MAIDSTONE
HOCKEY CLUB MATCH REPORTS
Saturday
3rd December 2011
Men’s
1s
Away
v Ashford
Score: L
3-4 (Mark Rimmer, James
Christmas, Iain Brine)
Last gasp winner sinks Maidstone
Maidstone lost out in a seven goal thriller to local rivals Ashford in
their Southern Premier 2 clash.
A large crowd gathered for this much anticipated clash between two of the best
sides in Kent. After an awkward 20 minute delay for the start of the game
Maidstone started slowly and the defence were quickly called into action to
stave off a couple of early Ashford attacks. After this initial stutter
Maidstone improved and though Ashford had the majority of the possession
Maidstone looked more threatening, several good chances and a short corner
going to waste. At times Ashford looked better than their mid-table league
placing would suggest and almost punished Maidstone for pushing too far
forward. A counter attack down their left carved the Maidstone defence open but
as the open goal loomed a diving Chris Brinn – who had belied his age to sprint
back the length of the pitch – managed to get his stick on the ball to save the
goal. Disappointingly Ashford were soon able to take the lead after a run of
three short corners led to the game’s first goal. With half time quickly approaching
Maidstone wasted no time in drawing level after a trademark Mark Rimmer
deflection from a well delivered Will Hutchins cross.
The second half started and Maidstone absolutely dominated the next 20 minutes
of hockey, controlling possession of the ball and moving Ashford around. The
away side suddenly looked to be desperately trying to hold on for the draw.
Even after Maidstone Captain Nick Leatherbarrow took a stick to the face,
requiring an immediate trip to hospital Maidstone looked in control. They had
several good chances to put the game away but were only able to score once in
this period, James Christmas finishing off a break away move tapping in from
two yards. As the game seemed to be heading Maidstone’s way a rare Ashford
attack somehow pierced the Maidstone defence and resulted in a penalty stroke.
Ashford dispatched this and were suddenly back in the game and Maidstone started
to look shaken. With the tempo of the game ever increasing it was now Ashford
who looked the most likely victors and were again able to take the lead.
Maidstone were now staring down the barrel and as they pushed to get another
equaliser were abruptly reduced to 10 men as a naïve Joe Martin received a
yellow card from the bench. With 5 minutes left Ashford should have been home
and dry but Maidstone retained their determination to score and a good
interception in the middle of the pitch gave them back possession. Jonathan
Cooper’s surging run from deep gave him enough space to take the ball into the
D and win a Maidstone short corner. Iain Brine duly dispatched this with a low
drag flick and the home support erupted into cheers. In all the euphoria Maidstone
switched off just 30 seconds too early and after failing to clear the ball
sufficiently Ashford were left the space to attack through the middle. Despite
a lucky deflection Maidstone failed to control their own D and Ashford were
able to put the ball in the net for a thrilling 4-3 victory.
Ladies 2s
Away v Marden
Score: W
2-0 (Ellen Vigar, Jenny Duggan)
Key Win in Local
Derby
Maidstone made the short trip to local rivals Marden in what was a must win
match for either side to maintain promotion ambitions this season.
Hungry for the win, Maidstone started hard and dominated the first phase, with
man of the match Ellen Viggar opening scoring in the first 15 minutes.
A snapped Achilles for one of the Marden team on the 18th minute halted play
for an extended period, raising question marks over whether the match would
complete due to light conditions.
After the restart, Maidstone maintained their high quality, with sublime
passing keeping possession for extended periods, and tight defending thwarting
any attacking opportunity from Marden
A goal from Jenny Duggan in the second half ended Marden chances, and sealed a
critical win to keep Maidstone in contact with the top of the table. Next
week sees Cliftonville visit Armstrong Road for the last match before the
winter break.
Men’s 4s
Away v Old
Bordenians
Score: L
0-7
Poor Performance
Maidstone were on the defensive from the start, and it wasn’t long before
they conceded the first goal. They
struggled to find their formation and despite several attacks and short corners
the half tome score was 0-4.
The second half was a little better from the visitors but O Bordenians managed
to put three more goals in despite some valiant efforts.
An unusually poor performance from Maidstone 4s, who I am sure will do much
better next week.
Men’s 5s
Home v Cliftonville
Score: W
2-1 (Pete Fryer, Simon Wood)
Team Efforts
Deserved
Maidstone 5ths got back to winning ways in
a tightly contested game with Cliftonville 4s. After a half hour delay to the
start, Maidstone again started slowly and for the third game in a row went 1
down in the early stages, but again this sparked the team into life.
Maidstone’s midfield of Graham Clarkson, Simon Wood, and Dan Fryer started to
dominate and despite almost 20 mins of constant pressure did everything but
score. Half time substitute Pete Fryer brought Maidstone level with a superbly directed short corner shot, and when Simon
Wood got the decisive touch on a Mick Emery shot, beating Cliftonville’s keeper
at the near post, it was only what the team efforts had deserved. Zach Stiff
had a very confident game at Left wing and despite his age and size made some
very strong and decisive tackles. Maidstone then had to fight a rear guard
action for the rest of the half, and great defending from Mark Gibbons, and
Daniel Bristow kept Maidstone’s lead intact despite the half lasting 41minutes.
Men’s Vets
Away v Marden
Score: W
7-0 ((Thompson, Davidson 2, Kirit
Parmar 2, Boyne, Andy Parkes)
Thoroughly
Professional Team
Maidstone
started in determined fashion and were ahead within 5 minutes when Thompson
pushed home at the third attempt.
Further goals from Boyne and Parmar in the first half reflected the
dominance they had. This was a thoroughly professional team performance and matters improved in the
second half allowing Marden little opportunity to fight back. A steady
procession of goals from Davidson (twice),and Parmar from open play, plus a
short corner from Parkes gave Maidstone a comprehensive and deserved victory.