Date Opposition Result Scorers Thursday 1 May Bedford Achilles 0-0 draw Nasty Purple Nasties 0-2 loss Eastcote 0-3 loss Flamingoes 1-0 win Sir John Friday 2 May Old Williamsonians 0-4 loss Olton & West Warks 1-0 win Sir John Salisbury Strollers 0-1 loss Saturday 3 May St Albans 0-3 loss Schwarz Weiss Pinguine 0-0 draw Bangers (9 a side) 5-2 win Linda Beere (2) Stuart Wilkins (3)
Thursday 1st May
Bedford Achilles 0-0 draw
A good start against a club with a strong history of vets hockey, with steady play from the defence through the midfield. Both sides had chances to score but failed to take them, with the defences having the better of the contest in the short corners. Late in the game Bedford were awarded a penalty flick, but Nigel Green, from Camberley HC, guesting in goal, pulled off a good save to keep the game level.
Nasty Purples 0-2 loss
The opposition are Bournemouth in disguise. Fielding a team with no weaknesses, they had the bulk of the possession, and passed fluently, exposing Valley’s weakness behind the midfield. Both goals came from open play, but both goals were the result of defensive errors, and finished clinically, whereas when we had the same chance in Bournemouth’s D we were unable to finish in the same way.
Eastcote 0-3 loss
A strong performance against probably the best side in the over 50 pool. Previous results against Eastcote had gone against Valley, sometimes heavily (they scored 7 one year). This time things were different, and Eastcote were held at bay for 15 minutes before they found a way through. But once the first goal went in Eastcote played more fluently and punished the lack of marking with two more quickly taken goals.
Flamingoes 1-0 win
The last match on the first day was keenly contested, but Valley deserved their win for persistence and effort. The midfield worked very hard to shuttle the ball from defence to attack and then support them. The effort paid off with a goal by Sir John from a cross. A second goal was deserved, but disallowed by an interfering umpire who then had the audacity to award a penalty corner for what was admitted by the opposition to be a perfectly good tackle by Gerry Beere. The whistle blew for time and the penalty corner was duly played, but Flamingoes kindly wasted the opportunity by choosing to shoot, then blazing their shot high and wide. Handy, really, because no-one trusted the umpire to get any decision right.
Friday 2 May
Old Williamsonians 4-0 loss
Valley paid for a slow start by conceding a goal within the first minute and never really got going. Old Willies have a smooth attacking style with dangerous runners from midfield and some forwards who know how to leave their markers. Valley struggled to get out of their own half, and every clearance seemed either to hit a valley player on the foot or to go straight to the opposition who gratefully rammed the ball back into the Valley area again. The only positive points in the match for Valley were the magnificent efforts by the goalie, Nigel, in keeping the score to single figures (yes, we really were that bad) and Alan Dale with his physical presence and a determination not to be beaten. Goals followed from short corners, from open play and from defensive errors; best not to dwell on this one.
Olton & West Warks 1-0 win
A surprise win against a tough opposition, and a complete reversal of the previous match, with defence picking up their players carefully, not committing to the tackle until the right moment then distributing the ball to the midfield and running to support them. John Parry playing centre back made several key tackles, then released the ball, following up to find space from deep for a sideline pass when the middle of the pitch got too congested. The goal came some minutes into the match with a move through the midfield resulting in a penalty corner. The opposition got to Stu Wilkins' strike but only deflected it sideways to Symons who crossed for Sir John Savill to deflect the ball in at the far post. The opposition rallied and put pressure on Valley’s goal but resolute defence kept them out despite conceding several short corners.
Salisbury Strollers 1-0 loss
Salisbury scored an early goal but from that point on the match could have gone either way, with both teams moving well and finding space. The goal came from a blocking move by Dob Russell, which conceded a free hit outside the D. The Salisbury striker popped the ball over the valley goalie despite being surrounded by Valley’s back line. As the match continued Valley were gaining the upper hand, with both Dob Russell and Stuart Wilkins creating good chances, but failing to take them. The match was played in excellent spirit and given that Salisbury have beaten us by 3 or 4 goals per game in the past not a bad result.
Saturday 3 May
St Albans 3-0 loss
Again the opposition punished Valley’s slow start, with two goals in as many minutes. There was some debate that they had a bionic man in the front line, who seemed to be held together with plastic. This did not stop him running around our midfield and defence then stuffing the ball past the goalie, who probably felt a bit lonely, with the Valley back line AWOL. St Albans completed the rout with a soft goal when another attempted clearance went to the opposition instead of the Valley midfield. Part of the problem may well have been the departure of Rob Parfitt and John Parry, both of whom had performed strongly for the team in defence, but a slow start against a strong opposition is always likely to prove costly.
Schwarz Weiss Pinguine 0-0 draw
Having warmed up gently against St Albans Thames Valley got working against the strong German team. The match was keenly contested, with both sides creating scoring opportunities and moving the ball freely through midfield to the forwards. Valley weakened by the loss of Sir John , and later Gerry Beere still had enough chances to make this a win, but shots were blocked on the line from short corners. Both teams goalies distinguished themselves with fine saves, and both teams can take credit for a match played in good spirit.
Bangers 5-2 win
There was some doubt whether this match would go ahead as both teams were short of players. It was agreed, however, that since the match had been scheduled it should be played, but with as few extra players as possible. Both teams played with 9, Bangers having their numbers made up by the hockey equivalent of the family von Trapp. Valley controlled the play against weaker opposition and scored first, though Linda Beere, playing left wing managed to miss from point blank range, before poaching one on the left post. Stuart Wilkins missed with a screaming shot but within a minute had nailed a shot past the Bangers guest goalie. The opposition then showed their style with a flowing move down the pitch where a 9 year old guest Dutch player belted a shot past Nigel from an acute angle. A fabulous goal from a talented youngster. Valley though were never really threatened and moved the ball through to their forwards for Linda to score again and Stuart to complete his hat-trick, making him top-score for the tour. The Bangers gained a consolation goal from a short corner, again well-struck by one of their younger Dutch guests, but an easy win for Valley given that the opposition were unable to field a stronger side.Captain’s Report
Overall, it is fair to say that had Valley been more alert from the start they would have conceded fewer goals. It is also clear that we really do belong in the over 50s pool, as the games have been more enjoyable for all. Thanks are due in no small measure to Nigel Green from Camberley who stepped in at the last minute, when Derek Fryer, the club’s long-standing tour goalie, withdrew due to family bereavement. Nigel joined in the tour well, and quickly proved himself an able goal-keeper, saving a flick to keep the team in a winning position. I sincerely doubt whether Nigel could stand to keep for us ever again, though, given the porous defence in front of him for some matches. Overall, I feel the tour was a success from a playing aspect, with some good results to lift the mood. I would highlight the efforts of Rob and John Parry in central defence, the success of Sir John in front of goal, coming off the left wing, and the strong running of Darren Armitage at right midfield. As usual, the fines committee was active with a number of swingeing charges for stupidity on the pitch, stupidity off the pitch, excessive lust, and breaking two of the Ten Commandments simultaneously. I must say I was staggered that Mr Hancke was unable to find Prinsenbeek Centrum, despite the clubhouse being only 200 yards from it, and every road junction carrying a sign directing one to it. I mean, it’s not as if Bunny is a stranger to the place; he’s been going to Prinsenbeek Jazzy Hockey festival for every other year out of the last 20. All in all, a good time was had by all, with Thames Valley providing its usual good social scene. I now stand down as Captain, in the hope that one of the younger players will take up the reins for a three year stint.
Cheers, all.