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Manager : Matt Lockwood

Coach : Jeff Doust

Match Report  24-2-07

Tunbridge Wells U16         3       :      Old Williamsonians U16        4

The OW youngsters secured a win with the last hit of the game in a thoroughly entertaining and exciting game on Sunday. Having struggled for most of the season in light of the fact that they are essentially an U15 team playing against boys a year older, they turned in a great team display in which every member of the squad made a valuable contribution.

Danny Routledge, captain and the only player not eligible to play at this level next season was inspirational and dominant throughout the game and the other team members followed his excellent example. Despite going 1-0 down within 5 minutes he brought his side back into contention during the first half with strong tackling and passing. Once OWs had adapted to the water based pitch they started to string together some excellent moves with the midfield of Josh Sullivan, Ashley Pentecost, Alex Gaul and Alfie Mason controlling the game and creating chances. Just before half time their efforts were rewarded when Josh Sullivan got on the end of a hit into the area and deflected the ball high into the roof of the net. The second half continued with the forwards creating chances and corners. Mike Tyrrell, Amrik Dhinsda and Thomas Pinder all contributed up front with Tyrrell displaying amazing determination and Pinder showing all his silky skills that he has clearly not inherited from his father! Ben Stroud also made a great impact into the midfield in an all action performance.

An excellent move down the right ended with Nathan Tulpo slotting home to put OWs 2-1 ahead but they were soon pegged back to 2-2 by an excellent individual goal by the T Wells forward. A key moment came when Laurence Claughton gave away a penalty stroke but made amends with a fine save to keep the scores level and this encouraged OWs to go for the win. Ashley Pentecost smashed home a corner to make it 3-2 but again T Wells fought back to 3-3 despite the best efforts of Jamie Thomas, J J Horsington and Alex Cairns in defence. All 3 defenders tackled and marked well throughout the game and were a strong platform to launch a last minute attack which resulted in a short corner as the final whistle blew. Pentecost slipped the ball to Tulpo who struck his second goal to cue wild celebrations for a well deserved win in a real team effort.

Team: Claughton, Routledge, Tulpo, Horsington, Cairns, Sullivan, Pentecost, Gaul, Mason, Pinder, Tyrrell, Stroud, Thomas, Dhinsda.

Match Report  30-9-07

Old Williamsonians U16         1       :      Bromley &Beckenham U16        4

B&B scored 3 goals in the last 3 minutes to win this match so the scoreline probably does not reflect the standard of performance in the U16s first outing this season against a very good side. With all but 2 of the side in the U15 age group the performance was even better. For all bar the last few minutes of the game OWs were equal to if not better than their opposition and there is much to look forward to in the coming games.

Danny Routledge captained the side and his team talk, encouragement and the way he led the side by example made him the outstanding player on the pitch. He led the back line well and was supported by Oliver Vinnicombe and by Alex Gaul. Gaul in particular has great positional sense and control under pressure and did not put a foot wrong all game. Laurence Claughton in goal ensured that Brom Beck were unable to trouble the scoreline until the end of the game.

Equally, in midfield, Ashley Pentecost led by example and was ably supported by Nathan Tulpo and JJ Horsington, who never stopped running and tackling. Pentecost scored the opening goal of the game with a fine strike. This was the only goal until late into the game when Brom Beck managed an equaliser, although OWs had created a number of further chances mainly from the fine efforts of Josh Sullivan down the right wing. When the second goal went in with just 3 minutes left it was a hammer blow and 2 quick goals followed.

All in all a great first effort with lots to be encouraged by.

Background.

Over the years OW’s have identified that their strength lies in developing the junior section of the club, and Sunday morning junior training is a feature of the club’s commitment to its own future as well helping local kids succeed in sport.

Due to the high attendance at OW’s highly successful Sunday youth training, the club has decided to field a boy’s U-16’s side which will be playing in the Kent Hockey Association U-16 League for the coming season.

OW’s U-16’s sides have performed well in the past, producing many quality performers who often go on to populate the men’s senior teams, and in some cases gaining county, regional and even international honours (see the Social Events & Club News section).

The importance of developing the youth teams is not lost on senior club members and this year the U-16’s will benefit greatly from the coaching abilities of 1st XI Captain Jeff Doust, whilst the management is in the capable hands of 2nd XI Captain Matt Lockwood.

Obviously there is always a need to recruit new players and anyone from school years 10 and 11, as at 1st September, will be most welcome to join junior training on a Sunday morning between 10am and 11.30am, held at the Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School, Rochester from 7th September onwards. All abilities are catered for. For further details please contact either Matt Lockwood or Ian Pentecost via the web-site mail address.

And finally, the club is always looking at ways in which it can further its efforts and commitment to its youth sides and therefore is considering sponsorship. Should you feel that you could contribute something to the development of local hockey please contact our sponsorship secretary Ciaran Rowe via the web-site mail address.