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 5^ths 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.

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

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

Saturday 19th
November 2011

Men’s 1s

Home v Tulse Hill
& Dulwich

Score:  W
4-3  ( Tom Nissen, Richard Turner,
Joe Martin, Will Ostler)

Marchant
heroics ensures victory

Maidstone
1st XI knocked 3rd place Tulse Hill and Dulwich off their haughty perch in this
Southern Premier Division 2 encounter.

An
over confident Tulse Hill started quickly against Maidstone but though they
zipped the ball round at pace they were soon surprised to find the Maidstone
defensive unit difficult to penetrate. Maidstone were not overawed and launched
some of their trademark counter attacks and though they didn’t find the net
they ensured the away side knew that they were in for a real tussle. Mid way
through the first half the large partisan crowd were treated to two fantastic
saves from man of the match Darren Marchant as Tulse Hill and Dulwich at last
found a way through. The first saw them find an unmarked attacker in the D
which Marchant closed down with surprising speed to force the error. The second
was a dazzling low save to Marchant’s right as the away side looked set to
score. As the end to end action continued Maidstone followed this with another
dangerous attack, Tim Price’s probing run forcing the error and a penalty flick
which was dispatched by Tom Nissen. Tulse Hill and Dulwich hit back with a
scrambled goal before Will Hutchins found Rich Turner in the D who duly
restored Maidstone’s lead with a belting strike to the bottom left of the goal.
The home side went into the break 2-1 up and easily matching their opponents .

The
second half saw more attacking play from both sides but it was Maidstone who
continued to have the better of the game and the pressure they exerted on the
once confident away side soon told. Will Hutchins intercepted a Tulse Hill
sixteen yard hit and played in Joe Martin who was cool enough to slot the ball
home. This paved the way for a period of Maidstone dominance where they created
several good chances through Martin, Price and even veteran Chris Brinn.
Maidstone’s fourth goal finally came when Martin turned provider and smashed a
ball into the D for Will Ostler to superbly deflect home. At 4-1 and cruising
Maidstone suddenly threatened to implode and for a time it was Marchant in goal
who kept the three goal advantage with some outstanding saves. With the minutes
ticking by even he was unable to keep out goals from two short corners that a
now scrappy Maidstone defence had conceded. However thanks to a fantastic team
performance for the majority of the game and some heroics from Darren Marchant
Maidstone were able to close out the match 4-3, claiming their third win in a
row.

Maidstone next face Oxford Hawks, away on 26th
November.

Men’s 2s

Away v BBHC

Score:  W
8-1  (Ollie Mitchell 3, Adam
Barlow 2, Richard Chilcott 2, Tim Chapman)

Momentum Leads
to Goals

Maidstone Mens 2s travelled to Erith to take on league
strugglers BBHC 2s.  Maidstone had come
off the back of disappointing game against Canterbury, and the instructions
from training and the pre-game team talk were resonating in the ears of a team
striving to do better.  All talk of the
benefits of taking the M20 over the M2, and the trepidation of playing on the
new Erith School sand-caked astro, was left quickly behind at the start as
Maidstone quickly built up momentum in their play.  Possession was easy to come by and direct
passing enabled a series of ‘D’ penetrations which threatened the BBHC goal.

The deadlock was broken by Ollie Mitchell, who once again
proved his prowess in front of goal to add to his impressive season tally.  The joy was short-lived as BBHC returned with
a goal to level the scoreboard.
Maidstone stuck to the task at hand and continued to pile on the
pressure: Andy Smith providing a constant aeriel threat, and Tim Chapman
proving too fast on the ball for the BBHC defenders to contain.  Despite the ground conditions resembling the
decorative grass at greengrocers, Maidstone were efficient with good ball pace,
direct passing and purposeful touches.
Two more goals before half time put the visitors 3-1 up at the break,
and BBHCs hopes were dealt a blow with the loss of the centre-midfielder
playmaker.

The half-time talk rallied the Maidstone players into
improving further, and the resulting display was reflective of the work put in
on the training ground.  The occasional
break from the BBHC team was dealt with maturity by Matt Emery and the
experience of Mark Christmas, even with the loss of Nelly Dibben to a blood
injury after his head intervened with a BBHC player’s follow-through.  The penalty-corner resulting from Nelly’s
indiscretion was dealt with after Mike Smith made a string of saves.  Maidstone piled on the goals in the second
half finishing with a season’s best of 8-1 (a little short of Greg Laurenson’s
20-0 prediction).  Ollie Mitchell bagged
another hat-trick; Adam Barlow (2) took a nice deflection and a back-post
poach; Richard Chilcott also netted 2 including a disguised short-corner
strike, and Tim Chapman made up the numbers.

Despite the impressive scoreline, the ambition and drive of
the Maidstone Mens 2s to do better was evidenced by a post-match team talk
emphasising where improvement is needed.
Man of the match Matt Emery was awarded the water bottles to look after.

Men’s 3s

Home v BBHC

Score:  L 2-3  (Ollie Priestly, Ian Lowe)

Unjust Scoreline

Men’s 5s

Home v BBHC

Score:  L
3-5  ( Simon Wood 2, Mick Emery)

Physical Oppo

Maidstone
5ths failed to adapt to the early push back, with some players needing 15
minutes to adjust to two very different styles of hockey. BBHC using the long
ball found themselves 2 goals up before Maidstone settled into their usual
passing game, and a deft deflection from Simon Wood pulled a goal back just
before the break. A good attack on the left from Johnny Hill and James Goodbody
won Maidstone’s first short corner, which skipper Mick Emery converted. The
physical approach employed by BBHC made Maidstone’s youngsters fearful of
making the challenges they would normally go for, giving BBHC more space to
attack, which meant more work for Mark Gibbons in central defence. BBHC scored
their third after a deflected through ball bounced off the post and into the
path of their centre forward. With Maidstone pushing forward again, the long
ball game employed by BBHC proved fruitful as they scored a further 2 goals.
Maidstone who finished stronger scored again through Simon Wood, but this
proved to be just a consolation. Maidstone can take heart from the fact that
they played better hockey all game than BBHC, but they must learn to adapt to
the older more physical style of playing.

Sunday 20^th
November 2011  

Ladies 1^s

Away v
Ipswich

Score: L  0-1

High Intensity

Maidstone travelled to Ipswich this week with an opportunity
to climb up the Investec Hockey Women’s Conference East league table.

The visitors started well and the game saw action at both ends. Both
sides worked hard for possession and chances were created by both teams.

Although Maidstone were having the better of possession, it was the home
side who managed to breach the deadlock against the run of play two minutes
from half time with a wide cross-come-shot sneaking in at the near post to make
it 1 – 0.

Maidstone responded well and after the break came out strong with the
determination displayed in last week’s win. Ipswich pressed high and hard,
allowing the Kent side very little time on the ball. The remainder of the game
was played out at a high intensity but unfortunately Maidstone were unable to
grab the point they felt they deserved, thanks in part to the Ipswich
goalkeeper’s last minute save.

Player of the match went to Donna Shalders for some excellent work in
defence.

Maidstone host league leaders Surbiton at home at 12:30pm next Saturday,
looking to take some points into the winter break.