Mens 1st Team

Men's 1st Team 2011-12
Formed 2005

Current competitions:

Kukri North West Hockey League Division 3
English Knockout Competition: Men's Vase
Cheshire Cup: Men's Plate

"In order to succeed, you can not be afraid to fail"

Team 2010/2011

Match Reports:

Saturday 12^th November 2011

Lymm men’s 1^st 3-4 Keswick 1sts
Away, Push back 13:00pm

On Saturday Lymm made the long arduous journey to Cockermouth to face another in form team in Division 3.
Captain Ross Arrowsmith, had only a bare 11 to pick from missing regulars such as Colin Graham, David Antonelli and Phill ‘Coop’s is the girl for me’ Griffiths. The team selection also gave outfield debuts to George, a new member from the near by university and Tony (Our usual first team keeper). The bare 11 did also include a severely hungover Richard Buck who turned up, after attending the 3rd team captains stag do the previous night and after around 3-4 hours sleep did not seem enough as all could see from his face as he arrived at Lymm, driving a ladies car when perhaps he should have been driven to the club opposed to driving himself.
As the game started Lymm applied pressure from the outset, forcing a number of chances in the first 5 minutes. George, Buckie, Graham, Andy and Lee working well together in the midfield, forcing errors and soon Lymm where awarded with the first short corner of the game, Ross took his position at the top of the D and dispatched the ball into the bottom right hand corner for a deserved 1-0 lead. This startled the opposition into action and quickly they had equalised with a well worked goal deflected past the hapless Mark Patterson in goal. With around 20 minutes to go in the half Lymm quickly got their noses’ ahead, once again short corners working well for skipper Arrowsmith who saw one shot deflected kindly of the oncoming defenders stick in the bottom left corner and one hit perfectly on to the top of the backboard. With Lymm in the ascendancy, Keswick struggling to contain Lymm’s attacking play were stretched, as we drew closer to half time Keswick were able to bring a number of fresh legs onto the pitch which gave them what seemed like an extra player. With five minutes to half time Keswick created a number of chances and were unlucky not to halve the deficit prior to the whistle.
HT 1-3
As the first half ended the second half began. Lymm’s bare 11 were struggling to combat the freshness of a number of the Keswick players. Keswick scored within 5 minutes, a well worked goal down the right side of the pitch. Keswick drew the keeper to the front right post and found another Keswick stick with a pass to the back post allowing an easy sweep into an empty net. Keswick and Lymm continued to tussle for the ball and clear opportunities fell to both teams, with 10 minutes of the game remaining Keswick managed to create an opportunity in the D and forced a short corner, which was duly dispatched with all the efficiency of a Ross Arrowsmith strike. Unfortunately for Lymm their was to be one more goal in the game, much like Keswicks 2nd goal their 4th goal, with 34 minutes on the clock was the result of a good move down the right flank to much the same result. Lymm with 1 minute left saw themselves in a losing position for the first time in the whole match. The result seemed harsh on a Lymm side missing 8 players, however with the team we had available, it took an enormous effort to take the game to 69minutes at 3-3 as Lymm walked off the pitch they were commended by the watching fans and players for the part they played in an excellent match, I, as all the team did not take solace in this however, we will look back and think if the same effort is applied throughout the remainder of the season we will be ‘there or thereabouts’ in the league I am sure.

FT 4-3 Loss

Scorers:

Ross Arrowsmith PC x 3

Man of the match
Ross Dobson

DOD
Richard Buck

Saturday 29^th October 2011
Lymm men’s 1^st 4-2 Lancaster University

Away, Push back 12pm

Lymm continued their 100% record with a Jekyll and Hyde like performance in chilly Lancaster. A depleted squad was missing Rick Chung, Ben Hodgkinson, Ollie Hood and Mark Brownsword but welcomed back David Antonelli to the mix. Lymm were also delighted to allow Simon Akrill to make his season debut after a shoulder injury.

On what can only be described as an ice rink, Lymm started strongly putting their mark on the game with Andy Hunt in particular looking sharp. It wasn’t long before Hunt got the game’s first goal following a penalty corner. Lymm continued to dominate the early stages against their youthful opposition with Hunt completing his hatrick to continue his superb goal scoring record.

The second goal came from another well drilled penalty corner with Hunt ever present to apply the finishing touch. Lymm added the third through the tireless work from the forwards forcing Lancaster to make mistakes allowing Akrill to poach the ball before slipping it right to Hunt to then add the finish 1 on 1 against the advancing keeper.

HT 3-0

The second half started well for Lymm with the next goal being touted as crucial in deciding the outcome of this match. It was Lymm who scored after Hunt and Phil Griffiths linking together well before Griffiths trying to find Chung Junior back post before the defender adding the finishing touch.

Now here came the Hyde side of the day, Lymm seemingly switching off allowing Lancaster hope of a comeback with sloppy passing, lack of effort and overall composure for the majority of the second half.

Lancaster added 2 goals in quick succession and could have been more it wasn’t for the fine form of Keeper Huddart who was the only Lymm player to remain focused during the second half with a string of fine saves to frustrate the opposition.

Lymm slowly began to regain possession in the last 10 minutes of the half to see out the victory but disappointment was evident with regards to the second half performance.

The victory was tarnished by an incident in the shower room leaving the players distraught with the loss of a big character, the cash cow. Huddart the culprit nudging the cow off the bench to its doom. Huddart seemingly needing a miracle to nurse the cow back to full health and a lot of super glue.

MOM – Andy Hunt for a lethal display in front of goal closely followed but Huddart for his heroics in goal.
DOD – Andy Hunt – for shouting ‘’I am too good for this S***’’ in a celebration

Lymm men 1^st 6– 1 South Lakes 1sts

EHA Vase round 2

On Sunday Lymm Mens 1^st team entertained South Lakes in this second round clash(sic). A few weeks earlier we had dispatched the team from the lakes 4-0 in a league encounter despite not playing too well, so were confident of victory.

A relaxed warm up and late arrival of Big Phill minus his stick did not look like the greatest of starts but in fairness there was not too much of a hangover from the previous days game or Saturday night out.

Lymm started at a much better pace than the previous day and a few chances were created in the opening few minutes despite the attempts of Phill to get used to his borrowed stick (early contender for DOD)

The pressure eventually told with Andy Hunt finishing off a slick routine at the back post after a break down the left. Wave after wave of pressure built up on the Lakes goal and after a quick free hit taken by Phill (now back to his usual self) caught the defence napping, squared the ball to Mike Chung who flicked the ball at full stretch into the roof of the net, quality finishing from the ever improving Chung Junior.

Tony in goal and his defence of Ross, Mark, Cooky and Barry (and a cameo return for Mags) were having a quiet afternoon as the midfield of Col, Olly, Lee and Graeme's hard work broke down any attacks not allowing Lakes any time on the ball.

The third goal went in with the move of the match. Some great link up work by Ben, Phill and Lee on the right split open the defence allowing Lee to slot home from close range, think Nigel the coach would have been happy with that one!

In the second half the game seemed to have a bit more edge too it with the opposition keen to make game of it, however Lymm pretty much sealed victory early in the second half after some controversial incidents. A scrappy attack in the D led to a pretty bad foul on Andy Hunt but good advantage was played and the ball fell to Phill who managed to pass the ball to Ben who smashed it past the helpless keeper.

As the ball crashed into the back board an echo was heard as a stick somehow managed to connect with our tall midfielders temple a good 5 seconds after the ball crossed the line, it was so delayed both umpires missed it as they were going back to half way to restart the game.

After this the game had an unpleasant feel to it with bad tackles and trash talk taking over what was a decent Lymm performance. Lakes clawed a goal back from broken down corner and soon after Lymm went down to 10 men as Gray saw his arse and chucked his stick in frustration. (DOD changed hands very quickly).

A few corners were won but unusually came to nothing until Rick Cook opened his season account from close range after a corner rebound, the team were well chuffed that Cooky “the quiet man” opened his account. His roar of delight was heard for miles!

In the final minute Gray made up for his sending off by setting up Andy for his second of the day, dribbling round the edge of the D and shooting from a good 3m outside the ball luckily found Hunt who deflected the ball into the bottom corner.

Final score 6-1

Scorers

Huntx2(OP)

Vaughnx1(OP)

Hodkinson(with noG) x1(OP)

Chung Mx1(OP)

Cookx1(PC)

DOD Gray (yellow card)

MOM Cookie (first goal) (closely followed by Lee Vaughan)

Thanks to Chris and Nigel for umpiring and a massive thank you from all the players for our great support and to everyone that helped with the bbq and brews, lets hope we get a home draw next round and do it again1

Ben

Lymm 1^st 6-2 Liverpool Sefton 2’s

Lymm continued their unbeaten run against a very physical Liverpool Sefton team. The continued theme for the season was repeated today as Lymm often struggled to get into their full flow yet still dominated the game.

Mark Brownsword and Gray returned to the squad replacing Antonelli. Colin Graham was given the new role of holding the midfield and did very well in unfamiliar territory.

The home side went to work early with a short corner after 5mins found Andy Hunt whose shot was blocked from a Sefton defenders leg to give the penalty flick. Ben Hodgkinson was given the task, in which he did emphatically into the top corner given the keeper no chance.

The game then settled and Liverpool Sefton started to show their attacking ability and responded with an untidy finish leaving Tony Huddart helpless after a deflection. This game was finely balanced as neither team took total control but it was Lymm who scored next with Andy Hunt again scoring, this time an assist from Ross Arrowsmith.

Taking the lead for the second time was followed by conceding shortly after, the Lymm defence switching off allowing a free shot at goal with Tony again helpless due to the fortunate miss hit.

HT 2-2

Lymm still struggling to find top gear began to create more chances in the second half and defend stronger allowing Ben Hodgkinson to despatch a drag flick after some agile dribbling from Hunt to win the short corner.

This then kicked Lymm into becoming more constructive in front of goal with 2 further goals added, first from Arrowsmith from another short corner after a well worked moved with Hunt. Hodgkinson then completed the scoring with a well taken finish from the top of the D, further example of his improved finishing from the previous week to add to his seasons tally.

As stated this game followed the season trend with Lymm failing to come close to top gear but plenty of positives to take as it’s now 5/5 wins in an unbeaten start.

(Lee missed Lymms 4 goal, which was after Bens drag flick, A penalty corner, Ross took it wide left and hit a shot wide, Hunt defected it in from a tight angle)

MOM: Barry Davies – Consistent throughout the game

DOD:

Scorers:

Ben Hodkinson 5mins PS
Andy Hunt 27min PC
Ben Hodkinson 47mins PC
Andy Hunt 59mins PC
Ross Arrowsmith 60mins PC
Ben Hodkinson 69mins OP

Lymm men 1^st 6– 0 Urmston 2nds
^{Saturday 16^th October 2011: Push Back 2:00pm, Away.
Lymm entered this game with Mark Brownsword and Rick Chung both unavailable while Ben Hodgkinson returning from the previous week’s squad.
Looking to build on the solid start of the season Lymm didn’t disappoint immediately controlling the game against a relatively young Urmston side. Making use of the quick pitch the ball being sprayed well creating chances for Vaughan, Hodgkinson and Hunt but a mixture of poor finishing and competent goalkeeping kept the score at 0-0.
It took a well worked short corner routine to break the deadlock with Vaughan adding the finishing touch to get the ball rolling in which Lymm clearly deserved.
The theme of day seemed to be hitting the ball straight at the keeper with chances being created almost at will yet being squandered at times frustrating Lymm.
Lymm added a vital second through Forward Andy hunt finishing on the line from some devastating creative work by Phil Griffiths to make the score 2-0 at HT.
The half time message was simple; avoid contact, work harder and take your chances. Lymm decided to make the second half harder work than it ought of being by doing the complete opposite.
Chances were again being created and missed but Andy Hunt began finding space in the D, using some composure which his team mates need to begin adding to his and Lymm’s tally. Further work by Griffiths before unselfishly squaring to Hunt adding 2 further goals completing his Hat trick.
Mike Chung work tirelessly upfront and got his reward with the simplest of tap ins after Hodgkinson and Griffiths worked a opening. Hunt Then completed the scoring through a solo effort weaving/battling his way through the Urmston defence before smashing home his 4^th and Lymm’s 6^th.
Following on from last week this was a Lymm team clearly not performing at their own personal high expectations yet can be more than positive at the number of chances created with some free flowing hockey. On another day this score could so easily have been so much higher and yet again the defence of keeper Huddard and back four of Arrowsmith, Graham, Cook and Davis looked in control throughout adding a 3^rd clean sheet out of 4 fixtures.
Goals:
Vaughan PC
Hunt 4x OP
Chung OP
MOM: Andy Hunt – Class finishing.
DOD: Andy Hunt – For crying.}

Lymm men 1^st 4 – 0 GSK South Lakes
Push Back: 14:00 , Home: Lymm

Lymm continued their impressive start to the season with another win to continue the 100% record in the league. Lymm welcomed back Andy Hunt and Phil Griffiths after both were unavailable the previous week. It was Griffiths who created the first chance of the game squaring for Mike Chung to tap in from 0.5yards only for Chung to decide he didn’t want to score so early in the game.

Although patchy at times Lymm sprayed the ball around well and looked in control for the majority of the half. This dominance led to the opening goal where Colin graham saw the run of Lee Vaughan who drove into the D before squaring for Rick Chung to show his strike partner and brother how to finish. Chung senior then added to his tally with a piece of individual skill flicking the ball up from a pass before rotating and slapping the ball beyond a helpless keeper.

From this Lymm controlled the game further limiting South Lakes to very few chances all of which were dealt with the defence and keeper Huddart who looked on form throughout. The next goal was delivered through a rare short corner for Lymm with a well drilled routine leaving a finish not even he could squander.

HT 3-0

After a mixed first half despite the score line Lymm were focused on playing better. Overall this was generally achieved with the ball being used to far more affect with quicker passing and more movement from attack.

Lymm scored the final goal through a devastating move of passing and moving from the forwards with Andy Hunt playing Vaughan through to finish a class team move. Although Lymm continued to play good hockey the score line remained 4-0.

Although not fully convincing throughout, a clean sheet in a game where the defence looked in constant control is a positive to take forward as Lymm go marching on.

MOM: Lee Vaughan
DoD: Phill Griffiths

Scorers:
Lee Vauaghan OP, PC
Rick Chung 2x OP