It was a tough weekend for Holcombe’s top sides with the men losing and the ladies picking up a draw.
28/10/17 1pm
England Hockey Women’s National Premier League
Clifton Robinson’s HC 1-1 Holcombe HC
Scorers: Clifton Robinson’s HC: Zoe Leach
Holcombe HC: Ellie Watton
Coombe Dingle Sports Complex, Bristol
Holcombe ladies travelled to Somerset on Saturday afternoon to face a Clifton side with three wins from their opening five. Having lost at home to reigning Champions Surbiton last Saturday, Holcombe were keen to return to winning ways as they made their journey across the country.
Holcombe welcomed back Lucy Wood from her time in Australia and the Kent side settled into their rhythm early, moving the ball around well but struggling to make that final, penetrative pass.
In an evenly contested first half, chances came at a premium as neither side were able to break down their stubborn opposition defence.
With neither goalkeeper being put under considerable pressure, a measured and controlled opening period passed without either side seizing control of the fixture.
Some choice words from both coaches forced the initiative at the start of the second half as a greater sense of urgency encouraged a more attacking mentality from both teams.
Mid-way through the half, a well-worked move from Holcombe saw them break through the final Clifton line of defence with numbers to spare. Captain Steph Elliott looked to be clean through on goal, only for a collision with teammate Lucy Wood to deny her second goal of the season.
20 minutes in however and Holcombe finally had their breakthrough. A second-phase penalty corner fell to Holcombe forward Ellie Watton who’s strike across goal found its’ way into the bottom corner to register her 100th National League goal.
Having positioned themselves to claim a crucial three points, Holcombe continued to work the ball around well but found an increasing desperation from the hosts thwarting any opportunities to double the advantage.
As time entered the final 8 minutes, Clifton won themselves a penalty corner. With the ball slipped left at the top of the circle, Zoe Leach strode forward before slapping into the bottom corner to earn the Bristol side a share of the spoils.
Now slipping to seventh in a tight Premier League table, despite only losing just the one game, the Kent side were left frustrated with a point against a strong Clifton side that now occupy the final Playoff position, a point ahead.
Holcombe travel to Canterbury this Saturday for their first Kent derby of the season as part of a double header that begins at 4pm at Polo Farm.
Pictures supplied by Smifsports
29/10/17 2pm
England Hockey Men’s National Premier League
Wimbledon HC 4-3 Holcombe HC
Scorers: Wimbledon HC: Iain Lewers x2, Phil Roper, Ed Horler
Holcombe HC: Barry Middleton, Richard Lane, Nick Bandurak
King’s College School, Wimbledon
Following consecutive wins in the National Premier League, Holcombe travelled to Wimbledon on Sunday afternoon.
The West London club, Champions in two of the past three seasons, had endured a turbulent start to the campaign and were looking to register their first win of the season.
With a debut being awarded to Ekam Bachu, Holcombe fielded and otherwise unchanged group while the hosts were missing Great Britain internationals Alistair Brogdon and Ian Sloan with double Olympian Iain Lewers set for his first appearance against his former side.
From the first whistle, Holcombe started in the ascendency but with James Bailey yet to be called into action in the Wimbledon goal, a disastrous 12 minutes for the Kent side saw them concede three times.
A loose turnover in midfield allowed Wimbledon their first opportunity to press forward and a swift counter attack led to Great Britain Captain Phil Roper turning in Jonny Kinder’s cross at the back post.
Just minutes later, a stick tackle at the top of the Holcombe circle was deemed worthy of a penalty stroke. Iain Lewers stepped forward for the first time in the contest to double the advantage for the home side.
With Holcombe still reeling, a ball across the circle found Ed Horler who spun and guided the ball into the bottom corner, leaving the visitors with a mountain to climb in the remaining 58 minutes.
As the half wore on, Holcombe began to find their feet and the home side were indebted to some good penalty corner defence from Great Britain international Henry Weir to keep maintain their advantage.
At the end of the period however, Holcombe found the breakthrough. A well-worked overtime penalty corner fell to Barry Middleton at the back post to reduce the deficit as the two sides went into the interval.
Starting the second half with real intensity, Holcombe forced their opponents deep into their own territory, with James Bailey in the Wimbledon goal called into action early to maintain the home sides’ advantage.
Holcombe continued to push forward and were rewarded just six minutes in. Dan Webster stole the ball from Iain Lewers deep in the Wimbledon circle before finding Captain Richard Lane who made no mistake at the back post for his second of the season.
Now dominating proceedings, Holcombe were level just five minutes later. Nick Bandurak’s flick from a penalty corner brought the two sides level to set up an enthralling final 25 minutes.
The home side, in desperate need of points, began to wrestle back some momentum as play began to level out and with just over 10 minutes to go, won their first penalty corner of the afternoon.
A straight flick from Ed Horler struck the outstretched arm of Barry Middleton on the line. With the ball appearing to be heading off target and with George Pinner covering behind, a controversial second penalty stroke of the afternoon was awarded to the home side, leaving Holcombe incensed.
Lewers stepped up to convert his second stroke of the afternoon and there was still time for a sprawling save from James Bailey to secure the points as Wimbledon got their season off the mark with a first win at home.
This Saturday, it’s a double header in the second Kent Derby of the Men’s season as they travel to Canterbury at 6pm to follow Holcombe ladies, who play at 4pm.