Romsey Hockey Club

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Romsey Ladies 1s (3) vs Isle of Wight (1)

Scorers: Jenner, Edwards(2)

Romsey Ladies 1s ended the season in fine form with a well deserved victory away on the Isle of Wight.

In the heat of the midday sun, Romsey were fast out of the blocks, at attacked hard for the first few minutes penning the home side back. After initial pressure, Romsey couldn’t find the target, and the Islanders broke away and earned a short corner in their first attack of hte game. A well worked penalty corner lead to a goal and Romsey trailed after 5minutes.

Romsey were not to be discouraged, and soon found the equaliser from a superbe passage of play that was a joy to watch. Romsey passed the ball out from the back to Sophie Riley who distributed wide to Kate Moss who skillfully dribbled past a couple of defenders to get herself into the D. Moss delicately laid the ball off to Amy Edwards who sucked in defender and goalkeeper only to pass past them to the P spot where Erica Jenner was arriving to crack home the equaliser.

Romsey continued to attack from the right and the left and earnt themselves a few short corners. A well immprovsed short was spread wide to Emily Slade who slid the ball inot the danger area where Edwards was the first to pounce, slamming the ball past the keeper to gain the lead.

Half time saw a chance to cool off and take on much needed fluids.

Romsey started brightly in the second half. Riley and Moss interchanged passing up the pitch to work an opening, sliding the ball to Edwards again who hit hard and low to get her second goal and Romsey’s third.

Player of the match was shared between goalscorer Edwards, and defenders Sally Shrubb and Fran Savage.

Captain Liz Forbes was delighted to see her team win the final game of the season, and take her first ever win on the Isle of Wight. Romsey Ladies 1s finish the season 4th in Hampshire Div 2, just two points off 3rd place. Well done everyone, roll on next season!

Ladies 1s (4) vs Yateley (2)

Scorers: Slade (2), Edwards, Olingscleager

Romsey got into a strong start in their last home game of the season against Yately.

Within the first 10minutes, Romsey had several chances to open the scoring but failed to convert any chances.

But with some great play down the line, from AMy Welch, a pass was sent into the D and swept in by Player of the match, Emily Slade for her first goal of the season.

Yately quickly equalised, and it was 1-1 at half time.

Yateley were first off the blocks inthe second half and scored to make it 2-1.

Romsey were back into it quickly with great play down the wing, and cross in from Emily Bradshaw which Kate Olingschleager converted to make it 2-2.

Romsey kept the pressure and with a good hassle form Amy Edwards in the D, she popped the ball through the goalies legs and in the back on the goal for Romsey to take the lead.

A return to form was then confirmed with a great reverse stick goal from Emily Slade, takign the final score to 4-2.

Ladies 2s (1) vs Portsmouth & Southsea (0)

Scorer: A Welch

Romsey Ladies 2nds snatched a great victory against high flying Portsmouth and Southsea, despite a 13 points advantage in the league.

Romsey started keenly from the off, keeping the away team at arms length with swift play around the back. Just minutes into the game Romsey pressed into the D forcing errors from the Portsmouth and Southsea defence to win an early corner. Verity Charlton and Charlotte Jewson pounced to test the keeper but both were unlucky not to score with one shot saved on the line and the other deflected wide.

The tactic of switching play across the pitch worked in Romsey’s favour, squeezing Portsmouth’s key play makers out of the game and gifting Player of the Match Amy Welch enough space to enjoy a string of mazy runs ultimately firing a shot on goal and catching a great deflection to beat the diving Goalkeeper.

The 2nd half saw Portsmouth press in search of an equaliser but Romsey were in no mood to concede and the defence and midfield zoned well allowing the visitors little room and very few chances. No fouls in the last 25yards was the message from Captain Maree Welch as Portsmouth had ferocious Penalty Corner routines!

Romsey GK Zoe Rogers controlled her defence well, with Penne Edwards sharp as sweeper and Maree Welch quick to close down any threatening through balls. Even full-back Sarah Patterson nearly scored as she battered the Goalkeeper at close range.

A scintillating team performance to take all 3 points – a result which sees Romsey consolidate their mid table position in Hampshire Div 3.

Fareham (9) vs Ladies 1s (0)

Scorers – n/a

Romsey Ladies 1s had a disappointing day away to undefeated league leaders Fareham. Once again, Romsey could only muster the bear eleven to take the trip across to Fareham.

Romsey were prepared for a tough game, and were up against it right from the off as Fareham dominated the game. Romsey’s defensive unit was put to work against fast and creative attackers who had a number of chances early on. Romsey goalkeeper, Selena Cox made several impressive saves to keep the home team out, earning her player of the match. But, Fareham soon started the scoreline flowing, with Romsey struggling to resist the flowing attacks and pentrating shots.

Despite the scoreline, Romsey managed to get some attacks together and put Fareham under some pressure. First half runs, particularly from Erica Jenner and Kate Olingschleager pushed Romsey forward earning short corners. But Farehams defense were up to the task and defended well to keep the visitors out.

Fareham played a sensational game, their best of the season, and took a well deserved 3points. A result which sees them promoted as division 2 champions two games before the end of the season. Romsey, although wearey from the match, cannot be too disheartened, as they worked hard throughout and are looking to finish the season strongly, and retain 4th position.

Ladies 3s (0) vs IBM Nomads (1)

Scorers: n/a

Match report to follow

Waterside (2) vs Ladies 2s (3)

Scorers: Ford, Charlton (2)

In the first of two games scheduled for Romsey Ladies 2s this weekend, Romsey grabbed a win away against Waterside.

Romsey took the points, but were pushed hard all the way. The home side took the initiative from the off, and Romsey found themselves a goal behind within the first 5mins of the match.

Romsey fought back and just brefore half time pulled one back. Charlotte Jewson picked up the ball on the right wing, from a pinpoint ball from sweeper Penne Edwards. Jewson’s pace troubled the Waterside defence, as she went on penitrating run down the wing, putting in a perfect cross for the ever ready Helen Ford smashed the ball past the keeper.

In the second half, Romsey’ s pressure held with a delightful ball in from Anne Harding which was deftly swept into the back of the home teams net by Verity Charlton.

Waterside were not detered and came back at Romsey, pulling back an equaliser and reminding Romsey that they had a game on their hands.

A quick ball from Harding out of her own D, released Jewson up the wing who ran past two defenders before putting in another pin point pass through to Charlton who controlled it and from a tight angle, fired it past the Waterside keeper to grab the winner.

Romsey’s captain Maree Welch was delighted at her team who worked hard all match and fought to the end to grab the 3 points.

Ladies 1s (0) vs Southampton Uni (2)

Scorers – n/a

Romsey Ladies 1s suffered in the sun as Southampton Uni took a step closer to securing promotion. Romsey knew they were in for a battle on Saturday, as they fielded a side which was down to the bare 11, wtih a couple of players feeling under the weather.

The game started at terrific pace, with both sides pressing high, trying to find the advantage early on. The visitors showed their skills and pace in the early stages, giving the Romsey defence plenty to think about. The Uni grabbed the initative after pressure from a short corner, gifted them a chance which was scrabbled in.

Romsey annoyed, but not deflated, worked hard to carve out an opening and create some presssure of their own. Intricate work from Romsey’s forward line of Amy Edwards and Kate Moss played several well timed balls through to the onrushing midfielders. One such pass, released Emily Bradshaw into the D, who got the shot off early, but unfortunately for Romsey, put it wide of the post.

Romsey continued to push forward looking for a way in, but were punished a few minutes later when Southampton Uni made a tackle deep in their own 23 and made a quick and decisive break resulting in their second goal.

Romsey kept battleing and knew they had to get on the attack. The defensive line spurred the team forward, transitioning the ball into attack via the wings. Erica Jenner was finding plenty of space on the right, supported by player of the match, Fran Savage. On the left, Captain Liz Forbes provided support to Emily Slade who fought for every ball down the left causing the students grief.

Romsey were soon rewarded for their efforts with a couple of short corners. Romsey tested the keeper, first, with a powerful strike from Lou Viney which was blocked and scrabbled away by the defence. The second, by a well executed dragflick, fired in from Jenner. The keeper was up to the task getting a hand to the shot. The resulting save was pounced on by Bradshaw, who shot to the right of the keeper, but thwarted by the Uni defender on the post.

Half time provided a welcome rest for both teams to catch breath after a frantic first half in the sun shine.

The game remained fairly level in the 2nd half. Both teams continued to look menacing in attack, and solid in defence. Romsey found some joy up the right with Savage pushing forward and Sophie Riley steaming through the Uni wingers, but Romsey couldn’t find that final decisive shot.

Jenner’s pass through to Edwards provided one of the better chances for the home side. With Edwards eluding her marker, but the shot was saved by the in-form keeper.

Late into the game, Selena Cox made a fantastic save, getting down early to block the shot and remaining composed enough to block the rebound.

The game finished 2-0 to the Uni, with Romsey feeling that despite the result, the work rate and performance was much improved from previous weeks. Captain Forbes was pleased at Romsey’s attacking play and how many chances the team was creating – the challenge for next week is to finish off these chances.

Ladies 1s (2) vs Petersfield (0)

Scorers: Edwards, Olingschleager

After several weeks of frosty weather, Romsey Ladies 1s finally returned to action with a long trek away to Petersfield. Romsey were keen to pull themselves out of a recent dip in form.

Romsey pressured from the off, with the 1st 10mins, the ball remained firmly in and around the Petersfield D. Romsey developed several chances that pinned back the home team defence, but could not penetrate past the keeper.

Romsey continued to build up the attacks, with play from both wings and through player of the match Erica Jenner, who took the fight to Petersfield making surging runs into the D. Several short corners were awarded, with Romsey trying out their many routines, but each time, the defence managed to get a block. A well struck shot from Lou Viney seered towards the bottom left corner, only to be denied by the toe of the on-form Petersfield goalkeeper.

Shots from Becky Hutchins and Kate Olingschleager made the keeper work, but couldn’t find a way in. Forwards Amy Edwards and Kate Moss worked tirelessly in the D to create an opening, but were denied every time.

With the game level at half time, Romsey were wondering what more they could do to grab the goal they clearly deserved. But the visitors didn’t panic, and continued to attack with great support from the wings.

To their credit, Petersfield continued to work hard, and made a couple of attacks of their own. Romsey’s defence held firm and a quick well aimed pass released the lurking Edwards on the half way line. She skillfully beat her defender and played a perfectly weighted ball across to the top of the D where Hutchins had out-sprinted the last defender to latch on to the cross. She took on the keeper, shooting to corner, but the Petersfield keeper was having a stormer, and managed to get a pad on the ball to deny the goal.

Romsey showed a fantastic display of commitment, working extreemly hard to find the opening. A shot from the right flew across, narrowly missing the end of Emily Slade’s stick, as she flung herself, diving to grab that elusive touch to put the ball in the net.

Finally, half way through the 2nd half, the deadlock was broken. A Romsey attack from Slade on the left, had caused havoc as Emily Bradshaw went to pick up a loose ball in the D , only to be thrown off her feet by some desperate defending. The resulting short corner routine slid a ball to Edwards on the P spot, who, despite being off balence, managed to divert the ball into the goal putting Romsey in front.

Romsey were keen to show they weren’t finished, and kept up the work rate. The 2nd goal came from the left hand side. Slade finding Bradshaw who interchanged passes with Moss, before passing across the goal. The ever present Olingschleager pounced getting the final touch to put hte ball throuhg the keepers feet to double the lead.

After weeks of no games, Romsey were pleased with the result, and look to build on this team spirit in next weeks clash against Southampton Uni at home.

Ladies 2s (1) vs Hamble (2)

Scorers: Ford

Romsey ladies 2s turned out to play their old rivals Hamble in a rearranged half term game. Both teams went into the game level pegging on points, sitting mid-table in Hampshire Division 3. Both sides knew they were in for a tough game if they were to come away with three points.

Initially, Romsey looked to have the upper hand, pinning Hamble into their own half early on. But as Romsey failed to take any convincing shots on goal, so their self believe waned and Hamble looked the more determined side.

Despite Romsey’s slick moves, particularly across the back line and feeding up the wings, it was Hamble who had the edge on pace. And so the visiting side’s confidence paid off when they took the lead minutes before half time when their striker found some space in Romsey’s D.

Just 5 minutes into second half, Hamble’s key centre player forced two Romsey saves on the line from veteran keeper Liz Murry, before the ball finally rolled into the goal.

Despite being level on paper, a slightly lack-lustre Romsey soon found themselves 2 – 0 down.

With pride at stake tempers flared and both sides were given an umpire’s warning with Hamble later receiving a green card. It was the impetus Romsey needed to up their pace and finally take the game to Hamble.

A faster, stronger Romsey squad raised their game and drove through Hamble defence forcing a string of saves but only one strike had the necessary conviction, with Helen Ford hammering home a rebound.

Unfortunatly for Romsey, it was too little too late and so all the points went to the visitors.

Fareham 2s (2) vs Romsey Ladies 3s (0)

Scorers: n/a

Match report to follow.