Cheam Ladies 2nd XI

Report: And so it came to pass that the 2's finally fulfilled the potential they've shown all season and gained promotion to Division 2. We've been waiting to nail it for 2 or 3 games now but haven't been able to get past those huge buses that have been parked in front of goal by our opposition.

It looked like it might go the same way on Saturday against Addiscombe until Kat swept in a right sided cross from Gill (Gill on the right? Where was I? probably panicking in defence at the time). The second came from Rachel before half time and Bev scored a superb goal in the second half to seal the game and promotion and to take her total for the season to 20 goals - can you hear the bells Fernando(Torres)? Cue champagne! Well done all

Report: It was a mild almost sunny day when Cheam ladies 2's took to the pitch, dodging the champaign celebrations of the newly promoted men's first team.

Cheam started well and really took the game to the oppo, but a strong Surbiton defence and some good goal keeping meant the first half ended 0-0. Play continued in the second half at a nifty pace, and perhaps as a result of trying just a bit too hard, Cheam's chances were many but Cheam's goals were not.

The final score was 0-0, which leaves us with a rather a 'bit to do' in the last 2 matches if we want to move up to the heady heights of Div 2.

Thanks to Faraz for umpiring and to all our 'always lovely' supporters.

Report: What can I say? An awesome performance from everyone. Yes we lost but the effort and energy levels from each and every player were just fantastic.

With the skiing season upon us we were missing a number of players but we were pleased to welcome Mary, Sinead, Amy and Steph up from the 3s. All had a great impact on the game and we looked a solid team from the off. Thanks so much to you all for helping us out.

Amy opened the scoring in the first half with a fantastic rebound shot. We almost held them but unfortunately conceded a goal just before the stroke of half time. The 2nd half saw oppportunites at both ends, unfortunately Liz Madew's strong strike on goal missed by millimetres, hitting the post.

After their 2nd goal towards the middle of the 2nd half we all continued to work as hard as before but unfortunately just ran out of time!

Overall it was another enjoyable game of hockey (apart from the rain), with great skills from both teams. Girl of the game deservedly went to Mary for her terrier-like work in defence. Well done and make sure the Maltesers get to you!

Report: This was a solid game for the 2’s which frustratingly just didn’t see us get the ball in the back of the net. Maybe it was the early start or maybe it was the Krispy Kreme Drive Thru being just metres away which was preoccupying some of us! It was an enjoyable game of hockey though with both sides defensively strong, a fact which was reflected in the 0-0 scoreline.

Notable performances from Sallie - commanding in defence as ever - and Gill who tirelessly ran up and down the wing which deservedly earned her the coveted girl of the game title (and Krispy Kreme hat).

Report: The Ladies 2's got back into the swing of things against Wanderers who are a lovely team. We pulled our socks up and started with real gusto from the beginning of the 1st half rather than the second with some nice approach play to the 'D' and well taken shots. Kat put the team ahead fairly quickly which settled nerves and Lara secured a number of corners one of which Liz G converted. A spectacular Bev goal followed and Lara capped off a successful afternoon with goal no 4 and man of the match award which was thoroughly desreved. Defensively, we were sound with great contributions from Sal and Steph de Stadler who made her debut for us. We did concede one goal at the death which, as ever, 6 or 7 of us contributed to but by then it didn't matter. Well done all. Now, on to the next one......

Report: At last the run of no league defeats comes to an end, and probably not a bad thing either. Whilst Cheam weren't at the races on Saturday, Reigate were running a Grand National which had the inevitable result of a frustrating (at least it was from the sideline) 2-0 defeat for Cheam.

There were some positive points from the game: another excellent GK display from Annys; Doris proving that she can still come out with the odd classic (and topical) 'one liner' in the face of adversity! And thats probably about it.

At least now we can concentrate on enjoying our hockey in the usual 2's spirit without the added pressure that continued success can bring.

Report: This week our 'beloved' captain had clearly taken a leaf out of Sir Alex's 'Guide to Half-Time Team Talks.' Just as well there were no tea cups lying around. Cheam started the game with a not so great attitude (and even less aptitude) and despite Bev scoring a couple of goals, Epsom got one back through a short corner and were unlucky not to go in level at half time.

The deserved rollocking from Captain G during the break saw the rest of the team take a sudden interest in their footwear, but it seemed to have the desired effect! The second half saw more passing than 'hoofing' and with it came 4 more goals thanks to Kat and Lara.

Man of the match went to Sir Alex for a gutsy performance in midfield and for leading by example. Huge thanks to Gerry for umpiring and to our fantastic supporters.

Report: Saturday's match seems like a bit of a blur (could be something to do with a mini hangover?), but it saw Cheam notch up another win and keep them top of the table. No idea what order the goals went in but Bev scored 3, one of them a tasty reverse sweep into goal, Kat got 2 (apparantly one set up by captain Grimes) and in front of older (or is it younger) brother John, Liz M also slotted one home from a short corner. The oppo put up a strong fight in the second half and by full time had scored twice making it 6-2.

The whole team played well and man of the match was a close run thing with Lizzie pipping Sylv to the coveted chocolate orange!

Huge thanks to Craigy for some excellent level 1 umpiring and to all our very lovely supporters.

Report: First league match of 2008 and 3 more points to show Cheam didn't over indulge too much during the festive season - OK well perhaps not!.

Cheam started the game slowly, but picked up half way through the first half and some nice passing ended in a goal by Bev (number 13 this season!). Contined pressure by Cheam then resulted in goal number two, a very relaxed scoop by Liz G.

The second half saw Cheam work hard which paid off with a 3rd goal, a trade mark roofer by Lara.

A promising start to the new year, lets hope it continues. Many thanks to Derry for umpiring and to Pankster for being persuaded to play in goal.

Report: With some determination to run off all those mince pies, Cheam started this match with lots of enthusiasm and impressively kept on running to the very end.

Both halves saw some nice passing moves, but it took numerous attempts on goal (saved by an excellent Mid Surrey Goal Keeper) before Cheam finally put the ball in the back of the net courtesy of Lara and a well worked short corner.

The second goal came mid way through the second half, scored again by Lara and again at a short corner. Mid Surrey fought back and scored a well taken goal, but Cheam continued battling right to the end to remain ahead when the final whistle went.

A good result and an excellent game to start the New Year.

Report: Wimbledon played us off the park in the 1st half and deservedly went in a goal up from a well worked corner. Cheam regrouped at half time and came out fighting in the 2nd half and got closer and closer until Kat slotted one home after 45 minutes.

The rest of the match was end to end stuff with Cheam clearing a certain goal off the line and scoring at the other end only for it to be (quite rightly) disallowed. The defence were, once again, awesome with notable performances from Grace McDonagh and Steph Williams and great marshalling from Sal and Doris but the man of the match award went to Kat Boult who proved that there is no substitute for skill.

Credit where credit's due, overall, Wimbledon played better than we did on the day but the will to maintain our unbeaten record remains granite-strong.

Report: Despite the horizontal icy cold rain, the ladies 2's dug deep to gain another 3 points on Saturday and remain top of the table. It was a tough match with Addiscombe taking the lead shortly after the starting whistle. However, Sylvana making her debut in the 2's got the equaliser and the first half ended even.

The second half was even colder but it eventually stopped raining and after a number of near misses Cheam finally got the ball in the back of the net (well done Kat) to secure the win.

Well done to everyone for battling so hard against the elements, and huge thank you to the umpires and supporters.

Report: Another cold day at the fortress, saw the ladies 2's play second from top Richmond. Not sure if it was the weather or the thought of another goal celebration from Liz M, but Cheam looked like they would much rather be at home watching a repeat episode of Midsomer Murders than running round a hockey pitch in a short skirt.

However, the team spirit never deserted, and once we started to battle for the ball things came together and resulted in Liz G running in on goal and very cooly scooping the ball in the back of the net. The whole team were thankful that the goal celebration involved keeping clothes on!

The second half saw lots more enthusiasm, but it was Richmond who were deservedly rewarded with a goal. This galvanised Cheam into action but they were thwarted by some amazing saves by the Richmond GK, and the game ended in a draw.

Man of the match went to Steph for some great work on the right both in defence and attack. Liz G was a close second, but shocked by her individual goal had to leave the party early with a migraine.

Thanks to Mandy for umpiring and to Richmond for providing such friendly opposition and a very helpful insight into how to beat the other teams in our division.

Report: A rather feisty game on a cold and wet afternoon at fortress Nonsuch!

Cheam took a while to get going and spent the first 10 minutes of the match dealing with a strong determined Wayfarers attack, eventually leading to a well worked goal by the opposition. However, this had the necessary effect of awakening the Cheam fighting spirit and some excellent play right across the pitch resulted in Lara cracking home her first goal for the 2's this season.

It then wasn't long before Liz 'no goals this season' Madew strode up to the top of the circle to take part in a Cheam penalty corner. And what a corner it was, with Liz M hitting the back of the net resulting in a very passionate, if not a bit drafty, goal celebration. The boys on the sideline found it difficult to keep abreast of the situation, but were soon applauding the uncovering of such a fine pair!

The second half saw a solid team performance, with some nice attacking moves backed up by an effective and calm defence.

The whole team played really well, but 'men' of the match deservedly went to Liz M for an inspirational performance and Lizzie for her non stop determination.

Big thank you to our umpires and supporters!

Report: Another game another win!

Saturday saw the 2's face their stiffest opposition yet over in Battersea. Despite a rather frantic first 10 mins, Cheam got into their stride and it didn't take too long for Bev to score the best goal of the season so far with a very fine reverse sweep into the corner of the goal (followed by a very fine celebration!). A second goal followed shortly, again by Bev, who if it wasn't for some great goal keeping by Wanderers could have easily had a hat trick.

The second half saw Cheam defend well, and Liz G score a goal just after the final whistle had blown. The team have now sat down with Liz and explained that the best goals are scored in the oppo's goal, and preferably during play!

Congratulations to our new players this week, Lara, Pip and Grace, who all contributed to another great 2's performance.

Report: Another four goal feast from the ladies 2s! The team certainly like the number 4 having scored four goals in four games this season and also managed to get 4 green cards at the same time in this match.

Cheam made their intensions clear from the very start, winning a penatly stroke inside the first two minutes. Bev shouldered the responsibility and cool converted the opportunity. There followed a half with some beautiful flowing hockey, which led to a plenty of activity in the opposition's D. A fantastic move at right back with Steph, the ball was passed sharply between Liz and Bev, before coming across the D to Kat who reverse flicked the ball into the goal. An excellent team goal which left the score two nil at half time.
In the second half, Cheam totally dominated the game to the extent that Annys was almost redundant. Chrissie and Liz came close to scoring before a series of short corners resulted in another goal for Bev.
Kat wrapped up the scoring and was the deserved Girl of the Game, though the whole team's performance was excellent.

Report: The Ladies 2's went into the match on a 2 match unbeaten run hoping to gain their first clean sheet of the season.

This is where the match becomes a dream sequence for the captain. 15 minutes in and the current captain gets a call from the ex-captain and sweeper who is hovering on the edge of the defensive D to pass the ball which she duly does and the ball is despatched away to safety by the ex captain! Unfortunately, the dream then turns into a nightmare, said ex captain calls for the ball on edge of D, current captain duly passes but a tad waywardly (rough translation: an "ozzie" ball), oppo nips in, admittedly makes a meal of it but eventually rounds the goalkeeper to score and put Cheam 1 down against play. Current Captain fairly embarrassed!

Still, things got better and we pulverised them particulary down the right wing where Wendy put on a display of how to play right wing which Shaun Wright-Phillips might be wise to take note of in terms of final ball.

Some lovely interplay between the midfielders and high forward, Rachel who had a great game, had the oppo tied up in knots constantly.

Can't remember how the goals were scored or when but they were all good and we should have had another 3 at least.

Well done to all. Now the hard work begins for the 2's

PS Always knew we would win (phew!)

Report: First league match of the season with Cheam searching for the mecca of a winning start.
After a scrappy beginning, (though with Cheam dominating), the team took their eyes off the game and allowed Barnes to score. However the little ducks of the 2s put their eyes down and concentrated on passing the ball around the four courners of the house. Bev and Gill both marked their cards with a goal apiece. After 35 mins of jumping and jiving, the half time break came and instructions to play cautiously in the first couple of minutes of the second half- instructions which were promply disgarded and bingo: Cheam allowed Barnes to level the score from a short corner.
Yet- Cup of tea- Bev got number three to put Cheam in the lead again, followed shortly afterwards by a knock on the door, number four from Dancing queen Kat. Man alive! Chrissie almost made it number five but her shot went mysteriously wide…

So-off to a flyer for the 2s with the jackpot three points.

Report: The Surbiton jinx stikes again...though Cheam were undoubtedly the better side, Surbiton somehow managed to sneak two goals. The highlight of the game was a fantastic Cheam goal. Wendy tore down the right wing (opposition trailing in her wake before crossing to Bev who cooly beat the keeper.

Report: Cheam Ladies 2's welcomed a number of new and familiar faces to the fold for this first friendly of the season. Having had to help the oppo out with a goalie and a player, we were "gk less" for the 1st half though had one more player than them. The new players gelled well and Cheam took the game to Mid Surrey from the outset with some good incisive play from Chrissie Yeates in the striker role and a masterful display of ball retention and distribution by Liz Madew and Bev Nicholson in the sweeper and centre midfield roles respectively. This, coupled with the overall tenacity and appetite for fighting for every scrap by the whole team as typified by Wendy Parker's marauding runs down the right wing, ensured that we went in at half time a couple of goals up through Liz Grimes and Bev Nicholson.

With our goalie, Charlotte Kenyon, back for the second half and keeping goal very well, Cheam pushed up with the defenders joining the attack. We let a couple of goals in as a result but it didn't matter too much as Cheam, by that time, had scored 2 more goals through Bev Nicholson and Kat Boult.

Overall, a pleasing first match which the Ladies 2's won without really needing to get out of 2nd gear.