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| Westbury
& United Banks HC: Results for Saturday |
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| Team |
Opponents |
|
League |
Scr |
Scorers |
|
Legends |
v Bluebottles | H | Friendly | 5-2 | Roper G 2 Wornell Haslett Jacobs M |
| Bluebottles | v Legends | H | Friendly | 2-5 | Walkey Beesley |
|
Veterans |
v Westberries | H | Friendly | 7-1 | Palmer M 2 Harvey 2 Beesley 2 Crofts |
| Match
comments |
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Legends v Bluebottles: The annual Bluebottles match was revived after a two year break following the demise of the STYX invitation side, who used to provide the opposition. Westbury formed a team (who I have called The Legends), who took part in a competitive, entertaining match at Coombe Dingle. The Bottles match traditional took place on Boxing Day and New Years Day, but pitches are no longer available on these holiday days, thus the match was played on the Saturday before Christmas. Bluebottles opened strongly and put a lot of pressure on the Legends' defence, yet the first scoring opportunity might have come when Bomber was stick tackled from behind, but received only a short corner rather than a stroke. Instead it was Bottles who found the opening. A shot at Smurf cannoned back up in the air to Shads who like a tennis player at the net smashed it back shoulder high into the net! A second goal came from Worny who followed up another rebound. The third goal of the half for bottles came when Village received the ball practically on the goal line on the right hand side of the D. He hammered it back from the narrowest of angles for a well struck goal. The Legends never gave up the chase and after another good run by Bomber, Nathan Walkey was there to score at the near post. The Legends came out with renewed confidence and took the game to Bluebottles. Bees thumped in a goal to pull it back to just a 3-2 deficit. Dave Ratcliffe cleared a Bluebottles shot off the line to keep the Legends in the game. The match was fairly even for a period of time with both sides playing some good hockey. In the last ten minutes Bluebottles stepped up a gear, and Gary Roper scored his second of the game. In the closing minutes Michelle finished off a well worked move to make it 5-2 to Bottles. Legends' skipper, Si Andrews summarised it when he wrote: "Just to say a big thank you to everyone that played in the Bottles v Westbury game. It was a well contested, good natured game in which everyone got a good touch of the ball." Teams: Bluebottles: Pound, Taylor T, Croker, Puetz, Haslett, Wornell, Small, Jacobs T, Jacobs M, Roper, Legends: Murphy, Beesley, Coates, Smith, Ratcliffe D, Mason, Richardson, Walkey, Ratcliffe P, Taylor M, Andrews, Harris, |
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Veterans |
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| Westbury
& United Banks HC: Results for Saturday |
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| Team |
Opponents |
|
League |
Scr |
Scorers |
|
Veterans |
v N Bristol Veterans | H | Friendly | 1-1 | Palmer M |
|
Academy
XI |
v Westbury Legends | H | Friendly | 1-5 | Nichols G |
|
Legends
|
v
Westbury Academy |
H | Friendly | 5-1 | Colquhoun 3 Walkey Banting A |
| Match
comments |
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|
Academy
v Legends: The Academy side were a mixture of experienced Westbury
players and the best of the young talent who have begun to make
their mark in the lower sides this season. Reston Smith was looking
strong in the middle of the park for the Academy, whilst Andy Griffin
was as sharp as nails to make 3 goal line clearances/deflections,
two of them within 30 seconds of each other. Geoff Rickard was given
a bloody nose when the ball rebounded off Sam Banting at close range,
but he was able to return to the pitch with a very fetching plaster
across his nose! The Legends looked the stronger side going forward
and Nathan Walkey was causing problems for the Academy defence.
It wasn't long before he got onto a cross from the right to whip
in the first goal. Another was not long in coming as a superb cross
field pass found Adam Banting at the far post to sweep it in. It
could have been three, but TC, who has been deadly from the p-spot
this season, saw Sam Banting keep out his stroke. The Academy did
press forward and had several first half short corners. Jon Fox
and Will Holmes were very confident on the ball, and Peter Ratcliffe
and Max Longden were able to to make a good impression surrounded
by some able players who made themselves available to receive passes,
something they haven't had in the lower teams! Will Glynn worked
hard and chased back on one occasion to make an important tackle
and prevent a shot at goal. Stig like-wise pulled off the same feat
later in the game, which showed the effort everyone put in on a
very cold day.The second half was fairly even with both sides pushing
forward. However this half turned out to be the TC show. He scored
a second half hat-trick with three well struck goals to stamp his
class on the game. At 4-0 Gareth Nichols (who came off suffering
from hypothermia in the first half - well his hands were very cold),
scored as a result of a well worked move down the right. Ned Holmes
(Will's brother) played his first game and made a couple of good
touches. The game was played in excellent spirit, and it was good
to see everyone give the youngsters an opportunity to play in a
quality game. Thanks to TC senior and Sparky for whistling on a
very cold day. |
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Veterans:
The Veterans had the better of the first half at home to N Bristol
Vets. Brian Callis and Brian Nichols looked very composed in defence
and N Bristol were kept at bay for long periods. Moving forward
Mark Crofts, Dave Holliday, Alan Sparks and George Banting held
the ball well. The opening goal of the game came when Martin Palmer
ended his 10 week goal drought. Fazza did well to pull a lofted
pass out of the air, turn, go forward a few paces before delivering
a 40 metre crossfield pass into the D. Martin arrived in the D and
slammed the ball shoulder height past Adie Dann in the N Bristol
goal. Adie said later it was an awesome goal, he didn't have any
time to react! (Thanks Adie, I know what a brilliant keeper you
are, and I appreciate the compliment.) Westbury played some good,
neat hockey and could have added to their goal. A second goal would
not have been an injustice, but it didn't come. Instead it was the
visitors who scored an equaliser to take the game to 1-1 at half-time.
After the break as Westbury tired, the N Bristol team, many of whom
play in the same side in the league, took control of the game. Jez
Longden was sweeping up well at the back and Mike Harvey in goal
made several excellent saves. N Bristol were also guilty of missing
several gilt edge chances. Fortunately they didn't have quite the
composure in the D that they had throughout the rest of the pitch.
Sparky nearly had the chance to win it, but could not guide his
shot inside the post from his position outside it and to the right.
This was a very good work out and a game played in excellent spirit,
a draw being a fair result on the balance of play, with neither
umpire (TC senior and Cocksy) ever having to think about brandishing
cards. |
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| Westbury
& United Banks HC: Results for Saturday |
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| Team |
Opponents |
|
League |
Scr |
Scorers |
|
1st
XI |
v Isca | H | Premier 1 | 2-1 | Richardson Frost J |
|
2nd
XI |
v N Bristol | A | North Div 1 | 1-1 | Haslett |
|
3rd
XI |
v W Wilts II | A | Avon Div | 2-4 | Walkey Woodward |
| Wanderers | v N Bristol II | H | Br & NW Som Div1 | 6-0 | Farrell 2 Millman S 2 Alger T Taylor T |
| Wizards | v Bristol Univ IV | A | Br & NW Som Div 1 | 2-7 | Pope Enderby |
| Warriors | v S Glos | H | Br & NW Som Div 2 | 0-3 | |
| Widgets | v N Bristol IV | H | Br & NW Som Div 3 | 4-2 | Payne 2 Sheppard Crill |
| Match
comments |
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|
1st
XI: The first team notched up their first ever win over Isca 1st
XI with a well constructed victory on a rain swept sand pitch. For
the second week in a row the game was switched from the water-logged
water pitch. Both sides played well in the rain. JP cleared off
the line from one Isca attack and Ron wheeler had to be alert to
several Isca shots. At the other end Frosty had a goal bound shot
deflected by the goalkeeper. The opening goal came from Isca. An
obviously well rehearsed short corner was swept in by the player
who had injected the ball. At the other end three Westbury shorts
lacked a positive outcome. An equaliser came for the firsts. JP
drilled in a cross and Neller met the ball to deflect it past the
keeper. In the second half Iisca found them selves down to 9 men
with almost simultaneous yellows. Westbury could not take advantage
of the extra space and well still guilty of one or two misdirected
passes around the back. Isca returned to full strength only to receive
a third yellow. The first maintained their shape as well as their
discipline. Shads came close twice to snatching the winner, but
the keeper saved one and the other was squeezed the wrong side of
the post. A winner did come and it was an excellent tem goal. Joe
Thomas pushed the bal through to Shads down the inside left channel.
At the D Shads, squared the ball to Frosty, James took one touch
into the D and then placed his shot perfectly to win the game 2-1.
|
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|
2nd
XI |
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3rd
XI |
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Wanderers:
Well done the Wanderers. They sprayed the ball around the pitch
superbly. Tonka opened up the first goal finding Fazza at the far
post. Pete's reverse stick touch back across the goal got the perfect
spin and he thumped it home from a few inches out. Next up another
defense splitting pass fell to Tufty to flick in. There were two
more well worked goals at the start of the second half. Tom Alger
and Tufty finished off some excellent passing moves. Si Andrews
managed to drag flick his short corner over the bar, but in the
last ten minutes Westbury scored two more goals. Tufty fed Fazza
who received the ball at the top of the D, ghosted past the keeper
and fired in a head high shot past a despairing defender who was
trying to defend an unstoppable shot. Tonka completed the party
when he was able to hit the D unchallenged and banged his shot through
the keepers legs. This was the Wanderers of old with an outstanding
team performance which gave the visitors little opportunity to make
much of an impression. |
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Wizards:
The Bristol University students scored very early in the game and
then added two more in the first half. James Pope scored a well
taken goal. He drifted left across the D and swept in a reverse
stick goal. The Wizards came out in the second half fired up and
scored a second goal through Will Enderby to cut the score to 3-2.
The students stepped up the pace of the game and within a few minutes
had charged into a 5-2 lead. They then added tow more before the
close. The Wizards worked hard and there was some good individual
moments from the side. |
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Warriors: Once
again the warriors defence put on a first class show in keeping
out most of the S Glos attacks. Martin Eland was outstanding and
AJ had a very good game. Steve Alger playing his first game for
ages had to put in some telling tackles from the start. At the other
end of the pitch S Glos were never in any danger. The Warriors only
got the ball into their opponents D just once! The Warriors finished
up losing 3-0, but at no time did they give up and made S Glos work
hard for their three goals. Martin Eland got close to saving the
penalty stroke. |
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Widgets: The
Widgets won a second successive game. N Bristol opened strongly
but Shep struck his third goal in three games to give Westbury the
lead. Alex Payne scored to make it 2-0 at half time. N Bristol pulled
a goal back. Joe Crill and Chris Avery were running the midfield
and Joe making his Westbury debut scored to make it 3-1. Alex payne,
who normally patrols the defensive zone, was playing on the left
wing and popped in his second goal. N Bristol scored the last goal
of the game with two minutes to go but this could not deny the Widgets
a morale boosting win. |
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| Westbury
& United Banks HC: Results for Saturday |
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| Team |
Opponents |
|
League |
Scr |
Scorers |
|
1st
XI |
v Gloucester | H | Premier 1 | 2-2 | Thomas J Frost J |
|
2nd
XI |
v Gloucester | A | North Div 1 | 0-3 | |
|
3rd
XI |
v Team Bath Buccs VII | A | Avon Div | 1-2 | Pearce-Smith |
| Wanderers | v Westbury Wizards | H | Br & NW Som Div1 | 3-1 | Farrell 2 Andrews |
| Wizards | v Westbury Wanderers | A | Br & NW Som Div 1 | 1-3 | Holmes W |
| Warriors | v O Bristolians III | H | Br & NW Som Div 2 | 0-5 | |
| Widgets | v S Glos II | A | Br & NW Som Div 3 | 2-1 | Ogilvie Sheppard |
| Veterans | v Oxted Veterans 2/12/07 | H | HA Veterans Plate | w/o | Oxted couldn't raise a side |
| Match
comments |
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|
1st
XI: The first team had the opportunity to measure the progress they
have made this season when they entertained the league leaders Gloucester.
The match was switched from the flooded water base to the sand.
If Gloucester thought that Westbury were going to just lay down
and die and be 'rolled over' like most of Gloucester's opposition,
they were much mistaken. It was Westbury who took the lead with
a Joe Thomas goal. The players even had to shelter from a violent
hail storm and played most of the game in wet, blustery conditions.
Mace felt afterwards that a Westbury win would not have been an
unjust result. In the second half Gloucester built up some good
momentum, they moved the ball around intelligently and scored two
very cleverly taken goals. Their body language said "We've
wrapped this up! They won't come back". Strangely, Westbury
rode the pressure of playing with ten men with two successive yellows.
The first for a stick tackle that wasn't as bad as the two stick
tackles that Gloucester meted out, and a verbal comment which was
polite compared to the comments fired off by the visitors. As soon
as the penalties expired and Westbury were back to 11 men, Gloucester
took the lead with their second goal. Ron Wheeler had made several
good saves but was unable to stop the ball slipped to a free forward.
It took some good tackles, particularly from JP, when Gloucester
looked likely to break away and clinch the game. A couple of Westbury
attacks were stopped comfortably by the Gloucester defence. Near
the end of the game a quick break saw the ball run to Frosty who
flicked in an equaliser. The games comedy moment came when a Westbury
free hit, with two minutes to go, was passed back to Herbie, who
found no one coming to tackle him. He waved his stick over the ball
5 or 6 times to draw a defender to come and stop him. The umpire
then blew him up for time wasting! Clearly he thought that Herbie
was waiting to take the hit having not spotted that it had been
taken. It wasn't funny at the time, because it gave Gloucester a
late attack and a subsequent short corner that was safely cleared
by Westbury to preserve a well earned point. The visitors were disappointing
in the way they handled the end of the game, and it took fully two
minutes before they could muster three cheers for Westbury. No doubt
they had expected a comprehensive victory and didn't know how to
cope with not winning. This was a good performance from the first
team and shows that they can live with the best in the league. |
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2nd
XI |
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3rd
XI |
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Wanderers
& Wizards: The first club derby of the season was like two heavy
weight boxers slugging it out, in a tense, competitive affair, with
neither side being able to getting in a telling punch. JJ and Sam
Banting were both hardly involved in the first half as both sides
traded blows. The telling punch came from the Wizards who launched
an attack down the left, Jon Fox got to the D and slipped a superb
square pass to Will Holmes who carefully picked his spot and coolly
flicked the ball into the net to the delight of his team mates.
The second half saw the Wanderers fired up to take the fight to
the Wizards. Andy Griffin was twice on the canvas, but picked himself
up after the first one to make the decisive attack to create the
equaliser. He cut down the right bye line towards the near post,
rode a stick tackle that was about to be turned into a short corner,
but with advantage played, he pulled the ball back towards the penalty
spot for Si Andrews to flick into the roof of the net. 1-1! The
Wanderers then had an early Christmas present. A '16' on the left
side of the D was hit square across the D, with Fazza the only player
there. He intercepted the ball and drilled in the go ahead goal.
With the game winding down in the last minutes, a quality cross
from the right saw Fazza get a brilliant reverse stick deflection
in at the near post to seal a 3-1 win. The Wanderers won the bout
on points, but the Wizards weren't pummeled on the ropes and gave
one of their best displays of the season. It was good to see the
young players play well. Will Holmes was excellent for the Wizards,
Will Glynn played well for the Wanderers as did Dave Dinely who
was playing his first game for the Wanderers and didn't look out
of place. |
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Warriors: Forget
the score, a 5-0 loss! There is a lot that the Warriors can be proud
of even in defeat. Bottom club against top club, with three of the
selected side unavailable. The defence put in a first class show
to keep out all but five OBs attacks. The opponents were a slick
side, who played some very good hockey, showing why they are unbeaten
this season. Smurf was brilliant in goal and put in a 5 star performance.
There was also a smart stop on the line by M'Lud. In midfield Adam
Banting and Dave Holliday worked hard to get the ball moving forward.
Max Longden and Pete Ratcliffe are gaining experience in playing
against adults. For a change the warriors had a sub, so the youngsters
were given a rest and came back stronger with some good touches.
We still didn't threaten to score, the best chance came to James
Pope on the break, but he was denied by the visiting goalkeeper.
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Widgets: There
was a disaster in the making at Golden Hill when the goalkeeper
(with kit) failed to materialise and the Widgets had to play with
no keeper and 11 out field men! S Glos did most of the attacking
yet it was Westbury who scored in the first half. Tony Webster was
testing his damaged ankle. He attacked the D from the right, his
cross shot fell to Duncan Ogilvie, who swept it in. However, Tony
was reduced to standing on one legged as a result of this attack.
He limped around for 5 minutes ineffectively, then 'hopped' back
to stand in the goal as an 'outfield keeper' (not a kicking back).
Tony cleared 3 shots of the line! After the interval, S Glos didn't
get into the Westbury D as many times as they did in the first half,
but early on the snapped up a chance to square it at 1-1. Westbury
mounted a number of attacks and Chris Avery looked skilful in midfield.
Shep had a short corner saved and it looked as if the Widgets could
hold out for a draw. However, there was even time for a twist in
the plot, because a second short corner saw the ball once again
stopped by Shep. This time his aim was true and the ball thumped
the back board to the cheers of the Widgets. There was only time
for S Glos to restart and time was called for a memorable 2-1 win. |
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