Neston
4s 9-2 Bebington 4's
31st March 2007
To conclude the season
and the 4’s final game, I thought I would do a match report that combined each player’s performance not only on
the day but also throughout the season. This match report will be a little more serious than my last….only a little.
Neston were looking for
a victory big or small on the day as any hope of being promoted relied upon success not only from ourselves but also from
City of Manchester to take something from the game against Deeside
to ensure Neston would leap frog Deeside in to 2nd place and take promotion at the last hurdle.
The game started very positively
as the ball moved quickly across the incredibly fast pitch. The opening goal came from James Annakin, a player who I believe
has been consistent throughout the season for the 4’s and shows he has real ability to score from any position in the
D. He can and has quite literally scored from near enough impossible angles on a number of occasions – A true Annakin
speciality.
Following the goal Neston quickly
continued in the same manner as Chris Troake scored the 2nd and 3rd goals of the game. This mans hairstyle
has come on leaps and bounds and his efforts paid dividends when he was awarded ‘Hockey hairstyle of the year award’
later that day.
Working down the right, Andy
Tunna and the VERY hard hitting Jonny Brown were running riot and really giving Bebington problems that they struggled to
deal with. Tunna capitalised on some open space inside the D and made a good run and shot that was stolen on the line by Max
Draper for the fourth goal who had a very lively game and was unfortunate not to score more after working hard throughout.
(Tunna kind of deserved it after taking Skilly’s goal last week!)
Some competent defending from
Lowry, a strong and solid addition to the team late on in the season, Pete who made some fantastic low tackles and held strong
when midfielders broke through to break up the play and Niall who can drink a lot and always gets hammered at parties did
the business.
However when Bebington did break
the defence down once or twice, Ross our super keeper was always there to mop up the danger whenever it arrived and made a
fantastic save that was destined for the top corner until a split reaction save prevented it from doing so.
The second half began very,
very worryingly as Bebington pulled back two goals in a short space of time to make the game far from over. However our team
Captain, Kev, settled the team down and showed great control to hold up play before distributing off to others around him
on a number of occasions. He also made some crucial tackles at this point in the game which ensured no counter-attacks were
made.
Troake scored another goal which
seemed to finally put the wind out of Bebington’s sails as their heads dropped and Neston really stepped it up a gear
to kill the game off completely. Tunna finally got his goal after a mazy run and binned it with a slight deflection off a
defender but the ball was already goal-bound. Comment of the day from the player who it deflected off,
”Oh for god
sake! I always score an own-goal every year!!!!”
Troake then scored his 4th
and 5th to complete a tally of ten goals in two games which I do believe made him top goal scorer for the club
I do I do I dooooooooo!
Between his 4th and
5th the final player to be mentioned but by far the least is James Rigby. Who smashed home his goal even though
the keeper had already been beaten and on the floor! In the centre of midfield he ran the show at times, taking it round a
number of players (at times one too many!) but still proved what a bright prospect he is for the future along with James Anakin,
the legend himself.
A fantastic 9-2 victory for
the men in masculine pink but unfortunately not enough to gain promotion. A fantastic display from all to end some players’
careers at the club on a high note.
All my love Troakus Maximus
(Christoper Troake)
**I have not checked for spelling
mistakes. Expect to find some!**
Neston 4's 11-0 Chester 5's
24th March 2007
One pitch, one goal…..well
11 actually but one aim and 11 warriors - plus James Anakin, he’s a Jedi. As each one of them stepped on to the battlefield,
each one knew it was a momentous occasion as the last home game of the season. Some would not play until next season. Others,
never again, never to return.
Neston showed Chester they really meant
business when little under 5 minutes Troake scored a simple reverse.
The next two goals came from Rob
Fisher who made some crackin’ runs from the Westside and we be biggin’ it up for the man who hadn’t played
for a few weeks. Respect.
With no shot on goal from Chester within the first 20 minutes (This continues until the final whistle),
their captain decided to push his team up more to oppose a more attacking threat. Suicidal mate. This triggered a fury of
attacks from Neston and one led to a short corner that Tunna, the cheeky monkey, stole from Skillsey on the goal line (I still
got your back homie).
The final goal of the half came
from the true G of the team, Badzire. I think he scored from half a metre out or something? I dunno I wasn’t really
paying attention.
The second half saw some scrumptious
tackles from Tunna, woop woop! Holla! The game also saw even more goals than the first half. Troake scored his second of the
game and then the Jedi himself, Anakin used the force and scored his first goal of 2007. mmmm score a goal I believe he did.
Fishy Fisher then completed his hat-trick with a naughty little finish off the post after a quality display of dribbling skills
which inevitably put off the defenders from going near him with slobber flying in all directions, hence why he scored.
The final three goals all came
from Troake to bring his tally up to five for the game. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it.
Hugs and kisses, Chris Troake.
Oxton 5's 0-5 Neston 4's
17th March 2007
The first half started with
Neston having a few opening chances to no great effect. There was some great link-up play between the midfield and the forwards,
leading to some shots narrowly missing the target.
Our first goal came from non other than Chris Troake, who, after
a good team move slotted away the opener. After a few more chances at either end the first half ended 1-0.
In the second half, Neston seemed to dominate the play a bit
more as more chances were created. ‘Skillsey’, Richard Lowry, and Nick Warren remained solid at the back with
Ross Morrison making some neat saves. Andy Tunna went on a couple of astonishing runs all the way from left back screaming
past several players to win us a short corner. Short corners weren’t really the strongest aspect of this game and the
numerous ones we had didn’t lead to a goal. Dan Badzerie scored the next goal, soon followed by Kev Mothersdale with
a beautiful flick into the net past the keepers outstretched arms.
Sully also whacked a goal in from the top of the dee straight
past the keeper who had no time to react. After a series of good passing movements, Chris Troake scored a bit of a flukey
goal which he didn’t even realise he had scored, where his ‘cross’ bounced off the keeper onto the backboard.
James Rigby had a good performance, managing to feed the attackers
some nice balls. The last chance of the game should have been a goal too. It involved a two-on-one with the keeper where James
Annakin unselfishly passed the ball to Chris Troake only for it to supposedly ‘bobble’ over his stick just a metre
from the goal!
James Annakin Smith 4th Team Hockey Correspondent
Neston 4’s 1:0 Macclesfield 4’s
3rd
March 2007
With a delayed pushback, Neston started the game poorly. Although there were some fantastic skills and runs from Rob Fisher and Chris Troake,
Neston seemed lax and unfocused, uncharacteristically of performances of late.
While Neston tried to grab hold of the game Macclesfield took
advantage of an uncertain defence by coming close on several occasions. But Neston
held it together and prevented conceding with help from some awesome saves by goalkeeper Ross Morrison.
Midway through the first half, Neston won a short corner in which
they took full advantage of through Skillsy’s cracking strike.
Unfortunately, this was to be Neston’s only goal, but fortunately,
the only goal of the game. The game played out very evenly with both sides coming
close to scoring, but non closer than birthday boy himself James Annakin who almost converted a pass with his head. Unfortunately, it probably wouldn’t have counted, and just gave James a headache.
In the end the match fizzled out of energy and momentum. Also, hands up for Ryan Swift who is now leaving Neston Hockey for a while and packing
his bags for France. Ryan had an excellent game, making some important tackles and passes and will be missed.
Neston 4’s now third in their division are looking for promotion. Now only three points behind Deeside Ramblers it is going to be a close race for second
place.
Match Report by James Rigby
South Cheshire 3's 2-4 Neston 4's
27th January 2007
The match started promisingly for Neston, with lots of chances being created in
the first 5 to 10 minutes. After that South Cheshire looked more dominant, taking advantage of some errors in defence,
and giving away of possession in midfield by Neston. They scored from a short corner midway through the first half.
However Neston picked up the pace again toward the end of the first half, earning
themselves a short corner which was scored by Peter van Berkum.
Neston played well throughout the second half, with some excellent pace shown upfront
by Sean Chappel, and strong play on the left from Andy Tunna.
Early on in the second half South Cheshire scored again, but Neston came back strongly,
with another goal scored by Peter van Berkum, soon to be followed by one from Tom Smith.
There where a serious of tense moments as Neston held on to the end, but Kevin
Mothersdale scored in the last five minutes to ease the pressure, to seal a four-two victory.
Goals: Peter van Berkum x 2, Tom Smith, Kevin Mothersdale.
Match Report by Peter van Berkum
Neston 4’s 4-2 Wilmslow 2's
11th January 2007
On
a cool winters day, Neston 4's had their first league game of 2007.
For
the first 10 minutes Wilmslow had most of the possession and had many shots on goal which Neston’s *amazing keeper*
Ross Morrison managed to stop. Neston then realized that they had to raise the standard of their game.
Neston
received several short corners that were unfortunately not transferred into goals.
Halfway into the first half Neston got a well earned short corner which was taken very quickly and skilfully by Peter Vanburkum.
This put Neston 1-0 up.
Neston
kept the ball in Wilmslow’s half for the rest of the 1st half with many chances that were unfortunately stopped
by a very aggressive keeper.
Second
half
The
second half started with Wilmslow under a lot of pressure, which eventually started to show. Neston then backed off after
this and unfortunately Wilmslow received a short corner that was taken very powerfully. This put Wilmslow 3-1 down.
Wilmslow’s
defence fought well against Neston’s forwards who were backed up by a strong midfield, but Neston received another short
corner. This was taken amazingly well by Tom Smith. This put Neston 2-0 up. After this Neston
put Wilmslow under more pressure. Great team work from Neston resulted in Tom
Smith scoring another goal.
This
put Neston 3-1 up.
Wilmslow
fought back very well and scored another goal putting them 3-2 down. In the last 10 minutes Neston backed off but still managed
to keep Wilmslow out of their half. Great team work in defence from Neston managed to tire the opposition and a very well
placed ball and good passing skills resulted in a Neston attack. Neston had the great Rob Fisher who attacked the goal and had a very skilful rebound of the keeper.
This
put Neston 4-2 up. Wilmslow continued to fight hard but were unable to beat Neston’s great defence.
Well
done to all that played.
Goals
Tom Smith x 2, Peter van Berkum, Rob Fisher.
Match
Report Tom Smith 4th Team Hockey Correspondent
