsy and important win at home that keeps OC’s top of the league. Thanks to everyone who turned out at home to cheer the lads on – next up: Spencer away.
Goalscorers: James Cutter (2), Ben Tibble, Ali Clift, Tom Roberts
Final score: Old Cranleighan’s M1s 5–3 Southgate 2s
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Women’s 1s 5 – 1 Hampstead & Westminster 4s
Venue: OCHC
OC’s bounced back in style this weekend with a dominant 5–1 win over Hampstead &
Westminster, putting last week’s disappointment firmly behind them.
Controlling close to 90% of the play, OC’s dictated the tempo from the outset, pressing high and winning a series of short corners through sustained pressure. Despite a strong performance from the Hampstead & Westminster keeper, who made several crucial saves, OC’s attacking persistence eventually paid off.
Harriet got the scoreboard moving with a well-taken goal from a short corner and doubled her tally shortly after with another clinical finish from a set piece. Lolly added a third with a skilful field goal, capping off a fluid team move that broke through Hampstead & Westminster’s defensive line.
Hampstead & Westminster capitalised on a rare counter just before the break, slotting home to make it 3–1 at half time.
Half Time: OCHC 3 – 1 Hampstead & Westminster
In the second half, OCs tightened their grip on the match. Despite struggling to convert some of the rebound opportunities, they kept creating chances. Easy extended the lead with a deft deflection from a left slip play – a well-timed finish that left the keeper with no chance.
The final blow came 10 minutes from time when Emma slotted home the fifth, rounding off a dominant team performance.
It was a comprehensive win built on discipline, teamwork, and control, with plenty of
positives to carry into next week.
Goals:
Harriet Naismith (2) – Short corners
Lauren Burgess (1) – Field goal
Gabs McErlain (1) – Deflection from left slip
Emma Davis (1) – Field goal
Player of the Match Sylvia Adams
DOD Gabs McErlain
Written by Danni Judge
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Women’s 5s 1 – 3 Surbiton Pumas
Venue: Oaken Lane
Our second match of the season kicked off on a sunny Saturday, with OC’s making full use of the new warm-up area at the newly relaid Oaken Lane pitch.
We started strong, showing some excellent passing and pressing well into Surbiton’s half. Despite a few fast breaks from Surbiton through our midfield, our defence stayed solid—clearing the danger and setting up some great attacking opportunities.
OC’s pressure paid off with Jenny Ripley calmly slotting home the first goal of the game.
Both teams continued to push forward, creating chances at both ends. Surbiton capitalised on one of theirs, levelling the score to 1-1 before half-time.
With only one sub on what turned into a very warm afternoon, OC’s were definitely grateful for the break! Surbiton, with the benefit of four subs, kept fresh legs on the pitch and remained dynamic in attack. A bout of cramp left us down to 11 players, and Surbiton took advantage—scoring twice more in the second half.
The final score didn’t reflect the quality of play or the number of chances we created in the attacking D. For a team still gelling and finding our rhythm, we played with great energy, teamwork, and determination.
Surbiton were a friendly side, and despite the result, it was a really enjoyable game—exactly what hockey should be about!
MoM Lucy Close for her steadiness in defence
Written by Roz Clark
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Men’s Hamstrings 4 – 0 Old Kingstonians
Venue: OCHC
With the sun gleaming off the queue of spectator cars still waiting to get into the already full car park, the Hamstrings took to the pitch for their first league match against OK’s. Anticipation was high with social media having been on fire all week in the build up.
Key to dominance was the world renowned Jamie Fonda warm up and the team limbered up in unison. Some sage words during the pre game talk (‘hockey hasn’t changed’, ‘let the ball do the work’, ‘simple passes’) and we were ready for the push forward…. sorry, push back… no wait…
With the first ten minutes of jousting between the teams, Hammies had the lions share of the territory, but still warming up mentally meant that some of the decision making and passing wasn’t quite on point. However, once we settled into the game, we started to move the ball well and enact some of the pre game talk messaging. Despite a couple of runs against play and OK’s venturing into our 23, our hard work was rewarded when Ado slotted the first goal, coming from a prolonged period of attack and a resulting volley into the net.
13m20s 1-0
Desperate for a two goal buffer, Hammies persisted with some great one two’s and baseline attacks, giving the OKs keeper plenty to think about. The second goal was another just reward, with Baz refusing to lose a game of tennis with the keeper, finding the net after a couple of rebounds off the pads.
18m57s 2-0
As is often the case, a 2-0 lead led to a slight over confidence in the last period of the first half. Combined with the deafening roar from the crowd, this led to a lapse in communication and some slower passing, giving OKs more ball than they deserved. Despite this, the last 15 of the first half played out without us conceding.
35m00s 2-0
The second half started with the reset we needed, and some great work from the back line pushing up and encouraging the press meant we spent plenty of time in the oppo 23. Eight minutes after the restart, the strategy paid off with a glorious ball being fired in by Si D and helped by a ‘deliberate’ dummy by Grant to set Baz up to dink it past the keeper. Loud chants of ‘it all came from the back!’ from the spectating crowds…
43m15s 3-0
Credit to OKs who kept us working hard defensively for periods during the next 20 minutes, despite them having an empty subs bench. With both territory and possession being exchanged, a small delay to proceedings ensued during this period, where, with the absence of any cranial padding, Si D went very literally head to head with his opposing player. Thankfully no major damage done, other than Si taking a mandatory 2 minute rest for the tackle.
The final goal came from yet more dogged determination from the forward line and in particular, man of the match Baz, who battled fiercely for the ball amongst a melee of sticks in the D, with it popping out to the right and allowing Grant to guide it through a gap between the keeper and the post. The ensuing Mexican wave rippled repeatedly across the stands….
61m20s 4-0
With the remaining 8 minutes presenting some chances at both ends of the pitch, both teams worked hard defensively, with one particular moment of excitement for OCs goalkeeper Si being provided the opportunity to earn his golden glove. A long ball from the oppo up to the OCs defence resulted in some deliberation by Si D after taking possession of the ball, with a subsequent tackle by the OKs forward and a shot on goal, but unable to capitalise.
Full time 4-0
A solid start to the league season by the Hamstrings and a well deserved win, but recognising we will have some strong oppo to contend with in the coming weeks and a need to stay focused.
As always, a sincere and huge thanks to our umpires, Malcolm and Wade.
On to next week for another hugely anticipated game away against Indian Gym, get there early to avoid the queues……
MoM: Barry Jones
DoD (deliberator of the day): Si Duncan
Golden Glove: Si Cooney
Goal scorers: Barry Jones (2), Adrian White & Grant Dormer
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Women’s 7s 1 – 1 OCHC Women’s 7s
Venue: OCHC (7s away team)
It was a very close game, and both teams performed brilliantly. There was some fantastic defending that really put pressure on the opposition, and the skills and passing were incredible—everyone knew exactly where to be. Annie’s goal was fantastic, and the whole team worked their absolute hardest. The team spirit was amazing, and considering we played without a goalie, it feels like we practically won! Well done, everyone, and thank you so much for letting me write this week’s report.
Written by Erin M
POM Erin M
Goal Scorer: Annie Lee
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Puricrans 5 – 0 Chelmsford
Venue: Chelmsford HC
After a week trying to find a goalkeeper due to an injury to Simon we ended up with 11 outfield players and no keeper ending up with a 5 – 0 win although some of us feel that we won 6 – 0.
The defence, supremely marshalled by Millsy, kept Chelmsford down to one shot from a short corner that, inevitably, Milly turned around the post.
3 goals in the first half killed the game and put us on the way to our first points of the season having come second to Spencer last week.
An excellent team performance with sterner tests ahead.
Player of the match – Stephen Mills
Goals – Knappy 2, Macleod, John Marnitz and Rob Leach.
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Match Report: Chaos, Courage & The Viking Between the Sticks
L3s v Ashford L1s
Final Score: 4–1 (to Ashford, sadly)
MoM: Laura Hutton (for obvious reasons)
After last week’s match was postponed due to the opposition’s inability to field 11 players, this weekend marked our official debut in the new league following last season’s promotion. Spirits were high. Confidence was bubbling. WhatsApp was buzzing. And then…2 players (1 being the GK) messaged early doors to say they were ill, triggering panicked phone calls, emergency group chats, numerous voice notes and a proposal to play 11 outfield players.
We arrived at Ashford with a heroic squad of 12, and — crucially — no goalkeeper. Enter: Laura “Viking” Hutton, who bravely volunteered to don the pads for her debut between the posts. Her pre-match training consisted of Hels sharing all her wisdom gleaned from watching two of the men in her life play in goal. (Including: “stand there and look scary.”)
And scary she was! Laura came out strong, making some cracking saves and charging down 1-on-1s like a Norse warrior defending her village. The team held their own, battling valiantly and keeping Ashford at bay for much of the first half. Unfortunately, they managed to sneak one in before the break with some slick passing and link-up play. But we weren’t done yet.
Shortly after half-time, we earned a penalty corner. Time to unleash the German (or at least a version of it that vaguely resembled something tactical). Georgie Newbold stepped up and coolly slotted it home – 1–1. Game on.
But alas, the lack of subs began to show. Legs got tired. Whilst oxygen levels dropped. spirits remained high (at times too high – the natural reflex to yell “Georgie, zip it” were correct, but interestingly not Sangster on this occasion). Ashford took advantage and knocked in three more goals before the final whistle.
Despite the result, it was a cracking effort from everyone, particularly our defence (Hels, Ele, Holly and Lucy). Laura deserves a medal (or at least a strong drink), and the team showed real grit. Onwards and upwards to next week’s home fixture — hopefully with a full squad, an experienced keeper, and fewer emergency WhatsApps.
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