Croydon 4 shot down by Bec 4Croydon 4 travelled to Graveney High School to take on Bec 4. Starting in attack were Phil Aish, Jon Dean, Sarah Hole and Hayley Rand, in defence were Steve Chadd, Russell Comber, Charlotte Feakins and Kathy Dean. The hosts had a big crowd there and it made a difference right from the start, Croydon were pressured into making early mistakes and Bec used the extra time in attack to punish the visiting team. Two quick goals, one a long shot and then a penalty gave Bec a lead right away. Croydon found themselves further behind, shipping 3 straight long shots to leave the scores 5-0. Things didn't get much better when they gifted Bec 2 penalties but the hosts missed them both. The visitors were finding it hard to create any space, limited only to single shot attacks whilst Bec were creating chances with ease and scored again with a running in shot to make it 6-0. Half time was approaching and Croydon's defence was looking better, managing to get in some good interceptions but it just wasn't enough to stop the hosts marching on with another 2 long shots before the break. Croydon were again finding it hard to get on the scoresheet and Bec made them pay scoring another long shot followed by a drop off shot, another long shot made it 11-0. Croydon had the chance to get on the scoresheet when Charlotte was fouled under the post, Steve stepped up to take the penalty but it sailed over. Another running in shot from Bec and it was 12-0. Steve was making in hard for his attacker and was keeping him quiet but managed to go over on his ankle and injure himself. Coach Dan Pratt had to step in for the last 10 minutes but that couldn't change things and 3 more long shots and a running in shot left the full time scores at 16-0. Match Report by Sicknote | Updated by Andy Final Score: Bec 4 16 vs 0 Croydon 4Philip(0)Russell(0)Jon(0)Steve(0)Daniel(0)Kathryn(0)Charlotte(0)Sarah(0)Hayley(0)
Hawks glide to 2nd win of the dayWith a 5-0 win already under their belts, the Hawks were ready to do battle with Nomads, in their second match of the day. The sections lined up the same as before, with 3 borrowed Scorpion players. This match was tougher, with the Nomads players having several tall and experienced players, but the Hawks kept fighting and after some patient work, it was Stephen Gooch who stormed past his player to get a running in shot. Nomads were not giving up easily though and kept working the ball, and there were many tense minutes when neither team could find the basket, although several shots went agonisingly close. But Hawks kept their calm, and with the attacking boys suddenly realising that the 2 girls in their section were there to play as well (!!), some good team work led to Hannah (borrowed from Scorpions) scoring a great goal from under the basket. The final whistle went, and the Hawks were flying high. 2 wins from 2 games, it can't get any better than that. Match Report by Anna | Updated by Andy Final Score: Nomads 1 0 vs 2 Croydon U9sStephen(1)Adam(0)Michael(0)Benjamin(0)Unknown(0)
Hawks swoop to a 5-0 victoryCroydon Hawks played their first match of the new season at Raynes Park, and what a first match it was. Stephen Gooch, Adam Dach, and two borrowed girls started in attack, while Michael Gooch, Ben Obee, Luke James and 1 borrowed girl, started in defence. The Hawks had obviously been waiting for this moment for the last 3 years. Previously they have had to play against bigger and older players than themselves, but that was all preparation for this moment. They came onto the pitch smiling and looking confident, and it was soon clear why. With Stephen Gooch opening the scoring from distance, it was to be Croydon Hawks day. All the players were working hard, moving the ball around and creating great numbers of shots. Anyone could have scored, and shots rattled round the basket again and again, until Stephen slotted home his second goal, and the sections changed ends. Now it was the time to sit and admire the interceptions, the close marking and the clear space that the young Croydon players created. The attacking section forced the Scorpions defence to commit a foul and Ben stepped up to calming slot the ball through the basket. Moments later, after anyone foul, Ben stepped up again, and repeated his shot, to send the Hawks supporters wild. 4-0. With all players continuing to pressure their players in defence, and create space in attack it wasn't surprising to see them score for a 5th time, through Stephen Gooch, with his hattrick for the match. A well deserved win. Match Report by Anna | Updated by Andy Final Score: Scorpions 2 0 vs 5 Croydon U9sStephen(3)Benjamin(2)Adam(0)Michael(0)Unknown(0)
