Match Reports:
White Eagles Ladies 3rds 3 Mid Somerset Ladies 2nds 9
A cohesive team performance gave Mids a convincing 9v3 victory this weekend. Although mids habit of not settling in the first 5 minutes led to Eagles opening the scoring against the run of play, it wasn’t long before Laura Burt’s short corner strike made the score level. Now settled and passing well, Mids took the lead when a timely pass from Maskell found Laura Burt at the top of the D to strike for the lead. A short corner then lead to a great finish at the left post from Lianna Burt to make it 3v1. Excellent passing through the midfield and steady defending enabled Maz Ardley to give a quick pass around the Eagles defender to let Laura Burt strike for a 4v1 half time lead. Again, Mids allowed Eagles to attack in the first five minutes of the second half and score from a short corner. Laura Burt’s reverse strike then found the back of the net to make it 5v2. Dutton gave a superb cross from a short to enable Maskell to finish off, shortly after Maskell picked up a rebound and lifted it over the keeper in the top left of the net for her 2nd to give Mids a 7v2 cushion. A minor lapse in concentration from Mids meant keeper Buzzard had some work to do and although the initial shot was saved, eagles made the most of the rebound to make it 7v3. Laura Burt then took Mids to 8v3 from another short corner strike. Again, a short lead to Lianna Burt mirror her first goal to make the final score 9v3. Clarke almost gave Mids a double figure goal tally when her strike narrowly missed, but Mids still had their best win yet! Player’s of the match Mel Maskell and Laura Burt.
Mids 2s beat high flying Clevedon 2s
The frosty conditions didn't put Mid Somserset Ladies 2's off their stride as they entertained Clevedon 2s - sitting second in the league - at the Blue School this Saturday.
The home side started strongly with effective passing and teamwork from the off, resulting in an early sweep on goal by Mids LW Carly Dutton from a perfectively-timed cross from Mel Maskill at RH. Spectators groaned as the ball clanged off the right-hand post. Wells were determined to score and created numerous chance but the opener wouldn't come.
Mids had to dig in and battle hard in defence for the closing five minutes of the first half, under immense pressure from Clevedon. Goalie Meg Pugh was tested for the first time this week and pulled out of the bag cracking saves, saving her team mates bacon. The back four of Terri Wipler, Mary Dowds, Gillian Buzzard and player of the match, Emily Halstead, were up to the task - supported effectively by team mates dropping back - with CF Laura Burt and CH Sarah Clarke lending a hand to keep the visitors at bay. At half-time the teams were in deadlock at 0-0.
As in previous matches, Mids were a bit slow to settle and were nearly caught out with early breaks which nearly proved their undoing.
The home team though gave themselves a talking to and settled back into their structure. The partnership of Emily Halstead and Maz Ardley as LB and LH helped created numerous attacks further up the field. But it was well into the second half when Lianna Burt made one of her many penetrating runs up the right wing, making a cross which Dutton picked out, scoring with a cracking shot from an acute angle. Further drama saw a Clevedon equaliser disallowed, with the shot from a penalty corner deemed too high.
Mids couldn't add to their tally but held on for the win at 1-0.
Mid Somerset Ladies 2's (2) vs White Eagles 3's (0) (7th January 2012)
Following the Christmas break the eager Mids team set out for the postponed match against White Eagles. They started the attack from the whistle and the forwards Carly Dutton, Laura Burt and Nicole French started pelting the visiting defence with shots at the goalie. However the goalie was quick to deflect all these to keep a clean sheet.
White Eagle gained several breaks from excellent hit outs catching the Mids defence at times off guard. They went on the attack but due to good recovery and teamwork from the defence of Mary Dowds, Terri Wipfler, Gillian Buzzard, Emily Halstead and Ellie Massey, they were able to create any shots on goal. Foot fumbles from the defence gave White Eagles several short corners but again could convert. The first half ended with no change in the score.
Mids came out into the second half with renewed motivation and the midfield of Sarah Clarke, Maz Ardley and Mel Maskell continued to work hard to feed the ball up the pitch for the attack. Clarke found her place wide on the left and striked the ball into the D on several occasions. Maskell found the right side more busy and worked hard. The first goal came from a French drive and pass to Burt who pushed it round the goalie. Again Eagles managed to find chances to break only to be broken down efficiently and sometimes scrappily by the Mids defence. They would have had more chances if not for interceptions from Ardley, Wipfler and Dowds.
Dutton had a disallowed goal as it hit her foot before going in the goal, but was always on the post waiting for a mis-directed strike. Burt finished off the score with a strike which found its way around the goalie again.
Player of the match: Mary Dowds
Winscombe 3's (0) Mid Somerset Ladies 2s (5)
A large Mids team travelled to Weston to take on Winscombe this weekend. The first half took the team longer to settle in than normal, with some silly mistakes creating opportunities for the home side. Winscombe had brought out several of their older more experienced players who proved to give Mids some headaches with the defence.
The score opened up with excellent teamwork between Mel Maskell and Emily Squire running up the right side. Squire took the score quickly to 2-0 with a strike across the goal so tight on the back line that it almost didn't go in. The play continued to move up and down the pitch with great runs up left hand side from Claire Malcomson, Elainna Teare and Maz Ardley. Following a hetic scrabble in the Mids defensive D, there a was a break for which Carly Dutton at pace took the ball right into the D to pass back to Laura Burt who managed to score with an uncharacteristic dribble of a strike taking the score at half time to 3-0.
After a rousing team talk, the second half saw much better hockey from both teams, but particularly in the Mids defence with Mary Dowds and Emily Halstead keeping them at bay on the right. Winscombe were awarded several short corners but unable to convert them into goals, mids continued to build on their level of play with a textbook play from Terri Wipfler's hitout up the left side finishing with Elainna Teare taking the score to 4-0 much to the delight of her team mates! Winscombe answered with an unexpected break with the defence struggling to get back, they were saved by an inspired Gillian Buzzard determined to keep a clean sheet producing a fantastic kick out to the side to deny the home side once again. Their final chance as motivation started to drop was in a brilliant strike but disallowed due to the umpire already having blown the whistle.
An unexpected pass from a Maskell long corner to Wipfler, saw her make a charge to just outside the D, where she swept the ball into the goal but disallowed as no one could get on the end in time. Elainna Teare finished things off with an unstoppable shot to make it 0-5 to the visitors.
Mid Somerset Ladies 2 (0) v Nailsea 2nds (5)
Mids put on an excellent display of team work and should be proud of the way that they played, despite the final score stating otherwise.
Lianna Burt and Carly Dutton worked the ball up the left sending strong passes across the pitch to Centre Mid Maz Ardley who pushed the ball forward but the Nailsea team stayed strong in defence to not concede a goal despite a cracking strike from Laura Burt. Nailsea took the lead after a lightening strike from their Centre Forward left goalie Roxy Staunton dazed. Not disheartened Mids knew that this was not the end and created several good opportunities on the attack but a fault with the goalie helmet meaning a break in play let them drop focus and again Nailsea drove the ball home.
Renewed motivation at half time saw the Mids defence also working hard to keep the score down with strong strikes out of the D from Sarah Clarke and Mary Dowds and behind them Tracey Phillips sweeping it out to the sides. Another bullet strike from the home forwards saw the score rise to 3-0.
Player of the match, Emily Halstead impressed her team mates with a new outlook on the sport getting stuck into her tackling, creating chances for Emily Squire and Laura Burt to charge up the right side but were again denied a goal. Terri Wipfler defended the left hand with sheer determination but Nailsea’s forwards stayed strong and were able to keep bringing the ball towards the goal. Mids found themselves defending a string of short corners and despite a couple of deflections off the defence sticks saving the day, the Nailsea Centre Forward again scored with two unstoppable strikes.
Despite continued determination from Mids and much possession throughout, the score settled at 5-0 with a further goal from Nailsea at the end of the match.
Mid Somerset Ladies 2 (1) v Minehead 2 (3)
Mids started off well determined to work on their game of possession against Minehead on Saturday. The first quarter saw the play switching to either end with good attacks from either side and goalkeeper Mary Dowds making some excellent saves before Mids were awarded a short corner and Lianna Burt smashing it into the back of the goal.
Minehead did not take this lying down with the two wings proving too quick for the wide defence of Lorna Wickham and Emily Halstead, leaving them to have several good strikes ending in a lifted strike bringing the score to a draw. Before the end of the second half saw centre mid and player of the match Sarah Clarke and right mid Maz Ardley driving the ball up the pitch to give forwards Laura Burt and Emily Squire chances to put the game ahead again. Despite long corner crosses and determined attempts the first half ended a draw.
After half time, Mids determination renewed they continued to try and regain the lead with defence of Terri Wipfler and Roxy Staunton channelling and fending off attacks down their left wing. Unfortunately the Minehead attack found a gap and scored from an unstoppable strike.
This followed with attacks up the Mids left wing with excellent work in triangles from Lianna, Sarah and Carly Dutton to leave Laura Burt an opportunity for strike, but the visiting goalkeeper pulled an excellent full stretched save out of the bag to deny her. Despite more determined attacks and defensive play, Minehead scored after excellent channelling from Sarah Clarke leaving the score at 3 - 1
Shepton Mallet 6 vs Mid Somerset ladies 2's 0 (19th November 2011)
Mid Somerset 2nd XI arrived in Shepton Mallet full of optimism and on a high after a hard fought win the previous Saturday. Starting well, Mid Somerset immediately started to build upon recent games with some confident and accurate passing and interplay across all of the pitch. Shepton Mallet 2nd XI also started well and the first 15 minutes of the game was evenly matched and full of end-to-end play. Some superb defensive performances were put in by captain and player of the match, Terri Wipfler, Lorna Wickham, Gillian Buzzard and goalkeeper Mary Dowds.
First blood went to Shepton Mallet after about 20 minutes, which bolstered their confidence and another goal followed before half time, despite the best efforts of the Mid Somerset defence and mid-field.
The second half started more brightly for Mid Somerset, and some useful attacking opportunities were opened up by Leanna Burt, Sarah Clarke and Emily Squire in the midfield. Laura Burt was very unlucky and was unable to convert these opportunities into goals, despite some very determined and dogged work.
Shepton’s higher league position then began to tell in the second half, and their persistent attack resulted in a third goal after around 10 minutes. Mid Somerset’s heads began to drop as their efforts went without reward, while Shepton Mallet were able to slot away a few more goals in the second half.
Final score, a 6-0 home win to Shepton Mallet.
Mid Somerset Ladies 2's 3 vs. Wells Acorns 2 (12th November 2011)
Mid Somerset were looking forward to their game this week having had their previous 2 matches cancelled, but knew it would be a tough game against their local rivals Acorns. A strong start gave Mids most of the possession for the first 10 minutes and it wasn’t long before an angled strike across the D from Laura Burt opened the scoring. Motivated by the opener, Mids continued to attack and a cross to the P spot was swept to the back of the net by Lianna Burt to give Mids a 2v0 lead.
Acorns Centre Forward pressurised Mids defence until finally breaking through to score and put them back in the game. Emily Squire’s paced run through the centre saw her score to put Mids 2 up once again.
Great work in Mid-field from Sarah Clarke and Sarah Dowden gave Mids forwards further chances, unfortunately not converted. Acorns then capitalised on a short corner bringing the score closer again at 3v2.
Mids determination continued throughout the second half and it was a closely fought contest.
Acorns were awarded a succession of short corners in the last 10 minutes, but some solid defending from Lorna Wickham and Keeper Terri Wipfler ensured Mids hung on to their lead.
Man of the match: Emily Squire.
Mid Somerset Ladies 2's 7 vs. Winscombe Ladies 3's 0 (15th October 2011)
It was a goal fest for Mid Somerset as they took on Winscombe at the weekend. Mids started strongly from the first whistle, passing smoothly and really putting the visitors under pressure and forcing mistakes. Motivated by a first disallowed goal, Carly Dutton opened up the scoring, popping in a cross from her fellow player of the match, Mel Maskell.
After this, Mids really got into their stride with some smooth build-ups from midfield - Maskell was again instrumental - leading to two goals from Emily Squire who was key on the right wing in her first match for the club. Carly Dutton added her second from her perfect position on the left post and Laura Burt finished off the scoring in the first half with a cracking shot from the top of the D to make it 5-0 at half time.
In the second half, mids started slowly and Winscombe showed spirit as they tried to claw back some goals but strong defending from Roxy Staunton and a couple of timely saves from Terri Wipfler helped Mids settle back down. Though the hockey from the home side wasn't as elegant as in the first half, Mids notched up two more goals. Carly Dutton somehow got her stick on a mid-air missile across the goal from Laura Burt to make her hat-trick. Following a deft touch by Hilary McNeil, Burt added to her tally with another thunderbolt to make it a well-deserved 7-0 at full time.
Players of the match: Carly Dutton and Mel Maskell
Mid Somerset 2’s 1 vs. Shepton 2’s 4 (24th September 2011)
Mid Somerset took a little time to settle into the game and this allowed Shepton to use this to their advantage and score an early goal. The passing and teamwork between Mids improved and there was excellent work on the wings by Mary Dowds and Terri Wipfler. Furthermore there was some brilliant defensive work from Emily Halstead and Gillian Buzzard but despite their hard work Shepton managed to score a second goal. With Mel Maskell and Laura Burt working well together in the 2nd half mids managed to score with a strike from the top of the D. Although first time goalie Vicky Hilbourne made some excellent saves Shepton scored two more goals in the second half. Player of the match Mel Maskell
Mid Somerset Ladies 2's 2 vs. Cheddar Ladies 2's 1 (17th September 2011)
Mid Somerset Ladies 2s played their first match of the season in a friendly warm-up fixture against the higher-division Cheddar Ladies 2s at Wells Blue School on Saturday.
Playing in a new formation, Mids started strongly from the whistle with good pivot passing from Sarah Clarke in midfield and excellent link up play down the right-hand side between Caitlin Kennedy and Lianna Burt. Mids were awarded an early short corner which was not converted but they didn't miss the next one, with Laura Burt striking an unstoppable shot which deflected into goal off a Cheddar stick to make it a 1-0 about 10 minutes in. More effective passing and team work led to Mids' second goal with Lianna Burt's cross popped into the goal by left-wing Carly Dutton.
Mid Somerset Ladies A 5 Vs. White Eagles B 3 (20th March 2010)
With only 2 matches left to play Mids were keen to try and get their 2nd win of the season. The possession pie chart for the first half showed only a wafer thin slice for Eagles. A clean strike from Burt Snr from a short corner gave Mids the early lead. Energetic play from Brinklow in the centre led to Burt Snr taking the ball wide and striking for Mids’ 2nd. Buzzard and Brown cleared the ball well in defence and more attacking play from Halstead, Hilbourne and Dutton resulted in a cross from the right reaching Burt Junior to take the 3rd goal of the half. Crosbie Dawson held strong under pressure – if only the same could have been said for her spray tan!
The second half started positively for Mids, with a well worked short corner leading to a sweeping strike from Brinklow for Mids’ 4th. Some great attacking play from Leyshon down the right saw Burt Snr slot the ball in for a hat-trick. Lack of fitness then showed, as Mids allowed Eagles back in the game and score twice. Stott, Wipfler and Wilson kept their heads in defence and some crucial saves from keeper, Staunton, kept the score at 5v2.
Player of the match: Laura Burt (Snr)
Mid Somerset Ladies 2nd 1 v Somerset Gryphons 6 (30th January 2010)
Mids went into this game with determination from the start. Mids put pressure on Somerset Gryphons from the start but despite some excellent defensive play from Sophie Crosbie Dawson, Georgia Wilson and Gemma Brown Mids were unable to stop Somerset Gryphons and they scored their first goal. Brilliant play from Emily Halsted and Fiona Cartmel worked the ball up to the forwards for Mids and with some excellent team work from jenny Schneider Laura and Lianna Burt they managed to get a goal back. Awesome saves from first time goalie Shelly Stott prevented Gryphon getting the goals they wanted but towards the end of the first half Gryphons got another goal. Good pressure from the defense was unable to stop Gryphons getting their goals but Mids kept fighting until the end.
Man of the match Jenny Schneider
Our next match is an away game to Wells City Acorns on Sat 6th at 12 noon.
Shepton Mallet 2nd 5 v Mid Somerset 2nds 1 (23rd January 2010)
In this local derby, Mids found it hard to find their rhythm against a slicker Shepton Mallet side. In the first half the home team gave the visitors a bit too much room for maneuver, despite determined tackling from Hannah Brinklow at centre half and strong cross-pitch passes from Clare Malcholmson. Mids had some good spells resulting in two penalty corners, but didn't manage to convert. Half time score was 4-0.
Mids upped their game in the second half, tightening up the defence and putting more pressure on Shepton, particularly on free hits. This brought more attacking opportunities, leading to a goal from Hannah from a penalty corner. Player of the match Emily Halsted was particularly strong in her first outing at right half. A moment's lapse of concentration in defence gave Shepton another goal to make it 5-1 at the final whistle. A friendly match with Mids particularly pleased with the second half performance.
Our next match is Saturday 30th at 12 at home against Somerset Gryphons
Taw Valley Seconds 6 vs. Mid Somerset Seconds 0 (16th January 2010 Push Back 13:00)
After a long Christmas break mid Somerset were looking forward to this game. They did not have the ideal start with players and Taw Valley scoring 3 goals in quick succession. After this Mid Somerset grew in confidence and determination and with some great clearances from Tracy James, Terri Wipfler and excellent balls up the line from Gemma Brown this gave Mid Somerset some excellent breaks up the pitch unfortunately there efforts were not rewarded with the goal they needed.
In the second half Mids came back fighting with some excellent work from Fiona Cartmel, Emily Halsted and Sophie Crosbie Dawson this gave mid Somerset many opportunities on goal but were unlucky not to score. Despite Mid Somerset’s efforts Taw Valley scored another 2 goals but mid Somerset kept battling until the end but were unlucky not to succeed.
Player of the match Fiona Cartmel
Our next game is on Saturday 23rd January at 13.30 and we play Shepton Mallet.
Mids Ladies Seconds: 2 Taunton Civil Service Seconds: 0 (21st november)
After a positive game last week and a well earned point Mids were looking to improve further and with an early goal as a result of good work from Shelley Stott and Liana Burt this gave them the start they needed. Mids had a majority of the possession but Taunton Civil Service did work well and disrupted the Mids defence but Eleanor Allen, Jenny Schneider and Emily Michelmore prevented them scoring a goal. In the second half level of play was very even between both teams but good pressure from Mids led to a short corner and great attacking play and determination from Maz Ardley, Mel Maskell and Hannah Brinklow led to Mids second goal of the game. After this Taunton put a lot of pressure on Mids defence with many shots on goal but excellent saves from first time goalkeeper Chloe Leyshon meant that Taunton were unable to score. This gave Mids the win they deserved. Player of the match Chloe Leyshon. Mids are hoping for another successful match when they face White Eagles next week.
Winscombe 1 – 1 Mid Somerset Ladies 2nd (14th November 2009)
Despite battling against near gale force winds and rain there was great play from both Mids and Winscombe. Lots of determination at the back from Georgia and Eleanore kept the Winscombe attack at bay and this then saw the great work up the pitch by liana and Terri, giving Mids an early lead. Mids were unlucky to give a penalty flick and this saw Winscombe get an equaliser. Mids went into the second half fighting hard with great work between Georgia and Emily and they were unlucky not to convert their hard work to a goal. Some outstanding saves from Charlotte kept Mids in the game and an excellent shot from Vick almost gave them victory but deflected from the post. Despite worsening weather conditions both teams kept battling but the score line remained even. Player of the match Georgia Wilson
EVCH 5 – 1 Mid Somerset Ladies (7th November 2009)
After a very close game last week Mids were determined to keep up their good work against EVCH. It was a well balanced game with Mids having many shots on goal but not quite managing to beat the opposition keeper. Mids kept their determination up and a short corner saw Maz Ardley score Mids first goal. The defence, including Georgia Wilson, Roxy Staunton, Terri Wipfler and Eleanore Allen, battled well but were unlucky in their attempts and this saw EVCH score.
In the second half there were some excellent saves from Charlotte Worthy-Jarvis and with some great work from Maz and Mel Maskell but Mids were unlucky not to score from their short corners. Also working hard in mid field and up front resulting in some near misses at goal were Vicky Hilborne, Shelley Stott, Lianna Burt, Emily Halsted and Emily Michelmore. Despite continuing hard work from the defence, including, Gillian Buzzard, Mids saw another more opposition goals go in.
Player of the match Terry Wipfler.
Mid Somerset Ladies 2nd v Shepton Mallet Ladies (4-0 to Shepton Mallet)
Mid's played a strong defensive game during today’s match. With strong passing skills along the back line of Roxy Staunton, Jo Greenham and Terri Wipfler with Rosie Brice coming back to support Shepton were kept at bay. Half time score was 1-0 to Shepton. In the second half Mid’s changed the structure of the team Pushing more attackers up field. Very good attacking passes by Rosie Brice, Jess Cloughier to get the ball up field to Lianna Burt unfortunately didn’t reap any goals though very well executed. Despite losing the goalie to injury during the second half the ladies kept a level head and played a brilliant match with the score ending up 4-0 to Shepton Mallet. Very deserved player of the match went to Rosie Brice.
Mid Somerset Ladies Seconds loaned 2 players to Cheddar Thirds to make it a 9 aside match. In the first half Cheddar were strong and scored the majority of their goals. However Mid Somerset's defence, including Georgia Wilson and Harriet Titchener, put up a good fight. With the second half came some position changes and Mid Somerset went on to score and there were several other close misses. Roxy Staunton played a strong defence with Terri Wipfler and Jennie Schneider. Up front Holly Clark, Victoria Hibourne and Lianna Burt played a strong attack supported by Emily Halsted, Elaina Teare and Sophie Crosbie Dawson in mid field. The result may have been disappointing but the standard of play was not.
Next week the seconds face Taw Valley Seconds at 12 noon at home for their first league match. Mid Somerset Hockey Club train on a Thursday at 7.30 at Wells Blue School astro pitch with all abilities welcome so come and give hockey a try!
