Latest Match Reports

 
 
Men's 4th XI (Academy) Won 5-2 against Haslemere 3rd XI
Saturday, 16th March 2013
Winchester 4s hosted Haslemere at Kings school giving them a welcome chance to play on the latest tiger turf pitch. Winchester needed a good performance to keep them above the relegation zone and fielded a full squad of 16. Winchester’s started very well and had three short corners awarded within the first 5 minutes but couldn’t convert. Winchester were playing some excellent pass and move hockey and the running off the ball was mature for a young side. Winchester got their reward for the good start when Hugo Rikaby Pratt received the ball on the edge of the D and moved to his left to release a pass to the right to Ian Bowry who slotted home across the keeper. Winchester’s defence of Dean Hough, Cam Gaffney and also Will Bryan consistently dealt with any danger from Haslemere but then against the run of play Haslemere broke and a failure to stay tight to the opposition resulted in a pass across the D and a first time slap scored in the bottom left hand corner giving goal keeper Rory McCallum no chance. The scores stayed 1 all until half time. At half time the team were told to just keep playing the style of hockey from the first half. Jem Evans laid out the “W” formation for pressing the ball and free hits and the boys were told to maintain 100% focus for the next 35 minutes. Winchester were quick out of the blocks again and with 5 minutes gone a Haslemere defender stopped a goal bound ball with his foot and a penalty was awarded. Josh Keaveney took on the responsibility and sent the goal keeper to the right and flicked the ball low into the left side of the goal to make it 2-1. 5 minutes later Keaveney was involved again when just outside the D, he feinted to pass the ball right, pulled the ball under him and reverse stick passed the ball into Jack Francis in the D. Francis’ first effort was saved but he made no mistake with the second to make it 3-1. Winchester were now cruising and Jem Evans and Matt Winter created a solid foundation to allow the young side to express themselves. Some scintillating play followed with James Forrest displaying how mature and unselfish his running off the ball has become over the course of the season. Alex Sampford was consistently dangerous putting Haslemere on the back foot and one of his passes released Hugo Rickaby Pratt near the baseline on the left side of the goal. Rikaby Pratt pushed the ball hard towards the near post and Ian Bowry deftly deflected the ball past the keeper’s outstretched foot. Then Jack Francis turned provider for Ian Bowry to score his hatrick. With 10 minutes to go the adults in midfield were rested and although a goal was conceded the team continued to play very good hockey and won the game 5-2
 
 
Men's 7th XI (Whippets) Lost 4-2 against Alton 2nd XI
Saturday, 16th March 2013
On their last away game of the season, Whippets fielded 10 juniors including debutant James Wright. Alton with a much more adult structure, laced with some lively juniors attacked right from the start and Whippets not only conceded a short corner but also a goal in the process, as a well struck shot deflected wildly off Will Nash’s stick passed an aghast keeper, Rowan Checketts. Whippets undeterred attacked in return and it was not long before a good interchange by Dan Horton and Toby Lelliott resulted in a well struck equaliser by the latter. Good attacking play by both sides ensued with Richard Humphrys holding the centre ground well. Mattie Price and Elliott Haydon worked hard on the defensive flanks as Alton worked them tirelessly. Just before half time a hard driven cross was deflected off coach Richard Macer’s foot to fall kindly to an Alton forward to enable them to take the lead once again.

After half time, there was all to play for, with James Wright settling in well and working hard with Ed Lewis and Mike Phillips. With good pressure being displayed at both ends, more goals were certain. It was Whippets who conceded again after a succession of indecisive passes easily capitalised by the hosts. Worse was to come when moments later the same fault was repeated by other players and keeper Checketts was left stranded after his first full reaction save could not be cleared fast enough. Whippets plugged away creating good pressure and winning a few short corner chances. Toby Cooke on a good run also worked in a good shot well saved by the home keeper… as so often this season Ed Lewis was in the right place to collect the rebound and claw a goal back. Alton managed to get the ball in the visitors goal once more but only after an infringement. Whippets continued to search for more goals and perhaps one more would have been reflective of the closeness of the game… but it was not to be.
 
 
Men's 7th XI (Whippets) Lost 7-2 against Fareham 7th XI
Saturday, 9th March 2013
This was always going to be a tough encounter with the visitors in line for promotion and probably as champions. After early pressure Fareham took the lead. Whippets fought back and an even exchange of open play and an even number short corner attempts each, Whippets should have equalised with good attempts and even better saves! It was Fareham who scored next to take a 2 goal lead. Hard work by Rich Humphrys, Andy Wright and Mark Brett helped Whippets keep their shape and with tidy work from youngsters Ollie Brown, Toby Lelliott and Mattie Price against their much older opponents.

Whippets kept up their spirited play after half-time but it was Fareham again on the score sheet as the rub of the green seemed to always go against the home side. This was extended after a very strong run from Winchester U-14 Liam Russell and excellent shot was somehow cleared off the line. Not long after Whippets had a further shot similarly cleared. With rolling substitutions the order of the day it was great to see left full back Price gallop up the right wing. His astute pass found the on running Mike Phillips and his adept pass opened up a chance to Jem Evans to score a delightful goal. The Fareham midfield was relentless as their channel play was of top quality which most of the time was cancelled out by timely tackling from Ian Bisson and Richard Macer. However, they still continued to score on a regular basis by often creating the “extra man” when needed and despite some super saves from Rowan Checketts, having his game of season in the Whippets goal. Whippets bounced back each time with great work from Lelliott, Wright and Brett and it was great to see the ever alert Ed Lewis pounce and score from a rebound off the post in his never say die poaching best. On this form and quality this Fareham side will not be on the Whippets fixture list next season!
 
 
Men's 4th XI (Academy) Lost 3-2 against Bournemouth 4th XI
Saturday, 2nd March 2013
Winchester 4s hosted Bournemouth 4s and expected a tough match especially as Bournemouth are third in the table and Winchester’s young team had only two adults available.

Winchester’s started brightly and it was clear from the first exchanges that the match was going to be high tempo and skilful. However Bournemouth were the first to score but Winchester continued to press with confidence all over the pitch and put together some really good hockey. A particular feature was Liam O’Sullivan’s growing confidence in the right half position and his use of his powerful hut to release the forward line of James Forrest, Jack Francis, Hugo Rikaby Pratt and Scott Rawlings.

Rory McCallum on inspired form ensured that Winchester stayed in the game.

Just before half time Bournemouth won a penalty corner and the final whistle was blown meaning the corner was completed outside normal time. Winchester cleared the corner only for the umpire to award another for a further infringement leaving Winchester nonplussed. At the second time of asking Bournemouth scored and Winchester were very unfortunate to be down two goals at the break.

At half time the team were told to just keep playing exactly the way they had played in the first half as their performance had been excellent.

Winchester came out meaning business and 15 mins in won a penalty corner. Liam O’Sullivan stepped up to strike but the run forced him to take the ball onto his reverse stick but unfazed he then hit a sweet reverse stick shot into the goal.

Winchester’s tails were up and they kept attacking in numbers with superb work from Alex Sampford, Matt Cole and Josh Keaveney kept Winchester on the front foot. Then Liam O’Sullivan stepped up yet again from midfield and hit a rasping drive into the D and James Forrest deft deflection levelled the scores.

Dean Hough and Cam Gaffney had played excellently at the back but disaster struck as Hough hit the ball away after a questionable umpiring decision and was given a yellow card by the Umpire. Winchester didn’t go defensive but kept their shape and lasted the 5 minute suspension without conceding but the relief of Hough readmission to even up the numbers turned to despair a few minutes before the final whistle as Bournemouth grabbed a late goal in a scramble.

Winchester can count desperately themselves unlucky to lose this match but can take great heart from the fact they are playing superb hockey and yet they are still very young. These are definitely players with a great future.
 
 
Men's 7th XI (Whippets) Won 4-2 against Tadley 2nd XI
Saturday, 2nd March 2013
Tadley started this game with great authority with a full adult side against the 2 adults and 9 juniors make up of the young Whippets. They put the hosts under tremendous pressure and it was no surprise that they took the lead within ten minutes. Not long after Rowan Checketts in the Winchester goal was well placed to stop another close range goal bound shot. Whippets eventually started to string some passes together and managed to equalise against the run of play after coach Jem Evans threaded through a pass to Tom Chenhall to expertly deflect past the on rushing Tadley keeper. Tadley responded strongly and the Winchester defence was under substantial pressure. Tadley restored their lead with another well taken goal to reflect their dominant play. Slowly the Whippets restored some of the balance of play with a calm performance from coach Ian Bisson harnessing Elliott Haydon and Mattie Price. With Evans in full flow in the centre of midfield, Whippets started to take up good positions and at last quality moves were weaved through the Tadley strong hold. Evans equalised just before half time with a strong shot from the top of the D. Play then became more evenly balanced with Ollie Brown, Toby Lelliott and Liam Russell responding to the example of Evans.

After a calming half time talk Whippets started to play some really good, constructive hockey. Will Nash combined well with his co-defenders and started to link well with all the midfield players. Evans departed to coaching duties with Brown picking up his role. Whippets used the width well and now with better ball pace and accuracy started to control the match for the first time. The Tadley goal was put on severe attack and it was no surprise when good work from Lelliott released Dan Horton to score from a trademark reverse hit and for Whippets to take the lead. This did wonders for confidence and for the rest of the game Whippets held the upper hand, in this highly contested match. Chenhall and Ed Lewis caused great concern in the Tadley D after waves of good play from Russell, Brown and Horton. The game was still in doubt until the final five minutes as the Tadley side tired and after good pressure from the midfield saw Lewis nip in to score in a typical poaching fashion to continue his fine gaol scoring run of recent week. This was a really tough game for the boys to win after coming from behind twice and reflects their maturity across recent matches and it will not be long before some players gain places in higher Winchester teams.
 
 
Men's 4th XI (Academy) Won 2-0 against Yateley 3rd XI
Saturday, 23rd February 2013
Winchester 4s travelled to Yateley in a key match in their season. Winchester’s young side started brightly and put pressure on Yateley from the start of the match. With 15 minutes gone Alex Sampford picked up the ball in the left side of the pitch and went on a typical skillful run into the D where his team mates took up good positions but Sampford didn’t need them and placed the ball in the left hand corner of the goal across the goal keeper. Winchester were the more dominant side for the rest of the half but Yateley were still threatening on occasion and could thank Goal Keeper trim for some fine stops. The second half started out with Yateley pushing much further up the pitch and using the age, power and speed advantage to try and run the ball. However Winchester’s defence of Hough, Horrex, Bryan and Gaffney remained stout and with help of the midfield of Keaveney, Sampford and Rawlings and forwards Cooke, Forrest and Rikaby Pratt they kept Yateley at bay during a tough 15minutes. However having weathered the storm Winchester started to play better passing hockey and won a number of short corners and ultimately won a penalty when a shot was illegally stopped by a Yateley foot. Josh Keaveney stepped up to take the penalty and having sent the keeper the wrong way made it 2 nil and the cushion was just what Winchester needed to calm the nerves. Winchester had a number of further attacks and James Forrest was always looking for the ball and was dangerous in possession and Scott Rawlings was unlucky to have an excellent deflection saved by the Yateley keeper. Winchester defended well to keep a clean sheet and earned a well deserved and much needed win.
 
 
Men's 7th XI (Whippets) Won 7-1 against Fleet & Ewshot 3rd XI
Saturday, 23rd February 2013
Winchester Whippets bereft of adult support travelled to Fleet with some trepidation. However it was soon evident that the high proportion of young players had no inhibitions about their task and from the off attacked the hosts with gusto. Great series of interpassing from Toby Lelliott, Ed Lewis and Mike Philips soon brought out some good saves from the home keeper. The pressure just took ten minutes for Lewis to open the scoring after a quick break and a sublime shot from the top of the D. Fine interplay from Liam Russell and Mark Brett set up Russell for a near open goal but the very young midfielder fluffed his shot. Fleet needed fast break tactics to cause concern and Rowan Checketts was at his supreme best in the Winchester goal on a few occasions dealing with one on ones with great confidence and accuracy. Whippets continued to weave good patterns of play with good width but could not extend their score in the first half.

It was not long into the second before Tom Dainton extended the lead with a neat flick at the post following a well worked short corner. Lewis soon poached another from a goal mouth mêlée and the Whippets took control. Dainton was everywhere with vision and width to bring in the rest of the midfield into play. Senior Ian Bisson sealed the back to ensure Checketts was rarely needed and with Will Nash working well in tandem with him, they ensured the Whippets kept play high into the hosts half. This meant Elliott Haydon and James Bisson could press high along their flanks to give the Whippet forwards plenty of ball. Mike Phillips looked certain to score but for an outstanding save by the home keeper and soon after the match witnessed a bizarre moment as Lewis latched onto a good pass from Russell to roll the ball slowly over the line to score again. In the process a Fleet defender desperately tried to save it and fell backwards and collapsed the whole goal! Soon after, this moment was nearly matched for amusement by Tom Dainton’s spinning in circles with great skill but running off the pitch as he did so.
Good Whippet pressure saw a shot from outside the goal area from Lelliot to deflect into the goal of the goalkeeper’s pads for a own goal. Whippets kept up the pressure and James Bisson, after a good exchange of passes with Phillips and Dainton, coolly shot past the keeper for a further goal. Time was running out and in the last minute Lelliott this time entered the goal area to score with great aplomb to add his name to a lengthy score sheet.
 
 
Men's 7th XI (Whippets) Lost 3-2 against Camberley & Farnborough 3rd XI
Saturday, 16th February 2013
Winchester Whippets took on high riding Camberley and matched them all the way. In typical end to end play in Whippet matches lately either team could have opened up the scoring. Camberley in fact, drew first blood with both sides indebted to good goalkeeping to delay the first goal. Justin Smith was in fine for Whippets in a rare, but cameo performance. He was well supported by Rich Monk and Will Nash all making crucial saves in and around the home defensive area. Up from Dan Horton and Mike Phillips struck up a good pairing to cause problems for the visitors with the posts initially saving the day! Whippets keep up a good tempo with Mark Brett and Jem Evans working hard in midfield. Toby Lelliott and Ed Lewis also paired up well to be a real thorn in the Camberley half with some thrilling skills and strong running. Just as an equaliser seemed on the cards Camberley showing their confidence from a recent fine string of results recently, extended the lead which was a bit hash on the Whippets total endeavour.

Evans lead the half time talk and this was inspirational to the team. Elliott Haydon and Ollie Brown were outstanding in defence shutting down most of the wide threat and in one instant Haydon clearing a goal bound shot off the line. Whippets started to get on top with shorts corner attempts and plenty of good possession, it was no surprise that they scored after a skilful and a thoughtful run by Brown to enable Evans to fire in a snapshot goal. The visitors were always dangerous on the break but good Whippet pressure often saw them release a poor pass to enable the Whippets to counterattack again. Richard Macer replaced the outgoing Evans to bind up the Whippets defence with Nash given a more attacking role. Young Liam Russell settled in well in only his second Whippet game with good interceptions and thoughtful passing at pace, blending in well and often working well with a fit again Andy Wright to squeeze the visitors defence. The Whippets equalised by sheer pressure and some fortune as a deflected shot off the burley Camberley goalkeeper fell to Ed Lewis who as ever was alert to those situations, to score. The excitement of the equaliser got to the Whippets and Camberley now launched some fast attacks, in response. This resulted in them taking the lead agin with a fine piece skill to draw the Winchester defence and coolly pick a spot with a quick lofted shot. Whippets responded in the final minutes with outstanding work rate typified by season best performances from Lelliott, Brown, Horton, Phillips and Nash to show the Whippet talent school is very much alive, if not this time quite getting a result to quite match.
 
 
Men's 7th XI (Whippets) Won 4-2 against Gillingham 3rd XI
Saturday, 9th February 2013
Winchester Whippets this week hosted last week’s opponents in similarly cold conditions. Despite the many planned team changes to the Whippets side the match was again a fast and opened ended game much like last week. With Mike Keaveney as player coach the Winchester youngsters got plenty of help and encouragement as they made countless attacks with only the final passes not quite making the vital break through. For their part the visitors collected the ball well and broke fast to create plenty of work for Mattie Price, Andy Wright, Ian and James Bisson at the heart of the Winchester defence. The hosts eventually made the breakthrough when a good right wing move involving Toby Lelliott and Tom Chenhall who feed Dan Horton to shoot with a clinical reverse stick shot. The match continued at a fast pace and Rowan Checketts in the Winchester goal had to be alert on occasions as the visitors pressed for an equaliser. Whippets for their part continued with some good flowing moves. A series of shots on goal and good goalkeeping by the Gillingham keeper eventually let the ball fall near to an alert and well placed Ed Lewis to bundle the ball over the line.

Keaveney was rested early in the second half after a bad slip on the greasy turf to make way for Jem Evans to make a welcome return to the squad. With the game being played a fast pace it took him time to settle but as soon as he did the young Winchester attack started to dominate possession. Short corners were forced but all to no avail. The visitors counter attacked on the break and for once the Whippets defence were outnumbered and Checkettes was left too exposed to allow Gillingham to claw a goal back. Undeterred the Whippets rotated their substitute players regularly until James Bisson received a nasty blow to a hand and created strong pressure but without gaining the extra goal the play deserved. Keaveney returned in the rotation and with Ollie Brown and Lelliott securing the flanks a goal seemed on the cards. A broken down short corner was the key and Chenhall neatly deflected in a pass close to goal, to at last beat the impressive Gillingham keeper. This goal relieved the pressure and the game flowed better for the hosts. Good possession and pressure soon provided Ed Lewis a chance, duly taken to poach another goal with good anticipation, to probably secure the game. Gillingham for their part did not give up and their perseverance plaid off just before the final whistle to double their score with a fine shot form an acute angle.
 
 
Wanderers Won 2-1 against Oxted
Saturday, 9th February 2013
Wanderers travelled to face a strong Oxted side with a bare eleven players on a day that would have seen the game called off in the days before artificial pitches. Even with a few key absentees, stand-in skipper Jerry Jones was able to field a strong lineup and the early exchanges of the game were cautious. However, an incident early in the half was to have a serious impact on the remainder of the game when stalwart keeper Ian Fraser fractured a rib in a collision with a defender while making a save. Although he continued to play until the end of the half, he was struggling to move, and Winchester soon went behind to a short corner that Alan Darlington saw spin agonisingly off his stick into the goal. This early setback would perturb other teams, but the Winchester players drew on their reserves and produced a concerted period of good play. Towards the end of the half, another incident saw an Oxted player leave the field due to a bad gash on his finger. After a long delay, Winchester restarted with a short corner that had been awarded for an earlier foul. Martin Morrall received the injection and drew the defence. He slipped the ball to David Haydon on his left, who shot firmly past the hapless Oxted keeper. Winchester continued to press until the end of the half, and better finishing might have seen them ahead. Oxted began the second half strongly, inspired perhaps by the absence of the Winchester keeper. The Winchester defence was resolute and fine marking, in particular from Hugh Morris, prevented any shots on goal. Winchester were then heartened by the generous arrival of the Surrey Under-16 Girls keeper, who gamely stood between the posts. Oxted continued to press, but a promising attack was snuffed out by Roger Bridport who fed Bruce Hope MacLellan. He moved the ball quickly to Martin Morrall, who took the ball across the top of the Oxted D before releasing an unstoppable shot. With 25 minutes still to play, Oxted might have expected to extract something from the game. They applied constant pressure, but despite a plethora of shots, the Winchester defence held firm. The final whistle blew without another goal, and a very good team performance from Wanderers saw them beat what is traditionally stronger opposition. This was perhaps a flattering result, but Wanderers leave Oxted with a win, and their opposition are left ruing missed chances. This was a ding-dong game played in the true spirit of the Wessex SuperVets Fixture Alliance, and our thanks go to our hosts for providing two umpires, a replacement keeper and for taking our injured player to hospital.