Old Cranleighans 0 v AAs/O45s 18.2.2024

For the penultimate game of the season, the AAs travelled to Hinchley Wood to play Old Cranleighans (O.Cs) O45s at the plush Surbiton High School for girls’ sports facility. For the last two games the AAs have only been able to field ten players, but started the game with eleven, welcoming back Hilary Hull. In addition, the injured Gillian Clegg was hoping to get to the game as substitute & play for a short while to see how her recovery was going. The game had added spice because if O.Cs won they would join the AAs at the top of the table, with one game each then left to play. Moreover, if the AAs won, they would be uncatchable & retain the league title for a second season. The home team had a “young” squad of fifteen & put their mark on the game from the push back. They were strong on the ball & had a couple of very skilful players, with number 11 in particular, causing the AAs defence problems & dominating the early play. Newly converted sweeper Nicky Benedict, marshalled the AAs defence well though with full backs Tina Clarke & Hilary Hull working hard, along with keeper Jo Lawton to prevent O.Cs having too many shots. Although the AAs started to create a few chances of their own, with midfielders Lenny Petrakova, Claire Brant, Lynne Morgan & Kelly Roberts working & running hard, combining well & using both flanks to bring the forwards more into the game; but the O.C’s defence could not be broken down. Despite Jacqui Bashford – Hynes playing upfront for a change, she settled in to the right wing role very well & Nicky Davis, as always used her speed & determination & went close to opening the scoring. As always Jackie Parsons slick stick skills were creating problems for O.Cs, & Gillian Clegg came on to add punch up front. However, it was the home team who remained on top & the AAs were glad to reach half time with the score still at 0-0.

The AAs team talk was mainly about relaxing & playing, simple hockey, which is what mainly, more happened in the second half. With Nicky B controlling things from the back, & with Kelly’s strong running in the middle, the AAs created a few chances, despite O.Cs continued pressure. The deadlock was eventually broken after ten minutes or so of play, when a through ball found Kelly in the circle near the back line & she put it across the front of the goal & Gillian popped up at the far post to slot the ball home & give the AAs the lead. The AA’s with some fine crosses, mostly from Jacqui B-H on the right going unconverted piled on the attacks. The game was still very close though when the AA’s managed to score a second goal when a rather bizarre series of passes & misunderstandings, saw Lenny, Nicky B, Jackie & an injured Gillian (who was actually about to leave the pitch), combine, before Jacqui B-H knocked the ball in from close range. The two goal lead inspired the Red & Blacks who played their best hockey of the match as the home team tired. A penetrating run into the D saw Kelly score a third with a reverse shot from the top of the D to make the score 3-0. A fourth was added just before the end when Lynne did a straight strike from a short corner & Nicky D popped in the net at the far post to make the final score 4-0 & the AA’s champions again. It was certainly an eventful game with Claire & Lynne just avoiding green cards from the strict home team umpire & play swinging from end to end.

Player of the match was duly shared by Nicky B & Kelly, followed by Jacqui, B-H with Tina, Lynne & Claire also getting votes, showing what a team effort the win was. Thanks are due to the umpires & our supporters, Emma & Sebastien Bashford- Hynes, Emma’s Mum, Lee Davis & the Silver Fox, David Brant.
Team: Jo Lawton (GK), Tina Clarke, Nicky Benedict, Hilary Hull, Lynne Morgan (C), Lenny Petrakova, Claire Brant, Kelly Roberts, Gillian Clegg, Jacqui Bashford-Hynes, Jackie Parsons, Nicky Davis. Umpire: Lesley Mitchell.

LM 23/2/2024