16.03.10 - DOUBLE HEADER AGAINST MAGPIES!:
This weekend the Ladies 1sts drew 2-2 away against Harleston Magpies. The girls, perhaps struggling with the slow pace of the pitch, got off to a disappointing start, conceding within the first five minutes. Although they regained their composure, they struggled with their link up play and found themselves fighting hard to get out of their own half. The second half saw them get off to a better start and they seemed to be back to their previous form. However, this spritely start was shortlived when Magpies took advantage of a quick break and doubled their lead. Thankfully for Loughts, but rather unfortunately for Magpies, minutes later their centre midfield, and main play maker, took a ball on the head following an attacking corner shortly after their second goal and was resigned to the bench. With their key player now out of action the Ladies knew that they had the upper hand. However, they had to do it with 10 players when one of the team was sent off for questioning an umpiring decision. Nonetheless the girls managed to pull a goal back through Rachel Dunning. She pounced on a rebound from an attacking corner and they were back in the game, with 10 players and 14 minutes left to go. Shortly afterwards, Magpies saw themselves down to 10 when their player was sent off for a poor challenge. Now tiring and desperately missing their centre midfield, Magpies, for the first time in the game looked vulnerable. Six minutes later Loughts equalised through Anna Coppel who got a tip in on a Becky Halle reverse stick strike. Despite dominating for the remainder of the half and with Magpies losing yet another player to the sin bin the Ladies couldn't seem to find the winning goal and had to settle for a draw. Although it was a hard fought and well deserved come back they were disappointed with only one point.
On Sunday the Mens 1st X1 faced Harleston Magpies at Luxborough Lane. They started very well creating several scoring opportunities which were snubbed out by some good goalkeeping from the Harleston goalie. However on 11 minutes the deadlock was broken when Oliver Didham slid to deflect a cross from Jamie Askam. Four minutes later Stuart Robson carved open an opportunity for Leroy Philips who finished well to add Old Loughts second of the game. With Old Loughts cruising a cheap turnover gave Harleston an opportunity to get back in the game however it was snubbed out well by Stuart Hendy in goal and the Loughts defense. At the end of the half, Harleston were awarded a penalty corner, but once again it was kept out well to maintain the men’s 2 goal advantage going into the break. The team restarted very well and their intensity was rewarded on 40 minutes when James Stedman volleyed home a third for Old Loughts. At this point the game seemed to be over, however no-one had told Harleston this as they raised their intensity just as the home side lowered theirs. On 50 minutes Harleston broke away to score a very contentious goal to make the score 3-1. Five minutes later Harleston were awarded a penalty corner for a foot that no-one but the umpire on the far side saw, this was converted well to make the score 3-2. This meant that the game was well and truly back on, but thanks to some good defending the men were able to stumble over the finish line to claim all three points.
Next Sunday both the Old Loughtonians Ladies and Mens 1sts will be in action at home at Luxborough Lane against local rivals Chelmsford. The Ladies will play at 11.30 am and the Men at 2 pm. With an Essex U17 match at 10.30 and the Loughts U18 boys colts in action at 1.30 pm it promises to be an exceptional day of hockey.
» Click here to return to news index.
