Latest Match Reports

 
 
Men's 5th XI (Academy) Won 6-1 against Haslemere 3rd XI
Saturday, 06 March 2010
Winchester started well in this match against a 10 man Haslemere team taking the lead after 5 minutes when Potter and Bowry combined well at the top of the D before the latter fired home into an empty net and the game looked to be well within the home sides control when another well worked move finished with Carter scoring to make it 2-0 after only 15 minutes of play. However from this moment on the home side struggled to find the ball pace and sharpness of movement off the ball that they needed in order if they were going to beat a very determined Haslemere team. The rest of the first half was played at an incredibly slow pace and the away team looked as though they might sneak a goal from a counter attack and that was precisely what happened shortly before half time to make the score 2-1. Despite having a one man advantage Winchester were not able to capitalise mainly due to the continued slow ball pace and the inability to play a simple ball rather than attempting to take on 2 or 3 defenders. Whilst Cole was never really troubled in the Winchester goal he had to be on his toes on a couple of occasions but the back 4 of Ellis, Falkingham, Bennett and Matthews rarely caused the need for concern. Winchester slowly began to pick up the play and Bailey looked dangerous in attack supporting the midfield runs of Swain and Goldsmith and eventually another goal was scored when Carter scored his second of the game. This seemed to lift the Academy side and they reverted to the type of hockey that they are more than capable of playing; the ball pace was lifted, the speed of thought was quicker and the simple passes that were missing earlier in the game returned. This put the Haslemere defence under a lot of pressure and it was only a matter of time before Winchester were able to increase their lead when Bailey scored from close range following a simple pass and move passage of play involving 4 or 5 Winchester players. Having had an extended rest Goldsmith returned to the fray with a point to prove and he did just that when he slammed home a shot from 15 yards into the bottom corner of the goal following another well worked passing move to give the home side their fifth goal. This pattern continued for some time and was rounded off when Bailey scored his second, and Winchesters 6th goal with a few minutes remaining. This was an important 3 points for the Winchester side and pushes them into 3rd position in the league with 4 games left to be played.
 
 
Men's 6th XI (Wombats) Lost 2-1 against Basingstoke 4th XI
Saturday, 06 March 2010
Winchester started the game with optimism being slightly strengthen by Adi in the forward line knowing that victory would enable them to be safe from the spectre of relegation. But it very soon became apparent that Basingstoke comprised a well disciplined team of youngsters and older heads. The game swiftly developed into a tactical engagement with neither side giving much quarter. It was clear that the odd goal or mistake was going to decide the encounter. No doubt having taken lessons from the current Hockey World Cup the control on the ball and awareness and distribution were of a level not seen previously this season by Winchester. Albeit Basingstoke lack a cutting edge with the Winchester defence being ably marshalled by Bis, handling the odd Basingstoke thrust. The Basingstoke keeper and sweeper were no doubt resting from regular play in a much higher league and they were a tower of strength to their young side. Any sniff of a chance immediately evaporated due to the large physical presence and experience of the Basingstoke keeper. Winchester largely controlled the first half but despite the endeavours of a hard working central midfield of Bronk and Fox, a number of chances that came Winchester’s way, and there were several, could not be put away. From Basingstoke’s first and only sort corner of the half, their sweeper scored with a super drag flick if the top left corner. It was a goal of the highest quality which would have made any international player happy, let alone a player who supposedly plays at this level. Despite this set back, the quality of the play remained high although an enforced substitution occurred when the dominant Fox had to leave the field due having been hit on the head. Millfield came into the midfield and strived hard with the ball but was well shackled and could not break free of a Basingstoke side who despite some of their ages shadowed and timed their tackles very well. The second half started very well for Winchester who scored within minutes of the restart when Bronk who after a driving run into the heart of the Basingstoke defence, passed the ball to Adi who took the ball wide of the Basingstoke keeper and then squared the ball for Millfield to slam home inches away from the goalline. All square and the game was there for the taking. Even so, it was still clear that the odd goal would decide it. Winchester continued and tried to take better control and care of the ball than they had in the first half. But even though Adi and Bailey tried hard and the opportunities were there, they went as quickly as they came. It was a story of the weight going to wrong way, the stick being at the wrong angle or a last minute deflection. All causing Winchester not scoring even when inches for the goal and this included hitting the post on at least two occasions. The pye chart of possession would have seen Winchester shade the game but it was just one of those games when the ball would not go into the goal. On another occasion day, Winchester would scored a hatful. As it was Basingstoke scored from one of their occasional forays when the Winchester defence was more static than one would like to see, failed to deal with an attack and Basingstoke had the luxury of three unchallenged shots with Toby who having saved the first two, was left with no chance from the third. The game fizzled away from Winchester like the time with Basingstoke continuing to blunt Winchesters efforts. The result, a loss with the sense of frustration with an opportunity for a rare victory having slipped through Winchesters fingers. Having said that it is only when Winchester reflect on the game that they will come to appreciate the quality of some of their play. Two more league games to be played and the need for at least three point to be safe. Nervous times ahead but if Winchester continue to play in the style and manner of today’s game, victory will surely come their way. A full time analysis by the team reflecting on the last few league games made it clear that Winchester have not overcome the loss of Chris Loughridge just after the Xmas break, who when pared with Bronk and supported by Casper and Carlos, made a formidable midfield which ranked alongside the best in the league and would undoubtedly have seen Winchester enjoy more victories. And not be in their current parlous position. Winchester will need to be confident and courageous for the remaining two league games and eradicate simple errors to ensure the safety of a lower midtable league position.
 
 
Men's 7th XI (Whippets) Won 5-0 against Poole Dolphins
Saturday, 06 March 2010
The Whippets travelled to a chilly Poole hoping to carry their good form in recent weeks into a victory on the road. On a tricky sandy pitch the Whippets started with good creative play spreading the ball across the pitch with great purpose. Chris Wiseman, Laurence Cooper and Will Goodson set a solid back line quite high up the pitch to help put constant pressure on the hosts. Good width from Simon Hunt and Cameron Gaffney gave Yassir Mahmood plenty of space to direct the front men into quality attacking positions. Strong pressure around the hosts D eventually allowed Derek Taylor to open up the score after about quarter of hour. Whippets continued their dominant play with Rich Gaunt holding the centre field well and it was no surprise when Tom Elliot forced in a good second goal after one of many flowing moves. Poole did not give up and some direct running occasionally put the Whippets under pressure. This was invariably interrupted by Richard Monk with quality cover from keeper Niall Sarkar when really necessary. Whippets continued their assured performance in the second half with quality interpassing only marred by the slow pace of the pitch. Felix Gaunt always in a good position twisted and turned the home defence at will and this eventually lead to a shot corner opportunity. The move broke down but broke to Gaffney who slotted a worthy goal for his relentless running. Whippets inspired by the goal increased their ball pace to cause all sorts of problems to the Poole defence. Alert play by man of the match Tom Elliott saw him intercept a home free hit and he then ran on to fire in a well paced 4th goal. The Whippet midfield was now really in control making their defence increasingly untroubled, which for once meant Sarkar had a cold and lonely time in the Winchester goal. Felix Gaunt after good interplay with Mahmood, Elliot and Hunt at last got his due reward scoring a good last goal to round off an accomplished team performance. Winchester Whippets (7th) 5 v Poole Dolphins 0.