A clean sweep for Winchmore Hill & Enfield HC this weekend!
For all matches occurring on 12th October 2024.
Men’s First Team Match Report
WHE Men 3-2 PHC Chiswick 4’s – Away
Goal scorers: C. Foad, A. Scholefield, J. Turmaine
Player of the Match: A. Scholefield
“WH&E Men’s 1st Xl travelled to Chiswick HC today to face their Men’s 4th Xl, first challenge of the day: arriving on time for a 10am start.
The game started with Winchmore having possession in their own half whilst Chiswick pressed high, but that didn’t trouble us as we dealt with it passing our way into the oppos half with ease, we stayed calm and eventually found a goal, courtesy of Joe T. This woke up Chiswick and a bombardment of shots then came at us putting us under pressure, but the Hill brought their wall, Lasts seasons Keeper, and Player of the season Josh R, and he showed why he’s dubbed ‘The Winchmore Wall’. The team dealt with the pressure and managed to break, and with some questionable stick and foot action in the build up, we scored to make it 2-0. This left the Chiswick defence in tatters and shortly after restarting none other than Colin Foden pops up to tuck it away for 3-0. Chiswick continued to press high and cause problems for us and soon were rewarded with a deflected pass putting them 1 on 1 with the Wall, and managed to find a crack in his foundations making it 3-1.
The half ended that way and with some great hockey and lots of positives to talk about at half time we went again for the 2nd 35mins of the morning.
The 2nd half was a similar story, with both teams having chances but no goals would come until the dying minutes of the game, when Chiswick with their high pressing tactics broke at goal and with a shot heading into the goal, both Ross and Sam came crashing into the net to cover a crack in the wall, with Ross getting the touch to clear the ball away from goal, WHAT A SAVE and what a defensive effort from the pair! But the umpire blows his whistle and signals for a goal! We’re in disbelief, the spectators are in disbelief! Suddenly it’s 3-2 and it’s game on for the last few minutes, but Winchmore deal with the pressure, defending some last chance attempts from Chiswick trying to get something from the game, but we held on for the win to make it 10 from 12 points and remain unbeaten in 4NW.”
as written by J. Rider
Men’s Second Team Match Report
WHE Men 5-1 Harrow 2’s – Home
Goal scorers: E. Cohen, R. English, J. Molloy, A. Tatla, L. Trevill
Player of the Match: E. Cohen
“Disclaimer: I am not sure of the goal scorer order, even though I played in the game so apologies for any inaccuracies. Some of the events may have been dramatised for this match report.
As the sun was peaking over the horizon, the Winchmore boys arrived at the home pitch to continue the winning run.
After the usual warm up of smacking balls as hard as possible at Linus, the lads were primed and ready to go. However, JP was not. Having sent a questionable message at 1am the night before, he was nowhere to be seen. Arriving just as the Calum was leading his usual stick tapping jig, JP jogged over to the group and was ushered straight back to the bench. Skips taking no prisoners.
From the off, Winchmore took control of the game. With Dom having been poached by the ones the 2’s had a like-for-like replacement in younger Dom. The boys passed the ball round with ease, with everyone getting a feel for the ball.
Following a period of sustained pressure the team won a short. Calum taking control took his shot at goal to no reward. Moments later as second short was won and this time it was goal time. Rob identified space on the left slip and the rest is history. Luke delivered it on a plate to Calum, who reluctantly squared the ball the Rob who struck with composure and class to find the bottom corner. A 1st goal in 4 games for the new summer signing, only what his play over the opening matches had deserved. With the thousands (around 8) fans erupting, it really felt like a coming-of-age moment. This was his time to dominate the game but the hockey Gods had other plans (read on).
The lads continued to make all the play with slick passing around the back, working it between the lines to create more chances. With Simon coming in to bolster the midfield, the ball found its way to Jonny, who after a few jabs at it, finally put the boys 2 up. The unicycle celebration was a classy touch.
After conceding a 16 to Harrow, Rob accidently left his stick on the floor which appeared to stop the attack. Before long, he was being summoned to the umpire to learn his fate. Unfortunately, this fate was revealed by Calum and Rob got his 1st green of the day. His adoring fans, showed great support saying things such as ‘we knew it was coming’ and ‘we should have taken you off earlier’
10 men? No bother. Luke made a ‘lung busting’ run, rounded the keeper and put a classy reverse push into the bottom corner. 3-0, boom!
With English still licking his wounds, Kieran came on to the midfield and the pressure continued. A pass to Arran, who had a blinder on the wing, put the ball in with ease under an onrushing keeper. Nothing more than his play deserved. Who needs to hold the stick in 2 hands?
Half time came and went in a blur with the Haribo sport mix (not sponsored) doing bits as always!
The second half started with an almost overly loud shout from John telling us ‘the score was 0-0 and we go again.’ Maybe this was making up for tackle he made on himself.
The same patterns appeared in the second half. Siva finding pockets in the middle showing some silky skills, Piriyan making some unstoppable runs down the right wing and Luke working the defenders left to right in the D.
Harrow scored at some point. Wasn’t a great goal. Linus tells me that the whole defence were at fault. Diplomatic.
Back to basics went Winchmore. Some beautiful triangle passing and 3D skills (Calum I am still amazed) on offer it was clear the training Ollie and Dan have been planning was taking effect. Through ball to Ellis and we all know the rest. Goal! Sweet strike! Bottom corner! It’s what he does.
James, who was up and down the left-hand side like a yo-yo, had a great second half. He grew into the game, taking self-hits and getting the attacking plays started.
Rob to Calum. Calum back to Rob. Rob to Luke. Draw the keeper. Pass it square. Perfect goal? Nope. Rob swings and misses the ball, hitting the defenders stick. Not hearing the whistle continues to play on and misses an open goal from 4 yards. Couldn’t get worse? It does. Rob then drops his stick (Gravity takes things down at high speed with a frustrated shout, right?) and goes to collect it.
Within a flash, Dan calls Rob over and show him a 2nd green card. The big grin on Dan’s face really rubbed salt in the wound. Rumour had it Lisa was sprinting over to issue the card too!
I will add a huge thanks to Lisa and Dan, who umpired brilliantly allowing the game to flow.
English returned, the final 2 minutes past and the 3 points went.
Shout out to Linus for reminding Rob how bad he was a shooting in the club house and Calum for telling him ‘That’s why your CDM.’ More work to be done on Wednesday.
Unbeaten season pending…
Written, curated and elaborated by Rob”
as written by Rob English
Women’s First Team Match Report
WHE Women 0-1 Eastcote 2’s – Away
Goal Scorers: N/A
Player of the Match: TBC
“We started in the rain and finished in the sun with a keen new player Vicky who has been with us less than a week, and Holly’s first game for WHE in net!
We played some pretty lovely hockey at times with a couple of chances up front – Vicky really making her mark for us from the off and great runs too from the rest of the forwards. We even played up the left a few times! We defended fantastically and really frustrated them as they were getting more chances than us but with Shell holding strong, Alicia making great interceptions and even with a nearly own goal interception from B, we kept them to 0-0 at half time.
Some more of the same in the 2nd, with Amber getting multiple compliments from the umpires for clean good tackles and our whole defence being relentless, however they managed to sneak one past us eventually. We kept up the energy until the end and pushed for a goal too but couldn’t make it happen.”
as written by Bethany McNamara
Women’s Second Team Match Report
WHE Women – Old Merchant Taylors 3’s – Home
Unfortunately this game was cancelled/postponed.
That’s all for the fourth week of London League hockey!
