1st team

Top Scorers 11-12 Season

Match Reports

Whitchurch Saints 1st XI v Howardian 2's - Saturday 29th October 2011

Score 11 - 1 Win

A slightly sluggish start on a drizzly Saturday morning luckily was not the beginnings of a lethargic performance for the Saints. Socks firmly pulled up, Becca Woods opened the scoring with a scrambled goal about 10 minutes after the start. Howards were still able to progress up the pitch, but Saints defence of Kate Nicholson, Fran Carpenter, Meg Thomas and Julie Baxter were able to diffuse all attacks. Becca Woods put her second in with pace; finishing a period of pressure in the attacking D, when the Saints just couldn’t seem to get a shot away.

Alys Price was next to put her name on the score-sheet, with a lift into the netting, beating the Howards keeper. Saints remained patient for the most part, and utilised the switch, to keep changing the angle of attack. Beth Stephens and Katie Butler both showing individual skill to deliver balls to the forwards. Nakita James making surging runs through the midfield. Alys Smith found the back of the goal, after a neat one-two with Alys Price in the D, after a dynamic charge up the pitch, to take the score-line to 4-0 at the half time break.

A hat-trick for Becca Woods as she converted an accurate pass from Alys Smith, having attacked the base line and pulled the ball back to the penalty spot. Shannon Dimmick joined the goal scorers list, putting herself in the ideal position to slot away a pass in from Beth Stephens. Maintaining composure to keep possession, Carpenter, Nicholson, Thomas and Baxter all offered support, transferring the ball with confidence.

Michelle Partridge drove the ball against the backboard, after a curving run by Alys Smith to deliver the ball. Katie Butler having picked the ball up in congestion, moving it to Smith to utilise the space in the right hand side of the D. Michelle scored another in quick succession, as Beth drove into the top of the D, unleashing Alys Smith to take on a defender, passing on the ball, for Partridge to tap in.

Caught napping, Howards took opportunities to advance. An unfortunate defender foot in the defensive D, led to a Howards goal from a penalty corner. A bouncing shot from the top of the D, flummoxed the Saints defenders and goal keeper Amie Richards, and hampered the aim of the clean sheet for the Saints. In response, Alys Smith took her second from an attacking penalty corner, rolling out to beat a defender having received the ball from Beth Stephens hovering top D.

After a period of scrappy play in the attacking D, Becca Woods scored her fourth; Becca and Alys Smith pressuring Howards defence in the D, enabling Saints to regain possession. Saints’ eleventh and final goal was scored by Michelle Partridge, another assist for Alys Smith, to bring the game to a close.

A high scoring game, which allowed Saints to gain confidence maintaining possession. Well done.

Player of the Match: Alys Smith

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Whitchurch Saints 1st XI v Cardiff Uni 1's - Saturday 22nd October 2011

Score 0 - 2 Loss

The match started with anticipation against League winners Cardiff Uni. Saints started tentatively, but still with determination to utilise all channels of the pitch. Defenders Julie Baxter, Meg Thomas, Fran Carpenter and Liz Wakeling finding their positions to make the switch work. Cardiff Uni opened the scoring from a swiftly taken sideline ball, mis-footing the Saints defence to enter the D at pace and unleashed a well directed strike into the bottom corner; punishment for slow reactions.

Saints pushed on up the pitch, Alys Smith linking well with Alys Price, weaving and working the ball out of the defending 25, with Nakita James on hand to surge forwards. Beth Stephens demonstrated confidence and composure protecting the ball and making accurate passes. Julie Baxter showed good vision from right back, with Katie Butler and Hannah Davies holding their own in the midfield. Cardiff Uni doubled their lead from a short corner, sneaking the ball in at the back post; the goal contested by Saints as thought to have been in contact with attacker’s feet prior to the conversion, but not observed or upheld by either umpire.

The second half started with the Umpires stamping their authority and voicing displeasure at the number of stick tackles and shoulder barging; which consequently resulted in the production of a 2 green (1 Cardiff Uni and 1 Saints) and 2 yellow cards (1 Cardiff Uni and 1 Saints), as the fouls accumulated. Saints did not relent and persisted to make further advances into the Cardiff Uni’s territory, but unfortunately for no reward; forwards Michelle Partridge, Kate Aldridge, and Sarah Millward unable to convert. Play travelled from end to end, but neither team were able to add to the score-line, leaving it at 2-0 to Cardiff Uni at the final whistle.

Player of the Match: Alys Price

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Whitchurch Saints 1st XI v Cardiff Athletic - Saturday 15th October 2011

Score 5 - 2 Win

Saints started the match with enthusiasm, Becca Woods opening the scoring finishing with a lifted shot past the keeper from a Zoe Grant cross. Nakita James followed suit with a fantastic display of individual skill from the re-start….dribbling around multiple Cardiff Athletic players before tidily slotting the ball into the goal.

Cardiff Athletic did anything but give up, and a large proportion of the play was in the central part of the pitch, with each side struggling to maintain possession. Saints defence of Liz Wakeling, Meg Thomas and Julie Baxter trying to coordinate things from the back. Cardiff Athletic took a goal back from a shot corner, taking the scoreline to 2-1 at the half time whistle.

Alys Price, Beth Stephens and Katie Butler all worked hard in midfield to distribute the ball and support the forwards. Butler setting up Alys Smith with a reverse stick pass, after drawing the keeper out, which Alys made sure of. The response from Cardiff Ath was a sweetly struck ball from top D, after catching the Saints snoozing too far up the pitch, which beat the diving goal keeper.

Saints kept the pace up, pressurising Cardiff Ath in their D. Forwards Shannon Dimmick, Michelle Partridge and Kate Aldridge making lead runs, creating space and chances. A penalty stroke awarded and duly converted by Katie Butler taking the Saints ahead by 2 goals again. In the closing minutes of the game Miss Julie Baxter put her name on the score-sheet, from an opportunistic cross from Becca Woods. At full time a pleasing score-line of 5-2 to the Saints.

Player of the Match: Nakita James

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Whitchurch Saints 1st XI v Penarth 1's - Saturday 8th October 2011

Score 0 - 1 Loss

A challenging game for Saints, against rivals Penarth, started with the best intentions. Despite a high Penarth press, the switch was utilised to change the angle of attack; Alys Price working hard in midfield to distribute the ball. Beth Stephens capably slotted into centre back when injured Captain Jen Bayliss left the field, playing alongside Liz Wakeling. Nakita James ninja’d her way through the midfield, releasing attractive balls to forwards Kate Aldridge, Michelle Partridge and Shannon Dimmick, but for no reward.

Penarth protected their D and diffused Saints attacks, however in midfield, Sarah Millward, Katie Butler, Alys Smith and Hannah Davies fought hard to regain lost possession. At half time all was level with no goals scored; all to play for in the second half.

Defenders Liz Wakeling, Beth Stephens, Meg Thomas and Julie Baxter committed to the tackles, as Penarth advanced. Multiple short corners were effectively managed, with Goalkeeper Amie Richards keeping the Saints in it, with repeated saves.

Nearing the final quarter, Penarth took advantage of some confusion in Saints defence over a sideline/ hit out, utilising their overload to bound into the D, slotting the ball past the Saints’ Goalkeeper to take the lead. As Saints fatigued in the closing minutes of the game, the team held it together, but were unable to find anything in response to Penarth’s goal, leaving the end result a dissatisfying 1-0 loss.

Player of the Match: Amie Richards

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Whitchurch Saints 1st XI v Rhondda - Saturday 1st October 2011

Score 7 - 1 Win

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Whitchurch Saints 1st XI v Reading - Saturday 10th September 2011 (Friendly)

Score 6 - 1 Win

The ladies 1st XI joined Whitchurch Hockey Club (ie the blokes) on a double decker bound for Reading. Having had to cancel last year's fixture the girls were keen to go and represent our club well on English soil.

Not knowing what to expect at the renowned Reading HC we had a nervous wait with pushback not till 3pm. The girls passed the time providing excellent support for the gent's sides. Mainly new gent's member "Alan."

The ladies opposition were Reading 3A's. Saints had 13 players and it was a farewell match for Jo Westwood who will be going to University in October (tear.)

Saints started strong dominating the possession from the outset. The first goal of the game came from a short corner. Jo Westwood took position at the top of the D and her trademark "drag-bomb" left the Reading defence in awe. Westwood then assisted Kate Aldridge who calmly swept the pass into the back of the net making it 2-0 to Saints.

New members to the club Nat Edwards and Fran Carpenter slotted easily into the Saints defence, keeping things tight at the back. Saints were left frustrated by some umpiring decisions, but kept their cool, letting their hockey do the talking. Gez Charles had little to do in goal, but when required was one step ahead of the Reading attack making a few important saves.

Following a positive half time team talk from El Capitano Jenny Bayliss, Saints showed even more promise in the second half. Nakita James added to the Saints goal tally early in the second half. A new secret penalty corner routine concocted with Julie Baxter paid off and James deflected the ball into the net, near post.

Meg Thomas showed impeccable strength at left back making crucial tackles assisted by Bayliss who performed well despite arriving with no stick! Cat Thomas and Fi Tibbit showed their flexibility, playing in various positions due to limited substitutes and recovering injuries on the sideline. Shannon Dimmick showed great composure on the ball, involved with the lead up to all goals scored from open play.

Jo Westwood added to her goal tally when Saints were awarded a penalty flick for a foot on the line, slotting the ball home easily ending her recent run of bad luck in Europe. Westwood was on the score sheet again with a deflection following a lovely ball from Nakita James, who following some individual skill added to the score again not much later.

Saints tired a little in the second half, and the marking suffered as a result. Reading caught Saints on the break, slotting in the ball near post to steal a consolation goal. Beth Stephens was infallible in front of the defence, distributing the ball with the precision that earned her player of the match.

Reading were great hosts. They fed our hungry mob, and their chilli along with a cold pint was a good end to the days antics.

On the whole it was a good result for Saints however on returning next season (which we hope to do) a more competitive match is expected.

Julie Baxter