For all matches occurring on 4th November 2023.
Men’s First Team Match Report
Hampstead & Westminster Spaniards 1-1 WHE Men’s 1’s
On a cold afternoon in Highgate, the Winchmore Hill and Enfield Town M1s took on a struggling Hampstead and Westminster side. With limited attacking options, Skipper Ollie Taplin elected to play a flat 4-4-2 with a surprise start for new comer Olly “The Bald One” Thrasher.
The game began at a frantic pace, with Winchmore clocking up some early chances at goal. A short corner game quickly, with Winchmore’s dominance shining through as Joe Turmaine dragged one top corner.
On what may go down as the worlds slipperiest pitch, Ross Davidson spent most of the half on the deck. Reminiscent of 2013/14 Season Steven Gerrard, one of these resulted in the Hampstead forwards capitalising to draw level.
The game then continued with frenetic pace, each side having great chances on goal. Despite this, the game was level at the break.
A strong team talk from skipper Ollie, and a formation change to 4-5-1 led to Winchmore dominating the second period. Sustained periods of pressure alas led to no goal. Chances went amiss whilst at the other end, Goalie Josh “the wall” Rider produced a series of fantastic saves to keep Hampstead at bay.
The Highgate yummy mummy’s were left exhilarated with the game finishing a point-sharing 1-1. Despite Winchmore’s second half relentlessness a draw felt fair given the distribution of chances to either side. Post game analysis revealed some potential rule breaches from the Hampstead side. Stay tuned for a potential points adjustment.
Man of the Match was overwhelmingly granted to “The Wall” in what will go down as one of the great performances between the sticks.
as written by Ross Davidson
Men’s Second Team Match Report
WHE M2’s 4-1 Harrow 2’s
The morning started out in cold rainy conditions but by the time the M2’s arrived at Southbury to host Harrow’s M2’s, the rain and grey clouds made way for sunny rays and sunshine.
Pre-match warm-up was not the usual fashion due to restricted time left before PB following the W1s match beforehand, but nevertheless the team were ready for the match or so they thought.
The game initially started with Winchmore playing the game in Harrow’s half until their no.13 slithered his way into Winchmore D and awarded a PC for the efforts. A fake shot, deft drag to the left by the same player, followed by a reverse shot, struck sweetly to earn Harrow the lead just 5 minutes into the match.
Undeterred, Winchmore re-started and forged ahead aiming to get on the scoresheet with again most of the play in Harrow’s half and Winchmore asking questions of Harrow’s goal keeper, including a number of PC’s but Harrow’s goal keeper seemed in no mood to give up the lead any time soon.
As the first half wore on, Winchmore’s play became increasingly untidy, lacking energy and seemingly still in first gear, resulting in a number of counter attacks by Harrow, led by their no.13, who was a constant threat with his pace and skill but thankfully each time snuffed out by Winchmore’s defence determined not to give up another goal.
Winchmore continued to restore some order to get back into the match to level up the score and just before half time were awarded another PC, which was put away by Simon M with a superb low dragflick on goal, which Harrow could do very little about.
Half-time team talk and the general consensus was Winchmore needed to step it up two gears and more, whilst keeping a close eye on Harrow’s no.13, who was clearly part of Harrows game plan to catch Winchmore on the quick counter attack at every opportunity.
The second half saw a much improved Winchmore, keeping things simple with quick accurate passing and once again dominating the play and growing in confidence. However, Harrow’s counter attacks were distrupting Winchmore’s flow at times as they too were determined to break the deadlock, but each time Winchmore’s defence held resolutely.
The deadlock was finally broken following a green card issued to Harrow, which enabled Winchmore with the extra player advantage, see the ball come across the D from the right, where Jake S found himself in the far side to slot the ball into the net for his third goal of the season so far and Winchmore’s second goal to lead 2-1.
Another green card issued to Harrow and again Winchmore capitalising, pinning Harrow in their half, resulting in two further quick goals by Luke T, one of which was a classy goal with the ball coming from the left and with the faintest of touches deflected the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal, completely wrong footed Harrow’s goal keeper and which has consolidated Luke’s position as M2’s leading goal scorer with six goals at this stage of the season.
The final whistle and final score 4-1 to WHE M2’s.
Winchmore were tested on how they would respond from being 1-0 down so early in the game. They passed the test with confidence in their ability to get back into the game, with strong teamwork and determination to come away with all three points.
Man of the Match: Dom S.
as written by Wayne Plummer
Women’s First Team Match Report
WHE Women 1’s 2-1 Ealing 1’s
No match report found.
as written by nobody 🙁
Women’s Second Team Match Report
Eastcote 4’s 4-2 WHE Women 2’s
No match report found.
as written by nobody
That’s all for the first week of London League hockey!
