No Venue | NE14HOCKEY East Men's League: Prem A (Mens) | Match Report(s)
Goal Scorers: Brendan Sullivan (2), Paul Hillsdon, Shane Vincent & Carl Daniels
CoP travelled to Ipswich for their 5th league game of the season, against a side that until last week were top of the division. Jon Short, city keeper, pulled out on Friday after sustaining a calf injury during training and was replaced by Jake Ledbrook between the posts.
CoP had the better of the early exchanges with a number of golden opportunities missed. Ipswich then fought their way back into the game and after an attack down the right hand side a shot from the top of the circle found its way through Ledbrook in the CoP goal. CoP continued to weather the Ipswich pressure and Ledbrook had to fend a number of short-corners away with his gloves. Shortly before half time CoP secured a short-corner themselves which was expertly converted by Carl Daniels from the top of the circle. The score remained at 1-1 until half-time.
The second half started brightly for CoP with again chances not taken, however, it was Ipswich you capitalised on a loss of possession in midfield, with the Ipswich veteran striker Andy Cook taking on Ledbrook one-on-one and putting Ipswich back into the lead. CoP then began to dominate the game whilst the Ipswich side started to argue amongst themselves and with the umpires. CoP brought themselves level through drag-flick expert Paul Hillsdon who shot low of the diving Ipswich keeper. Further goals followed for Shane Vincent, following up on a saved short-corner and two from Brenda Sullivan the first a mazy run and the second after some fast attacking play down the right hand side of the pitch which ended in a simple push in for Sullivan. During the goal fest Ipswich completely lost the plot and were at one stage down to eight players with one being red and two yellow carded.
Man of the match was won by Paul (high-tower) Hillsdon for his defending excellence and quality of short corners!
CAL report
1-0 and 2-1 down to a good Ipswich side, City played some excellent hockey to work their way back into the game and with Brendan Sullivan on sparkling form now he was released further forward in the absence of captain Simon Shorter, this turned into a fine victory. As soon as City got in front at 3 - 2 Ipswich found fault with some "interesting" umpiring decisions and rather imploded with 3 yellows and a red card for offering violence towards one of the umpires. This was a welcome win and seemingly a tactical triumph for Coach Mike Yeoman who employed a new system of 3 at the back and a W formation in midfield in order to try to get the best out of the players available to him. This will give a big boost to the confidence of the team and it will be interesting to see whether captain Shorter will have to accept a starting place on the bench next week. Joint players of the day were Paul Hillsdon and Josh Young.
No Venue | NE14HOCKEY East Men's League: Prem B (Mens) | Match Report(s)
Goal Scorers: Danny Needham (3), Marcus Howard (2), Bob Slack, Joe Lester & Adam Wilson
City seconds recorded a resounding victory against a very young Ipswich side that were eventually put to the sword. The inclusion of Bob Slack was an important factor and he opened the scoring with an extremely rare gaol for him, following through on a chance created by his own determined running. Mark Featherstone was also prominent although nursing an injury and Danny Needham on his way back from a back injury excelled with his skill and pace up front. At 2 -0 at half time, City looked to be in control but a deflected short corner strike pulled it back to 2 -1 and a "sticky patch" followed until 2 goals in a minute from the younger contingent Marcus Howard and and Adam Wilson settled the nerves. Ipswich again caused some jitters with another goal but City then scored again and won convincingly in the end to give them confidence for some difficult games to come.
No Venue | NE14HOCKEY East Men's League: Division 2N (Mens) | Match Report(s)
Goal Scorers: Wayne Humphreys & Peter Loader
City 3rd XI's blend of experience, more experience and youth in the end recorded a solid win against a young and quite talented UAE side who will undoubtedly be harder to beat in the return fixture after Christmas.
Youngsters Jordon Heald and Nathan Foad showed up well with promising displays but it was the experience of Peter Hings (man of the match) and Jon Dakin at the back which coupled with the inexhaustible energy of Aggi Milner and Chairman Peter Loader in midfield consolidated the win. City perhaps might have won by more but after a goal in the first half from Wayne Humphreys the victory was rarely in doubt continuing their unbeaten start to the season. Apart from one excellent reflex save from Darren Griffiths following a sharp deflection, City's goal was rarely threatened thanks to a superb all round defensive display.
No Venue | NE14HOCKEY East Men's League: Division 3NW (Mens) | Match Report(s)
Goal Scorers: Tom Handley, Tom Clarkson, Rob Lavies
The 4th XI came back pleased with their deserved win against a determined and robust March side. This was an important victory and again showed the overall talent City have available at this level. This was mixed with a strong determination to win which captain Tom Handley demands and it was pleasing to see a goal from Tom Clarkson at last playing at the level he deserves.
No Venue | NE14HOCKEY East Men's League: Division 3NW (Mens) | Match Report(s)
Goal Scorers: Iain Green
City 5th XI were slightly second best to a strong Wisbech side but could easily have saved a point except for being caught cold immediately after half time by a long aerial ball which saw them outpaced at the back. City created a few good chances for themselves with Simon Buckley prominent but the choice of Nathan Stevenson as man of the match gives a clue to the overall balance of play. However,there was plenty to be pleased about for future with some excellent committed displays from many experienced and younger players - Skipper Neil Webb has plenty to work with and the first victory shouldn't be long in coming. His team is competing well in a difficult league after promotion last season.
No Venue | NE14HOCKEY East Men's League: Division 4NW (Mens) | Match Report(s)
Goal Scorers: Grady Wing, Ian Kennedy & Matt Wallace
After this bottom of the league match, City returned from March convinced that this was a game that they should not have lost and might even have won. Cruelly they went down to a last minute winner that did not please acting skipper Aussie Dave Simpson. Facing ex-City first teamer and National league player Dougie King, City were finally undone by a goal from his dad Nick. Perhaps next week will yield the first points of the season.
No Venue | NE14Hockey East Men's Vets League (Mens Vets) | Match Report(s)
Goal Scorers: Martin Hill, Alastair Bradley, Peter Loader & Wayne Humphreys (2)
City Vets registered their first victory of the season thanks to the advantages of a full bench of some of the age-qualified players who continue to grace the higher echelons of the club. Despite at times the disruption of the side by the inevitable plethora of substitutions, City built on an rare goal from Martin "Moley" Hill to build a 3 - 0 half time lead and then Wayne Humphreys showed his eye for a goal with 2 more in the second half. This was a welcome result which showed the strength of talent that could be available for the Vets and the boost to the team was much appreciated by their older stalwarts. There was a pleasing performance from "returning to the ranks" Bob Goodall and Eddie Bromley nearly snatched the headlines when switched up front late on against his former club with 3 shots on target but unfortunately all saved. Rob Houghton and Nigel Foad, usually masterminding the 7th XI, also had a taste of veterans hockey and acquitted themselves well. Chairman Peter Loader, in his last match before leaving the district to take up a new job in the south of England, played his usually "storming" game.
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