Whiutchurch 0-1 Guidlford

Whitchurch slipped to a disappointing 1-0 defeat by visitors Guildford in their Slazenger EHL match despite enjoying long periods of possession and creating numerous goal-scoring chances.  Whitchurch dominated the opening half but found ex Great Britain goalkeeper Simon Mason in imperious form in the Guildford goal.  Guildford were much more of a force in the second period, however, and scored the vital goal ten minutes from the end, skipper Daniel Emery driving home a penalty corner.  It was a sad outcome for Whitchurch whose general play had deserved better. 

Playing with spirit and determination Whitchurch had started the game well.  Mark Whatling beat several players in a thrilling 90-yard run but Mason was out quickly to smother the shot.  Whitchurch then had two penalty corners in succession saved by Mason and midway in the half it was the goalkeeper again to Guildford’s rescue as he beat away a snap shot from the dangerous Whatling from a quickly taken free hit.  Guildford were dangerous on the break, and Whitchurch keeper Iwan Williams had to be alert to save a powerful shot from the Guildford attack. 

Ben Croxall was having a fine game in the Whitchurch defence, and he combined well with Jamie Westerman and Neil Potter to send Laith El Khatib in on goal, but the Guildford defence covered well.  Whitchurch had dominated to the extent that the visitors did not gain their first penalty corner until the end of the half, the shot well dealt with by the Whitchurch defence.  Whitchurch opened the second period well, El Khatib going close with a fierce drive, but ominously Guildford were starting to build up the pressure.  Fine work by Croxall averted danger seven minutes into the half and Williams was quick out of his goal to smother another attack.  The Guildford pressure was mounting but Jonny Gordon and Rhys Gowman put in some fine work to play Whitchurch out of trouble.

Potter and El Khatib were combining well to stretch the Guildford defence and twenty minutes into the half Whitchurch almost had the breakthrough, a great move on the left ending with Westerman firing a blistering shot just wide from the top of the circle.  Guildford returned to the attack and on the hour gained the vital penalty corner to break the deadlock.  Whitchurch threw everything into attack in the last few minutes, gaining a succession of penalty corners, but Mason and his defence kept their goal intact with a series of fine saves.

Whitchurch A made it 5 wins in a row in Premier Two of the West of England & South Wales league with an impressive 6-2 win at Swindon.  George Oram scored a hat trick and skipper Graham Charlesworth, Rhys Gowman and Doug Young were also on target as Whitchurch move to the top of the table on goal difference from Truro.  Whitchurch B conceded a late equalising goal to draw 3-3 with visitors Somerset Gryphons in North One.  Dave Saunders scored a hat-trick as Whitchurch C move into second place in the Severn division after a fine 8-0 home success against UW Aberystwyth, with Mark Eggar and Mark Lewis hitting two apiece and Dan Potts also on target. 

In the South Wales matches Whitchurch D move into the top half of the division one table with a 6-1 win at Abergavenny.  Dave Skirrow and Matt Thomas scored two apiece with further goals from Morgan Harries and Jon Williams.  Whitchurch E suffered a 2-1 home reverse at the hands of Newport, Josh Hurford on target.  Both Whitchurch teams in division three had big wins.  Whitchurch F beat Abergavenny A 12-1, skipper Martin Church leading the way with 5 goals, with Joe Green (3), James Gray (2) Mathew Gray and Richard Jones also hitting the net.  Ben Skirrow hit six goals as Whitchurch G move to the top of the table with an 8-0 win against Lampeter University, Stuart Allen and David Lawson also on target.

Cardiff & UWIC 0-1 Whitchurch HC

A well-taken goal from Laith El Khatib early in the second half gave Whitchurch a hard-earned 1-0 win against local rivals Cardiff & Uwic in the latest round of Slazenger EHL matches.  Although there was just one goal in the game there was plenty of goalmouth action to keep a good crowd on the edge of their seats, and defences had to be in top form to withstand the opposition attacks. 

Whitchurch put their recent poor form behind them to play with energy and purpose and gain their first league win of the campaign.  In a fine all-round team performance Jonny Gordon was outstanding in central defence and Jamie Westerman and Neil Potter were in dynamic form in midfield.  Both sides created good goal scoring opportunities in the scoreless first half, and both goalkeepers were called upon to make fine saves. 

Whitchurch opened the second period well, Westerman driving just wide in the opening minute, and the pressure brought its reward seven minutes into the half, a good move down the right finding El Khatib who coolly flicked high in the net for the vital first goal.  El Khatib almost added another two minutes later after a good pass from Rhys Thomas but the Cardiff & Uwic defence cleared under pressure.  Cardiff & Uwic then threatened the Whitchurch goal and it needed a fine tackle from Rhys Gowman in the circle to clear the danger. 

The game moved end to end as Cardiff & Uwic searched for the equaliser and Whitchurch looked to drive home their advantage with a second goal.  Skipper Iwan Williams made two fine saves in quick succession in the Whitchurch goal and Alex Keating gained a penalty corner at the other end, which was not converted.  Whitchurch were playing the ball around well but had to endure an anxious finish, a strong run by former Whitchurch player Joe Naughalty gained Cardiff & Uwic a last minute penalty corner which went wide to leave Whitchurch the winners of an exciting game of hockey.

Whitchurch welcome Guidford to Sophia Gardens next week in another "must-win" game.

Whitchurch A continued their fine form in Premier Two of the West of England & South Wales League with a hard fought 3-1 success against visitors Swansea Bay. Rhys Gowman gave Whitchurch a first half lead with a neat deflected goal and Rhys Thomas added a second after the interval. Swansea Bay caused some anxious moments with a late goal but Louis Jones converted from close range with two minutes remaining to make the game safe for Whitchurch. The win puts Whitchurch into 2nd place in the table level on points with leaders Truro.

Whitchurch B went down 6-1 to North Two leaders Cardiff & Uwic A, skipper Dave Joyce scoring a second-half consolation goal, but 3rd placed Whitchurch C maintained their unbeaten run in the Severn division with a fine 3-1 win at league leaders Swansea Bay A. Whitchurch took control from the start with Mark Lewis, Andy King and Mark Eggar orchestrating midfield. A penalty corner from King and an open play goal from Jon Watts gave Whitchurch a 2-0 lead before Swansea Bay pulled a goal back just before half time. Dave Saunders restored Whitchurch’s two-goal advantage in the second period, poaching a rebound off the Swansea Bay post after a fine build-up move between Rhys Davies and Watts.

In the South Wales matches Whitchurch D and Whitchurch E drew 1-1 in the intra-club clash in division one. Skipper Mathew Rapson gave Whitchurch E an early lead but Morgan Harries struck back in the second period to earn Whitchurch D a deserved point. Whitchurch F were 3-0 winners against Llan & Caer B in division three with goals from skipper Martin Church, James Gray and Richard Jones whilst Whitchurch G remain in 2nd place in the division after a 3-1 home success against visitors Carew A, Tim Savage, David Lawson and Stuart Allen on target.

Whitchurch A lie second in Premier Two of the West of England & South Wales league after a fine 5-2 success at Bristol & West. Whitchurch conceded an early goal but superb individual goals from Rhys Gowman and Rhys Thomas gave Whitchurch a 2-1 lead before the home side equalised just before half time. Gowman and Thomas scored again in the second period and Kyle Stubley converted a penalty corner as Whitchurch turned on the style to make the game safe. Whitchurch keeper Chris Gierak saved a penalty flick late in the game. Whitchurch B slipped to a 4-2 defeat at home to Bridgend in North One, skipper Dave Joyce and James Towers the scorers, but Whitchurch C maintained their unbeaten run in the Severn division with an excellent 5-0 home success against high-flying Sherborne. Two goals from Alun Welsh and strikes from Mark Lewis, Rhys Davies and Jon Watts sealed a comprehensive win and moves Whitchurch into third place in the table.

In the South Wales matches Morgan Harries and Dave Evans scored two goals apiece as Whitchurch D picked up their second win of the season in division one with a 4-1 success against Cardiff Univ C but Whitchurch E conceded late goals to Penarth A, going down 5-4, with Karl Davis, Mike Despres, Josh Hurford and Rob Williams the goal scorers. Whitchurch F found form in division three with an impressive 11-2 win against visitors Lampeter Univ, skipper Martin Church and Mathew Gray both scored hat tricks, with Richard Jones (2), David Chamberlain, James Gray and Tony Curtis also on target. Whitchurch G stay in second place in the division after coming from behind to beat Abergavenny A 2-1 with goals from David Lawson and Ben Skirrow.

It continues to be an uphill struggle for Whitchurch after a disappointing defeat to fellow strugglers Firebrands, at Sophia Gardens. Against an ultimately poor Firebrands side, Whitchurch started brightly and at pace with some probing work down the left flank from Neil Potter and some incisive passing from Jon Collis. However, the final finish was lacking in the circle and for all the penetration they could not force a penalty corner, though the Firebrands keeper did have to stay alert to keep out two close range efforts.

The game became increasingly scrappy as the two midfields battle for control. It was Firebrands who drew first blood from a penalty corner, courtesy of low Ed Miller drag. Firebrands then went further ahead before the half hour from the penalty spot, after El Khatib's last ditch tackle gave the umpire little choice. Tom Harris converted to give the Bristol side a 2-0 lead on half time. By this point the Whitcurch frustrations were evident and resulted in a flurry of green cards from umpires Cook and Sihota.

Some strong words from Tyrone at half time again led to Whitchurch taking the game to their opponents in the second period. Good work from El Khatib and Gowman down the right flank, providing the width that was lacking in the first half, resulted in a number of openings and chances flashing across the Firebrands goal. Whatling also broke away well only to find the side netting at the critical moment. Having incurred the wrath of the umpires in the first half, Keating paid the price early in the second, earning a yellow card for dissent.

All the Whitchurch pressure was nullified when Firebrands again broke away and snatched their third from Andy Edwards on 45'. Not to be outdone Whitchurch responded well, forcing a penalty corner which El Khatib despatched low and hard into the bottom right corner, giving Whitchurch a glimmer of hope on 47'. That glimmer was all but extinguished on 54' when Dan Nichol was gifted a goal thaks to some blantant ball-watching from the home side.

Whitchurch continued to press forward, but the damage was done and Chris Banning's goal on 62' was merely a consolation.

With no game next weekend due to EH Cup action, Whitchurch have two weeks to brood before they can do anything about the recent run of form. That game happens to be against city rivals Cardiff & UWIC and promises to be full of incident.

Come and support the 1st Team when they take on Cardiff & UWIC on Sunday 9th November - 13:30 at WIS.

Whitchurch remain rooted to the bottom of the table after a crushing 9-0 defeat at the hands of Team Bath Buccaneers in their latest Slazenger EHL match.  Bath had their injured stars back in action as they threw off their indifferent early-season form to overpower Whitchurch with clinical finishing.  Both teams started brightly but uncharacteristic mistakes in defence cost Whitchurch dearly as Bath opened the scoring in the sixth minute and found the net at regular intervals thereafter.  Whitchurch created a few chances of their own which they were unable to convert whilst Bath ruthlessly put away the majority of their chances.  All the goals came in open play, and Bath had seven players on the score sheet.  Whitchurch now face a crucial match at home to Firebrands this coming Sunday (1.30 at W.I.S.).  The Bristol club have also started the season poorly, taking just one point from their first four matches and a win for Whitchurch will lift them off the bottom of the table.  

Second half goals from in-form strikers Rhys Thomas and Doug Young gave Whitchurch A a 2-1 win against visitors Marlborough in Premier Two of the West of England  & South Wales League and moved their side to third place in the table.  Whitchurch B gained a useful point in a 2-2 draw at Bristol & West A in North One, Ted Diment and David Harris the goal scorers.  Whitchurch C are in fourth place in the Severn division after goals from Rhys Davies and Alun Welsh secured a 2-2 draw at Cirencester A.   

In the South Wales divisions Whitchurch D conceded twice in the last five minutes to go down 5-4 against visitors Cwmbran in division one, Tom Harries (2), Dan Potts and Tom Skirrow on target, whilst Whitchurch E lost 3-0 at Swansea Bay C.  Whitchurch F lost 3-0 to division three leaders Brecon and Ben Skirrow scored a hat trick as Whitchurch G ran out 7-0 winners against Bridgend C in the same division to move into second place in the table.

It would be unfair to say the Welsh Dragon of Whitchurch was slain by Old Georgians, especially as the home side more than played their part in an entertaining and evenly contested match.  Old Georgians from Surrey looked to be without the influential Nicky Thompson, through injury and allowed Whitchurch to open the early exchanges.  The experienced Jamie Westerman was looking sprightly in a "Gerrard" like central midfield role.  In the opening minutes Westerman showed a clean pair of heals to his would-be pursuers, in what would turn out to be a key battle in midfield. 

Alas the bright opening from Whitchurch was soon blighted when they conceded from the Surrey side's opening penalty corner.  Gareth Carr dragging  low and hard to the left corner on four minutes.  Not to be out-done Whitchurch continued to press forward and some sterling work by Neil Potter saw him release the ball to his right before being clattered - the umpire saw fit to play the advantage, and a good decision it was as Mark Whatling tipped in a driven cross from the right to equalise.  The half finished on level terms in a game that could have gone either way.  In very unseasonal warm weather, both sides were glad of the rest that half time brought.

The next goal proved pivotal in the match.  Three minutes into the second period a penetrating pass from right half to the outside left channel saw Whitchurch opened up.  The ball was played down the left flank and crashed into the circle.  Whitchurch Captain Iwan Williams saved the first shot well, but could do nothing about the rebound which Tom Doran drove into the roof of the net.  Whitchurch again responded well and enjoyed both possession and chances, including a succession of penalty corners.  But unlike their opponents they could not make their corner routines work for them and were denied by three smart saves from the Old Georgians' goalkeeper.

Whitchurch were now pushing forward for the second equaliser and were left vulnerable at the back.  A quick break from the Surrey side saw Whitchurch concede another penalty corner, which Gareth Carr coolly despatched in the top right corner.  Whitchurch continued to have chances right up until the final whistle, but nothing clean-cut to get them back into the game.  Old Georgians now move top of the table in what has proved to be a very difficult opening three games for Whitchurch, who now prop up the table.  Next week will be another tricky fixture against West rivals Team Bath Buccs.

University of Exeter 5-2 Whitchurch HC

With a second tough away fixture in the opening two weeks of the season, Whitchurch were still keen to bring some points back to Wales.  Alas, they got off to a bad start, conceding within the first minute to a Matthew Woods penalty corner.  Having composed themselves Whitchurch began to put their mark on the game with some good attacking play, creating some clear openings, but once again the strikers could not apply the finish.  Shortly before half time, in what proved to be a closely fought contest, Mark Whatling grabbed Whitchurch’s equaliser from open play with a powerful rising drive, which deflected in off the umpire’s head of all things.  Not something you see that often fortunately.  The umpire in question was not seriously injured, but could not continue and did require hospital treatment for the head wound.

The second half began at a canter (with a replacement umpire) and it was not long before the students profited again – this time Woods scoring in open play.  The two sides continued to exchange attack and counter-attack, with little reward until the fiftieth minute, with Exeter’s Tom Carson scoring his first of three for the afternoon.  The Carson hat-trick was complete on 67 minutes thanks to some sloppy Whitchurch defending to add to profligate finishing at the other.  Hassan Noor did add an element of respectability to the score line just before the whistle.

Whitchurch welcome Old Georgians to Cardiff on Sunday who won their second game at the weekend, along with Bournville and Exeter – they make up the top three.

After a straong start last week Whitchurch A also went down 2-5, but to Firebrands A.  The home side led 2-0 at half time, but some tactical changes didn’t work out and Whitchurch began to leak goals.  Captain Graham Charlesworth and Chris Meakin with the goals.

Whitchurch B travelled to Cheltenham A and suffered a heavy 7-3 defeat against an experienced side.

Whitchurch C recorded a good victory against Cardiff & UWIC B, 1-3 at Sophia Gardens.  John Wilks, Andy King and Dave Saunders all found the net.

Whitchurch D entertained Swansea Bay B at home – in the battle of the youth, eventually losing 2-4 in a very enterataining game.  Dan Potter and Tom Skirrow hitting the net.

Whitchurch E made the long trip to Pembroke County and were roundly beaten by the Pembroke 1st XI – veteran Mike Cleverly in goal making a string of fines saves.... Whitchurch F took on Bridgend in a re-arranged league match, drawing 2-2, with goals from Martin Church & John Lee.  Whitchurch G were also at Sophia Garden to take on city rivals Cardiff & UWIC E, narrowly losing out 2-1.

Whitchurch travelled to Birmingham to take on Bournville in their opening game of the 2088-09 Slazenger England Hockey League, yesterday. The visitors from Wales raced into a 2-0 lead with an open-play goal from Mark Whatling within the first ten minutes. Jamie Westerman doubled the lead from the penalty spot shortly before half time, with Whitchurch playing some probing and expansive hockey.

Bournville opened their account on 43 minutes with an open-play goal from Chris Graham and drew level two minutes later when Rik McCollum converted a penalty corner. The game was finely balanced and could have gone either way. Whitchurch carved out some clear chances to go ahead but could not convert. Bournville took advantage and went ahead for the first time in the game shortly before the hour, from open-play. Whitchurch again had a prime opportunity to draw level, but couldn’t take their chance. Nevertheless they continued to press the Bournville side and were caught on the break just before the end, with Chris Graham getting his second and Bournville’s fourth.

Whitchurch Manager Nazir Mohamend commented afterwards; “We’re not too dissatisfied with today, we played some very good hockey against a good side who will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. They were in the upper echelons of division one last year and we gave them a really tough test today. A few things didn’t go our way, but that’s the nature of the game.”

On a busy weekend of hockey WHC 1st demolished Gloucester City 9-1 with Rhys Thomas and Jamie Westerman leading the way with hat tricks. The A Team then completely destroyed Newent 16-0 with again Thomas scoring three as did Rhys Gowman. A mix of 1sts and 2nds took on Londoners Tulse Hill and Dulwich and despite leading at half time finally lost 2-3. Thomas and Westerman were again on target.

B Team (3s) won 3-2 against Penarth.

C Team (4s) won 2-0 against Llanishen and Caerphilly with Jon Barnard and Jo Green on the score sheet.

D Team (5s) won 5-1 at Cardiff and Uwic with young Tom Skirrow bagging a pair.

E Team (6s) lost 4-1 against Ross 1st XI, Rob Williams scoring.

The 10 men in the F Team (7s) fought gallantly at Abergavenny, but went down 5-3.

G Team (8s) were outplayed by a very strong Llanishen and Caerphilly containing a number of ex 1st teamers. Adam Welch and Stuart Allen scoring late on to make it 2-5 in a gallant effort.

Sunday saw a mixture of 1s & 2s play Tulse Hill again, 2-2 being the outcome, with Jon Collis and Doug Young on target. And to complete a tiring weekend a young 1st XL played National League old friends Barford Tigers from Birmingham, not surprisingly running out of steam to lose 3-4. Westerman 2 (6 for the weekend) and Doug young the scorers.

The 2s beat Hereford 6-2 and were far to good and quick for what was an experienced team. Rhys Gowman and Adam Barker tore them apart and goals from Tom Harries, Graham Charlesworth, Barker and a Rhys Thomas hat trick gave the 2s a 6-0 lead before 2 late goals gave Hereford some respectability.

The 6s drew 0-0 at Hereford. An experienced defence was helped by young legs in front of them doing the running. Dan Emberson was called on to make good saves in the second half and a draw was a fair but unusual result on artificial turf.

Whitchurch kicked off their pre-season campaign at home to Telford & Wrekin on Saturday. The game was not short on goals, but a poor second half performance was Whitchurch's undoing. Saturday's side was comprised of experienced 1st teamers, some younger players and some new recruits - including the welcomed return of Chris Fido, so it was very much an opportunity to get some competitive pitch time under belts.

There are still a number of players to be added to the squad over the course of September's pre-season preparation, but with the Slazenger EHL commencing on weekend of 27/28 - the guys will need to hit the ground running to get a good start in the league.

Theres is no 1st team fixture this weekend due to the senior international matches.