Untitled Document

December 2009

1^st XI:

2^nd XI:

3^rd XI:

Wanderers:

Wizards:

Warriors:

Widgets:

Badgers

Veterans:

Cutts

Moon

Pearce-Smith

Taylor T

Palmer M

Harris Dave

Yuill

Webster

Thomas J

Longden M

Walkey

Millman S

Brown

Thomas P

Goodman

Mulla

Crofts

Richardson

Butt

Webster

Farrell

Sparks

Parker

Holmes N

Wanklyn

Clark

Nichols G

Edworthy

Sparks

Webster

Ogilvie

Holmes W

Jepson

Kemp

Haynes P

Thomas J

Puetz

Colton

Minchin E

Weale

Watts

Roper

Poulsom

Fishley

Holmes W

Pope

Beesley

Cockram

Dineley

Holiday J

Harris Dom

Pope

Clark P

Ratcliffe P

Blake

Beesley

Walkey

Poulsom

Hewitt

Grenslade

Roper

Cureton

Tucker

Holiday J

Chave

Cranfield

Clark P

Smerald

Colquhoun

Catchpole

Ogilvie

Glorney

Cooper Andrew

Slater N

Barnes

Frost J

Edworthy

Newington

Woodward

Chave

Webster

Cureton

Haslett

Coates

Maydew

Crofts

Ash

Mulla

Hill

Barnes

Millman S

Harris Dave

Newington

Cooper Andy

Alger T

Hancock

Longden M

Dineley

Palmer M

Oldfield

Griffin

Poulsom

Rees

Parker

Chave

Mason

Chave

Taylor M

Ludley

Oldfield

Armsby

Lipfriend

Yuill

Cooper Andrew

Colquhoun

Sammes

Taylor M

Westbury & United Banks HC: Results for Saturday 19/12/09
Team	Opponents		League	Scr	Scorers
1^st XI	v W Wilts	H	Friendly	1-7	Thomas J
3^rd XI	v W Wilts II	H	Friendly	6-3	Walkey 3 Longden M Millman S Pearce-Smith
Wanderers	v W Wilts IV	A	Friendly	4-2	Fishley 3 Taylor M
Wizards	v W Wilts III	A	Friendly	6-3	Brown 2 Parker 2 Palmer M 2
Warriors	v W Wilts V	A	Friendly	5-0	Thomas P 2 Oldfield Ogilvie Colton
Match comments
1^st XI: In the 1st half the firsts went 6 - 0 down to W wilts. In the 2nd they competed better and a game of hockey broke out. Joe Thomas scored and West Wilts 'equalised' with the last hit of the match.
3^rd XI : Steve Millman writes: The 3rd XI Won 6 -3 in an open game which Westbury got on top of after conceeding the first goal. West Wilts never allowed us to get away and pulled the score back at 3-2 and 4-3, but Nathan Walkey completed his hat trick from the last action of the game to put a gloss on the final result. Scorers: Longden, Millman, Pearce Smith, Walkey 3
Wanderers: A mixed bag of players represented the Wanderers and opened the scoring with a Matt Taylor goal at W Wilts. A spell of home pressure ended in an equaliser, but the Wanderers responded with an immediate reply when Tom Fishley tapped in a right wing cross. The second half saw patches of good play with Adam Geddes showing some smart movement going forward. The second Westbury goal came from another right wing attack with the ball fell invitingly to Tom Fishley, who kept his composure with the whole goal to shoot at and slid the ball expertly between the posts.This put the Wanderers in the driving seat 3-1 up, but the home team were in determined mood and pulled it back to 3-2. The Champagne moment of the game came when Tom Fishley returned from the bench, picked up the ball on the 25, ghosted right past several defenders into the D, and placed his shot back across the goalkeeper for his first hat-trick for the club. The Wanderers finished 4-2 winners and can go into the Christmas break, with a hard earned win behind them.
Wizards: If this was a game of cards then the Wizards won it by 3 pairs (2 goals each from Mssrs Brown, Parker and Palmer.) Zeyn Mulla, Dave Parry and Tim Lawrence were making their Wizards debut. Dave Green looked strong in midfield and Dave Ratcliffe was decisive and accurate with his passing. Defensively things were not tight in the first half when W Wilts were able to punish the Wizards. The game was heading to be all square by half time when Graeme Brown popped in his second goal to give the Wizards a 4-3 lead. The second half saw the Wizards look much stronger at the back and this set the foundation for two more unanswered second half goals. The last came from Dave Ratcliffe's through ball to Zeyn Mulla. Zeyn set off down the right, cut in expertly and pulled the ball back for his veteran centre forward to tap in. Afterwards the home players commented on what a great prospect Zeyn is.
Warriors: The Warriors had all the play in this very one sided game, but the tendency to bang the ball through the middle rather than work it down the wings meant that the goal that would open the flood gates almost didn't arrive. It did come from yet another ball through the middle, but Luke Oldfield got a clever deflection past the goalkeeper. Andy Pound couldn't remember touching the ball in goal, although he did have to kick it out once for a corner. Cold and frustrated he came on for the last few minutes having removed, pads, and protective wear to go up front and get his second touch as a forward. £5 a touch!!! Westbury were still a little wasteful in front of goal, but eventually they got number two when Duncan Ogilvie tapped in after good work on the right hand side of the D when the short corner went askew with the ball being moved to Toby Whitehaed. Toby's cross shot fell invitingly to Duncan. Pete Thomas finally found his touch and knocked in two goals in a 5 minute spell. Mark Colton rounded it off with a short corner goal. Luke Oldfield showed good skills going forward and Toby Whitehead had a fine game much of it at centre mid. Ernie Wise could, nay should have opened his Westbury scoring account. Having sneaked up to the W Wilts D from defence, with a good opportunity to score, his head came up and his shot went pear shaped! Full marks to W Wilts who provided a generous tea and despite suffering three home defeats were pleased to have had the opportunity to have played us.

Westbury & United Banks HC: Results for Saturday 12/12/09
Team	Opponents		League	Scr	Scorers
1^st XI	v Firebrands II	H	Premier 2	5-0	Cutts 3 Roper Mason
2^nd XI	v Newent	A	North Div 1	2-3	Longden M Barnes
3^rd XI	v Shepton Mallet	A	Avon Div	3-0	Edworthy Pearce-Smith Coates
Wanderers	v Firebrands III	H	Br & NW Som Div1	6-4	Taylor T 3 Walkey 2 Colquhoun
Wizards	v Bristol & West V	H	Br & NW Som Div 2	pst	The lights went out!
Warriors	v Bristol UWE IV	A	Br & NW Som Div 3	0-2
Widgets	v Yate IV	A	Br & NW Som Div 3	3-1	Ratcliffe P Goodman Harris Dave
Badgers	v N Somerset	A	Bristol Badgers	pst
Match comments
1^st XI: Andy Krebs writes: As the season clock ticked over from AM to PM, Westbury had their first return fixture of the year. At home to local rivals Firebrands who were kind enough to give us an opening-day 2-0 win at the start of the season. Things would be different this time around however, despite Firebrands' bad start to the season they have started to pick up some points recently and are gaining momentum to save themselves from the drop. Opening exchanges reflected this, whilst clearly the stronger team, Westbury struggled to find any real rhythm and concerted pressure from the Green and Red was interspersed by the occasional threat from Firebrands who showed that they were not to be taken lightly. In particular having been caught too shallow, 2 firebrands strikers broke free with the ball and it took some sterling recovery work from the Westbury defence and a well anticipated save from the goalkeeper to keep Firebrands from opening the scoring. Normal service was to be resumed however. Westbury struck with a well made goal after about 10-15 minutes and the game was on. Nerves settled, dominance was beginning to be the order of the day and it was not long passed until Westbury secured a 2nd goal. Some good passing hockey set up by the now all-dominant defensive 5. Within minutes however something remarkable happened. Instead of resting on laurels and deciding that this was getting too easy, Westbury immediately probed Firebrands rear and a 3rd goal was scored wrapping up 15 seconds of virtually untouchable hockey as Westbury's midfield went through Firebrands as if they were not there. A late tester in the form of a well drag flicked short corner kept Westbury on their toes, other than that there was little to be worried about as half time came and the score was 3-0. An even more miraculous thing happened in the 2nd half which saw many onlookers cowering into their fur lined hoods in fear. The sun came out. Sadly it was sitting just above the tennis centre roof and rendered almost everyone facing into it, blind. Firebrands knew this and utilised it well with some intelligent aerials which were almost impossible to track in the deep winter sun. Luckily this onslaught was survived and once normal Bristolian weather was provided (clouds) Westbury started to re-align themselves as the dominant force in the game. This half was mostly un-remarkable in that Westbury kept the ball fairly well forcing the Firebrands keeper into save after save to keep the score respectable. It was not to be however and 2 more goals were added to the tally to bring the score up to 5-0.This end of year game showed how far we have come this season. We played with even more dominance in the first game against these guys and came out 2-0 winners. This time however we took our chances, well some of us did, and 5 goals were the reward. Better rewards were to come in the shape of other results, each and every one going our way and we finish the year in 5th place. Our highest league placing so far. Testament to the work and effort everyone in the team has committed to in the past few weeks. A really pleasing finish to 2009 for this captain. Scorers: Cutts: 3 Mason: 1 Roper: 1
2^nd XI : The seconds came close but lost 3-2 to Newent where Max Longden and Hugh Barnes scored one each.
3^rd XI : Steve Millman writes: The 3rds traveled to Shepton Mallet hardly brimming with confidence despite gaining their first league win last saturday. In truth, last weeks oppo were so poor that our 3-0 win felt like a defeat. Shepton on the other hand, had two victories last weekend taking them up to third in the table. As usual, a number of changes had to be made to the team. Pete Murphy lined up behind a back three of Steve Puetz, Nick Coates and Will Jones. With Ben Tucker missing, Gary Catchpole joined Duncan Armsby in the middle, Dave Wornell played right mid with Nick Stamp left mid. Up front Stu Edworthy and Dom Harris joined Millman and James Pearce-Smith. Westbury unusually started very strongly, and were well on top of the oppo throughout the first 25 minutes. During this time we deservedly scored twice, first through a poach from Edworthy and then a short corner strike from JPS. Shepton only started to get into the game at this point, but without troubling Murphy, although they did trouble Gary Catchpole's finger with a wild hit. Gary had to disappear to the local hospital leaving the remaining 11 to reshuffle with James Pearce-Smith opting for Edworthy's running in the midfield. The 2nd half settled into a pattern of Shepton piling men forward chasing the game, trying to use their individual skills to work openings. They didn't succeed and also squandered the short corners that they had. Westbury defended strongly and then created chances when given the chance to break. Although comfortable, it was a huge relief when a fierce corner strike from Nick Coates dipped over the keeper and clipped the top of the backboard. So, a fine 3 - 0 win in which the whole team played important roles. Throughout the pitch there was a Westbury man getting the better of the individual battles, and then putting some passes together in showing teamwork that hasn't been obvious in our play for quite a while.
Wanderers: A hat trick from Tom Taylor, two from Nathan Walkey and one from Tom Colquhoun earned the Wanderers a 6-4 victory over Firebrands.
Wizards: Some one at Coombe Dingle turned all the lights out at 5:00pm and the game wasn't played.
Warriors: The Warriors gave a stirling performance against Bristol UWE who had scored nine goals in the first encounter. Duncan Ogilvie struck first, but just like Crystal Palace earlier this season, the officials hadn't spotted the ball had hit the backboard and came out. This was a carbon copy of what happened to Neil Richardson in the pre-season friendly. The very same spot on the rubberised back board means there is no thump when the goal is scored, just a noise of ball on rubber. That was the only real goal opportunity that the warriors had in the first half. The defence and midfield battled away, but Bristol looked the side more likely to score. They did eventually get a first half goal after Any Pound had made a close range save. The second half saw more of the same with Bristol looking the better side, although the Warriors battled away. Anthony Spencer was everywhere, and unlucky to hit the deck a number of times without getting the free hit. The home side scored a second goal, but Westbury stuck to their task and even netted again. Duncan Ogilvie clubbed the ball in from close range after his strike partner had steered a right wing cross to him, only to discover the umpire had disallowed it for a reverse stick offence. All credit to the players who made a good show of it, and although the result was a defeat, this was a much better performance.
Widgets: The Widgets won 3-1 with goals from Pete Ratcliffe, Dave Harris and James Goodman.

Westbury & United Banks HC: Results for Saturday 5/12/09
Team	Opponents		League	Scr	Scorers
1^st XI	v Exeter Univ III	H	Premier 2	1-4	Richardson
2^nd XI	v Bristol Univ II	A	North Div 1	2-3	Haslett Moon
3^rd XI	v Mendip	H	Avon Div	3-0	Tucker Catchpole Pearce-Smith
Wanderers	v Yate II	A	Br & NW Som Div1	0-2
Wizards	v Weston-Super-Mare II	H	Br & NW Som Div 2	11-2	Sparks 2 Webster 2 Brown 2 Chave 2 Taylor T Cooper Andrew Sammes
Warriors	v Yate IV	A	Br & NW Som Div 3	3-0	Cooper Andy Thomas Parker
Widgets	v Yate II	A	Br & NW Som Div 3	3-1	Beesley Harris Dave Ratcliffe P
Badgers	v Firebrands (6/12/09)	H	Bristol Badgers	2-4	Mulla 2
Veterans	v Marjons of Plymouth (6/12/09)	A	HA Veterans Cup	pst	pitch water logged
Match comments
1^st XI: A light and breezy Saturday morning gave way to a dull overcast and wet setting for Westbury 1XI's latest attempt at world domination. Exeter University were the next opponent and offered to provide a far sterner test to Westbury's recent resurgence. This proved to be the case as Exeter played fast, aggressive, possessive hockey for the first 35 minutes showing Westbury the level of application required and what ball retention was all about. Other than an early scare as Gary Roper rounded the keeper in the first 4 minutes to see his low drive superbly stopped on the line by an Exeter defender, Exeter had pretty much all the major chances early on. Capitalising on their possession their lead began to materialise. Some sterling defending from the defence, in particular, Terry Watts and Jonny Parish who were often left without any back up from a midfield often caught too high up the pitch. Combined with some capable goalkeeping, the score was 3-1 at half time as Neil Richardson struck just before half time to give a glimmer of hope to the home supporters. A none too gentle half time talk from the coach and captain saw an re-invigorated Westbury side take to the field in the 2nd half and almost completely dominate the game. Ball retention was much improved, not perfect, but much better, movement and communication was much more concise and intelligent, the midfield showed moments of what can only be called sheer brilliance, as an old head on young shoulders, Jon Elms, controlled the game with a young head on slightly older shoulders, Chris Poulsom, and the frankly ridiculously tricky Owen Kemp started to make incisions into the Exeter heart. Some delightful play down the wings, orchestrated in most part by Terry Watts, Andy Smerald, Neil Richardson and Jonny Parish, linkng well with the forwards and frankly taking the mickey out of very capable defenders. The game ended 4-1 after a penalty flick was converted midway through the 2nd half. 35 minutes of hockey that Westbury can be proud of, sadly preceded by 35 minutes of naive hockey that goes to show the work still required by this team to go on and convert their talents into results and league titles. It would be easy to be dismissive of the team after this result, but I think positivity must be the way forward given the response to a difficult half. Some excellent signs and a superb display by Mr Elms in particular stepping into the midfield and giving the captain every reason to accept that he is now a first team player if he wants to be.
2^nd XI : Reston Smith writes: We knew we would be up against it on Saturday, our opposition placed 2nd in the league with a good goal difference. Before the game it was difficult to judge whether we were fully up for the challenge ahead. Once the game had started it became apparent that there was a steely determination in the team. We conceded two goals early in the first half with none to the good. The university capitalising on quick ball and broken down play. At points this season we would have capitulated at this point and conceded a couple more. However, yesterday we picked ourselves up, brushed ourselves down and set about the unit with renewed vigour.The game was fairly evenly matched, both sides working hard and playing the game in a tough competitive spirit. We got ourselves back into the game with a Phil Haslett stop and strike from a short corner. A further goal was added towards the end of the second half by Neil Moon. Some excellent build up work down the right ended up with Max scoring from an Ogilvie-esque distance!!The second half started with the Uni determined and playing at an increased pace. A turnover of possesion set up a 3 on 2 with the Westbury defence, Bristol Uni capitalising with their third goal.The remainder of the 2nd half was again evenly matched with neither side giving a yard. Gareth Nicholls game finished prematurely with a knee injury - much to our detriment. We fought hard but the equalising goal just eluded us.I may sound like a broken record but this was a determined performance against a well drilled, disciplined University side. We can be disappointed to not have picked up a point yesterday. We need to maintain the level of performance for what will inevitably be a difficult away game in Newent.
3^rd XI : A first league win for the third team came as a result of goals from Ben Tucker, Gary Catchpole and James Pearce-Smith.
Wanderers: The Wanderers lost their game at Yate by two goals to nil.
Wizards: George Banting writes: It was a sunny December day at Coombe Dingle and the Wizards needed a win against Weston super Mare 'A, especially after our poor performances in recent weeks. We started with yours truly pacing to the opposition centre forward at the top of the day (not good)....fortunately, Martin Eland was alert and was out quickly to prevent any shot (this action timed at 24 seconds by Nick Stamp who was umpiring). Things got better, we moved the ball around well, were competitive in tackles, played the pivot well and gradually imposed ourselves on the game. We went 2-0 up, then they got one back before we scored two more before half time, including one from Andy Cooper (not Jurgen) who, playing right back, appeared at the top of the opposition D, received a square pass from the left wing, then calmly stepped into the D and passed the ball inside the keeper's right hand post. A positive half time team talk (more of the same) ended with Tony Webster highlighting the next goal would be important. It was, we scored it, and managed to score a total of seven in the first 25 mins of the second half. The visitors also got one. Final score 11-2!!! This was a great team performance. Goal scorers Tom Taylor 1 (only 1), Alan Sparks 2 (including an impudent slip between keeper and near post), Andy Cooper 1 (see above), Graeme Brown 2 (one poached form Tom Sammes), Justin Chave 2 (in 3 mins), Tom Sammes 1, Tony Webster 2. Those who did not score were Martin Eland (in goal....excellent game with several important saves), me (as usual), Peter Rose (solid in defence), Andy Cameron (who marked their one key player out of the game), Chris Tomlinson (hard working in midfield) and Adam Geddes (who had a great game and never stopped running and hassling the opposition). Congratulations to all who played. More of the same is needed next week.
Warriors: Ernie Wise reports: A dark, wet and windy Saturday saw 12 good men and true assemble to do battle with Yate C. After an excellent demonstration by the Widgets and a few words by some bumbling baffoon the scene was set and some guy in the middle blew a whistle. Yate took the push and the Warriors (keen for revenge for last week) immediately started putting them uder pressure. Dave Green, a new and welcome addition to the side, took on the batism of fire and immediately took control of the midfield ably supported by Messrs Andy Cooper and Toby Whitehead. The first goal came for some excellent play down the left wing resulting in powerful shot/cross from Andy to the far post where Duncan Ogilvie was perfectly positioned to ensure the ball crossed the line. It is still hotly debated as to the scorer, in fairness Andy was credited and the team welcome him back from injury. Yate, not to be outdone came back strongly, with a series of determined attacks, These were confidently repulsed by the solid dependable back four of Harvey, Napper, Johnson and Simon. A couple of short corners tested the reflexes of our last minute keeper who showed is cat like agility to ensure he kept a clean sheet.The Warrior's second came from a free hit just outside the 25 that somehow found its was straight to the open stick of Sam Parker, who calmly and neatly turned and unleashed a devastating shot that resounded of the backboards. 2-0 at the halfway point. After some inspiring words from the front and the keeper, the bumbling baffoon muttered something or other and the second half started. Green, Whitehead and Parker demonstrating some excellent hockey, made some impressive moves down the right wing, one of which resulted in a goalmouth scramble which Thomas, with his usual aplomb neatly slotted in. 3-0. Yate responded with one or two more attacks and short corners, again some excellent defending by the back four and some excellent keeping ensured the Warriors emergered as victors. A solid perfomance by the team, which demonstrated some good hockey, effective communication and a determination to win. Congratulation to all.
Widgets: Dave Holliday: The bigger they are the harder they fall!! Prior to this "home banker" for Yate they had played 9, won 9, goals for 43!! Goals against only 4. Needless to say the Widgets not only gave them a good game, they absolutely stuffed them out of sight!! 3 - 1 up at half time through breath-taking play, clearly the oppo had no answer to our pace, skill and determination to take the game to them. Fairly even 2nd half but by then the game was truly won .Scorers:- Richard Beesley (dummy short corner- just ask him about it), Dave Harris following great work by Zayne Mulla, and Pete Ratcliffe. Our 3rd goal best of the season so far; length of the field move starting with Dave Parry at left back, on to Zayne (left wing) who swept past several Yate defenders leaving them huffing and puffing in his wake, to set up Pete Ratcliffe to slot it past their very competent goalie. Absolutely superb and great that it was all the work of the juniors alone. Shows how well our youngters are now playing and how confident they have become with the likes of Bees and Bomber to give them support. No individual heroes, everyone played brilliantly, it was a truly fantastic team performance and easily the best the Widgets have played this season (so far). The victory was thoroughly deserved. Team:- Joe Petch (G/K), AJ (sweeper), Tim Laurence, Brian Nichols, Shep, David Parry, DBH, Bees (centre half - ask him about that too!), Will Enderby, Ben Lipfriend, Pete Ratcliffe, Bomber, Zayne Mulla. Keep it up guys.
Badgers: The Badgers went out today with a weakened squad with some of the regulars missing however played fantastically. We went 1-0 down but fought back to equalise and then go 2-1 ahead, both goals from Mulla, both as a result of fantastic team build up play involving a number of players. Firebrands pulled one back and we were unlucky to concede a short corner leading to a 3rd which seemed to have a major impact on the game. Firebrands got a 4th but the scoreline really doesn't relfect how well the team played.Everyone played excellently and once again it is pleasing to see the youth developing so well.

Goal Chart: After 19/12/09
13	Webster, Taylor T,
10	Thomas J,
9	Cutts,
8	Palmer M, Brown,
7	Walkey,
6	Yuill, Sparks, Moon, Harris Dave, Parker, Thomas P, Pearce-Smith,
5	Holmes W, Pope, Chave, Mulla, Goodman, Millman S,
4	Nichols G, Newington, Poulsom, Farrell, Beesley, Richardson, Ogilvie, Longden M,
3	Puetz, Kemp, Clark P, Holiday J, Holmes N, Watts, Wanklyn, Edworthy, Roper, Fishley, Colton,
2	Minchin E, Woodward, Dineley, Crofts, Glorney, Butt, Harris Dom, Haynes P, Blake, Cooper Andrew, Colquhoun, Ratcliffe P, Barnes, Taylor M, Oldfield,
1	Cureton, Cockram, Hill, Weale, Cranfield, Griffin, Grenslade, Smerald, Maydew, Harris Dave, Parker, Rees, Ludley, Hewitt, Slater N, Lipfriend, Alger T, Frost J, Ash, Armsby, Hancock, Haslett, Tucker, Catchpole, Sammes, Coates, Mason, Cooper Andy,