Olney Ladies Hockey Club

Match Reports

31 March 2007 - Rushden + Higham 2 Olney Ladies 2

It’s Not Over Until......

Olney Ladies had nothing to lose in the final match of the season unlike Rushden who fought hard for the win they needed to keep them from relegation.

Rushden pushed hard in the first quarter of the match, Cath Woods and Jane Dip were at their brilliant best and Rachel Alcock stuck to the heels of, Angi Bartlet, Rushden’s Centre forward never allowing her enough time on the ball to pose any danger to Sam Bourn in goal.

Di the umpire! Bloody good egg coming and umpiring for us when she should be tucked up in bed!!!

Jood, she was like the energizer bunny with curly hair – she just kept on going and going For the second week in a row Jood gets my vote.

Tamsin Martin clashed heads with a Rushden player and came off to recover with ten minutes of the first half left to play. Lindsey Bird Bain took over from Rachel Alcock in defence but she could do little to stop the three Rushden players who broke away and scored the first goal of the match.

Helena, as she seemed to work hard for the whole match!

Lindsey though - she really played well, with lots of commitment, and so much movement when we had free hits it gave us plenty of options.

Lots of people played well but I give it to Jood just ahead of Dippy

Angi Bartlet crept behind the Olney defence and scored to put Rushden back in the lead with only five minutes of the match left to play, but the last five minutes belonged to Olney they pushed forwards and put real pressure on the Rushden defenders.

Seconds before the match ended Karen Murdoch converted, a crossed ball from, Olney’s player of the match, Jood Tetlow, to score brilliantly with the last hit of the season, but the Olney celebrations were brief, muted and Murdoch remained apologetic long after the final whistle, eventually blaming the coaching for the goal that may have destined Rushden to the lower division next season.

We did miss Carrina for her vocal encouragement on the pitch – perhaps we can get a recording of her that we can play over loud speakers for the next match that she has to miss.

…..and perhaps I could attach a microphone and sing!

24th March 2007 - Olney Ladies 1 Saint II’s 3

Corker

The Olney girls did themselves proud this week with a close run game against second in the league Saints II’s.

Olney had nothing to lose and everything to prove in this match, Coach Jenny Harris gave an inspirational pre-match talk with promises of beer for goals saved, goals scored and all round good play.

Karen Murdoch showed her intentions from the first whistle she closed down and intercepted the Saints pushback. No more than seven minutes later and Olney pushed forwards and set up a goal for Captain Carrina Pinney. The Saints players seemed a little stunned by going behind and pushed forwards again and again to try and level the score. Inspired goal keeping by Jood Tetlow, goal line clearances from Jane Dip and stout defending by Rachel Alcock and Di Graham ensured that Saints were kept from scoring at all during the first half.

Cath this week, played a blinder, must have been the presence of twinwoods! Her timing in her tackles was brilliant - no-one was getting past her!

The coach’s beer fund was dwindling rapidly but Jenny Harris was too happy to care about such matters, she called for more of the same from the Olney players in the second half.

The Saints team managed to score quite early in the second half but Olney still managed to create some good chances, Karen Murdoch went close to scoring on two occasions but the Saints keeper made sure that both chances were too difficult to convert into goals.

Serena, she made some fantastic blocks to stop their short corners, intercepted many balls and worked tirelessly in the mid-field to create attacking opportunities.

Serena Van Der Heyde, Ali Woodward and Carrina Pinney ran their socks off in midfield as did Helena Scofield, Tamsin Martin, Haslam and Murdoch up front. Olney remained in contention even after Saints scored a second goal.

Spoilt for choice, Helena was fab, none stop running and excellent tackles, Karen always running and positioned in right place, Serena great marking but Jood gets the vote for some great saves. Very brave performance.

Jood in goal – Awesome…..for someone who doesn’t play very often there.

Olney played with confidence and positivity and proved that they deserve their place in the first division. The third Saints goal sealed them the victory but after the final whistle had blown the Olney players seemed much the happier for proving that they can live with the big clubs.

Who needs large squads of young fit skilful players when you’ve got experience, maturity, high fitness levels and a coach that buys you beers!

There was no clear player of the match for Olney this week the votes were spread evenly between five players which reflects another brilliant team performance for the Olney Girls. Olney Ladies would like to dedicate this performance to Malcolm Wood we send him our love and wish him a full and speedy recovery.

17th March 2007 - Olney Ladies 4 Earls Barton 0

Home Safe with Haslam Hat trick

Olney ladies won the match convincingly this week end with a hat trick from Wendy Haslam and a peach of a penalty corner strike from Cath Woods. Olney were much the stronger team against an under strength Earls Barton side.

Olney pushed forwards for the start and created many chances through, Serena Van der Heyde, Carrina Pinney and Karen Murdoch. Earls Barton’s main threat, Sarah Blason was marked by Tamsin Martin and the two players enjoyed a good tussle throughout the match. Tamsin kept Blason relatively quiet whilst still managing to carry the ball forwards and create plenty of chances for Olney.

The first goal for Olney came after a goal mouth scrap, the ball being partly cleared twice, before Wendy Halsam pushed it over the line.

Olney maintained their work rate and defended well when called on Rachel Alcock and Kirsty Rice proved impassable meanwhile Di Graham played confidently further up the pitch and backed up the midfield players throughout the match. Di’s counterpart up front Lindsey Bird Bain mirrored Di’s performance, running back and covering whilst always looking for chances to get herself into the D to shoot.

Olney called for a injection of pace up front just before half time and Jenny Harris provided it, only it was snail pace. Jenny did prove that she can still think with lightening speed taking a free hit quickly, simply pushing the ball into the waiting Karen Murdoch who crossed for Haslam to score her second.

Jenny was still crowing on about the second goal being her goal of the season but rather than burst her bubble the Olney girls went back onto the pitch and scored an even better goal in the second half. A series of passes saw the Olney girls slice through Earls Barton’s right side defence and Wendy provided the finishing touch to a brilliant goal and an equally brilliant hat trick. Karen Murdoch will be desperate to catch her striking partner up in the last remaining games, Karen herself worked her socks off for the team this week and her unselfish play went a long way to securing her team mates Hat trick.

Olney’s player of the match was Wendy Haslam her three goals were thoroughly deserved and once again she played an outstanding match, worked hard throughout the game and provided inspiration to the rest of the team.

The final goal for Olney was a beauty, Bird Bain had been fouled by not one but two Earls Barton defenders and a penalty corner was awarded. The Olney girls decided on a well practised penalty routine and Cath Woods strike proved too strong for the Earls Baron defender to stop.

10th March 2007 - Towcester II’s 4 Olney ladies 3

Toasted

Olney Ladies fought back from a two goal deficit to put themselves in with a chance of a crucial point, only to have the match snatched from them, with a brilliant solo goal, in the final minute.

This was a game of very contrasting halves; Towcester went ahead early with the softest of goals. Olney did manage to get back into the match scoring a soft goal themselves some seven minutes later. Then Towcester pushed forwards and scored twice more before the half time break.

On the brighter side though Cath Woods seems to back to her brilliant best and Helena Scofield seems to be enjoying her hockey again. At half time there was a plea to everyone to pull their socks up and work a great deal harder. The Olney team were a different prospect in the second half and they managed to string together some confident measured passages of play.

Wendy Haslam played brilliantly in the second half her first touch was sublime and she created chance after chance for herself and her shooting partner Karen Murdoch.

Wendy, she kept going and never gave up, and what a strike for the 3rd goal!

Player of the match for Olney, Kazza Murdoch, ran and ran and when she did have the ball in her possession it seemed to be glued to the end of her stick.

Karen produced another trademark performance brave and tireless with a brace of goals to show for her hard work.

Kazza. She had some fantastic runs, beating several Towcester players, came back to collect the ball and was forward for the long balls. As ever, she had a fantastic game -

Di Graham and Lindsey Bain deserve a mention for their second half efforts, they both got stuck in, battled further up the pitch and set up some great chances for the Olney forwards.

DI – pink cheeks at the end evidence of her effort – ran herself into the ground…..

Lindsey, she showed a lot of determination today.

The Olney girls brought the score back to three goals each with about ten minutes to play then they had to dig in hard to withstand a sustained period of attacks from the Towcester team which lasted around eight minutes. Towcester pushed and pushed but the Olney defenders remained strong. The pressure was eased as the Olney players managed to work the ball up to the forwards and then with only thirty seconds left to play Towcester’s centre forward broke free with the ball Di Graham missed her chance to tackle and Cath Woods, for once, was caught too high. The Towcester player was clean through on goal and whilst Kirsty Rice made a first class save the ball fell kindly for the Towcester player and Di Graham’s was unable to keep the ball from going over the line. The game was snatched away from Olney and there was no time to reply leaving the Olney girls somewhat stunned.

Get over in 3 mins, 3 hours or 3 days, take your pick, I was gutted and had tears in my eyes, (sounds like a song).

24th February 2007 - Kettering II's 3 Olney Ladies 1

Olney Lack the F Factor

A younger, younger fitter Kettering side were always going to be favourites in this match, although Olney did not lay down and let them walk over them, Kettering eventually won the match by three goals to one.

Olney were always going to be up against it this week, just managing to field a team was a feat of human endeavour seemingly beyond Jenny Harris, she was convinced she had managed to get twelve women who could hold a stick.

It was one of the walking wounded, Wendy Haslam, who pointed out that, actually Olney had eleven team members prior to the push back and of those eleven; two were limping, one was recovering from a migraine, one had been dragged (enthusiastically) out of ‘retirement’ and one was leaving at half time.

Under extremely testing and frustrating conditions from the start then, the personnel Olney did have, kept a positive attitude and encouraged each other to give of their best.

Olney’s player of the match this week Rachel Alcock, personified that attitude. Playing out of position and struggling to remain on the correct pitch for much of the game Rachel stuck to her task.

Rachel for her fantastic right wing, half and back work, she didn't falter complain and ran until the final whistle

Well – what can we say about that! We came, we scored – we didn’t conquer – Doh!

We could have been contenders if half the team wasn’t missing in action, injured or high on pain killers. Well done to Serena for making the effort to come for the first half. It was a fantastic team effort – particularly in the second half when down to 10 men we really showed the true grit and commitment that Olney ladies are capable of. Despite all the aches and pains we kept on going to score a peach of a team goal – I guess the beauty of that goal made it all seem worthwhile although it nothing really felt worthwhile when I got in the cold showers on my own after the match – a chilling finish to a bugger of a match.

Olney’s walking wounded were no match for the Kettering team but let that not take anything away from the manner in which the Olney players kept about there business, Kazza Murdoch sustained a nasty injury but refused to abandon the cause. It was frustrating and Olney were under pressure for what seemed like 80% of the match. Possession handed over to the Kettering team led to certain attacks, but Olney simply had too many players missing to enable them to make any changes.

When Serena sneaked off the pitch, ten minutes into the second half, the remaining Olney players, to a woman, dug in and pushed forwards, scoring a simply brilliant team goal, some consolation for the hard work and determination.

Kettering were well organised, skilful and determined and thoroughly deserved their victory but I was still left with a sense that Olney might have got something out of this match had we been able to field a fully fit functional squad.

17th February 2007 - Olney Ladies 2 Wellingborough II’s 3

Well Well Well

Olney Ladies gave Wellingborough II’s a three goal lead before really starting to push for goals themselves. Olney went a goal down after just fifteen seconds, a blow which left the Olney girls on the back foot throughout the first half. The Olney girls, on the whole, were half a yard slower than their younger rivals and this led to too many missed tackles and too many missed passes.

Wendy Haslam, playing at centre forward, came back time and time again to try and rally the midfield and help out the defence.

‘Wendy deserves a mention - never stops trying!’

Jane Dip pulled off two goal line saves and her heartfelt plea to keeper Rice of ‘Kirsty get up!’ was not enough to raise Kirsty from the floor before Wellingborough scored their second goal.

Make no mistake; Kirsty Rice was not taking a rest, simply grounded after making yet another brilliant save, Kirsty’s reaction saves and brave dives allowed Olney to stay in contention. Jane Dip was unfortunate to concede a penalty corner after the ball ran up her stick and onto her arm whilst she defended on the goal line. Kirsty out guessed the Wellingborough penalty taker and saved the ball with her stick whilst diving to her right. At half time the talk was positive and the belief that Olney could get back into the game was strong. The belief was tested though as Wellingborough scored very early in the second half.

Lesser sides may have given up at this point but Olney were far from letting things slip. Carina Pinney rallied her squad and Olney began to build some well paced and composed attacks from the midfield. Kazza Murdoch forced a Wellingborough player to deflect the ball into her own goal and five minutes later the Olney attackers broke away Karen carried the ball into the D and her shot took the Wellingborough keeper by surprise, well struck, well taken, well done.

A well deserved player of the match was won by Kirsty Rice, for her brilliant saves and keeping the Olney team in the match.

‘Kirsty for her usual sterling job, the highlight being the flick save'

'She made so many excellent saves that kept us in the game. For saving the penalty flick alone, I think she deserves MoM’

Olney were back in the match and with ten minutes left before the final whistle Olney pressed and pressed for the equalising goal. As the clock ticked down though the few chances went unconverted and the game just slipped out of Olney’s grasp.

3rd February 2007 - Olney Ladies 1 Wilcatz 1

On a very warm February afternoon we began our second league game of the year against Wildcatz, with a couple of late changes due to illness and injury!

We saw the return from Maternity leave of Tamsin, a first start for the year from Alex and we moved Jood into the central midfield position, Sophia was also on hand as defensive cover.

Olney started brightly, with lots of chances being created, particularly from Alex on the right wing. Jood created lots of space for herself in the middle and distributed the ball well, however we failed to get the ball past the keeper.

The game was being played at a blistering pace and as Olney pushed for the first goal the team all pushed up to support the forwards. Unfortunately Wildcatz caught us on the break, and their leggy striker managed to beat our defence and score past a stranded Kirsty. We were all a bit shocked as we had dominated the play.

Sophia came on specifically to take care of their quick striker, she did a terrific job.

At half time the forwards worked out how they could get past a keeper who was saving everything, and it didn't take long before a slick passing move from Wendy and Kazza created a goal, with the final touch going to Wendy.

The game then became a battle of minds and bodies, the umpires needed to be strong, and we needed to be strong physically and mentally against those alley Catz! It was a tough game in midfield for Serena, Helena and Carrina, we all worked hard however Serena did a particularly terrific job in the centre of the pitch, she battled hard and frustrated her opposite number, she was brave when defending short corners, running out and winning nearly every ball. She kept her cool despite the 'heat', and is deservedly our Man of the Match.

The game continued to be end to end stuff, Cath, Rachel, Jane and Sophia made some terrific tackles, and we soaked up some pressure at the end. When the final whistle went we were relieved with the draw, however we had certainly had the chances to win.

Two games down and both results are an improvement on the previous fixtures, so well done, and keep it going! If we can improve on every game played in the first half of the season then we will be storming up the league!

Thanks to Di for umpiring a difficult game, and we look forward to seeing her back on the pitch next week.

27th January 2007 - Wellingborough 1's 6 Olney Ladies 2

This was our first league game of the new year and we all knew that we faced formidable opposition. However we went into the game with a positive approach and shocked our opponents by scoring the first goal!

The ball came across the D to Jood Tetlow who struck first time across goal, there was only one place this little beauty was going.

Wellingborough were stunned and it took many short corner attempts from them before they scored a stunning goal which they flicked over Kirsty, our diminutive keeper didn't stand a chance.

Again we soaked up some pressure before the inevitable happened and Welly scored again.

At this point you may think that Olney would have crumpled and gone onto concede 12 goals as in our first encounter this season, but no, after a quick break away from our half, Lindsey held up the ball for what seemed like an age waiting for Wendy to get into the right position in the D, she then slipped the ball to her and Wendy struck a powerful strike to level the game at half time!

We were on a high! We had matched our high flying opposition, outplayed them in some areas and thwarted most of their goal attempts. Their frustration was as obvious as our jubilation. We needed to take this positive energy into the second half.

We managed to do this for about the first 15 minutes, it then became apparent that it was going to be a next goal wins situation, and unfortunately it was them who scored. This gave them the boost that they need, also the Wellingborough Men's 11 had turned up for their match and were giving some confidence boosting vocal support to their ladies.

Our resolve and concentration was waning in the last quarter of the game and we were punished with another 3 quick goals giving a final result of 6-2.

Our pre match objective was to improve on our previous game with them, to concede less goals, to score some, and to play some good Hockey, we achieved all of these things and more and competed with a quality side. We can go into any game with confidence.

I was particularly proud of Mrs Dip, she produced a stunning save on the line but managed to wait until the ball had gone out of play before she screamed and jumped up and down with self congratulation!

Man of the Match could go to any player, I have received nominations and commendations about everyone (including from some of our opposition). It was a real team performance and although we lost it felt like we had got a result and we enjoyed ourselves! However one player was particularly outstanding and that was Kirsty. Since she joined our club she has improved beyond our expectations. Our goalkeeper is coveted by all the other teams in the league and she is probably the only indispensable player in our club. She plays with a confidence beyond her years and I am proud that she is part of our club. Well done Kirsty!

13th January 2007 - Old Grammarians 4 Old Olney Ladies 3

Q: Have Olney hit the slippery slopes?

Olney rang in the New Year with a few changes in personnel for a friendly match against Old Grammarians.

Olney’s overseas signing Julia Auer played her first ever game of hockey and she got stuck in and stayed stuck in making her presence felt in the midfield. Vanessa Wilson showed how much progress she has made this season and played very well a left back, she proved very able to read the game, on one occasion being the only player back to thwart a Grammarians attack. Alex Jermyn looked settled at right wing and also enjoyed an excursion onto the left.

Olney were ahead after two minutes of the game, Olney’s player of the match Carrina Pinney, converted a penalty corner but Grammarians replied shortly afterwards, Olney scored again through an almost identical penalty corner routine although Carrina had a little more to do for the second goal she held her nerve and pushed the ball hard past the wrong-footed Grammarians keeper.

So my mom is Carrina, all the time she was on pitch, she worked very hard and communicated very well and kept everyone going, also great that she scored 2 goals....

Carrina - for making herself lots of space between the two 25 yard lines and for scoring 2 quality tap ins.

Grammarians always looked dangerous on the break, especially down the left hand side of the pitch, and the Olney defenders could not live with the skilful ‘Flic’ The Grammarian’s winger ripped through time and time again setting up chances galore. Grammarians scored twice before Olney brought it back to 3-3 via a Karen Murdoch trademark strike.

The second half was a different affair altogether with Olney having to soak up plenty of pressure form the Grammarians forwards, Wendy Haslam came back time after time to help out the Olney defence.

Lindsey, she did very well in all of the position she was asked to play.

Olney players sustained worrying injuries in the second half, worrying because half the team were booked on a flight to the Alps this coming week. Jood Tetlow may well have to be wearing a ski boot a size bigger on her right foot after stopping a sweet strike with the top of her foot. Helena had turned up expecting a few minutes on the pitch to run off a virus, she ended up playing most of the second half, making two brilliant goal line saves.

Grammarians managed to clinch a goal (and the match), again from flying Flic on the left wing, her shot took a wicked deflection off an Olney players foot giving Kirsty Rice no chance of saving it and with under a minute left to play Olney had no chance of saving the game either.

Grammarians are becoming a bit of a bogey team for Olney but we have other matters to deal with before we think about our next meeting; skiing holidays, fitness training, more skiing holidays, staying in the first division and (for Jane Dip) yet another skiing holiday!

A: Gone Skiing!

2nd December 2006 - Saints II’s 0* Olney Ladies1

Last Goal Wins?

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz

‘A last minute goal by Kazza Murdoch won a thrilling match for Olney Ladies against would be league leaders Saints II’s. Olney had held out to an onslaught of Saints attacks but the stand-in keeper had made brilliant save after brilliant save…Jenny Harris had dived majestically with all the power of a migrating salmon on countless occasions thrusting herself along the line to field off almost certain goals. With the umpires signalling two minutes left to play and with neither team having scored, Olney attacked Jood Tetlow thrust into the Saints D she crossed the ball with pin point accuracy onto the immaculately placed stick of striker Karen Murdoch and the Olney team rose as one to celebrate an outstanding victory!’

ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Dringgggggggggg!!!!

My back hurts this morning; it must be a repetitive strain injury from having bent down and picked the ball out of the back of the net so many times during the match.

In the cold light of day Saints II’s are just a bit fitter more skilled, younger and have a larger squad than Olney, other than that they had little going for them on Saturday.

Oh all right; they were quite well drilled and highly organised too.

Olney matched Saint’s in the following areas:

Number of players on the pitch at any one time.
Shirt shade ( the umpires asked Olney to change to a lighter shirt because they found it hard to differentiate between the players, I’m taking that as a compliment)

Make no mistake, Olney played well against Saints, the Olney forwards had three good chances to open the scoring within the first ten minutes then Saints broke away and scored. Wendy Haslam worked tirelessly, coming back to defend time after time before marshalling the forwards into attack, then Saints broke away and scored.

Carrina – she was fearless with or without her gum shield – flying into some heavy tackles and hard hits.

I think a special mention should go to Jood & Helena who did some lovely moves on the right and Ali was awesome again – I don’t know where she gets that energy from but I’d like some in a bottle please.

Bravest player of the match award goes to Rachel Alcock who placed herself in the one spot that Keeper Jenny Harris was never going to save the ball…right between Jenny’s thighs, Rachel held her nerve and saved brilliantly given the extremely difficult conditions, and then Saints broke away and scored.

Ali and Helena had a side bet on who could get the reddest face before half time then Saints broke away and scored.

Four nil at the break then but Olney we not too down about the situation they set out the second half with the intention of scoring at least one goal, and then Saints broke away and scored.

Just when Olney thought they were going to put a little pressure on the Saints by bringing on their young blood Sophia then Saints broke away and scored. The midfield hardly stopped all match; they worked and worked but on the odd occasion that they did lose the ball then Saints broke away and scored.

Caff Woods and Jane Dip managed to clear the ball well most of the game, but the one time that they didn’t quite connect with a free hit then Saints broke away and scored.

I would like to vote for Catherine, I think she played really well and got some strong tackles in as well as getting the ball away with her hard hit!

I’m going to vote foooooooooooooooooooooooooorr...................................Jane

Did we miss Kirsty Rice this week?…….well?… there was a big gap in the middle of the goal where the keeper legs should have been, but Jenny Harris was thanked for turning up and for giving a running commentary on the Saints goals as they happened (John Motsen, eat you’re heart out).

PS Thanks for playing in goal - I thought you were great and would have given you player of the match if you had only been nut-megged 4 times and not 5!!!!!

Votes for player of the match were spread as wide as jenny’s legs and so the vote goes this week to the whole team for pulling together under such an onslaught and proving that we can live with the best of them in this division.

I’ll leave the rest to Jane Dip….

Can't believe I enjoyed playing a game that we lost so badly!

And Kazza Murdoch…

Also don't forget to write about my goal - I can't really remember it though the ball kind of came to me I think from either Jood or Helena, but not sure, and then I just struck the ball into the goal - to win the match as last goal won it!

In your dreams Kazza!

*Ok 8 (yes EIGHT)

25th November 2006 - Earls Barton 1 - 5 (FIVE) Olney Ladies

Olney Ladies Dampen Down the Blason Squad

Olney had a few points to prove to old rivals Earls Barton this week and made them in emphatic style with a convincing win.

The Olney girls got off to a flying start Rachel Alcock won the ball from the Earls Barton forwards then passed it quickly through the midfield, Karen Murdoch’s initial shot was kicked away by the EB keeper and Lindsay Bird Bain had time and space in which to shoot and score with only 48 seconds played.

Earls Barton are an experienced side and kept pressing forward making for a fast moving end to end game during the first half. Cath Woods was taking no prisoners and the Earls Barton forwards were pressured into shooting from the top of the D, most often off target but, when on target Kirsty Rice and the Olney defenders negated any real threats. In the final minute of the first half Olney pressed hard into the EB D, the ball pinged off EB feet like a pin ball before Jood Tetlow passed along the goal line for Murdoch to push the ball into the goal.

Olney played breathtaking hockey at times during the second half, passing between Wendy Haslam and Karen Murdoch was timed to perfection and every time Olney attacked they looked like they were going to score. The next Olney goal came from Wendy Haslam through a well practised penalty corner the five players involved rising, as one, in delight at the umpire’s goal signal.

One player had the less than a delightful task of one on one marking Earls Barton’s star player; Sarah Blason. Serena Van der Heyde stuck to Blason’s trainers for practically the entire game, extinguishing EB’s fire power and allowing acres of space for the rest of the Olney midfield to wreak havoc.

Serena won the player of the match for Olney this week all her hard work not going unnoticed by the thankful Olney Squad.

Serena. She did a great job of marking Sarah Blason out of the game and if she hadn’t have done this then the score line could have been very different, I know that this is not necessarily how Serena likes to play but it was what was needed for that particular game and she did it brilliantly!

Serena – did the job she was given – took out their main player - and allowed us to take control of the match rather than EB.

My m o m was easy decision this week - Serena for doing fantastic man marking job even though she would have preferred to play her usual more attacking roll. She stopped Sarah playing which effectively stopped Earls B playing.

EB got a foothold back into the match having scored a scrappy goal from a goal mouth scramble then Kirsty Rice made a top draw save from a brilliant Blason lofted shot but after that EB failed to produce any further threat to the Olney goal.

Kazza. She had a great game, and she and Wendy looked very slick up front. Kazza made some lovely runs and constantly put pressure on Girls Barton! What a great result!!

Many, many good performances – Wendy wreaking havoc again up front, Cath steady as a rock at the back, Carrina commanding the midfield……

Wendy Haslam and Karen Murdoch bagged another goal each before the final whistle, capping off a convincing win for the Olney Ladies.

18th November 2006 - Olney Ladies 3 - 2 Towcester 2nds

Deja vu

Olney were fired up from the start of this match making the most of their chances in the first half and holding out in the second half to secure three points.

Carrina Pinney put Olney ahead with a goal from a well worked penalty corner, proving that practise can make perfect.

Jood Tetlow had been called into the squad the morning of the game, she made an immediate impact, scoring within two minutes of going on having carried the ball into the D herself she pushed it strongly into the goal beating a somewhat bewildered Towcester goal keeper.

Karen Murdoch went, oh so close to scoring another after the ball rebounded off the post Kazza had anticipated the chance and ran some thirty yards only to be thwarted by the Towcester goalkeeper’s scrambled save. Bird Bain bagged a beauty before the break, selling a dummy before scooping the ball into the Towcester net, with her back to goal the whole time.

It was backs against the wall for the second half; Olney’s defence was tested again and again. Towcester did break through once when they scored from a break away move, Kirsty Rice nearly got her hand to the lifted shot but it was too well placed and had to be to beat the in form Olney keeper.

A tricky one this week as it was such a fantastic team effort, but forced to single one person out, it would have to be Kirsty. Some excellent saves kept us as the winning side.

Kirsty was bril - superb one-on-one saves!

There were many nominations for player of the match and congratulations to Jood and Kirsty who deservedly shared the accolade this week. Cath Woods played brilliantly as did Di Graham.

Olney’s work ethic paid dividends personified in the following three players…..

Support work: Lindsay (Bird) Bain. My vote is for Bird, lovely play, lovely to see her play a whole game in one position; she was very supportive to everyone!! Lindsey – cracking game topped with one of her trademark goals.

Bird Bain gets my mom vote had an awesome game and finished it off with a well taken goal!

Hard work: Alison Woodward, I think maybe Ali cos she ran her socks off again. Ali wearing the red faced mask of a hard working midfielder.

Team work: Wendy Haslam.

My M.O.M today was Wendy. She might not have scored but she gave 110% from start to finish. She was like a terrier in the second half – never giving up and pitching in to come and help out the defence when needed. It was difficult to pick a MOM as it was a fantastic all round team performance but I think the team ethic was epitomised in Wendy’s game today.

Rachel Alcock gave us a moment of pure slapstick genius when, anticipating a hard cross into the D she flinched back slightly only for the miss hit ball to dribble towards Rachel’s feet she flicked it up into her lap and caught it, just so, as she landed on her bottom. The art of great Comedy…… It’s all in the timing Rach!

But that was a brief moment of levity in a fiercely contested, well won match.

11th November 2006 - Daventry 3 - 2 Olney Ladies

Compositio Horribilis

This was a match marred by an awful pitch contributing to nasty injuries resulting in a player from each team requiring hospital treatment.

There were moments that sparkled though; Wendy Halsam's goal after a break away with Jood Tetlow setting her up beautifully was breathtaking in its swiftness and simplicity. Olney tried and succeeded to put together some good passages of play but again the final decisive shot failed to materialise, not from want of trying and working hard though.

Karen Murdoch played on confidently after the ball rebounded from a Daventry player’s foot, she used the advantage well and scored Olney’s second goal. Jane Dip made a brave confident tackle in the second half which was bloody minded and bloody brilliant, much respect to her and to everyone for not bowing down to the Daventry onslaught.

Olney look forward to welcoming Towcester next Saturday.

4th November 2006 - Olney ladies 3 - 2 Kettering 2nds

Thriller!

Another game, another five goal thriller for Olney Ladies this week, but this time they came out on top and deservedly so.

The Olney team played fluid attacking hockey throughout the first half of the match.

Di Graham set her stall out from the start, nothing was getting past her without a fight, and she showed no mercy nearly carving Rachel Alcock in half with a fiercely struck free hit.

My vote goes to Di for being so high up the pitch and nearly getting to the back post herself!

Di’s little sortie up front was inspired and helped us to win the game.

Di personified Olney team performance throughout the game and earned herself player of the week for Olney.

Di…..She kept running until the last whistle! What was she on? I want some!

But this was far from a one woman match; Olney demonstrated total team work throughout this match and came back from a goal behind twice. Carina Pinney maintained a positive encouraging force in the midfield and Serena Van Der Hyde pushed, pulled and harried the Kettering midfield into submission. Olney enjoyed much of the possession in the first half but for Kettering’s brilliant goal keeper the score sheet remained blank.

I really can’t single anyone person out this week, it was such a team performance. So I give my vote to everyone!!!

I thought it was another superb team effort with lots of performances worthy of the MOM award. I've tried to single one person out, but can't!

A simple half time talk from resting captain Jenny Harris the advice was, change nothing other than find a way of scoring round, to the side of or over the Kettering Keeper.

However, Kettering scored within seconds of the restart the Olney defenders were caught napping; Kirsty Rice was left exposed and unable to prevent a relatively soft goal from being scored. No matter, Olney scored from the restart after Bird Bain flashed a reverse stick scoop into the air and Wendy Haslam struck the rebound under the Kettering keeper.

Special mention to Wendy who really marshalled the front line – her communication was excellent and she kept us motivated towards the end when we really needed to keep going for the win.

Olney scored again after Karen Murdoch’s shot was saved by the keeper’s stick Jane Gibbs picked up the deflected ball for an easy push into an open goal.

Then came the most controversial moment of the game Kettering were awarded a penalty corner and the Olney players were convinced that the ball did not leave the D before Kettering shot for goal, Mrs Dips foot prevented the ball from crossing the line, Kettering were awarded and converted a penalty stroke.

Some of the Olney players were asking for clarification of the rules but the advice from the sideline was get over it and get on with it.

And get on with it they did.

Olney pushed forward again and again whilst Kettering also pressed for the vital goal the match took on an end to end tempo. With less than two minutes left to play Olney attacked, en mass, the Kettering goal the first shot left the Kettering keeper prone along the goal line and Karen Murdoch calmly lifted the ball over the keeper’s outstretched stick and into the goal to win the match.

My bird of the game this week is Kazza. She kept going despite the frustrations of the first half and modified her tactics to beat a very good keeper.

The Olney camp were ecstatic, three vital points brilliantly won through a total team performance simply THRILLING.

A Happy Cappy Report for Olney Ladies HC

28th October 2006 - Wellingborough 2nds 3 - 2 Olney

The Missing Link

Wellingborough’s second team and Olney ladies played out a five goal thriller this Saturday. Wellingborough were two goals ahead with fifteen minutes left on the clock.

Olney enjoyed most of the possession in the first twenty minutes, pressuring the Wellingborough defence but the Olney forwards were missing the crucial final shot that could have turned the pressure into goals. Also missing were three regular Olney girls who were making the most of the half term break.

Jood Tetlow made a valiant effort on the left wing and, funnily enough, no one rushed over to give her a break. Jenny Harris struggled with a back injury and her fastest move of the match was a semi jog to the half way line only to find that new girl Alex Jermyn had beaten her to the subs bench. Alex played comfortably on the right wing prompting the following comment from an Olney regular...

‘Eight years out! She looked like she’d missed one week’s training!’

Di Graham looked like she had missed a few nights sleep during her midweek jaunt to Paris whilst Caff Woods and Helena Schofield have babies to blame for any missing slumber. No matter though Caff received many deserved nominations for player of the game and she scored with a trademark strike to keep Olney in with a shout of drawing towards the end of the match.

I am going to opt for Caff as everything she did on pitch was good, she communicated well and scored a great goal!!

I'd like to nominate Caff as player of the match for Saturday, for her cracking goal & brave defending. It was great to have her back on the pitch.

Just shading Caff for the player of the match this week was Helena who managed to run until all her blood was in her head and then she fell over. Not once you understand, Helena managed to run until all the blood went into her head and then she fell over frequently and throughout the entire match. But then I suppose it must be hard to stay on your feet when your blood is missing from the neck down?

Hey, my player of the match is Helena because she ran her socks of in the first half!

As mentioned earlier Wellingborough were two goals ahead with just under a quarter of the match to play, Olney put themselves back into contention, urged on by their captain the forwards pushed into the Wellingborough D and Wiley Wendy Haslam converted a well placed cross, (sorry I missed who hit the cross).

Wellingborough and Olney traded two goals from two penalty corners, Wellingborough scored first and then Caff Woods did the business, making for an exciting last few minutes. Some of the Wellingborough players believed the score was two all at the end, but the umpires agreed, finally, the score was confirmed as three goals to two in Wellingborough’s favour.

14th October 2006 - Olney 4 - 0 Rushden and Higham

The Dam Busters!

he Olney players were asked to give total commitment to the match this week. Failure to beat their close rivals Rushden would have guaranteed embarrassment on the training pitch next Wednesday night and, more importantly, Olney needed to get a win under their belt.

Olney were much the better prepared team; warmed up and organised some thirty minutes before the Rushden players dawdled down to the pitch side.

indsay Bain took her preparation to new heights this week, booking her physio appointment before the match thus setting out her intent to give 110% effort.

Bird Bain was not alone in her intent or her efforts, the entire Olney squad played at a higher tempo than in the previous two matches, not allowing the opposition a chance to regroup between passages of play and maintaining constant pressure on the Rushden defenders.

Serena Van der Heyde and Helena Schofield both worked hard in the midfield providing links between the Olney defence and forwards. For all Olney’s hard work and creativity the score sheet remained empty at half time. Crucially, Olney changed nothing at half time, believing the Rushden defenders could be broken down and that goals would come.

Early in the second half Wendy Haslam took advantage of a ball set up from the reverse stick flick of Bird Bain and the Rushden defensive dam was breached. Haslam popped up again, a few minutes later, to score a second and then had to be prised from the pitch for her mid-half break muttering promises of hat tricks on her way off.

‘Scoring that first goal was crucial in Olney winning the game and following it up with another goal very quickly after was even better.
(I would like some of whatever Wendy had for breakfast this morning)’

Wendy returned to the pitch and was totally unselfish when passing back to Karen Murdoch who, after bringing the ball some thirty yards down the left wing, played a one two with Wendy and then cracked the ball past the helpless Rushden keeper.

Not to be out done Rachel Alcock received the ball on the right wing and flew into the acres of space ahead of her before crossing the ball to a well placed Carina Pinney. Carina took one stride into the D before shooting and scoring, capping off a brilliant game for the midfielder.

‘Carina Pinney: Stunning performance – topped by a goal!’

An all round near perfect performance from Olney Ladies then; bringing training drills into their game play. Every player made their presence felt, Jane Dip had another solid game, Kirsty Rice made two excellent saves towards the end of the second half showing her ability to remain focussed throughout a match where she had little to do. Di Graham made a goal line clearance and remained focussed and cool headed up to the final whistle.

Olney’s deserved player of the match was Ali, she ran and ran, chased down the ball and created chance after chance, not only standing out for her red faced hard work and tenacity but also personifying the total team performance which left the Rushden squad looking a little; shell shocked!

A content captain production for OLHC

7th October 2006 - WildCatz v Olney Ladies -

Catz get the cream

Wild Catz 3 Olney Ladies 1

Olney and Wild catz played out a competitive, enjoyable match with the Catz just coming out on top by the end.

The Olney defence had to absorb pressure at the start of the match whilst the Catz enjoyed a series of attacks and penalty corners. Ali Woodard set out her stall from the start, bravely running out and thwarting the Catz strikers.

‘Ali’s commitment, energy and bravery at short corners win my vote.’

A rare but very welcome match day appearance from Lindsay ‘Bird’ Bain reminded us of her commitment to Olney’s cause this season. ‘ bird! was awesome kept that player pretty much outa the game n neva gave up.. even if she did get the better of her occasionly.. plus man markin is neva fun all game so she deserves it...’

Lindsay did stick to her task well and matched her captain in the slightly ungainly* attempts at tackles leading to the ball hitting her foot to hold up the Catz attacks. It was the same Bird Bain that set up a sitter for Karen Murdoch to open her league scoring account for this season. Lindsay’s reverse stick scoop was deflected onto the cross bar by the Catz keeper the ball falling into Karen’s path for a simple knock in.

Chances up front for Olney’s attackers were few and far between but a mention to Jood Tetlow and Karen Murdoch who both waited patiently for the ball and created space and opportunities whenever they did get the chance. Michelle made her debut and seemed to cope well with the pressure of a league game, congratulations to her.

Catz second goal did come from a penalty corner, Jenny Harris was in the right place for once but could do little other than admire the accuracy of the well struck shot as it flew past her stick.

It was difficult to single any Olney player from such a good all round team performance but one player had a confident, commanding match, hardly putting a stick wrong all game, Jane Dip was deservedly voted player of the match this week.

Catz did score two more goals but I didn’t see the third one go in as I was on crèche duty at the time and well, the least said about the first goal the better!

*some might say clumsy

30th Sep 2006 - Olney Ladies V Wellingborough I’s -

Olney Ladies and Wellingborough I’s : Worlds Apart!

Olney played their first game back in the first division and were faced with Wellingborough I’s; a team that been relegated from the Midlands league at the end of last season.

It was good to see Rachel Alcock back in defence alongside Di Graham, who played brilliantly, and Jane Dip. The three defenders were kept busy for the entire match and held their nerve well under sustained pressure. Helena, Serena and Carrina ran their socks off and showed total commitment in helping the defence up until the final whistle.

Kirsty Rice, in goal, impressed everyone with her brave defending, thwarting many of Wellingborough’s attacks by charging out and reacting instantly. Kirsty made countless first time saves only to come undone by Wellingborough’s follow up play. Jane Dip made her customary goal line saves and was really unlucky to concede a penalty stroke when the ball span back and hit her foot after she had saved superbly. Player of the match for Olney, Kirsty Rice, had no chance of saving the stroke.

Wellingborough’s forwards were accurate, experienced and very well drilled in the D. Backed up by a player called Jules who, seemingly covered every inch of the pitch, ran rings around most of the Olney players, although one or two of them managed to knock her over in their attempts to tackle her.

For the record Olney did have a forward line, they did try their best to ease the pressure on their defenders and could have scored if the final whistle hadn’t saved Wellingborough from conceding at the death.

Olney conceded twelve goals (one more than they conceded in the whole of last season) without reply.

On the bright side, Olney will certainly not have to face such awesome opposition again. Well not every week anyway!

A still-smarts production for OLHC

16th Sep 2006 - Olney Ladies V Towcester II’s (Friendly) -

Olney started the second friendly match of this season ‘quaking in the blocks’. Last week a weakened Olney squad lost four goals to one, against Old Grammarians. This Saturday’s opponents are a higher calibre team and have strength in depth with a strong, young and skilful squad. Jood Tetlow broke into a sweat when she realised we were playing Towcester, but she regained her composure and played well considering she was hindered by an overlong hair style. Ali and Jenny were back in the Olney Squad and the first goal of the match was scored by Olney when both players came onto the pitch from the substitute’s bench. Neither Ali nor Jenny actually had anything to do with the goal which was scored by Wendie Haslam, converting Carrina Pinney’s well delivered penalty corner, but they would like it noted that they were actually on the pitch at the time.

More notable though was; Jenny’s comedy defending, miss-timed free hits, half executed interceptions and a missed tackle led to Towcester scoring both their goals. Harris will have to improve or face the possibility of being relegated back into the mid field, where her mistakes can be redressed by more reliable defenders Jane Dip, Di and the sorely missed Rachel Alcock-Magoo and Kath ‘Who’s the Mummy!’ Woods.

Kirsty Rice just gets better and better as does Vanessa. Olney’s all round team performance was much more together this week, Serena followed up well at support striker to push the ball home and level the scores.

A draw was a fair result today and everyone knew they had played a really good game of hockey, everyone except Jood Tetlow, she was too busy running up and down the pitch trying not to trip over her fringe!

Bring on Bedford next week.

(A tongue in cheek production)

9th Sep 2006 - Olney v Grammarians (Friendly) –

Brushing off the summer cobwebs.....Olney lost 4 -1.