Olney Ladies Hockey Club

Match Reports 2011-12

28th January 2012 - Saints 4s 1 Olney Ladies 7

"Dog Rough....!"

Olney made hard work of the first half of this match but came back in style in the second half to take the points with ease from Saints 4’s.

First half:
Olney goal 7th Minute Kazza Murdoch bundled herself and the ball over the line.
Olney goal 15th Minutes a well time tackle by Rachel Alcock she passed the ball brilliantly to Wendy Haslam who crossed it to Kazza Murdoch who calmly played it under the oncoming keeper. The play for much of the time was bogged down in the middle, Saints broke out on the left and the ball was crossed beyond Caff Woods in goal for an easy tap in, letting Saints grab a foothold in the match.

The break gave the O’s a chance to step back, take stock and step it up. Jenny Harris delivered a half time talk crafted by Mabel the wonder dog who had been taking notes on the sideline*....

Second half:
Olney played with a much better shape in the second half Jood Tetlow made countless runs on the right which did not go unnoticed by the players on the sideline but the chances Jood created were mostly squandered by her simply not being passed the ball enough. Ali Woodward quietly went about her business at centre half, with Steph Young, Di Graham and Lindsay Bain holding a much firmer shape to allow Saints little opportunities to break away and attack. Mary Lilliman made the most of the space on the left to help out with the build up play, as did Naomi Brock on the right hand side cheered on by her very own fan club.

Player of the match for Olney was Martha Haslam who did not stop to catch her breath once, Martha had a real tussle with her Saint opposite number throughout the match and came out top, for the few time the saints player did get away with the ball, Martha ran round tackled back and generally made a menace of herself.

Caff Woods had little to do in the second half apart from keep herself from freezing to the penalty spot. Pauline Woodthorpe and Rachel Alcock made defending look easy, working together and making some perfectly times interceptions making time and space to pass the ball back up to the forward line.

In the end Olney enjoyed a satisfying win over a strong young Saints side, Rachel Alcock felt a little aggrieved by Jenny Harris damning of the first half display. Rachel claimed that she felt we played a lot worse in the first half of last week’s game. Well that might have been so Rachel but Mabel had not been there to witness it!

Olney played more like the champions they can be, scoring five goals with class, two from well taken penalty corners, a first time shot from Steph Young and a tidy finish from Lindsay Bird Bain. Jood Tetlow and Wendy Haslam grabbed a goal each before Kazza Murdoch finished off a well struck shot from Di Graham to complete her hat trick.

*Mabel will be studying the coaching manuals over the next two weeks whilst Olney have no match next week Mabel will be doing her homework to set out her master plan for the roasting of Rushden me ducks!

21st January 2012 - Olney Ladies 9 Towcester 0

"A game of two halves....!"

Olney took time to get going in this match. The first half saw Olney score twice but Towcester also threatened to score - and if they had it may have been a very different report. Olney seemed quiet and muddled in the first half - the two goals being their two best moves of the half.

Steph volunteered to go in goal and kept saying she'd never been in goal before - but she was the only thing standing between Towcester and the goal on at least 3 occasions . She did her job - possibly in unique Steph style rather than as a goalie and by the end of the match she was thinking more about her promised coffee.

But half time came and went and Olney changed gear and sorted their heads out.

Karen calmly grabbed 4 goals, Wendy 3 (yet another hat-trick for the legend), Martha knocked one in (after stopping her mum scoring another) and Jood grabbed one in the final minute (although it had Rachel A's name on it!). Naomi and Lindsey both came close - Lindsey playing in front of her home crowd. Rachel C took an opportunity to go up front and led the attack when Wendy had retired. Mary charged about with an aggression we had not seen before and Corrie snuffed out Towcester's strongest player. Rachel and Pauline were on the same wave length at the back, despite a few slips and crazy balls heading their way - and they did their best to keep the attack away from Steph.

Player of the week - Ali Woodward - ran her socks off again for the team - and kept us organised and moving.

Thanks to Lindsey for the teas - and Naomi for the brownies - promised for tour by the way!

Thanks to Jenny for sorting us out!

Well played ladies - especially in the second half - some lovely moves and team play resulting in some great goals - full match report may follow.

14th January 2012 - Olney Ladies 1 Saints 3rds 1

"New Year honours shared!"

Olney welcomed a strong Saints side to kick off their hockey for 2012, both teams showed little signs of sluggishness following the winter break and in the end the points were shared.

Olney had to make a few positional changes this week and Kazza Murdoch played centre midfield for the first half and Di Graham padded up in goal (Caff Woods was inside keeping warm). It was the classic Murdoch, Haslam Combo that grabbed a goal in the eleventh minute for the O’s, Kazza barging her way past three Saints players, and calmly drawing the keeper before crossing to Wendy Haslam to slot the ball home.

Steph Young put in a near faultless performance earning herself player of the match this week for the O’s, she was aided ably by Carrina Pinney and Pauline Woodthorpe in the defence. Di Graham made four confident clearances in the first half although the Saints forwards gave her little to be concerned with really. Di had to make a couple of good saves in the second to keep Olney in the match but there was little she could do to prevent the eventual Saints goal from a penalty corner.

Former captain Carina Pinney’s knowledge of the rules was brought into question by one of the Saints players after Carrina ‘broke up play’* in the middle of the field a couple of times. Captain Steph Young remarked at half time that Pinney has played hockey for twenty years without knowing the rules and therefore she is unlikely to start learning them now. Corrie Wheeler continues to impress; she made the difficult task of marking Saints first class player look easy, after a relatively torrid first ten minutes - Corrie was a match for the more experienced Saints girl.

Jood Tetlow and Lindsay Bird Bain were flying off for a skiing holiday after the match and they would have been forgiven for holding back. Far from it, Birdy played centre mid for the entire second half having been promised it would only be for ten minutes; perhaps she was too busy to complain. Jood was still running hard up till the final whistle and Wendy Haslam stayed to the bitter end also, having threatened to leave early, her presence ever reassuring up front.

This was a really good game of hockey to play and watch; strongly contested and well umpired on a beautifully clear cold winters day. All the players involved worked up a sweat as the pace was relentless. Naomi Brock and Lindsey Belford put in some good hard tackles and gave the Saints players very little time on the ball in midfield.

Saints drew level with ten minutes to play, converting a penalty corner and the tussle to try and score a decisive goal continued up until the final whistle.

No offence to any other player on the pitch but ‘We could have done with two Kazza Murdoch’s , one on the wing and one in the centre’ it could have made the difference between a win and a draw, it was that close, but to be fair a draw was well deserved for both teams.

Thanks to Jood for the Apres Hockey teas!

Thanks to Mary Lilliman for coming along and supporting!

Fabulous photo’s from Jane ‘Pap’ to be seen on the Facebook page!

*For the record Carrina was well within her rights to continue contesting for the ball as a whistle had not been blown.

2nd December - Official result - match conceded to Olney by Wellingbrough - 3-0

but resulting friendly score was: Olney Ladies 9 Wellingborough 0

"I can’t believe it’s not butter!"

Olney fielded a team made up mostly of ‘newbies’ this week, with a few old heads popping up in unexpected places, they made easy work of beating a much weakened Wellingborough team. Wellingborough had to concede the league match prior to push back and so fielded a mixed ability squad, many of their players had already played a full match and so this game was played as a friendly.

Umpire Andy Watson joined in the fun asking whether Olney were fielding their ‘Carling Cup team?’ at the start and finishing the match with an impromptu dance routine with which The Village People would have snapped him up. The Olney line up may not have been very familiar with Kazza Murdoch bossing midfield throughout and Naomi Brock sharing the centre forward spot with Lindsay Bird Bain. Connie Garvey stood in for Rachel Alcock who has taken up carpet bowls. It was Bird Bain who opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a well placed push she turned and dedicated her goal to Wendy Haslam, who had been taken to look round a residential home by her daughter Martha. Jood Tetlow was spurred into action after an initial shot went wide she popped up and scored a brace in ten minutes before adding another prior to the break.

As predicted in last week’s report Beck Cherry scored with her first touch of the match; coming on after 20 minutes she latched onto a pass and steered it round the keeper into the far corner of the goal. Beck will have to work on her goal celebration though as it nowhere near matched the brilliance of her finish. Meanwhile Rachel Cameron was deputising for Carrina Pinney who was at home knitting herself a pair of bed socks, Rachel did ok on the left but was released from her chains in the second half and enjoyed herself back on the familiar right hand side, setting up two goals.

Murdoch practically ran the show for Olney in the mid field selflessly setting up the forwards, she proved a point in the second half by scoring a goal which, absent Captain Jenny Harris would have been proud of had she been able to see that far from the sideline sitting tucked under a tartan blanket as she was. Mary Lilliman scored with a very well placed shot and Naomi Brock eventually bagged a goal after many attempts.

Then Jood Tetlow grabbed another goal making her total FOUR for the game and very pleased she was too. A great individual performance earning her joint player of the match with Corrie Wheeler and Naomi Brock who played some of the time in Ali Woodward’s role ....Ali has joined a Woman’s Fellowship group. Di Graham will not give in to the temptations of bingo and she played this week demanding a run up front she set up a goal and was unlucky not to score one herself.

In the end the match took on a real festival feel, with Steph Young ,properly injured and everything, distracting Andy Watson with talk of Leicester City FC’s former glories ( a short conversation) and thoughts of great days to come for the Foxes, the two of them had quite a little chat on the sideline....before Linsey ‘Butter Feet’ Belford brought them back to earth with her acts and words of pure comic genius......Linsey, and Rachel were the stars of the Christmas dinner that followed the match and Mary Lilliman continues to show promise on and off the field.....the future looks bright for the Olney Warriors

Goals to Jood (4), Bird, Beks, Kazza, Mary, Naomi.

Big thanks to Caff Woods who watched on in goal again this week and Lady Brock for the teas.....

26th November - Kettering 1 Olney Ladies 4

"Tidy!"

Olney took a trip 'Up North' to close rivals Kettering, the home team put up some resistance before the O's kicked up a gear and ran away with the game.

Di Graham padded up in goal this week for Olney as Caff Woods was watching, the tennis in the warm at the O2, Di made two or three crucial kicked clearances and marshalled the defence throughout the match.

Olney took the lead after ten minutes from a penalty corner. Steph Young's initial strike was saved but the rebound fell straight to Wendy Haslam who fired the ball into the Kettering goal.

Beck Cherry made her second appearance for the O's this season; she worked hard on the right wing and went clear through on goal but pushed her shot just wide. It will surely be only a matter of time before Beck's hard work pays off and she scores.

Olney held the lead into the break with solid performances from Carrina 'one match a month' Pinney, Lindsay 'I have no other notable social commitments this week end' Bird Bain and Rachel ' please let me loose in midfield please captain?' Cameron.

The defence was kept busy at the back and only nodded off once leaving Kettering’s' least most dangerous player unmarked allowing her to nip round the back and score to bring the scores level. Kettering held out for all of two minutes before Kazza Murdoch switched into 'Mad Dog' mode and fair flew up the pitch from the restart barging her way belligerently into the Kettering D and forcing the ball into the goal to retake the lead.

Wendy Haslam brings a confidence into the Olney attack with her many, many, oh so many years of experience and high fitness levels Wendy gave the Olney attacks a structure and composure that has been lacking with her absence. Wendy grabbed a second goal giving Olney a two goal cushion before she demanded to be allowed to go off for her afternoon nap.

Wendy’s departure allowed captain Jenny Harris to return and play a part in the Coup de grace; Olney were awarded a free hit just outside their own D, Steph Young lost no time in taking the hit passing swiftly to Harris who passed it to Murdoch, Kazza passed the ball across to Martha Haslam on the opposite wing and the pair sprinted away. Martha kept hold of the ball before drawing the keeper she calmly passed across for Kazza to score. From Defence to goal in ten seconds with five perfect passes, the coach will be so proud!

Olney had three players of the match this week...

Martha Haslam has been passed down a sporting ability which she utilises with pace and maturity, Martha stood out alongside Kazza Murdoch as together they ripped up the Kettering pitch leaving the rest of the players on the pitch standing. Rachel Alcock who did what Rachel does best......answers on a post card please!

Thanks to Di for padding up!

Worst injury of the match - Mary (after an altercation with her car door!)!

19th November - Rushden and Higham 1 Olney Ladies 2

"It's tough at the top....!"

Olney were made to work hard against Rushden today. The first half was all Olney but the team struggled to put the ball in the back of the net. Rushden defended with 10 behind the ball in their 25 yard area - very little space for Olney to work in - and Olney were kept to a 2-0 lead by half time. Both goals good team goals - the first a swift pass from Rachel C to Karen on the penalty spot and Karen hitting the ball low and hard past the keeper. The second from a well worked penalty corner. Steph taking the strike and hitting to the near post for Jood to deflect in. Fantastic!

In the second half though Rushden came out much stronger and more organised. Their attack was now threatening and Olney were made to battle out the second half for their 2-1 win.

Player of the week - Ali 'Jack Russell' Woodward. Well done Ali!

Goals to Karen and Jood.

Full match report may follow

12th November - Olney Ladies 9 Wellingborough Who's 0 (Friendly)

"The Forgotten Game ...."

Olney’s fearsome record this season seemed to have scared off Wellingborough II’s as they failed to show up for a friendly match this week. Having realised that Olney’s opposition was to remain absent an impromptuCaptain’s Christmas Challenge Cup match was swiftly organised. The Vice Captain’s 7 …(.Kazza, Martha, Steph, Di, Little Linsey*, Beck and Naomi( Sometimes Cath) ) faced with little chance of winning put up a good show against The Captains’ 7 (Cath, Pauline, Connie, Ali, Rachel, Bird and Mary) ..

Jenny stated from the outset that her team would win and generously offered the use of Cath Woods to defend penalty corners against her own team….this made way for Cath to have to run up and down the pitch stopping shots in one D before ‘sprinting’ to the other D to defend the breakaway attacks. Well, Cath may have saved it had she managed to get there in time but she didn’t seem to be trying that hard if truth be told.Some of the Vice Captain’s 7’s players had to be spoken too by the totally impartial official on occasions, even before half time Di Graham was duly carded for ‘looking at the umpire in a dismayed manner’. Beck Cherry seemed to settle into the play nicely and she linked up well with her team mates, she would have made her debut had Wellingborough not been too scared to play, hopefully Beck will play ‘for real’ soon. Kazza Murdoch, Rachel, Steph and Little Linsey made many attacks on the Captain’s goal but failed to make the most of the advantages allowed to them by the umpire. Kazza snapped up a penalty stroke firing it in past Caff.

All the other players ran around a bit and played some good hockey apart from, Ali Woodward, who ran around a lot and played some good hockey.The scores were level with seconds to play the Captain’s 7 were awarded a penalty corner, The real Pauline sneaked up from behind and floated a rebounded ball into the goal, which impressed everyone. The Captain’s 7 took the cup which will be filled to the brim with crème de menthe and blackcurrant to be partaken of at the Christmas party whilst we watch Marion doing Elvis.

*Little Linsey hedged her bets and played for the Captain’s 7 in the second half. <BACK TO TOP>

5th November - Olney Ladies 5 Saints 0

"While the captain's away ...."

Carrina stepped into the captain's shoes today and warned Olney not to underestimate their opposition who on paper were their clubs 4ths. But Olney looked a little laid back at the start and took a little time to get going. Saints on the other hand, gave us little time on the ball, and therefore our passes went astray under the pressure ; Ali Woodward in centre mid, who's instructions were to distribute the ball left and right struggled to do little more than retain possession as she was up against arguably saints strongest player. Therefore the early pressure was on the Olney goal, and with a series of short corners to defend we were lucky not to have conceded. Olney were lucky to see one resulting shot whizz past the post but Cath (in her make shift goalie top) stood firm in goal ably supported by her defenders.

Olney started to work as a team - keeping possession and playing the ball about - a tactical move swapping the two wings Martha and Corrie paid dividends as Wendy converted the first, in true Haslam style, a move started by Di in defence and then Martha did all of the hard work racing down the left wing, and delivering it to Wendy to place it past the keeper Her first was swiftly followed by her second - although this was a more scrambled effort in front of goal. Saints continued to press though and had a few breaks to test Pauline and Rachel at the back and Cath Woods was required to clear the ball from on-coming attackers on more than one occasion.

Half time - a productive team talk , a few changes , the teams switched around - and Olney were off again. But as in the first half it was Saints who started the stronger - threatening the Olney goal within the first minute. But despite Saints again having the early attack, it was all Olney in the second half, the defenders, led by Di had the confidence to push up knowing that they could get back if the ball got beyond them. At times the whole of the Olney team apart from Cath were in the Saints half - living a little dangerously! Saints threatened occasionally to break with their strong central player pushing forward dangerously but Ali stuck to her like glue and got in her way every time. Olney played some really good hockey in this half - & many were unlucky to score - noticeably Naomi and Rachel C who both got stuck in, assisting Ali in snuffing out the oppositions main threat.

Inevitably it was wily Wendy who struck the third goal - her slowest hat-trick of the season so far - but still another one! Having done her job Wendy retired (to go to the Dons!) but as she left she was rewarded by seeing Olney score their 4th. A team goal - work up the right wing by Jood Tetlow; Rachel C hit a cross hard into the circle - and Corrie met the ball perfectly with a first time strike. A fantastic goal for Corrie who definitely grew in confidence as the game progressed and calmly took her chance! Man of the match - Jood Tetlow worked her socks off in this match - and given her two minute warning in the second half she looked like she was going to top off her match with a goal - but the Saints goalie stood firm against her. The fifth and final goal was another well worked goal - Di taking control on the right and putting in a swift cross to Lindsey 'Bird' Bain who, remained composed in front of goal and calmly took her chance. Lindsey had replaced Wendy up front and later vied with Jood for man of the match - but Lindsey took the goal - Jood took the MoM!

Well played ladies - our winning streak continues!

Man of the Match: Jood Tetlow - who worked hard, got stuck in and provided quality on the right.

Goals to Wendy (3), Corrie and Lindsey

Thanks to Carrina for the teas.

Note to Cath : When you wash the goalie top - replace said goalie top in bag for next match!

22nd October 2011 - Towcester 0 Olney Ladies 8

"A game of two halves"

A late match but played in similar sunshine to last week and Olney were a little worried about the sun and it's impact on today's match. They need not have worried - within 14 minutes Wendy had opened the scoring and also scored her hat -trick. If anybody is keeping a book on Olney records this hat-trick must have been one of the quickest scored. I think Jen said 13 minutes and 29 seconds to be exact.

As the first half went on Olney pushed forward more and more - Mary scoring, Karen scoring and Wendy scoring her 4th. Cath had very little to do at the other end - not even a whiff of a kick.

Half time talk was all about keeping our heads, keeping a clean sheet and playing good hockey - starting again from 0-0. However Towcester's half time team talk must have been good. They came out more organised and more determined, and started to show Olney what they could do - and got closer to the Olney goal. Cath even had to flex her muscles a few times - and Olney faced a couple of penalty corners by the end of the half..

However Olney got their heads together and started to go forward again - although Towcester refused to buckle and the goals were not flowing as freely as in the first half. A penalty flick was awarded to Olney - Steph bravely stood up - but it was not to be as her shot was scuffed along the ground. This spurred Olney on though and within minutes Jenny had taken control and had a great strike from just inside the D which flew into the corner of the goal. The Towcester goalie had no chance. Then Jood also popped up in front of goal - making sure Kazza's shot crossed the line - she claimed Olney's 8th.

Other chances came and went - Naomi in particular was unlucky not to score and the match finished 8-0.

Goals: Wendy (4), Karen, Jood, Jenny and Mary (her first for Olney).

Full match report may follow.

15th October 2011 - Saints 0 Olney Ladies 1

"Put it down to experience"

Olney Ladies faced their toughest opposition of the season so for this week and were made to work hard to claim all three points

The O’s were given a bit of a run around before the match started, having gone to the wrong pitch they were collected by the opposition and arrived in somewhat disarray. The Saints team looked well prepared and ready to go from the start. Kazza Murdoch took up the Centre half position assisted by Carrina Pinney on the left and Steph Young on the right, and the trio were made to work hard from the start.

Up front Naomi Brock battled hard and made some good tackles, and Mary Lilliman made a nuisance of herself before swapping out and letting Wendy Haslam have a turn at centre forward. Jenny Harris came on at centre half. Carrina Pinney was kept busy all match and hardly put a stick wrong throughout earning herself the player of the match award this week and she still managed to make sure Jenny didn’t stray from her duties too.

Saints conceded a goal after fifteen minutes. Jood Tetlow calmly pushed the ball passed the keepers pads setting up Kazza with an easy chance which she finished with ease. Lindsey 'Bird' Bain had missed a similar chance by inches just minutes earlier. Bird made up fro her miss by running her new pink socks off for the rest of the match, why she was even seen running up the wing for a bit.

The O’s kept their slender lead until half time and they really did not think that it would be enough to win the game outright. Cath Woods had the sun shining directly into her eye throughout the second half but she still managed to keep a clean sheet. Cath made a brilliantly brave save in the second half to keep Olney’s points safe.

The Olney goal was under siege for most of the second half, Rachel Alcock and Pauline Woodthorpe were made to work for their teas, putting in tackle after tackle without a minutes respite throughout the half. Steph Young played Centre back and made many interceptions, with Rachel Cameron screaming for the ball and trying to turn defence into attack whenever she got the chance.

In the end it was the experienced players of Olney Ladies and the very inexperienced Saints Umpire that were crucial to Olney winning this match. Saints could possibly have been awarded eight penalty corners which whilst being indicated by ‘Olney’s’ umpire were NOT awarded by Saints’ umpire they really did have cause to complain, but to their credit they did not.

The Saints umpire seemed to become overwhelmed by the relentless onslaught on the D which he was presiding over. The more experienced Olney girls grasped a few opportunities to claim dubious 16 yard hit outs and frankly , got away with one or two misdemeanours that perhaps should have been penalised. Saints did everything but put the ball in the back of the net though.

Olney scored the only goal the Saints have conceded this season so far and then put in a brilliantly belligerent performance to hold out and claim the points.

8th October 2011 - Wellingborough 0 Olney Ladies 9

"Master Class"

Wellingborough were only able to field a team of nine players against Olney’s fourteen for this match, Olney made easy work of the victory and used the extra space to practise passing the ball around with confidence. Linsey Belford made her debut for the O’s and she put in some hard work and showed promise with her positional play, Pauline Woodthorpe tucked in at the back and she never looked troubled, tackling well and passing to her fellow defenders, Di Graham and Steph Young.

Wendy Haslam scored her third goal in the nineteenth minute of the first half and then she went and had a little sit down. The pick of her first half hat trick was set up by Wendy’s home made winger, daughter Martha took possession of the ball up on the right wing and crossed it into the D for Mum to convert. Martha was very unlucky not to score herself, she fired the ball across the Wellingborough goal but the keeper managed to get her stick to the ball to make an excellent save.

Cath Woods services were not required this week and she cast a lonely figure standing neglected in the Olney goal throughout. Carrina Pinney enjoyed the space to have a turn at centre midfield and she had a stick in many of the Olney goals. Kazza ‘Mad Dog’ Murdoch helped herself to a brace finishing with ease from the left hand side. Rachel Cameron scored another.

Meanwhile Wendy Haslam was giving a master class in finishing, standing to the side of the goal and tapping in from two feet out for one goal. Wendy took the ball into the D, beat two Wellingborough defenders, paused for an Olney player to call for the ball, when the call did not come Wendy calmly pulled the ball back beat the same defenders again and then fired it home for yet another goal.

When Wellingborough did managed to take possession of the ball in defence they had little or no outlets, and Olney regained possession with ease to forge another attack on the Wellingborough goal. Corrie Wheeler had another good game for the O’s as did Naomi Brock.

It was good to see Jood, Ali and Micaela cheering from the touchline and we can all say ‘I was there ‘the day Wendy Haslam scored a hat trick in each half!

A very welcome bowl of soup for tea thank you. Looking forward to the Chilli next time.

Oh player of the match? Well.......Wiley Wendy Haslam (Well done x) but she was closely followed by Pauline (on her debut) and Corrie who had another storming game.

Thanks to Jenny for umpiring and not playing - next time!

1st October 2011 - Olney Ladies 4 Kettering 3

"Hot Stuff!"

The hottest October day on record meant Olney were made to sweat for their second win of the season.

Kettering fielded many young players up front with their more experienced players making up a good team and they made the most of the rolling substitutions under the very hot conditions.

Corrie Wheeler made her debut for Olney and she looked confident from the start, linking up with Kazza Murdoch and Wendy Haslam on the front row. Lindsey ‘Bird’ Bain opened the scoring for Olney with a confident push passed the Kettering keeper after a pass from Wendy Haslam. Olney pushed on for more goals but were caught out on the break and Kettering scored to level. Kettering then went ahead before the half time break and Olney had time to catch their breath, cool down and regroup.

Connie Garvey provided ice on the sideline for the overheated players and she kept her cool on the pitch making some good tackles at right back. Cath Woods was cooled down with the ice before she had the unenviable task of replacing the goal keeping helmet at the start of the second period.

Rachel Cameron set up Corrie with a hard hit cross into the D which Corrie confidently pushed passed the stranded Kettering keeper. A nicely taken goal from Corrie capped off an excellent debut in senior hockey which earned her the player of the match award this week too, well done.

With the score drawn, Captain Jenny Harris took the bull by the horns after Olney were awarded a free hit; Jenny took a self pass and charged towards the Kettering D a hard hit shot from the top of the D flew into the bottom corner of the goal.

Olney’s lead was double three minutes later when Steph Young dived across the astro to connect with a cross and the ball flew into the net. Confusion ensued with even some Olney players questioning whether the ball had actually gone into the net but the umpire duly awarded the goal. YES IT DID GO IN!!!!

Ali Woodward and Jood Tetlow worked as hard as ever in the heat as did Kazza Murdoch and Carina Pinney, Rachel Cameron never missed a chance to inject the ball at pace into the opponents D with Mary Lilliman keeping the Kettering defenders guessing with her tireless running. Lindsey 'Bird' Bain marshalled the defence for much of the game whilst making two or three surges up the pitch to keep the Olney attacks going.

Kettering scored once more with about five minutes remaining but Olney held out and won the match.

Many thanks to Connie for the excellent teas and brilliant ice cubes!

Goals came from Jenny, Steph, Lindsey and Corrie.

24th September 2011 - Olney Ladies 6 Rushden and Higham 1

"Bienvenue"

Olney Ladies have been busy recruiting new players over the summer break and the first game of the season against only nine players of Rushden allowed the debutants a comfortable introduction to league hockey.

Five new faces in the Olney squad for the first match of the season Naomi Brock played in the centre and brought her Dad along to umpire too. Martha Haslam made her long awaited start to play with Mum, Wendy, and the race for who can score the most goals in the family this season is up and running with both Martha and Wendy scoring in the first game. Wendy looked comfortable linking up with shooting partner Kazza ‘Mad dog’ Murdoch the two players demanding to be fed the ball throughout the game. Kazza made the most of her opportunities and scored three goals to impress the many Olney supporters who had turned up to cheer the O’s on.

Mary Lilliman played up front and was very unlucky not to score a goal on her debut, she was thwarted by the Rushden keeper on several attempts and manage to hit the post as well. Connie Garvey came on at left back but pulled up at half time having sustained a pulled quad muscle , we hope it will not keep her out for long. The pick of the performers was Rachel Cameron she ran her socks off all match, winning the ball and firing in some excellent crosses for the strikers to pounce on. Rachel set up Jood Tetlow for her first goal of the season, first of many we hope Jood!

Olney enjoyed much of the possession throughout the match the Rushden goalkeeper and two full backs put up fine resistance to the final whistle; a reverse stick deflecting Steph Young’s sweetly struck ball wide followed up with countless clearances from the goalies feet. . Di Graham and Ali Woodward kept recycling the ball back up to the Olney forwards. Rushden managed two or three meaningful attacks the first leading to a goal after Old Rachel unknowingly but helpfully deflected a shot into the Olney goal. Her first strike of the season too!

A second half breakaway led to a last ditch block by Jane Dip resulting in a yellow card suspension (the umpire interpreting her actions as an intentional foul for those who still don't know!). Jane took advantage of the situation by having a well earned rest and Kazza Murdoch played the final ten minutes at left back whilst Jane Dip signed autographs for her fans.

Olney hit the top spot of the league table after the first game and will aim to stay there for the rest of the season.

Thanks to all the supporters on the touchline we hope to see many of you back at training this Wednesday.

Goals came from Karen (3), Wendy, Martha and Jood.

Man of the match went to new girl, Rachel.

Thanks to Jenny for the teas.