Catch up with all the latest match reports from Madistone Hockey Club.
MAIDSTONE HOCKEY CLUB REPORTS
Saturday 24th September 2011
Ladies’ 1s
Away v Surbiton
Score: L 4 -1 (Rachel Thompson)
Maidstone Unable to Hold On
The ladies travelled to Surbiton for their first away game of the season looking to add to the point they picked up at home last week.
Surbiton put one on the board after just 3 minutes thanks to a powerful reverse stick strike which keeper Jenny Vincent was just unable to keep out. Maidstone were then able to settle after this early setback and grew into the game. Cara Brogan- Jones won a penalty corner with some fine skill just before the 15 minute mark which Rachel Thompson coolly converted, levelling the game to 1-1.
Maidstone worked hard in all areas of the pitch, absorbing Surbiton’s possession and ensuring any shots were taken from unfavourable angles, all of which either missed the target or Vincent kept out.
The second half was much the same, with Maidstone absorbing all pressure that came their way. A number of penalty corners were conceded, however, one of which Surbiton converted on the 55th minute mark to take the score to 2-1. Soon after, a scuffed initial shot in the 58th minute then fell kindly to a Surbiton striker, who made no mistake to make the score 3-1, despite calls from the Maidstone defence that the initial shot was dangerous. This dampened Maidstone spirits as the girls thought they’d been extremely unlucky and Surbiton scored a final goal from a further penalty corner just two minutes from time.
Maidstone came off the pitch disappointed at the final score line having held the game at 1-1 for such a long period of the game. This was the team’s first defeat since the same team knocked them out of the National Cup last November. Using this as part of the National League learning process, however, they will not be deterred for the 2:00pm pushback home game against Harleston Magpies next week, who currently sit just one place above them on the league table.
Ladies’ 2s
Home v Old Bordenians 1s
Score: W 3-2 (Serena Manners, Jenny Duggan, Carly Brinn)
Great Win
Maidstone bounced back from last week’s defeat at Cliftonville with a dominating performance and were unlucky not to have won by a wider margin. MoM Serena Manners put Maidstone ahead with a deftly lifted finish when one-on-one with the Bords keeper. Finding themselves 1-2 down Maidstone upped their work rate and levelled after a Jenny Duggan shot found its way into net follwing a series of deflections. Continued pressure and great passing hockey finally paid off in Carly Brinn’s winning goal.
Men’s 1s
Away v Tunbridge Wells (friendly)
Score: W 5-1 (Tim Chapman [2], Jeremy Swaffer, Chris Brinn, Ricardo Escribano)
Saturday 24th September saw Maidstone 1st XI take on a very strong Tunbridge Wells side in their final friendly fixture prior to the Southern Premier 2 league kicking off.
Maidstone, started slowly and allowed Tunbridge Wells to enjoy some early possession in the Maidstone half. However, confident in their new structure and style of play Maidstone were content to withstand the pressure and attack on the break. Despite their territorial advantage Tunbridge Wells failed to penetrate the Maidstone D and their frustration showed. This was compounded after 20 minutes when Maidstone executed a fast counter attack, Tim Chapman finishing the move from a Joe Martin pass. Maidstone started to enjoy more of the game and suddenly looked much more threatening. Though they enjoyed more attacking possession and won a couple of short corners it was another swift full pitch counter attack that created the second goal. This time Jeremy Swaffer tapping in from another Martin cross. Tunbridge Wells ended the half with their best spell of the game but were denied a goal by some stout defending and a superb goal line clearance from Phil Morrison. Maidstone went into the half time break 2-0 up.
The second half was always going to be a lot more open as the midday heat started to take its toll on the players. As both teams continued to work hard several chances went begging at either end, Maidstone for once lacking the final ball and Tunbridge Wells unlucky to be denied from several short corners by in-form keeper Darren Marchant. It was Tunbridge Wells though who finally broke the second half deadlock as their right winger exhibited some fine skill to cut into the Maidstone D and set up his team mate who made it 2-1. The game suddenly looked anything but finished as Tunbridge Wells pressed for the equaliser. However it was Maidstone who showed more maturity and composure to keep their structure and temperament and were able to take advantage. James Christmas nicked the ball in the middle of the pitch and somehow squeezed a ball through to Tim Chapman in the D who cooly rounded the keeper and held his nerve to slot home. Sensing victory Maidstone kept up the pressure enjoying more and more ball though the middle of the pitch. Good work from Ricard Escribano, who had tormented the Tunbridge Wells defence all game, resulted in a well directed ball into the D from Will Hutchins which was smartly finished by Chris Brinn for his first open play goal in 3 years. Tunbridge Wells tried to claw a goal back but were denied by more fine saves from Marchant and another goal line clearance from Skipper Nicholas Leatherbarrow. Maidstone were able to kill the game off as Escribano signed off in style with a thundering reverse stick strike coming from a perfectly executed Iain Brine aerial ball. Maidstone go into their first league match on 1st October, 13:45 at Armstrong Road on a real high and full of confidence.
Men’s 3s
Home v Sevenoaks 5s (friendly)
Score: L 1-5 (Oliver Priestly)
After a very disappointing first half performance where Maidstone saw Sevenoaks take a 5-0 lead. Maidstone restructured their formation and started to improve as a team during the second half, scoring a well deserved goal through Oliver Priestley following good work by Ian Lowe, with support from man of the match Tim Chambers who battled his way through the game until the last 10 minutes where he managed to dislocate his shoulder.
Men’s 4s
Home v Sevenoaks 7s (friendly)
Score: L 1-2 (Robert Clarkson)
No Cards!
Maidstone started with a full complement of players as this week. Andy Turner managed to find the venue with no problems! A larger than usual squad was well utilised on a warm day, with end to end play in the first half producing chances for both sides. Sevenoaks were lucky to end the first half level.
Within ten minutes of the restart Rob Clarkson scored for the home side to make it 1-0. Tim Pearson (playing his testimonial game for Maidstone before moving to the Midlands) had his usual solid game in the midfield as did Matt Brook and Steve Slade (in goal) who both had strong performances. As this was a pre season friendly, Maidstone rotated the larger than usual squad to give all their players time on the pitch and this disrupted the formation allowing Sevenoaks to score twice later on. MoM Tim Pearson. Despite the scoreline there were lots of positives for Maidstone to take forward into the new league season starting next week .
Men’s 5s
Away v Marden (friendly)
Score: L 0-1
In an even contest Maidstone were very unlucky to lose this local derby. A man of the match performance by Jamie Graham, making his senior side debut, kept the hosts at bay for a scoreless first half. Marden took the lead halfway through the second half with a fortunate goal that deflected into the top corner, and despite a valiant effort that saw David Thompson hit the post Maidstone failed to get the equaliser.
Men’s 6s
Home v Burnt Ash 6s
Score: W 4-1 (Jim Mendoza [3], Davidson)
An excellent start to the league season for an experienced Maidstone 6th X1. Maidstone set about their task against a strong well reinforced Burnt Ash team, with supreme confidence. The defence looked very solid with experienced Martin snuffing out any early threats and super vet Jones proving impossible to beat with his cunning and determination. Ian Linstead made his debut for the club and cemented his place in the side with a very cultured performance. Maidstone were very strong going forward with Davidson creating early chances for experienced striker Swaffer who regretably left the arena with a head injury. The game was fairly even but with confident keeping by Smith senior a hat trick from Mendoza and a stunning individual goal from Davidson the opposition were demoralised. Burnt Ash rallied briefly and scored a fine individual goal from the smallest and youngest player on the pitch, but it was all a bit too late. With several key players missing this was a very promising start to what will hopefully be a successful season.