Cheam Ladies 2nd XI 2006/7

Match report by JS

Report: With three wins on the trot, the 2s have definitely finished the season on a high. While the manner of the victory was somewhat lucky in the end, it was deserved. The 2s dominated the posession percentages in the first half thought without converting this into clear cut chances. Finally, mid way through the half, Lizzie (who appears to have caught the scoring bug) found the net from a strike from the top right of the D for Cheam to take the lead. In the second half a Cheam slump allowed Phoneix to get back into the game, concending a number of short corners and finally Phoneix equalised.

But the fighting qualities of the 2s are well known. The last couple of minutes were frantic as Cheam desperately tried to score the winner. It was Gill to the rescue as, with almost the last act of the game, she received the ball at a short corner and her strike was deflected into the goal.

Match report by Liz Grimes

Report: Who says you need your Captain and Vice captain?

The Ladies 2's made it 2 wins on the trot after an excellent result against Reigate 2's.

Down to 11 players by the start, Cheam attacked from the outset with some nice exchanges all over the pitch but fell behind to a flukey goal mid way through the first half. Order was restored before half time when Wendy Parker made a magnificent run down the right wing to the by line and crossed to Nicki Osborn who tapped it in.

The second half saw Reigate come out strongly and dominate for 10 minutes, however the Cheam defence held firm directed intelligently by Sallie's promptings and goalie Bev's agility.

Cheam took the initiative with some nice interplay across the pitch which resulted in Nicki "top scorer" Osborn claiming her second goal. This prompted confidence all over the pitch but especially from Clio who made some incisive passes and runs, one of which resulted in her first goal for the seconds and richly deserved it was too.

Not content with 3 goals, the 2's capped off a complete performance with Gill scoring from a corner.

One match to go and up to 4th place. Let's see if we can stay there, folks.

Match report by Lois

Report: Back to winning ways at last!

Saturdays match saw Cheam 2's build on their excellent performance against Surbiton last week, but this time gain a well deserved 3 points. Once settled, Cheam dominated the first half and were rewarded before half time with a fantastic goal by Mel. And yes she was playing left back at the time, but having overcome the feeling of high altitude, she swept into the oppositions 'D' and slid the ball into the left hand corner - nice one Mel!

The second half saw Cheam continue to put the pressure on the oppo resulting in 2 more goals from the home side. Lizzie scored first, a 'belting' shot that the keeper could do nothing about, and then Wendy slotted home the third. Lois then moved to defence and the opposition consequently scored - sorry!

Lets hope we can keep up this form for the last 2 games of the season.

Match report by JS

Report: The Surbiton curse strikes again! It seems as though despite all the best efforts of the twos, we are unable to beat any Surbie team. A one nil defeat meant has meant four losses on the trot.-not a statistic that we are pleased with.

The omens were good for the game – Dot maintained her record of playing in all matches despite playing and winning a tennis final in the morning. Wendy managed to negotiate time off work to play. The sun was shining and we had loyal supporters in attendance.

Surbiton 3s, who are winning the league by the proverbial country mile, began the match in a sprightly fashion…we had been told to watch out for a tall blonde forward …as far as I could see they were all tall and blonde! Nevertheless Cheam matched them in the first half. Wendy was a thorn on the right wing while Gill was buzzing on the left. Defence was tight and the opportunities were limited, though Beverly made a great save with her head. In the second half Cheam began to press forward even more. The keeper made a good save from Liz Madew shot. A number of times a testing ball went through the “D” crying out for a deflecting touch which, alas, never materialised. And mid way through the second half, Surbiton managed to breach the Cheam back line and score. A very unlucky and unfair result but on the bright side, we managed to entertain Mandy and play with verve and vigour.

Match report by JS

Report: After a game like this, there are two questions

1. How did we not win this game?
2. How on earth did we lose?

We were practically camped in the opposition half with numerous chances and the ball would just not go in! Yet Surbiton managed to create a chance in each half and scored from both. All of the Cheam midfield and forwards did well with a special mention for Clio who put in a very good performance. Lizzie also worked tirelessly both in attack and defence. Yet the whole team doesn’t seem to “click” at the moment. Can we put this right next week against Surbition 3s- We HAVE to win against them sometime!

Match report by Liz Grimes

Report: The Ladies 2's continued their rich vein of form with another win on Saturday against Wanderers 3's.

Both teams came out strongly and the game was evenly balanced for the first 15 minutes before the introduction of Sinead Gooden who instantly played a perfectly weighted through ball into the 'D' for Gill McDonnell to run onto and smash into the back of the net.

The second half saw Nicki O scoring one on her reverse after passing the keeper whilst the other was a turn and hit across the goalie and into the back of the net.

Liz G scored the 4th goal and what can only be described as a "bobbler" of immense proportions!

The final 10 minutes saw Wanderers score a consolation goal by which time it was too late to make a difference.

Special mention must be made of the team as a whole rather than individuals (just call me Rafa Benitez) as they fought until the end chasing every ball down, however notable performances came from Sinead Gooden (new to the team) , Lois Hare and Nicki O.

Well done to all.

Match report by JS

Report: "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit."
After two draws in a row, there was a danger that drawing games was becoming a bad habit but on Saturday we developed another type of habit, a very good scoring habit!

Though Wimbledon managed to keep the score to one nil by half time (goal courtesy of Nicki), the floodgates opened immediately after the second half commenced and Wimbledon had no answer. Liz G and Rachel both got their names on the score sheet, while Nicki got another goal and thus kept up her assault on last years 17 goal tally. An excellent team performance all round!

Match report by Tiff Brown

Report: After having last weeks game called off due to bad weather the ladies 3's were hoping to start the new year with a bang. There certainly was a bang when Steph smashed our one and only short corner shot straight into the back board. The goalie never saw it coming. We drew against this team last Dec and were disappointed to draw again this round. We played with fighting spirit in the 2nd half to come back to draw but needed to perform from the beginning to ensure a win. Hopefully next week we can be firing on all cylinders from the first whistle.

Match report by JS

Report: AD ALTIORA- the ladies 2s hope to soar this year. We were certainly flying in the first half of this game with no signs of post-Christmas hangovers. Tenacious tackling from Dot saw Cheam win the ball on the edge of the D. The ball was passed to Nicki who scored her tenth goal of the season.

The tempo dropped slightly in the second half and Wanderers managed to snatch a lucky equaliser. Though Cheam kept up the pressure to the final whistle, the winning goal did not materialise. Nevertheless an encouraging start to 2007.

Happy birthday to Gill who celebrated a significant birthday on saturday!

Match report by JS

Report: The number five is lucky for the 2s at the moment-Five wins in the last seven matches, five goals in the game...

Gill opened the scoring, soon followed by a second from Nicki - a fine first time strike from the right hand side after a super pass from Lois. Liz G then scored an almost identical goal to the one she got last week, deflecting a strike from Liz M. Perseverance saw Dot thread her way through the defence to grab number four. Four one at half time was a difficult act to follow and it wasn’t surprising that the second half was played at a slower tempo with only one Cheam goal courtesy of Gill.

Despite the defensive lapses, this was a solid performance. Hopefully, 2007 will bring more success our way!

Match report by JS

Report: Back to winning ways for the 2s... Though the scoreline doesnt accurately reflect Cheam's level of superiority. Like last week Cheam tried to play passing hockey but this week, the passes found their target and there were some very slick passages of play..one example was a first-time reverse pass on the run by Nicki!
Despite this, there was a lack of goal mouth action at either end and the game was scoreless at half time.

In the second half, the rhythm of the game was not as smooth and seemed slightly frantic at times. Nevertheless Cheam won a short corner and the lizs (not sure how to spell the plural of Liz?), combined to score. Liz G picking up the rebound from the thunderous shot of Liz M.

After the game there were birthdays to celebrate... Happy birthday Sallie, Lesley, Rachel, Dot & Lois!

Match report by JS

Report: After last week's heroics, this week the 2s bounced back down to earth with a steady but uninspiring performance. Perhaps worn out by an unusual warm up (clearing leaves from the pitch) and a desperate Annika Rice-eque dash to find the umpire, the first half was somewhat lethargic. Though we tried to play our normal passing game somehow the passes were a bit short or a bit long....

In the second half some slick play by Gill on the left wing saw the ball make its way to Nicki who scored a great goal from the edge of the D. However, a chain of questionable umpiring decisions result in a short corner for Addiscombe. Despite the best efforts of the defence, an unstoppable shot gave the opposition the equaliser.

A yellow card for a Cheam player meant that defence had to take priority in the final quarter of the game....the gr-uilty individual shall remain nameless!

In conclusion, this was not the best performance of the season and a match that, based on ability, Cheam should have won. Hopefully, we'll be celebrating next Saturday!

Match report by Liz Grimes

Report: The Ladies 2's went into the match against Surbiton, the league leaders, having won their previous 3 matches. We knew that this would be our hardest game so far with Surbiton having averaged 7 goals in each of their previous matches. We welcomed back Lara Amato and Kat Boult from the Ladies 1's for the match.

Surbiton came out like a steam train to dominate the action in the 1st half with pickings slim for the Cheam forwards at the other end. That said, Cheam had the ball in the back of the net in the first half from a direct hit by Lara from a short corner though sadly disallowed for not hitting the backboard. Cheam went in at half time still in the game at 0-0 after a number of spectacular saves from Bev Bebbington and some stoic defending from the back 3.

The second half followed a similar pattern with Surbiton gaining a number of short corners which indirectly resulted in a goal and Cheam going a goal down. Their tails up, Surbiton came in waves again with corner after corner awarded to them. Undeterred, the 2's broke from time to time and one drive forward resulted in Lizzie passing to Lois on the left edge of the D who cracked in a marvellous goal from distance to make it honours even with 15 minutes to go.

Again, the waves of attack came from Surbiton who, from one of their corner sequences, got a lucky deflection to take the lead with 5 minutes to go. Cheam tried their best to level things but time ran out and they had to admit defeat.

Every single 2's player deserves high praise for the way they stuck to the task on Saturday. Surbiton 3's are a very good team and so it was no disgrace to lose the match especially when we were in fact playing against 12 for the entire match.

One further point to make is that whilst we must hold our hands up and accept defeat to a better team on the day, one that will probably be promoted come the end of the season, their use of gamemanship to influence the officials is something that will ultimately detract from their achievements and is something to which Cheam Ladies 2's does not aspire.

Next stop Addiscombe!

Match report by Jo Syron

Report: The Ladies 2's made it a hatrick of postive results with a win against Surbiton 4's on Saturday.

Cheam dominated in the 1st half with some neat interplay on the right between Lesley M and Lizzie T which resulted in Lesley skipping past the oppo on a number of occasions to put in some good crosses. Cheam went ahead in the 1st half with Liz G and Gill McDonnell scoring with a great assist by Nicki O for Gill's goal.

In the second half, Surbiton fought back and Cheam sat back (as a team) allowing Surbiton a corner from which they scored. Cheam came again and Dot scored the third goal and her second of the season before Surbiton pulled one back again from a corner but by then it was too late and Cheam took all three points.

Another good performance. Well done, all including Liz M who co-ordinated operations from the sidelines.

Match report by Liz Grimes

Report: The Ladies 2's followed up their first win of the season last week with another against Spencer on Saturday.

After a stirring pre match address from our injured Captain, Liz M, Cheam attacked with gusto and scored 3 goals before half time with Nicki (2) and Liz G getting themselves on the score sheet after a number of marvellous team moves where Cheam utterly dominated.

Spencer snatched a goal back on the stroke of half time and this prompted a fight back from them in the second half which resulted in another goal to bring the score to 3-2.

However, the last 10 minutes of the game saw Cheam take the initiative again with a number of sparkling moves through the midfield which deserved a goal at the end. This finally came with a well worked corner routine and a goal from Dot to put the game beyond Spencer with 5 minutes to go and give Cheam a 4-2 victory.

The Team played so well that it is too hard to pick out an individual as "Girl of the Game", however there were some notable performances from a number of players including Nicki, Sallie, Grace in the sweeper position and Bev for some excellent saves.

Special mention must also be made of Lesley Manjrekar and Sinead Gooden who came into the team this weekend for the first time and whose integration was seamless.

Match report by JS

Report: Our first win of the season- and what a good win...its amazing what the promise of chocolate will do!

Going forward we looked hungry and anxious to get stuck in. In fact, both sides played attacking hockey and the game was played at high tempo with chances at either end. Lone striker Nicki was a constant menace to the Wayfarers defence and was unlucky not to be rewarded, while saves from Bev ensured the game was scoreless at half time.

Cheam came out with renewed vigour in the second half and it wasn't long before we went ahead. After a slight mix up (or was this a deliberate tactic?) at a short corner, the ball came to Lois on the right of the goal, she crossed to Gill who volleyed home. It was almost two nil soon after but this time Gill's aerial attempt was disallowed. Wayfarers continued to press but the defence held firm, with Mel putting in a great performance as sweeper. As usual, Karin tried to destroy the opposition but this time decided to do so figuratively rather than literally with a lively display on the left!!

Towards the end of the game, with Cheam continuing to attack, Dot had a certain goal stopped on the line. The game ended 1-0, a deserved win and a great performance.

Match report by JS

Report: Prior encounters against Merton have left Cheam battered and sore. By contrast, this game was very competitive but still played in the "friendly" spirit. The 2s were joined by Spuggy, Julie, Pankster, Sinead & Wendy. The mix of players took some time to gel while Merton got off to a flying start in the first half going a goal up with an excellent strike from the top of the D. They then went two up, thanks to a "generous" pass from the Cheam sweeper!! However Spuggy pulled Cheam back in the game on the stroke of half time, scoring from a short corner.

In the second half the Cheam team became a more cohesive unit and it wasnt long before Kat capped an excellent performance with a goal.

Match report by JS

Report: Despite a much improved second half perfomance, the ladies 2s succumbed to Wimbledon on Saturday. The first half was not a display to dwell upon, with few of the silky skills normally seen on a tuesday evening. Wimbledon took the lead with an excellent strike from a short corner and went two up immediately after half time. At this point, Cheam changed gear and began to attack with urgency. Nicki pulled a goal back after a goal mouth scramble and Cheam continued to press, wining a number of short corners. However efforts were in vain on this occasion and the match ended in defeat.

Squad: Bev Babington, Liz Madew, Jo Syron, Grace McDonagh, Julia Douglas, Sally Webb,Dot Hare, Lois Hare, Liz Grimes, Karin Waller, Kat Boult, Sue Storey, Rachel England, Nicki Osborne, Gill Mc Donnell.

Match report by Liz Grimes

Report: The Ladies 2’s started their league season with a game against Richmond 3’s. The first half was hard fought with Cheam coming out of the starting blocks quickly putting together a number of good moves which resulted in sustained pressure on the Richmond goal but a half time score of 0-0.

In the early part of the second half a well-executed central move involving Dot Hare and Liz Madew resulted in a swivel and first time hit of the ball by Nicki Osborne which found the back of the net

This spurred on a very strong Richmond side who were repelled time and time again by a string of well-timed defensive interventions by Man of the Match, Sallie Webb and goalie Bev Bebbington before they finally broke through with a couple of well taken goals.

More misery was to follow as Cheam battled the heat and the need to get back on terms with Richmond scoring a further 2 goals. Final score Cheam 2’s 1-4 Richmond 3’s

Match report by JS

Report: Eight goals scored in two games must be something of a record for the 2s! Hopefully this rich vein of form continues in the league campaign...

On Saturday Barnes were the opposition. The first half saw good passages of attacking play. Kat was lively on the left wing and the midfield and forwards linked up well, culminating in two goals for Nicki. The defensive line was firm, though did concede at the end of the half
In the second half, the heat took its toll on the tempo of the game but "girl of the game" Rachel scored Cheam's third (and her first for the club?).

A lucky goal for Barnes in the last minute took some of the gloss off the scoreline but 2 wins out of 2 games played is a very positive way to start the season!

Squad: Jo Syron (GK), Grace McDonagh, Julia Douglas, Sally Webb, Liz M, Lois Hare, Lizzie Tebbs, Liz G, Karin Waller, Kat Boult, Sue Storey, Rachel England, Nicki O

Match report by JS

Report: The 2s made a winning start to the new season and recorded a 5-2 victory at Nonsuch on Saturday. Despite extemely warm temperatures and a sluggish start, goals by Kat (2) and Gill saw Cheam 3-0 up at half time. Gill continued on her scoring streak in the second half and chalked up her first hat trick! Hopefully the first of many for the 2s this season!! Welcome to new girls Sally, Rachel and Grace who all put in excellent performances.

Squad: Bev Bebbington, Grace McDonagh, Jo Syron, Sally Webb, Claire Ramsey, Dot Hare, Lizzie Tebbs, Gill McDonnell, Kat Boult, Rachel England, Sue Storey, Nicki O