Match Report: Harriet Westby
Women’s 1st XI v New Beccehamian 1st XI. Final Score: 7-0
Our game this Saturday was against a fantastic New Beccehamian Ladies 1st XI. It was a 12:00 pushback which commenced with an early goal from Ville to settle the team. This was followed by a second goal from open play up the right-hand side of the pitch. New Beccs responded with some great attacking play putting us under a lot of pressure. After a good defensive effort, the ball was sent up the pitch where our third goal was scored, and we finished the first half 3-0.
The second half started somewhat shakily from Ville. New Beccs came out strong and had several consecutive short corners but were unable to score. After a huge defensive effort, we scored our fourth goal and again began to settle back into our usual hockey. Our midfielders and forwards had a spectacular game and scored another three goals bringing the final score to 7-0.
Special mention goes to Kathleen O’Hara for scoring five goals, but Player of the Match went to Jen Chapman for a great midfield play and scoring our other two goals.
We would like to thank our umpires for allowing such a great game to be played, and to New Beccs who were a wonderful team to play against.
Match Report: Julie Cobb
Gillingham Anchorians 3rd XI v Women’s 2nd XI. Final Score: 0-4
Cliftonville Women’s 2nd XI have not had the best results recently, and were looking forward to changing this away to Anchorians on Saturday. Chloe Kingsland and Cheryl Macer had deep discussions prior to the match, down the pub, tweaking the formation and morale. And it worked!
After an extremely vigorous warm up by Tracy Ballard, the team was breathing heavily, but in good spirits and feeling confident. The first half saw some encouraging signs, with Ville coming close from both centre forwards Chloe Kingsland and Laura Moor. Ville went in at half time 0-0, but little did they know what was about to happen… Cliftonville came out firing, and very soon Chloe Kingsland took her chance, 1-0 up!! You physically saw shoulders relax and then, the goals started coming! 2-0 Laura Moor after a dynamic run from deep.
Elizabeth Lehan was woken from her slumber, when a long ball was put through and a strong save ensued! Again, the confidence grew, and a great solo run from Sara Patterson saw the ball smash in the goal from a top of the D shot. The final goal was a calm finish from Rachael Ruocco-Buchanan which was thoroughly deserved after the hard work she’d put in all game. Special mentions to Sally Maiden-Tilsen for her cover drive cricket shots stopping said long balls getting through, and woman of the match, Laura Moor for her quality theatricals and hard work up front.
Match Report: Isaac Dilkes
Men’s 1st XI v Holcombe 3rd XI. Final Score: 2-9
This past Saturday Cliftonville M1’s took on Holcombe M3’s under the floodlights at SLC, searching for confidence and points after a heavy defeat to Maidstone the previous week.
The match started well for Holcombe as they surged forward winning a Penalty Corner in the opening exchanges; this was buried into the Cliftonville goal with great aplomb (a theme that would continue throughout the 70 minutes). That goal was followed by a second soon after with a fantastic reverse strike finish finding the bottom corner making it 2-0. Soon after another goal followed, placing Ville at a 3-0 deficit after conceding some soft and avoidable goals. Ville put together some half chances in the first 35 minutes but nothing that could stop the rot before the break. After failing to make any real impact on the first half, Cliftonville found themselves staring at another big defeat if things didn’t change going into the 2nd half.
Ville had some stern words from Skipper Alex Cowell and fired onto the pitch for the second 35 looking rejuvenated. Some excellent play down the right-hand side entered the D and Ville won a PC within minutes of the half beginning, although it didn’t result in a goal it signalled their intent for the rest of the game. Shortly after, a crash ball into the D bobbled up to Isaac Dilkes, who attempting an upright backhand clipped the ball into the path of Jack Field who reverse swept the ball home from the P-Spot to make it 3-1. Holcombe fought back and the game opened as legs begin to tire, but Ville took their opportunity to counter-attack into open space as Aron Walker tapped home at the Far post from a cutback to make it 3-2.
With Ville firmly back in the contest and momentum in their favour they pressed the advantage with multiple successive PC’s but unfortunately it was to no avail as Holcombe continued to exploit space left by Cliftonville’s high press as they won a PC, which was firmly dispatched into the top right corner by the accomplished Holcombe drag flicker. The game unravelled quickly after Holcombe restored their 2-goal advantage; Dilkes, having made a recovery tackle onto the foot of a Holcombe attacker (not given by the younger of two umpires), was incensed that the decision had gone against him and earnt himself a well-deserved 10 minute yellow card for dissent.
From that play Holcombe earnt another PC, and yes you guessed it, it was buried in the right-hand side of the goal to make it 5-2, then another for 6, a deflection for 7, and two more final flicks for a grand total of 9-2. Ville fought valiantly in the final 10 minutes but a man down they couldn’t steady the ship and Holcombe were ruthless in their attack, killing the game off in a matter of minutes.
Cliftonville currently have 2 points from their opening 7 games (still better than last season at this stage) and will be hoping to steal some points away at a strong Eastbourne side this coming Saturday – 16/11/2024.
