Maidstone (1-0) OW's U14

This was a very even contest, destined to be 0-0 until an unforced defensive error gifted Maidstone the winner in the last minute. Both sides were inexperienced and few moves developed into good goal-scoring opportunities. For OWs Tom Judge and James Nolan were towers of strength in defence. Particularly encouraging were the debuts of Harris Owen and 11 year old Joe Harper, both of whom have a bright hockey future. Thanks to Andy Wallace for umpiring and those parents who travelled with the team. Next is our toughest game yet against BromBecs.   Squad: Victoria Batchelor, Jordan Bryant, Sam Friend, Joe Harper, Cameron Houghton, Tom Judge, James Nolan; Heidi Pentecost, Ellen Piercy, Alex Wallace, Jake Whiting,

OW's U14 (2-8) BromBecs Ultimately, the enthusiastic young Willies were no match for one of the strongest clubs in the country, but for much of the game the visitors were made to fight for every ball and it was only in the last 10 minutes that the scoreline showed more than a 2- goal difference. Tom Judge was superb, sometime it seemed that wherever the opposition had the ball, he was there to tackle or intercept. Liam Mattingly worked tirelessly in midfield and despite being under constant pressure always tried to pass accurately and be creative. Despite those performance BromBecs did create numerous goal chances, but it was clear from their reactions to save after save that they had rarely come up against a goalkeeper of Jake Whiting’s calibre. Our two goals came from Cameron Houghton, who seems to get faster and more skilful every week Squad: Mark Butler, Jordan Bryant, Sam Friend, Cameron Houghton, Tom Judge, Liam Mattingly, James Nolan, Harris Owen, Heidi Pentecost, Ellen Piercy, Connor Taylor, Samu Tinsley, Alex Wallace, Jake Whiting,

OW's U14 (2-1) Bordenians

In the pre- Christmas matches OWs finished a very worthy 3 out of 5 in their group, with one game (against Herne Bay) cancelled because of the snow. That put then in group 2 of 3 for the second set of Kent league games which take place in the second half of the season.

Most matches on this half of the season are likely to be more even contests and an good indication of how much the team improves against teams of a similar standard.

The visit of Bordenians was an excellent match.

Alex Wallace, no doubt inspired by his selection for Kent U13s played his best game yet, his control was outstanding and (to the coach’s delight) he even managed two square passes to the right!

Harris Owen impressed at right back and all of Jordan Bryant, Heidi Pentecost, mark Butler and Liam Mattingly Tackled well, made good use of the ball and prompted many attacks.

There were highlights galore, but none better than Tom Judge’s waltz past 5 defenders (“too much dribbling, Tom!”) and thunderbolt of a shot which hit half way up the post.

Goals came from the prolific Cameron Houghton and well-positioned Joe Harper and with Jake Whiting in goal the visitors were never going to score more than 1!

Thanks again to Andy Wallace for his excellent umpiring.

Squad: Mark Butler, Jordan Bryant, Sam Friend, Joe Harper, Cameron Houghton, Tom Judge, Liam Mattingly, James Nolan, Harris Owen, Heidi Pentecost, Ellen Piercy, Connor Taylor, Alex Wallace, Jake Whiting.

 

 

 

 

The OW squad for this early morning trip to the impressive Tonbridge School for our second Kent League match included three brothers: goalkeeper Jake, and eleven year old twins Adam and Daniel Whiting, which may just be a first for OWHC.

 

Although the young OWs stared well they squandered some good goal opportunities and would have been the home which took the lead, were it not for a very positive clearance from the Whiting who was in goal.

 

James Nolan again tackled well in central defence. Tom Judge was impressive both on the ball and when tackling and passing.  Liam Mattingly (superb short passing) and Mark Butler (excellent closing down and tackling) worked hard and dominated the midfield with help from Heidi Pentecost, Alex Wallace and Ellen Piercy.

 

After 15 minutes, centre forward Cameron Houghton broke skilfully in to the D and struck a fine shot home to make it 1-0. 

 

A few minutes debutant Adam Whiting robbed the T. Wells defence and found Houghton who finished well to make it 2-0, which is how it stayed until half time.

 

The second half was more even as sometimes the OWS struggled to give the width that was necessary to create more chances. There were some notable highlights, however: Hougton finishing superb hat-trick to put the OWs 3 up; Sam Friend’s pass from left midfield to overlapping at right back Sam Tinsley and Alex Wallace’s reverse stick finish to seal the result at 4-2, after the home side had pulled a couple back.

 

There are difficult games to come, but this has been a great start to the season so far.

 

Thanks to Andy Wallace for umpiring, those parents who travelled with the team and all parents for getting their offspring to the meet time at such an unsocial hour.

 

Squad: Mark Butler, Sam Friend, Cameron Houghton, Tom Judge, Liam Mattingly, James Nolan; Heidi Pentecost, Ellen Piercy, Samu Tinsley, Alex Wallace, Jake Whiting, Adam Whiting and Daniel Whiting

OW U14s are invariably younger and less experienced than most of our opposition and this season is no exception.

 

It is already apparent, however, that, as has also been the case over the past 10 years, they will draw on those precious resources of enthusiasm and team spirit to compete well in most matches.

 

This home fixture was the first in the Kent League match for the new squad, and for many of those it was their first competitive hockey match.

 

It was an even contest and, on reflection, the three or four good saves by the consistently good Jake Whiting in the OW goal was probably the decisive factor in the result.

 

Tom Judge and James Nolan were strong in central defence. Liam Mattingly tackled and distributed masterfully at times in the mid-field and Mark Butler was a live wire both when tackling back and making forward runs.

 

Our three girls, Victoria Batchelor, Heidi Pentecost and Ellen Piercy all contributed well and were in fact (to my distaste) regarded by the opposition coach as our best players.

 

Folkestone started better and Whiting was called upon to make a number of good saves and clearance kicks. It was OWs, however, who took the lead after about 10 mins, through Mattingly and from then on they had most of the possession.

 

Mid way through the second half, the home side over committed to attack and, for once, Whiting could do nothing to prevent the equalizer.

 

The game seemed destined for a draw, but the young OWs had other ideas. With only a few minutes to go, 11 year old debutant Lee Chilton was perfectly positioned at the far post and struck the ball assuredly into the net to clinch victory.

 

Thanks to Paul Meehan for umpiring and those parents supported.

 

Squad: Victoria Batchelor, Mark Butler, Lee Chilton, Cameron Houghton, Tom Judge, Liam Mattingly, James Nolan; Heidi Pentecost, Ellen Piercy, Samu Tinsley, Alex Wallace, and Jake Whiting,