Saturday 26^th November 2011

 

Ladies 1s

 

Home v Surbiton

Score: L 0-4

 

League Leaders Surbiton Show Why They’re At The Top

 

Maidstone
hosted league leaders Surbiton this week on the back of a string of encouraging
displays.

 

After
what was to be rare Maidstone attack from the start, it took just 4 minutes for
Surbiton to get on the scoreboard during some well-worked open play. The game
continued at a speedy pace, and just three minutes later Surbiton’s Chloe
Strong stepped up to clinically convert a penalty corner to take it to 2 – 0.

Although
the visitors dominated the game, Maidstone got themselves back in it and
refused to drop their heads. Half-chances were created but the home side were
unable to convert.

Back
at the defensive end of the pitch, Surbiton’s skilful players and supreme team
play earned themselves a number of penalty corners, with Strong converting her
ninth of the season shortly before the half time whistle to take the score to 3
– 0.

Maidstone
went into the second half determined to score but were unable to break through
the visitors’ tight defence. The home side also locked down the hatches,
however, with particularly good play from joint players of the match Annabelle
Rowe and Jenny Vincent, and despite the majority of the last quarter of the
game being played in Maidstone’s half, the visitors were unable to add to their
lead.

With
one minute left, a further penalty corner was conceded and again was finished
clinically with the final score being 4 – 0. Surbiton remain unbeaten in the
league and boast the best defensive record across all Investec Women’s Hockey
leagues.

The
league takes a break over Christmas now and Maidstone resume their campaign
away at 7^th place Harleston Magpies on 5February 2012
who are just 2 points above the Kent side.

 

Men’s
1s

 

Away v
Oxford Hawks

Score:  L
1-3   (Rich Turner)

 

League Leaders end Maidstone’s winning streak

 

League leaders Oxford Hawks ensured that Maidstone’s winning run of
three matches came to an end after they put in a very strong performance in
their Southern Premier 2 clash.

The as yet unbeaten Hawks started off very fast and moved the ball
around with the pace and accuracy of a National League team. Maidstone though
fully expected this and were content to work hard for the ball and allow Hawks
to make the mistakes. Maidstone did well to negate any real threat for the
first 10 minutes but a slightly fortunate short corner proved to be enough to
undo all of this hard work. The resulting drag flick was reached by keeper
Darren Marchant but he couldn’t get enough on it to stop it from going in. This
rather took the wind out of the Maidstone sails for a time but they carried on
battling hard and were soon almost back in the game when their own short corner
broke to Will Ostler in the D whose reverse stick shot came close to the goal.
As the half progressed Maidstone had several further counter attacks with Tim
Price causing problems to the Hawks defence but this remained their best
chance. Oxford Hawks however finally managed to break down the Maidstone
defence and had all but scored a second goal until their own player deflected
wide. Both teams went into half time with all to play for and only a single
goal separating the teams.

Just like the first half Oxford continued to attack with pace without
really threatening but again were able to score through a Maidstone error. A
blind cross into the Maidstone D from the Hawks right winger was met superbly
by Will Ostler who was providing defensive cover but he was unable to deflect
the ball wide, gifting Hawks their second. The game then opened up as Maidstone
sought to peg back Hawks and the gaps opened up at both ends. Maidstone enjoyed
much more attacking possession and at times looked threatening but their recent
form, including of 16 goals in 3 games, deserted them and the closest they came
was a strike from veteran forward Chris Brinn which was very well saved by the
Hawks keeper. Oxford also continued to push and were able to flick a third goal
from another short corner but despite this Maidstone kept working hard and with
the last play of the game were able to win and convert a short corner thanks to
Richard Turner who claimed his second in two games.

Maidstone performed well against a tough team but ultimately lost 3-1 as
the league leaders extended their unbeaten run.

Ladies 2s

Home v T Wells

Score:  2-2  (Ellen Vigar, Jenny Duggan))

Protected Point

Maidstone found themselves 1-0 down in the first 5 minutes when Wells
played an early ball through to their fast forward line.  Slightly
unsettled by the early goal Maidstone concentrated on playing possession hockey
and this paid off when Ellen Vigar levelled the scoring. Wells deflected in a
long range ball to put themselves ahead once more but Jenny Duggan levelled the
score before half-time.  Wells threatened on the break several times but
MOM GK Sarah Ward kept them at bay.  Maidstone were unlucky not to
capitalise on some good attacking play and defended well in the last ten
minutes to protect the point.  Not completely out of the race for
promotion, Maidstone will need to take 3 points in next week’s game at Marden
(2pm)

Men’s 3s

Away v Blackheath

Score:  L
2-8  ( Andy Moody, James Beacon)

Lack Lustre

A lack lustre team performance by Maidstone 3’s
left them returning from their trip to Blackheath on the wrong end of an 8-2
scoreline.  Maidstone were unable to make any impression on the first half
and found themselves out of position and second to the ball on most occasions.
Structural irregularities left Maidstone isolated at the back and
Blackheath were able to capitalise with 4 easily taken goals.  The second
half saw a more spirited performance from Maidstone, they managed to make some
inroads into the Blackheath D and win a series of short corners one of which
got Maidstone on the score sheet with a fierce Andy Moody strike.  Despite
this Blackheath were able to double their tally throughout the course of the
second half and put the game firmly out of Maidstone’s reach.  A late
individual goal by James Beacon after a quickly taken self pass caught the
defence napping did little to alleviate the pain of the defeat but did give
some consolation for the journey back to Maidstone.

 

Men’s 4s

Home v Anchorians

Score:  W
4-1  (Matt Emery, Jim Mendoza,
Rikesh Parmar, Mark Biddulph)

Excellent
Performance

Maidstone started well with good movement of the ball and found themselves mostly in theopposition half  but after a rare attack from the visitors gave away the first goal. Maidstone rallied back and soon equalised with a goal from Matt Emery to bring the half time score to 1-1. Into the second half and it was very much Maidstone on the attack, continually pressing the visitors defence which soon led to a goal from Jim Mendoza.Rikesh Parmar too converted with a well taken goal as Maidstone created lots of chances with well worked moves and good supporting play . With a few minutes to go Mark Biddolph received a short corner and converted into the net after his first shot rebounded off an Anchorian defender’s shin pad to bring the final score to 4-1 to the home team. An excellent  performance from all the team led to our first win of the season so far.Very encouraging was the well supported moves and the intelligent support play as well as the level of commitment from all the team.Three points well deserved by the home side.

 

Men’s 5s

Away v Marden

Score:  1-3  (Mick Emery)

Slow Start

A lack of available umpires cost Maidstone this
game.

For the second week running Maidstone started very
slowly, and didn’t really get into the game until they were a goal down.
However, after 10 minutes Maidstone started to control the game limiting Marden
to breakway attacks. Constant pressure on the Marden circle through great play
from Alex Harwood, Simon Emery, Jacob Taylor and James Goodbody won a series of
short corners, one of which was converted with a straight shot from Mick Emery.
Maidstone again came close with shots from Mick and Simon Emery and a great
chance from Luke Clarkson that was well saved. Half time meant an umpiring
change and the swap of personnel affected Maidstone’s structure. Marden started
to control the midfield more and a first time cross was well met by their
centre forward to beat Nick Cornford at the far post. Nick made several great
saves before a very lucky shot bounced off the post and under the keepers body
and was tapped in by a grateful forward, to give the host a 3 v 1 lead. Maidstone
continued to attack but failed to trouble the Marden keeper.

Men’s 6s

Away v  Old Williamsonians

Score:  D
2-2  (Dom Angear 2)

Even Stevens

 

Maidstone Mens took on 3^rd place O Williamsonians in the late
pushback on Saturday.  Both sides started strong, but OW got a quick break
to open the scoring, only to see John Turnbull win a flick minutes later,
pulled down by the keeper when clear on goal.  Dom Angear stepped up to
cooly convert the flick

Maidstone continued to outpass and outplay OW, and were rewarded with a
well worked second, finished with a drive and strike from Angear to make it 2-1

OW came out in the second half strong, and pushed hard, getting an
equaliser.  OW then pressed and harried, with Maidstone hitting on the
counter, but both sides failing to capitalise on chances.  An even fought
game ended honours even.  Next match is away at Cobdown on Saturday 10
December @12:30pm