It was a mixed weekend for Holcombe’s two main sides with one victorious and one tasting defeat.
01/10/16 2pm
Investec Women’s National Premier League
Leicester HC 0-2 Holcombe HC
Scorers: Holcombe; Sarah Jones, Steph Elliott.
Leicester Grammar School, Leicester
After a strong away performance at Reading last weekend, Holcombe Ladies, sitting 2nd in the Premier League table, headed north to Leicester who had picked up 1 point from their opening two fixtures.
A predominantly unchanged Holcombe side saw Captain Steph Elliott return for teenager Rebecca Titmuss along with two Goalkeepers in their designated squad of 16 for the third game running.
Facing perennially tough opposition in testing weather conditions, Holcombe started the game on the back foot. An errant early pass gave opportunities to the home side as they forced a series of short corners in the opening minutes.
With the Holcombe defence holding strong, the Leicester pressure began to fade as a tough first half produced minimal opportunities at either end. Some good hockey from both sides was disrupted by strong and resolute defending with Aurora Mears, returning ahead of Grace Lawes in the Holcombe goal producing a stunning triple save mid-way through the half to keep the scores level after a lively counter attack from the hosts.
As the rain continued to fall, Holcombe began the second half brighter and some aggressive small unit play allowed them to attack well down the right. 17-year-old Emily Beeney continued to impress with her probing runs whilst the return of Captain Steph Elliott and Emily Maguire to the midfield added some valuable solidity and experience.
In a far more open second half, Holcombe were first to capitalise.
A darting run forward by Wales International Sarah Jones saw her eliminate 3 defenders before a well-executed dummy saw her path open up to slot the ball past the on rushing Caitlin Jeffries.
As the half wore on, Leicester continued to threaten on the counter attack before a late short corner was rebounded out to Captain Elliott who secured the 3 points from close range on her return to the side.
Speaking after the game, former captain Leigh Maasdorp said; “It’s never easy coming to Leicester and our track record proves this. It was great for us to get the win today in what proved to be very difficult and wet conditions. Overall a really good display of patience and team work!”
Next week, Holcombe face newly promoted Slough on Saturday night with a 6pm game at Holcombe Park.
Picture supplied by Andy Smith.
01/10/16 6pm
NOW: Pensions Men’s National Premier League
Holcombe HC 1-2 Wimbledon HC
Scorers; Holcombe: Gareth Andrew.
Wimbledon: Ben Arnold x2.
Holcombe Park, Rochester
Saturday evening at Holcombe Park saw the home side play host to two-time reigning champions Wimbledon HC as 2nd faced 1st in the NOW: Pensions Men’s National Premier League.
With both sides securing maximum points from their first two games, two of the league’s three 100% records were laid on the line in a frenetic game in front of a packed crowd.
In a rematch of last season’s playoff semi-final in which Wimbledon triumphed 3-2, Holcombe played the same 15 that secured victory away at Reading last weekend with Tom O’Keefe missing out on Saturday evening.
The visiting side were the first to settle into the early exchanges.
Some high ball pace and good movement off the ball helped Wimbledon to dictate possession but chances were kept to a minimum. With Holcombe struggling to settle into their usual rhythm, Wimbledon capitalised mid-way through the first half with 2 goals in 4 minutes from Ben Arnold.
With the ball down by the corner flag, the lively Phil Roper managed to work room for a cross before Arnold was able to convert from 3 yards passed George Pinner in the Holcombe goal at the second time of asking.
With the home side still reeling, Wimbledon managed to find room on the Holcombe baseline 4 minutes later. After Ben Tibble worked the ball through at the near post, Arnold was on hand again to pounce on the loose ball and double the champions’ advantage.
Being 2 goals down at the break, Holcombe started the second half with a sense of urgency. A far more open second period allowed the home side to assert themselves as Wimbledon looked threatening on the break. Jonty Robinson and Barry Middleton helped to dominate the midfield as Holcombe began to dominate possession and territory.
Some indecisiveness in the final third thwarted a number of prospective opportunities but Holcombe got their reward late in the game as Gareth Andrew converted from close range for his second of the season.
A late barrage of Holcombe pressure including 3 overtime short corners wasn’t enough to breach the visiting defence for a second time as the final whistle brought wild celebrations from the Wimbledon defence and travelling supporters.
Holcombe Manager Keith Martin stated after the game; “It was a really close game by two very good sides with Wimbledon just edging it on the day. From our perspective, we’re very disappointed with failing to convert any of our 8 penalty corners.”
Next week, Holcombe travel to Banbridge HC, Northern Ireland, for the group stages of the European Hockey League; Hockey’s equivalent of football’s UEFA Champions League. Having secured their status through winning the regular season title last year, Holcombe have been drawn against Polish side KS AZA AWF Poznan and reigning European Champions SV Kampong of Holland.
Holcombe play AWF Poznan on Friday 7th October at 18.30 GMT before facing the reigning champions Kampong on Saturday 8th October at 17.00 GMT.
All games can be watched live on the EHL website at; www.ehlhockey.tv
@BandurakWriting www.nickbandurakblog.wordpress.com
Pictures supplied by Steve Grout.
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