A mixed bag of results for Winchmore Hill & Enfield Hockey this weekend!
For all matches occurring on 9th November 2024.
Men’s First Team Match Report
WHE Men 2-4 Osterley 1’s – Home
Goal scorers: C. Foad, H. Stone
Player of the Match: tbc
Coming soon
as written by A. Scholefield
Men’s Second Team Match Report
WHE Men 6-2 Southgate 7’s – Away
Goal scorers: E. Cohen, R. English (2), J. Molloy, L. Trevill (2)
Player of the Match: L. Trevill
“Story time folks, a Rob English special
MOTM: Luke- 2 goals, 2 assists. Numbers don’t lie! Simple.
Dod: Rob- 2 goals, 1 assist and no cards. Numbers clearly do lie!
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.
It was derby day. The air was filled with anticipation. The sound of future stick tackles was ringing in the ears.
The lads arrived in dribs and drabs, smiles on their faces. Everyone aware of the challenge that lay ahead. After a few quick shooting drills, it was time. But where was Jonny? With minutes to go, the unicycling, top hand tackler had arrived. He joined the team talk circle with his headphones still in. Probably better than the rubbish Cal was offering (Luke said play him a CAM!).
Game started; Southgate kept the ball well moving the boys from side to side. It seemed destined to be a long day at the office which wasn’t helped by Winchmore’s inability to not make a stick tackle. If it wasn’t Arran, it was James. If it wasn’t JP, it was John.
However, the boys found the groove and after about 10 minutes it was goal time. Great pressing and counter attacking lead to the ball finding its way to Jonny in the box, who slotted home with confidence.
Southgate then scored. Enough said.
Knowing what was at stake the intensity of the team increased, and we finally got hold the ball for a sustained period. After some neat passing between the new midfield 3 of Simon, Michael and Rob the ball ended up with Luke on the right wing. Making a lung busting run from the halfway line, Rob made a decisive run-in front of the defender and flicked a tired stick at the ball that Luke sent in with pace. Bang! Nothing but back board.
Going into half time at 2-1 felt like a positive half considering the way the game started. The half time team talk was more like a school lesson. Hand up all over the circle overing advice, tactics being shouted from everyone and Haribo (shout out, but again not sponsored) being enjoyed while lungs were replenished with air.
Second half. The team once again had to deal with a short period of Southgate pressure but had worked out a way to win. Counter attacking. With the stick tackling curbed momentarily the flow began to come. Rob and Luke were once again instrumental in goals scored. Lukes’s 2nd came from the spot after Rob had dribbled the ball classily into the D, rounder the keeper and then had his legs swiped from underneath. The flick was sent top left of the net, and 5 keepers would have struggled to save it (the truth is he pushed it right, keeper got a pad to it but not enough).
Goal 4 came from who else, Ellis. Goal machine. 6 in 6 (7 technically). After his short sabbatical in Birmingham, a city he speaks fondly about, he bundled the ball in at the back post to continue his unreal run.
More stick tackles from the team ended in Michael receiving 2 cards. Coming for the crown. Not even sure what the second one was for but here we are!
Goal 5 was nothing short of sublime. Rob played a 1-2 with Simon who was playing with more swagger as the game progressed. Ball passed into Luke who ran from the halfway line towards the goal. Rob knew it was time. With the speed of a prime Usain Bolt, he rocketed past Luke, who unselfishly drew the keeper for Rob to slot home into an open net.
As the game entered the final minutes, Southgate began pushing for some goals however to no avail. William had an unreal game at left back, tracking his men every time and moving the ball with a confidence beyond his years.
A quick shout out to the back 4 who grew into the game. JP worked some 1 v 1 skills, John marshalled with clear instruction and James continued to stick tackle (Only joking, he another 10/10 performance)
Goal 6 came late into the game with Calum finding himself in the D, hitting a reverse stick shot/cross which found its way for a Luke-in at the back post.
With 2 minutes left Rob was fouled as he 3D skilled his way past the Southgate midfield. A sharp whistle from the umpire, followed by a shout of annoyance. Green card shown. Rob starts walking to take his medicine until it was revealed the card was for 23 Southgate not 33 Winchmore. This gave the bench a good laugh and gave Rob the DoD votes, hence the honour of summarising the game.
Big up to Linus, who through the game made some amazing saves from the Southgate short corners. Also, Linus we will be seeing you at training to work on not kicking the ball of the ground at the opposition players.
Thanks to Dom, Simon, Dan and Calum’s Dad who came to support. I hope we entertained you on a grey Saturday morning.
Onto Richmond next week.
as written, curated and elaborated by R. English
Women’s First Team Match Report
WHE Women 1-1 East London 4’s – Home
Goal Scorers: H. Chapman
Player of the Match: tbc
Truly a terrific team match today.
We started off with a high press, with the forwards constantly chasing down the oppositions passes and intercepting beautifully. Midfields carried the ball and passed it off with success. We scored first with a magnificent play up the central channel, a strike rebounding off the goalie, followed up by Harriet slotting it in the bottom left. I’m not sure who was more surprised, the goal keeper or Harriet’s face after!
However, as time passed the opposition managed to get one passed us, taking it to 1-1 at half time.
The second half started quick, again with us setting great presses and the forwards continuing to battle. As legs tired, the defence stayed strong with exceptional touches and tackles inside the d. Nic made fab saves kicking the ball out wide and smashing it away with her pads. Each line of the team held their own, with the final score remaining 1-1.
Thank you to all the supporters on the side line cheering us on and a massive thank you to Jimbo and Josh for umpiring, at times a vocal game!”
as written by tbc
Women’s Second Team Match Report
WHE Women 0-4 West Hampstead 6’s – Away
Goal Scorers: N/A
Player of the Match: A. Jones
“We started the game strong and for the first 10-15 minutes looked like we had it in the bag. Throughout the game, we moved the ball well and created chances- we had plenty of possession in their half and put a good few crosses across the D but couldn’t convert.
Their first goal came against the run of play and was just one of those things however without any explanation that I can give and certainly no mistakes or bad decisions to pin it on- we let in another… and then a couple more.
It ended in a 4-0 defeat but (as always!) it wasn’t a 4-0 game and there are plenty of positives to take and continue to build on.
Man of the Match was Abi, our super stand in GK for keeping it to 4 and especially for the stick stop on the line!
And Winfield the Moose went home (and then to hospital) with Caroline for hurting herself in dramatic style with minimal involvement from other players”
as written by C. Gonella
That’s all for the seventh week of London League hockey!
