Ladies Thirds Captain’s Report from Bev Halford

As everyone knows, at the start of the season the club lost a lot of experienced female players from both the ladies 3rd and 4th team and unfortunately due to the disbandment of the ladies 4th’s during the previous season, came the opportunity of the newly formed ladies 3rds to be reborn!

Sam Zala had managed to triumph in gaining promotion to Severn Division 2 with her ladies 3rd team, but due to other commitments unfortunately could not continue. So without a captain, challenging times were ahead. Not wishing to see another side fall by the way side  i reluctantly agreed to take on the captaincy, but only as a partnership with my co driver Mrs Durham!

And what a co driver she has been – I’m sure all my team will agree that her witty, sarcastic, even excentric pleading texts each week have made this season a truly memorable one and has given us  the strength and commitment to continue each week and have most certainly put a smile on everyones face. Im sure the new young members of the team (Emily,Ava,Abbie and Lydia) wondered what they had joined!

Its not every week you are given fashion tips, dietary tips and full weather reports as part of the weekly text asking your availability for the weekend ahead!

A typical text would read:

“Morning, now then girls, plug yourself into any electrical appliance you can get your hands on, dont care if its a dyson,straighteners,dishwasher get those heart rates going, i will leave fluffy slippers on sideline(pink ones of course) sick bags available from me on request. Happy 21st Sophie!! ps weather forecast very good so get washing on the line and suncreams  at the ready”

or following a game at Cirencester where the changing rooms left a lot to be desired the text read:

“Hope you’re all well and no one has picked up any nasty diseases from the changing room floors – tetanus needed!! Anyway this sats game is home against Newent who’s available- no excuses”

I can confidently say there has never been a dull moment in the 3rds despite the results which I will come onto in a minute I promise.

As I said at the beginning, challenging times were ahead -  a new team, and a higher league faced everyone in September and just to add insult to injury  – literally we started the season without a few of our “experienced”, more mature ladies who decided to do things  like break bones whilst on holiday – how selfish, and if that wasnt enough I frequently lost players to the 2nd team, week in week out. However this didn’t phase us and each week we put out a side and played our hearts out , losing match after match. However, the score line was improving, so imagine the elation when we achieve our first win against cheltenham civil service 2-1.

So the moment you have all been waiting for – our results.

Played 18, won 2, lost 16, goals for 12, goals against 63 – sadly finishing bottom of the table.

Whilst we may not having won any trophies, I bet no one can beat our record of giving  away the most penalty flicks in a season which I think currently stands at 10 and if that is not enough they were all conceded by the same person.

During one match following a bad week at work, she not only managed to concede a penalty flick, but through constant back chatting to the umpire managed to get the whole team a green card. You know who you are …

My thanks goes to Jeremy who has tirelessly turned out every week to provide our training and give constructive critism and also take time to coach the up and coming youngsters, improving their confidence and skills on the pitch.

And of course to Jan, who has arranged all the fixtures, and tirelessly pleaded with the opposition until the 11th hour some weeks to secure a 2nd umpire to ensure we could fulfill our fixtures. But thanks also to our umpires (when we have managed to get one) you know who you are, as again it is a thankless task and without you we wouldn’t be able to play. And to Andy who has provided moral support during some testing times.

Finally a huge thanks to my team for their commitment  and support throughout the season, I could not have done it without you.

We may be down but we are certainly not out !

Here’s to 2012/2013.

Thank you.

Bev Halford

End of Season Dinner

Season Summary for the Badgers 2011/2012

The Badgers started the year with 11 players from the season before.  For some it would sadly be their last before moving into full contact second team league hockey.

 

Rob Hume took up the task of Manager and myself, Sam Zala as coach.

 

In their first training session, I put them thought their paces to assess their abilty and finished with a game, to see how they played together. At the start of the second training season I told them what I thought. In summary, their core skills were very poor but their game playing was great. Although this was an obvious contradiction, I also had to point out that as a coach, this was very exciting. Imagine what they could do in a game, if they had the core skills – very exciting indeed !

 

If nothing else, this proved to the players that I was going be honest with them, and trust was quicky established.

 

As the weeks unfolded, the players worked extremely hard, but always with a laugh and with respect for each other, which made turning up to training a pleasure for every one involved. This now also included Matt George, the 1st team keeper, helping with the coaching of our own goalie David Reid.  It would not be long before Cath Hutchinson from the ladies 3rd team and occasionally Alex Hooper from the Mens 1sts would be helping too, with drills and preparation.

 

The original 11 was starting to grow and this was always down to how new players were welcomed and revered by the ‘oldies’ lads. With an open hand of friendship and respect ( something that didn’t go unnoticed by manager and coach ) by Christmas we were up to 15 and by the end of the season 26! Our youngest player is now James ‘Jammer’ Mathews, at 9 years old.

 

Hugo Johnston was recruited to assistant coach and only with his, Cath and Matt’s help were we able to coach such a big group.

 

We entered a tournament with our first ever under 10 team, and came 5th out of 8. Having played together for only 4 weeks this was an amazing performance. We entered our first under 12 tournament and came 3rd, also having played  for just 4 weeks! Both teams were a credit to themselves, Lydney Badgers,  and the sport of hockey.

 

The Badger ‘Seniors’ as they affectionately became known, won 9 out of 13 games, but the cold, hard statistics reveal nothing of how how they played as a team, with great movement, positive communication and a great desire to work hard or the beauty of their passing game.

 

They have grown as players, sportsmen and as young men and boys, feeling proud of what they belonged to but also to what they had created. Success. Respect. Fair play.

 

I get asked about the boys, I receive thanks for all the coaching time and sometimes praise for what we have become, but it is me that should be giving thanks. The boys trusted me, they did all the hard work, they had the drive and made for a brilliant season. They are the Badgers.

 

My congratulations go to Christian “Starsky” Rothery Jones as Captain.

 

 

 

Sam Zala

March 2012

Great Finish for Ladies IIs

Gloucester III 1 – Lydney II 3
Saturday March 31st

It is with a huge sigh of relief that I post this final match report for the Ladies 2s ( not just because we made it home from Gloucester with the engine management light on all the way ) This fabulous result against Gloucester 3s leave the 2s in 7th place just out of the relegation zone, and prove that the team could have been smugly comfortable in the top half of the table if it weren’t for an attack of the jitters back in the early part of the season.

The team went out confidently, welcoming back Jenn Howell in goal and pressing her into action early to embrace her back into the team. The moving and passing shown in the first half was exceptional, so the first goal was inevitable and a showcase of the team’s potential. Gloucester kept pressing high with a number of good chances on the break but were unable to finish. Megan Royle, out wide on the right wing, unusually on her feet for the majority of the game, maximised her opportunity to deliver some cracking passes into the paths of the hungry forwards.

After a slightly controversial short corner decision involving Annie Kirk’s innocent stick, Gloucester stole the ball from keeper Harding’s pads to slide the ball past her and equalise.

Harding secured her convincing man of the match award soon afterwards by saving a subsequent penalty after  Ali Bannister parried a certain goal with some soft tissue on the line.

Now full of confidence, the team pulled together to produce the performance of the season with Liz Black sliding a cheeky goal between the keepers legs and Captain Lugg converting one of Megan Royle’s many, magnificent crosses.

Jenn Harding received the largest majority of the season (6) in the team vote for Man of the Match with her Special ops, late drop in, get the job done and leave without trace performance.

Lydney : J Harding (MoM) B Worth, D Legge, A Bannister, S Mitchell, J Lack, L Black, M Royle, A Kirk, C Purvis, R Lugg ( Captain )

Ladies IIs still not safe

Lydney Ladies IIs 2 – Cheltenham Ladies III 4
Saturday March 24th

Despite plenty of scoring opportunities, the ladies seconds were already 3 goals down by half time in this extremely warm exchange with Cheltenham Ladies 3s. Captain Lugg was determined not to concede defeat without a fight, and scored the best goal of her career from a deflected ball fired into the D at pace from Jess Samuel. Judith Lack gave the home side another glimmer of hope but regrettably this wasn’t to be enough and the score ended 4-2 to Cheltenham.

We bid a fond farewell  ( once again ) to Lindsay Martin, who, still desperate to put a body of water between herself and Lydney, has emigrated to the Isle of Wight. Plans are already underway for a Ladies IIs transatlantic tour.
 
Man of the Match honours were shared by Sarah Mitchell and Rachael Lugg
 
Lydney : L Martin, D Legge, B Worth, S Mitchell, A Bannister, A Kirk, L Black, J Lack, C Purvis, R Lugg, J Samuel.

Last Victory of the Season for the Badgers

Lydney  Badgers 4 - Cirencester Badgers 1
Saturday March 17th

Despite losing to Cirencester earlier in the season, the Badgers signed off the season by beating them at home.

Built on a solid defence of Jack Turley, Harry Channer and Sam Horton, Lydney were able to control the game and put pressure on the Cirencester defence. Man of the match Dominic Musgrove opened the scoring for Lydney and added a second shortly afterwards. Alex Hetenyi added a third before half time. The second half saw Cirencester pull a goal back, before Musgrove was able to complete his hat trick. Numerous chances were created by the Lydney forwards but they were unable to add to the scoreline.  More match experience was given to James Mathews and Oliver Robery Jones in preparation for next year.

Mens 2s victorious against league winners Ross

MENS 2nds

Ross on Wye Men 0 – Lydney Mens A 1
Saturday 17th March

Lydney travelled to face league winners Ross looking for a good performance.

The game started evenly  with Craig Jones and Luke Turner creating some early chances  Ross however finished the half  the better of the two teams with several Kieron Osel making several good saves to keep the scores level.

Ross maintained  this pressure in the second half but a strong team defence marshalled by Jeremy Box with tireless work from captain Jordan Bishop and Wesley Thomas , kept Ross’s chances to a minimum.     

A string of short corners followed for Ross which was repelled by good keeping from Osel.  Lydney however were able to make the more of their chances when from a short corner which Sam Broom squared to Craig Thomas to flick home.

Lydney man of the match was Kieron Osel which other good performances from Sam Broom, Simon Morgan and Jeremy Box.

Ladies 1s Top of Premier 2

Lydney Ladies I 3 – Newent I 2
Saturday 17th March

On Saturday the ladies 1sts entertained local rival Newent at home looking for a win that would ensure them finishing at the top of the Premier 2 League grabbing automatic promotion to Premier 1 with two matches still to go before the end of the season – a first for Lydney.

Discussions before the game from captain, Emma Biddle, focused on starting strongly and being clinical with both our passing and finishing. This Lydney did, starting the much stronger of the two teams. The game was cagey to begin with and both sides looking to carve an opening. Both defences stood strong however, and Newent’s keeper looked to be on form again as she saved a number of fine shots from Lydney’s strikers. 

Lydney continued to pile the pressure on Newent from the front and were rewarded with a flurry of early short corners and shots on goal. One of these Amy Biddle hit fiercely into the top right hand corner of the Newent net to give Lydney the lead. Creative play from Emma Biddle, Chloe James, Lauren Thompson and Emily Aldridge provided Lydney with further opportunities and they were unlucky not to double their lead.

Newent then scored from open play making the half time score 1 -1.

Half time came at a good time for Lydney and it gave them the much-needed opportunity to re-group and re-set themselves for the second half. Whatever was said in the changing room had an immediate effect as Lydney capitalised on some aggressive pressing and forward momentum, as Amy Biddle pushed into the D from centre defence through a barrage of Newent players, before calmly slotting the ball past the keeper. 

Lydney played the ball around making the most of both sides of the pitch there were some fine runs from Milly Chidley and Anna Stanley down the left hand side and some fine saves from Lydney’s keeper, Karen Alexander. Lydney’s dominance continued as Kate Adams started to tear through Newents defence. Newents keeper saved the shot, but was unable to keep out Adams follow up reverse stick strike, as she earned her 1st goal of the game.

Constant communication from Lydney’s defence from Natalie Halford, Jane Box and Jo Legge and kept the team’s structure, Sara Sleeman’s distribution kept the team on the front foot. Amy Biddle increased Lydney’s lead with yet another unstoppable shot thus gaining her hat trick. 

Newent scored two late goals before the full time whistle, but the match was won.

Lydney – Emma Biddle, Karen Alexander, Emily Aldridge, Jane Box, Jo Legge, Nat Halford, Lucy Aldridge, Sara Sleeman, Amy Biddle, Milly Chidley, Anna Stanley, Lauren Thompson, Chloe James, Kate Adams

Player of the match – Amy Biddle for three magnificent goals

West AGM

The West AGM will be on Thursday 9 June 2012 at Taunton Vale Hockey Club. The West are seeking a number of new officers including the following …
President
Vice President
Hon Secretary

Ladies 2s bag another crucial point

Colwall and Malvern 1 – Lydney II 1
Saturday 17th March 2012

Travelling to the Malvern Hills on Saturday, Lydney started the game nervously, after an unexpected week off. Plenty of raids on Colvern’s D ended in disappointment with no one able to find the back of the net. Colvern looked dangerous on the break but weren’t allowed close enough to score until well into the second half with a well struck goal from the top of the D by the home side’s Captain. Jess Samuel kept Lydney in the game with a fabulous waist high deflection from an impossible angle to win Lydney another point in their agonising efforts to avoid relegation.

Man of the Match was this week shared between Sarah Mitchell, Jess Samuel and Bridget Worth

 

Lydney : S Mitchell, D Legge, E Richards, J Samuel, A Bannister, L Martin, M Royle, A Kirk, C Purvis, R Lugg, B Worth

Attitude