The team, coaches and some future stars! 30th March 2008 (Click to enlarge)

Match Report 16-11-08

T.Wells U14        1     :     Old Williamsonians U14     1

OWs U14 gave a good account of themselves in their first away game of the season. The first half began evenly but OWs forwards got more in to the game as time went on with the irrepressible Toby Murray doing the lions share of the work in both mid -field and attack. With the ever-reliable Haddow brothers snuffing out nearly every opposition attack it seemed that OWs should take the lead. However the Tunbridge Wells defence held firm and OWs only had a couple of shots on goal that went wide. Rather against the run of play T Wells took the lead shortly before half time when OWs failed to clear and Jon Mann was rather unluckily defeated at the near post with the ball hitting the post first.

In the second half OWs continued to press with Kirsty Sullivan setting up some promising moves in the middle of the field and rarely losing the ball when it came to her. Captain Nick Gaul lead by example with some surging runs through the middle and it was from one of these, with some good interpassing between Darwin Hamilton-Radford and Toby Murray, that Nick found himself in a good position to slot the ball home.

Both sides strove for the winner and more chances fell to Ben Swindell and Dan Clarke but the score remained unchanged and in the end a draw was probably a fair result. OWs very young side continue to learn quickly and will soon hope to achieve their first win of the season.

Match Report 19-10-08

Old Williamsonians U14         1     :     Ashford U14    4

OWs youngsters continued their learning process with a much improved performance. Again they found it difficult to mount many attacks against more experienced opponents. Nick Gaul showed his class on several occasions by leading OWs out of defence to get near the Ashford goal. The OW passing was much improved but Ashford took the lead early on finishing of a slick passing move with a strong shot. OWs greatest success was likely to be down the wings with Ben Swindell and Heidi Pentecost on the few occasions the ball came to them.

Ashford scored a second before half-time and although they always looked the likely winners they were not allowed to run away with the game. As usual Jon Mann made some splendid saves to keep OWs in with a chance. There was some good tackling from 9 year old Alex Wallace and as usual the Haddow brothers were solid in defence. Although Ashford scored two further goals OWs didn't give up and were rewarded with there first goal minutes from the end when a slick move involving Toby Murray and Darwin Hamilton-Radford was calmly put away by Nick Gaul.

Match Report 5-10-08

Old Williamsonians U14         0     :     Bromley & Beckenham U14    10

OWs youngsters came up against a much stronger and more experienced team who showed good teamwork to, in the end ,run out convincing winners. However in the first half although BromBeck were camped in OWs half the OW defence held firm with Kirsty Sullivan the Haddow brothers and Tom Judge breaking up many menacing BromBeck attacks. With Sam Pepper in goal pulling off several great saves OWs only conceded twice towards the end of the half.

In the second half the same pattern emerged but with OWs tiring from the constant wave of attacks more goals were conceded. However particular mention must be made of young Toby Murray who seemed to never stop running and tried hard to get OWs going forward. Indeed OWs did manage a couple of attacks of there own with young Heidi Pentecost surging down the wing and putting in a couple of telling crosses which could not be converted.

Many OW players had not played a competitive game before and Brom Beck showed the standard of passing and ball control to which they will want to aspire.

FANTASTIC 2007/08 SEASON FOR YOUNG WILLIAMSONIANS

Old Williamsonian Hockey Club U14 XI has just finished an extremely enjoyable season.

The boys deserve special mention for their enthusiasm and dedication. Most of these 20 or so lads started this season with about a year’s hockey experience (which in itself had been a steep learning curve) and in most cases with only a semblance of awareness about the game, tactics and team spirit.

Nearly everyone in the main squad of 13 attended all training sessions; all were eager to learn and always worked and played to the best of their ability. We had an initial convincing win 7-0 against BBHC. Against Herne Bay we lost 6-4, but the boys displayed superb temperament and sportsmanship beyond their years in the face of aggressive opposition.

In November we played away at Burnt Ash. We played well as a team, but had a 2-1 win snatched from us by a last minute equalizer. When that was followed by a 7-3 defeat at the hands of Tunbridge Wells, one could have understood if heads might have dropped.

It was not, however, to be. OW U14s quickly showed that they had a maturity beyond their years in that a strong desire to win was balanced by an overall enjoyment of the sport an unquenchable optimism. A 3-3 draw against Folkestone was an excellent team performance, which perhaps deserved victory.

Another thrilling game against Burnt Ash (but this time Ash grabbed a 4-3 win in the last minute!) was followed by a 6-2 defeat against a good Anchorians side. The playing shape was nevertheless getting better and better. On the day it all came together Ashford were the unfortunate victims of the 7-0 scoreline. Canterbury B was a game which may well have been lost at the beginning of the season, but OWs ran out clear 5-1 winners. The last match was against Sevenoaks on a hot day and neither team produce their best. The 1-1 draw was probably a fair result.

OWs junior hockey has always emphasized the fun and sportsman ship of the game as well bringing an understanding of the will to win and how playing as team improves results and enjoyment. The camaraderie of the lads this season made them stronger as a unit as time went on, which in turn led to success in terms of results. For everyone involved, it was great to be part of it.

Congratulations to the main squad (in alphabetical order): Alex Cairns, Lawrence Claughton, Amrik Dhinsa, Alex Gaul, Jonathan Horsington, Alfie Mason, Ashley Pentecost, Tom Pinder, Kieran Steers, Josh Sullivan, Nathan Tulpo, Michael Tyrrell and Oliver Vinnicombe, and the other members of the squad who also played their part: Dan Barker, Nick Gaul, Jack Harper, Sam Heyes, Tom Starling and Ben Stroud.A Word from the Management

Any School lads reading this who are interested in playing should e-mail this site or just turn up for training on a Sunday morning (10:00 -11.30) or phone me on 01634 387052.

 Ian Pentecost.