SEASON 2008 / 9
SEASON 2007 / 8
Ladies 3's (5) vs Havering Ladies 4's (0) on 08 Mar 08
Having two teams in the same Division is always difficult but this penultimate game of the season in Division 2 was played with good spirit and produced some fine hockey.
For the first time in recent weeks, both teams were able to field a full complement of players and each had the luxury of a sub! This ensured that every player could give 100%. The match was quite even for the first 10 minutes although neither side produced any clear openings. However, the 3rd XI took a deserved lead when Megan Miller raced in to deflect a loose ball past county and school team mate Rachael Sarson. Sarson pulled off a string of good saves before Miller added her second 5 minutes before half time.
The 3rd XI began to stretch the 4th Xi after the break, although good work in defence by Helen Joslin and Pat Johnson kept the 3rd team from increasing the lead. The 3rd’s third goal came from an impressive attacking move resulting in a goal for Nicola Gore who slipped the ball past Sarson with pin-point accuracy. Gore grabbed her second five minutes later as the 3rd team put together a fine spell of play. However, this did not deter the 4th who had veterans Liz Meehan and Lisa Wilson working tirelessly in midfield. Faye Downes and Nardina Chuter continued to combine well up front for the 4’s but the 3rd ‘s were well in control and completed their tally 5 minutes from the end when Nicola Day scored her second goal of the season from close range.
The 4th Xi remain bottom of the Division and are likely to be relegated but the win for the 3rd’s should be enough to ensure they play in Division 2 next season.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ladies 3's (0) vs Southend & Benfleet 2's (6) on 01 Mar 08
Havering hit hard by table topping Southend and Benfleet and with yet another enforced change of personnel and tactics the home side could not gain any momentum in this match. The game remaining goalless until 10 minutes before the end of the first half and Havering had chances to stay in touch with good work from Nicola Gore and Emily Mills in particular. But Southend and Benfleet’s strength in defence foiled Havering’s attempts on goal and once in front, the visitors took command running out worthy winners.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ladies 3's (1) vs Upminster (3) on 09 Feb 08
Havering Ladies 3rd XI had a dismal afternoon being reduced to ten players just before the start, they slumped to a 1-3 lost against Upminster Ladies 3rd XI in a Division 2 local derby. Megan Miller scored the visitors’ goal.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ladies 3's (0) vs Rochford Ladies (0) on 12 Jan 08
Havering suffered a second 2008 defeat against a side they had beating convincingly earlier in the season. Havering struggled to gain any momentum in the game and were hampered by several players playing out of position and injuries during the match.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ladies 3's (0) vs County Wanderers (5) on 05 Jan 08
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ladies 3's (3) vs Colchester Ladies 3's (3) on 15 Dec 07
Havering were up against tough opposition in Colchester who had beaten the 4th XI 6-0 the previous week and who had thrashed the 3rd’s 5-0 in the first game of the season. Havering were fully deserving of their point though and could easily have bagged all three having been 2-1 up early in the second period. However, a draw was probably a fair result with goals from Chloe Studd, Abi Gowers and Megan Miller.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ladies 3's (2) vs Havering Ladies 4's (2) on 01 Dec 07
Due to player unavailability throughout the club this fixture was always going to be difficult with both sides playing with just 9 players.
The 3rd XI pressed forward from the start but a well organised 4th team ably soaked up the early pressure. As the 3rd XI fought to gain control of the match a quick through ball from Paula Johnson found Emma Knight unmarked and she put the 4th XI in the lead with a well timed strike from the top of the D.
The 3rd team tried hard to draw level but solid defending from Johnson, Helen Joslin and Louise Burgess saw the 4th’s go into the half time break 1-0 up.
The 3rd’s reorganised slightly in the second period and their equaliser eventually came with a well placed shot by Abi Gowers. The 3rd’s began another period of pressure in search of the lead but, again, as they pushed forward, Emma Knight was left free up front to pick up another through ball and she rounded the 3rd team goalkeeper to grab her second for the 4th’s.
The 3rd’s once again began to string together some intricate passing and their hard work soon paid off when Gowers claimed her brace with a short corner strike which sailed into the net past the stranded Gemma Shepherd who was wrong footed by an unfortunate deflection off Johnson.
There was much untidy play in the final 10 minutes as both teams inevitably tired but a draw was probably the right result based on the hard work and effort from everyone on the pitch.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ladies 3's (1) vs Southend and Benfleet 2's (6) on 24 Nov 07
Despite the scoreline this was probably one of Havering’s best team performances of the season so far. Forced to play with just 9 players, Havering battled for every ball and frequently troubled the Southend and Benfleet defence with skilful attacks throughout.
Nicola Day, Bonnie Studd and Ellen Garrod were outstanding in defence and Faye Dench was fantastic in midfield running tirelessly for the whole match frequently disrupting the Southend and Benfleet attacks with solid tackles and timely interceptions. Captain Katie Marsters worked hard to be the link between defence and forwards and the experienced Liz Meehan and Gill Defroand marshalled the team well in the middle of the field.
The home team, who are in second place in the league, were outplayed by Havering’s sheer determination in the first half and they were unable to take any real advantage of their extra players; however they eventually took the lead 10 minutes from the end of the first period punishing Havering for a weak clearance in defence.
Havering were unfortunate to go further behind just after the start of the second half but they again battled to try to get back into the game with Abi Gowers causing all sorts of problems for the Southend and Benfleet defence often taking on three players as the sole striker and coming away with the ball. As Havering inevitably tired, Southend and Benfleet began to pick up more goals although Gowers scored with a stunning short corner strike to make the score at 4-1 with just five minutes to go. Southend and Benfleet completed their final tally of 6 just before the end but special mention must be made the most outstanding player on the pitch, Havering’s young goalkeeper, Sophie McCoy, who made spectacular save after spectacular save in an effort to keep Havering in the match.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ladies 3's (5) vs Basildon 3's (2) on 17 Nov 07
Having lost their last two matches, Havering were back to winning ways against bottom team Basildon.
Basildon are a team playing with a real lack of confidence and Havering took advantage of this from the start. Havering produced a string of well worked attacks before a superb move involving Captain Katie Marsters and Adele Sammons allowed Abi Gowers to fire home from the penalty spot.
Havering surged forward and deservedly increased their lead when Emily Defroand beat the Basildon keeper with a direct shot from the top of the D following a short corner.
In the second period, Basildon reorganised and had chances of their own early on but the solid defending of Nicola Day and Ellen Garrod in particular, frustrated the visitors’ attempts. Havering went 3-0 up when Gill Defroand pounced on a loose ball in the D then slipped the ball square for Lisa Howard to chase in and flick the ball high over the Basildon goalie’s head.
Basildon pulled a goal back with a fine break away effort but within four minutes Havering had restored their three goal advantage as Gowers completed her brace with a thunderous penalty corner strike. Gill Defroand completed Havering’s tally with another short corner effort and as the team began to sit back knowing the three points were secure, Basildon grabbed a second consolation goal late in the game.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ladies 3's (2) vs Upminster 3's (3) on 10 Nov 07
Havering went down in this local derby in disappointing fashion having been well in control of the game for the majority of the match. Havering troubled Upminster with frequent, speedy attacks from the start and had several goal scoring chances before Gill Defroand hammered home a Katie Marsters cross midway through the first period. Havering went close to increasing the lead through Jess Birtles and Emily Andrews but on both occasions the home side saw their efforts going agonisingly wide. Upminster produced a spell of attacking hockey of their own but their efforts were ably dealt with be Faye Dench and Nicola Day in the Havering defence.
Upminster were in slightly more determined mood in the second period and grabbed an equaliser when the ball was deflected high off a Havering defenders stick and as it ran loose the Upminster winger bundled the ball over the line. Upminster were again fortunate to find themselves in the lead 5 minutes later, again pouncing on a deflected pass and slipping the ball home past the unlucky Sophie McCoy in the Havering goal.
Havering upped the tempo again in search of the equaliser and for a period of 15 minutes bombarded the Upminster defence with fast flowing hockey. Upminster could not get the ball past the half way line but defended well until five minutes to go when Havering eventually drew level. Gill Defroand picked up a pass from daughter Emily, beat the last defender then raced into the D to fire the ball past the oncoming keeper.
Havering seemed relieved to have salvaged a point but were stunned almost immediately when they allowed an Upminster player to run, unchallenged, from midfield to score with a terrific strike from the edge of the D to steal all three points.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ladies 3's (1) vs Dunmow Ladies 2's (3) on 03 Nov 07
Havering put up a spirited performance against unbeaten league leaders Dunmow on Saturday and began the game with much determination. For the first twenty minutes of the match Havering frustrated their opponents with fast attacking moves which brought a string of good chances. Havering eventually took a well deserved lead when a well worked short corner routine involving Emily Defroand and Adele Sammons saw Gill Defroand flick the ball pass the wrong footed Dunmow keeper. Havering worked hard to try to extend their lead and Sammons and Steph Dawe both went close at half time approached. Dunmow tried hard to force the equaliser but solid defending from Faye Dench and Ellen Garrod in particular thwarted any attacks on the Havering goal.
In the second period, Dunmow reorganised and drew level with just 5 minutes played. The visitors had more urgency and their strength and skill in depth began to trouble the Havering defence. Dunmow grabbed the lead half way into the half and made certain of the all three points with a third goal with ten minutes remain. Havering, though, had their chances to get back into the game but as Dunmow’s confidence increased so did the level of their defending.
Havering could have got more from this game but were disadvantaged at not having a spare player who could roll on and roll off to minimise the pressure of the young, fast, athletic Dunmow team.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ladies 3's (4) vs Old Deferrians 2's (0) on 20 Oct 07
The 3rd XI was the only ladies team of the day to bag a win, and they did so in style but with disappointment that their complete dominance of the game did not produce more goals.
Havering were on top from the start and took an early lead when Gill Defroand picked up a pass from Chloe Studd, rounded the defender then fired the ball home. It was one-way traffic for the home side with excellent work from Faye Dench, Ellen Garrod and Katie Marsters thwarting Deferrians rare attacking play.
Havering had to wait until five minutes before half time before adding their second when a surging run from Emily Defroand in midfield took her past two Deferrian defenders and into the D before a fine strike beat the goalie to her left.
Havering came out in determined mood in the second period and by moving Adele Sammons up front, Havering were able to increase pressure Deferrians defence with some splendid attacks of skill and speed. Good work by Sammons on the right was followed by an accurate cross for Studd who swept the ball home from close range to make it 3-0 to Havering midway through the half. Havering bombarded the Deferrians D and could have added to their tally with several fine strikes from Sammons, Studd and Steph Dawe. But it was left to Emily Defroand to complete the scoring with a well worked penalty corner routine five minutes from time.
Deferrians only managed to cross the half way line once in the second half and goal keeper Sophie McCoy did not touch the ball all game!
Congratulations to Havering’s 18 year old midfielder, Emily Andrews, who was presented with a Jack Petchey Foundation Award for her services to the club after the match
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ladies 3's (4) vs Wapping Ladies 4's (5) on 13 Oct 07
In a pulsating match of fine end-to-end hockey, Havering were really unlucky to come out the losers of this Divison 2 game.
The match had started well for the visitors as they found themselves a goal up after just five minutes. Good interplay between Steph Dawe and Gill Defroand released Adele Sammons whose strike was deflected past a Wapping defender on the line by Emily Defroand. This spurred Wapping on and for 15 minutes they made the Havering defence work really hard. During this spell Wapping grabbed two quick goals but Havering themselves then began a fight back winning a string of short corners. Havering were awarded a penalty flick after a goalbound strike by Emily Defroand hit a Wapping foot, and Defroand coolly stepped up to convert past the keeper to make the score level at half time.
The second period continued at a fast pace with Wapping regaining the lead after just five minutes. Havering then had their best spell of the match and were awarded another penalty flick which Emily Defroand again converted well to the goalkeepers left. With the scores level at 3-3 Havering looked like the only team capable of grabbing the winner as wave upon wave of dangerous attacks were well dealt with by the Wapping defence. Havering’s breakthough came with 15 minutes to go when excellent work by Adele Sammons forced a cross from the right which was met by Emily Defroand who flicked the ball past the Wapping keeper to grab her fourth goal of the match and put Havering in the lead.
Wapping did not sit back and for a frantic last ten minutes surged forward with some fine intricate play. Sophie McKoy made several fine saves in the Havering goal but she could not prevent the home side from scoring two late goals and claim the three points. Havering can be justly disappointed not to have at least bagged a draw.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ladies 3's (4) vs Rochford Casuals Ladies (1) on 06 Oct 07
Havering were back in winning ways this week with a convincing win against a strong Rochford Casuals side. Havering started the game the brighter of the two teams but solid defending by the visitors ensured the score line remained level.
Midway through the half, and against the run of play, Casuals beat the Havering defence with a slick move involving four players beating Sophie McCoy in the Havering goal with a well placed strike.
Havering fought back immediately, passing the ball more effectively and forcing a series of short corners. Havering drew level with 10 minutes of the half remaining when Emily Defroand’s fiercely struck short corner found the back of the net leaving the Casuals goalie stranded.
Havering again stepped up a gear in the second period and took full control of the match. Within 10 minutes of the restart the home team had taken the lead when another short corner routine saw Emily Defroand grab her second. Five minutes later, Havering went further ahead when Chloe Studd and Steph Dawe combined well with Adele Sammons whose flicked shot from the top of the D beat three Casuals defenders.
Rochford Casuals fought hard to get back into the match but impressive defending by Nicola Day and Faye Dench, in particular, along with confident goalkeeping from McCoy frustrated the visitors.
Havering wrapped up a very good team display with 10 minutes to go when Emily Defroand completed her hattrick of short corner goals to make the final score 4-1.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ladies 3's (3) vs County Wanderers 3's (3) on 29 Sept 07
Having suffered a heavy defeat in their first game of the season last week, Havering were determined to put in a solid performance against an experienced Wanderers team.
The game started well for the home side and in the first five minutes of the match they put Havering under intense pressure. However, Captain Katie Marsters marshalled her team well at the back allowing Havering to come more into the game and begin to take control. For a period of 15 minutes the visitors caused Wanderers endless problems with a string of fast intricate moves. Then, against the run of play sloppy defending by Havering allowed Wanderers to take a surprising lead.
Havering hit back immediately and the score was level within two minutes after Helen Ayres dramatically flicked the ball, reverse stick, to convert a Stephanie Dawes free hit. With both teams striving to grab the lead Havering were unlucky to go behind again after Wanderers converted a short corner. Immediately after Havering were down to 10 players when Jess Birtles had to leave the field with a hand injury and the pressure was back on.
However, a fine end to the first half saw Havering back on level terms when another quickly taken free hit by Dawes found Emily Defroand at the top of the D and her shot flew low past the Wanderers keeper.
Havering played some attractive hockey throughout the second period, despite being a player down, with Ayres, Dawes, Defroand, Adele Sammons and Chloe Studd working very hard in midfield. Wanderers grabbed the lead again mid way through the half when they converted a penalty flick after a shot had been illegally stopped on the goal line. But this just spurred Havering on again and with five minutes to go they claimed their third equaliser of the match when Gill Defroand hammered the ball home following another good period of Havering pressure.
Havering’s effort and teamwork were impressive throughout and they were unfortunate not to claim all three points. |
