Cheam Ladies 1st XI 2006/7

Match report by Craigy

Report: On a miserable day at Battersea we found ourselves up against a strong opposition who played the best hockey we have faced this season. Wayfarers were fit, skilful and fast - only a string of excellent saves from Annys kept them down to 2-0 at half time.

During the second half we looked to assert our play more forcefully and gave ourselves a number of goalscoring opportunities. Unfortunately, at the other end we conceded another - a stroke (the fourth/fifth this season - surely a record?!). Spuggie rifled in a clinmical shot to pull one back, only for us to drop 2 more behind. With the score at 5-1, Pankster scored what she would describe as a a seventy-five yard dribble and bullet like shot - in reality it was more like 50 yards but still a sensational effort. Sadly, the rest of us weren't as keen to join in her hyped up celebrations (given that the goal made us 5-2 with 10 minutes to play) - but at last she ensure the ball had crossed the line before cheering this time.

A tough game against the strongest side we've faced in the league yet - interesting to see how they will fare against the top two.

Match report by Craigy

Report: Having fought a tough game in the first round of league matches, we knew this would be a gritty choppy game and were well-prepared. Oxted struggled to establish their top of the league pedigree in the face of our determined play. Vicki made some good saves to keep us level going into the break.

The second half, however, saw us go 2 goals down. Despite a string of chances throughout the half, we were only able to draw one goal back through Jenny Brennan. We left the pitch disappointed feeling we deserved at least a point fromt the encounter. Poor control and first touch had again let us down, although it was pleasing to see more of the first half determination and positivity which had been lacking before Christmas.

Match report by Craigy

Report: Well, a 9 goal thriller to kickstart the second half of the league season. After some weak first halves before Christmas, we went out strongly and in an attacking frame of mind. The Richmond defence struggled to cope with our bursts from midfiled as we totally dominated the play in the first 15 minutes. Kat showed examples of her increasing promise with some clever link up play. A series of glorious chances yielded two goals, both calmly taken by an excellent Ally Wyatt.

2-0 up and flying, we had a relapse and let Richmond back into the game. They converted two chances before half time after a spell of pressure and we went into the break fearing a Cheam collapse.

A stern talking to spurred us on and we hit back in the second half with two clinically finished goals on the run from Jenny Brennan. Richmond came back again to make it 4-3 and it took a well-converted short corner from Spuggie to reassert our two goal advantage. Despite a late fightback from Richmond, we held on for a victory that should have been easier than it was. A strong performance from Grace on her return to the team earned her the girl of the game vote which demonstrates the huge strides she has made over the season.

Match report by Craigy

Report: Oh dear oh dear oh dear. After 2 slack first halves in two weeks, this game took the biscuit! 7-0 down in the first half - Guildford ran through their short corner repertoire, scoring from each and we could not stop conceding the penalties. When we were out of our D we gifted them possession like it was Christmas come early.

The second half again saw us wake up and get back into the game with renewed determination. Steamer in her first game for the club was everywhere and set up a goal for Kat after a terrific run down the right. Wendy scored another to mean the scoreline wasn't hideously emabarrassing, just very embarrassing. They also scored a further two, meaning the half was a 2-2 draw. Time for a new warm up routine is the general consensus - we need to shake these 1st half blues.

Match report by Craigy

Report: Yet again, a game of two vastly differing halves. First half saw Surbiton wanting the ball more, and deservedly going 3 goals up. Sally Dixon had a great game in goal, throwing herself all over the place to prevent us going down by more. After a half time blasting from our esteemed captain, we went out with a terrific fighting spirit, totally dominating the game. As usual, however, we had left ourselves too much to do.

A goal from Spuggie set us off on the track back, followed by a cracking strike from Wyatt who had a tremendous half. We could not get the equaliser though. It seems we need a wake up call in the first half - a number of friendlies to go before our next league fixture. In that time we need to sort out the first half sleepiness.

Match report by Craigy

Report: After last week's tresounding success against top of the league Wimbledon, we were well up for this game. We started in a sprightly mood, passing the ball around with pace and patience, waiting for gaps to appear. Ten minutes in, however we bagan to lose our composure in our D, leading to a series of short corners for Epsom. One of these led to a stroke which was duly converted. Panic seemed to set in as we continued to look unsettled on the ball. Epsom were able to capitalise on our hesitancy by converting 2 further goals, both of which were dubious. The first came from a short corner strike which was far too high (defended by Steph at her waist) and was converted at the second attempt. The second hit the attacker's foot before going in.

Understandably, frustration began to set in as it felt that none of the decisions were going our way. Jonesy was awarded a yellow for the use of colourful language (niot very ladylike) and we went in at half time feeling like we were plaing aagainst 13.

Nevertheless, indiscipline was to be our downfall. Despite an excellent comeback in the second half with a goal by Kat, we were unable to turn the tide and the umpires came down hard on us. A great disappointment after the heady heights of the previous week, but a lesson learnt. Hopefully!

Match report by Craigy

Report: COME ON!!!! Going into the game, Wimbledon were top of the league and undefeated. Last season had seen us suffer a couple of heavy defeats and so we were extra determined not to allow such wholescale concession of goals.

Vicki started well, pulling off a couple of storming saves to get us over early jitters. Gradually through the half we began to assert our dominance, pinging the ball around the back at pace to bypass their press. Pace of pass from Caroline and Spuggie meant that this was effective throughout the match enabling us to attack quickly down the flanks through Pankster, Jenny and Sylvana.

Wimbledon were unable to capitalise on a penalty stroke; Vicki's imposing presence forcing them to push the ball wide. Through the second half, the work rate of Jonesy and Wendy up front never faltered as they hassled and chased every seemingly lost cause. Their runs were picked out well by Pankster from the top of the diamond. Ally Wyatt had another strong game with quick decision making and slick passing linking up attacking moves. She showed some lovely ballet moves twisting and turning down the middle whilst tracking back. The game flashed from end to end, but our defence held firm under pressure, Spuggie having an outstanding game.

With 3 minutes to go, we had a series of short corners, the last of which fell to Bev which she rocketed into the backboards. It capped her disciplined display and sent the travelling support into raptures! No easy victory against Cheam now, the team is getting stronger and stronger - bring on the rematch.

Match report by Craigy

Report: Another point but again a disappointing result for us in a game we should have won. We controlled the game but, like last week, struggled to put the ball in the back of the net. When the goal finally came, however, it was worth waiting for - a glorious reverse stick sweep by Wendy over the prostrate goalkeeper.

Their equaliser came from a ball injected outsdie the D, a sharp deflection past Vicky. Hard to bear, but we created planty of chances and failed to equalise sow e only had ourselves to blame. An controlled display by Lara at right defence earned her the Girl of the Game and showed her growing maturity at this level.

Match report by Craigy

Report: Historically a difficult game for us to score in, this fixture again ended without a Cheam goal. This was not due to a lack of chances. We dominated the game throughout and only some stiff resistance from the Woking defence and some profilgate shooting by us ensured the score was not aligned vastly in our favour. Still - many positives came from the game, not least a reduction in the number of short corners conceded and a clean sheet.
With only 11 players, a tremendous work rate ensured we maintained high pressure right to the end of the match. The midfield were all over the pitch: Jonesy tackling back, Pankster in acres of space, Bev holding the centre well and Wyatt runnin her socks off. supporting both attack and defence. Jenny and Spuggie linked well up front and set up several short corners which would just not go in. Despite initial disappointment at not converting chances, Mandy was right to assert that historically we would have lost a similar game, showing that the determination of this season is stirring up some fire and resolve. Long may it continue.

Match report by Craigy

Report: Back to winning ways and boy does it feel good! A consumate whole team performance delivered the result that has been lying wait for 3 games. The joy of this game was in the passing display - even Mandy admitted at half time that we were passing well and at pace - if anything we passed too much!
The scoreline, however, does not reflect our undoubted dominance and we had most of the pressure in the first half, with Camberley only really threatening on the break. Excellent link up play between Sylvana, Wyatt and Jonesy combined to create numerous chances. Spuggie converted our third short corner with a shovelling style scoop over a prostrate goalkeeper to open our account.

Following the opener, we were caught lacking at the back whilst Camberley scrambled an equaliser. Heads in hands and thoughts of "Here we go again!" were dispelled by an excellent cross from the right which Bev ran onto and smacked into the goal. Cat showed excellent promise and composure on the ball in her step up to the first team. 2-1 up at half time and flying.

Out we came, a little jittery. Again we applied pressure to Camberley with our defence taking turns to support the attack and midfield, capitalising on their deep defence. Steph showed just how committed she was by nutting the ball away from goal. Nice egg! We did, however, concede one too many shorts at the back, from which Camberley duly converted. 2-2. Not an accurate reflection of the game, but one which needed to be addressed. Wendy then came into her own with some powerful runs, one of which ended in a short corner to us. Mandy's advice worked well when the ball was returned to Sylvana for an excellent sweep in. Wendy was to follow up with a well-deserved goal of her own to cap off an excellent team performance.

A good win and excellent passing but we can push further on in our development by becoming more clinical in front of both defensive AND attacking goals. Roll on next week!

Match report by Craigy

Report: What a truly gutting result. Our passing was far better than last week and we soared into an early lead with Pankster scoring in the first minute with our possession from the push back. Wayfarers held strong, however, and began to find their feet. Their forwards bunched and moved well off the ball, providing a challenge for our defence, but one that was more than matched by Lesley, Steph and Lara. Their concentration was excellent throughout, but could not hold at bay the runners from midfield.

Going forward, we looked good, with Ally Wyatt's first touch and quick passing proving a vital link in many pf our attacking moods. After conceding two goals, however, the path back was insurmountable and we left the field again disappointed. This was a much better display than last week, but we keep leaving the field knowing that we have lost games, rather then the opposition winning them. Not a nice feeling.

Match report by Craigy

Report: It was with trepidation that we took to the pitch - this was a newly promoted team about which we had heard impressive things, yet we were determined to carry on the spirit of our hard fought victory against Richmond last week.

We went down early - they were strong coming forward in numbers and soon we found ourselves 2-0 down. We were working, but the passing of the previous week lacked the precision and pace needed to assert our dominance. Pankster succeeded in grabbing a goal back, but new found hopes were dashed by another Oxted goal. Pleasingly, we dug deep and piled on the pressure, Liz Grimes providing good runs in her step up to the ones. Sadly, however, another well-taken goal by Pankster was just not enough - we had come good just a little too late. Disappointment was palpable but it was impressive to see how we could gather ourselves for a push at the end of a game - a feat which has not been a feature of teams of the past.

Match report by Craigy

Report: What a start to the League season! At last a victory against Richmond in a traditionally hard fixture. After a underwhelming start, the Cheam machine cranked into action as passes were strung together and the hard work of Jonesy and Wendy ensured Richmond had no time for dwelling in the ball. We played at our pace and ended the first half with numerous short corners leaving spectators and players bemused as to why the ball would not go in the net. Throughout the second half, similar determination was evident as the entire team pulled together and forced the play. Spuggie provided two clinical finishes, topping a display of superb touch and control in the final third. The defence held firm with excellent personal displays, including a goal line clearnce by Steph and some fine tackling by Lesley. Elation on the fianl whistle was well deserved after a game where our true fighting spirit shone through.

Match report by Craigy

Report: Having turned up to play in what can only be described as an equatorial climate, we nevertheless bounded onto the pitch sporting our finely tuned athletic physiques and slipped into our new playing system. Slick passing moves and clinical finishing earned Wendy her first of many (we hope) goals for the club. Spuggie reveled in her high forward position, providing more movement than she had led us to believe and scoring a mighty fine hatrick. Pankster found a new arena for her aggressive play at the back of the diamond - she commanded the area in front of goal with vim and vigour. Lara made an impressive step up to first team and Wyatt built on her confidence from last season with some commanding runs up the pitch – but boy was it a long way back! With a solid defence backed up by some excellent full length save from Vicky, a quick-thinking, passing midfield and an energetic and/or skillful forward line – all bodes well for this season.

Match report by Craigy

Report: With no keeper! Another glorious display of passing and energy demonstrated that we’ve slotted into our new system like Andy Johnson into the Everton 1st team. 5 across midfield? What sort of craziness was that? We’re flowing, purring and cruising our way towards the league fixtures. The scoreline belies our undoubted dominance; their goals placed past Imogen Ary in the helmet, with little pace. Vicki would have nailed them. Jonesy built on her comeback game last weekend with some intelligent (I know…) running and passing including 2 well-taken goals. Wendy again capped off a fine performance with a brace and Spuggie, showing an unsubtle desire to stay top of the goal scoring chart, scored after a lovely team move. The repeated threat from the skipper to put everyone else in goal so she could stay top scorer was evidence enough of the attacking hockey played by all. A cracking air shot by yours truly sadly did not add to the proceedings, but was rather amusingly repeated by Jonesy not a few minutes later. Wyatt showed her true sweeping credentials with some well-timed runs and equally well-timed aggressive challenges. She has truly made the position her own. Lesley and Caroline cleared up well at the back to top off another fine performance. Roll on next week.