Match Report 10/11:
West Dorset A 5 Mid Somerset B 3 (23rd January 2011)
Mids decision to play a friendly against a side from the top half of the league
above them appeared a mistake in the first half as West Dorset raced into a 4-0
lead in the first 25 minutes. At this point West Dorset were faster and
stronger in every department scoring two good goals and then pressurising Mids
into mistakes to concede two more. But the second half was different with Mids regrouping and generally coming to terms
with the higher standard and considerably stepping up in pace. Mids started to
win more possession and won three short corners with Phil Whitfield converting
the third one with a well struck shot to reduce the deficit. Ten minutes later Joel Butcher caused mayhem
in West Dorsets circle and with the bouncing of two defenders feet it took good umpiring to allow advantage and let
Malcolm Chorlton have the simple talk of pushing the ball over the line for the
second goal. But the best was yet to come with a dribble down the right to back
line (being stick tackled at least five times) and centred by Richard Connock
where his son Harry hit a difficult bouncing ball into corner of the goal.
Richard appeared to believe the goal should have been ruled out and a short
corner awarded. 3-4 down and game on but the fairy tale was not to be and West Dorset came back
and with 5 minutes left scored their fifth goal. But playing like the second
half Mids showed the potential for the future.
Mid Somerset B 6 Bridgwater D 0 (16th
January 2011)
this game saw the recall of veterans Andy Steele and Clive Rockall and Steele in
particular steadied the midfield. Mids started the game very positively but some
robust goalkeeping especially on Charlie Cook, who this week started at centre
forward, who was on the wrong end of a couple of late tackles the second of
which saw the keeper receive a green card. However Cook got his revenge with
another very good goal which was a carbon copy of his goal at East Devon.
Despite more pressure Mids failed to add to the score and just before half time
Richard Connock was sin binned for not deciding whether he was playing or
acting as the third umpire.
The second half starting with Mids reduced to ten men and veteran Chorlton on the
subs bench saw ten minutes of amazing hockey by the youngsters. A series of clever intricate passing moves
resulted in three goals all scored by Sam Kent, all tapped in from very close
range. In each case the movement involved several passes. Who needs veterans or eleven players, very
special. After that the game went quieter but Mids still scored two more well
taken goals one from Charlie Whitfield and another from Charlie Cook.
Disappointing result in this rearranged league match. Mids had all the early pressure but failed to make it count missing several chances in the first twenty minutes. Mids then got frustrated by the umpires which had an adverse effect but the first half end without any score.
East Devon started the second half more positively and soon won a short corner which was well converted. However Mids responded with some good attacking play but the goals still would not come. With three minutes left Charlie Cook was moved up to centre forward and an excellent through ball from Richard Connock found Cook just inside the circle and very cleverly placed a reverse stick shot past the goalkeeper. Having levelled the scores Mids switched off and with the last attack East Devon won a short corner which the again converted. Not a good result.
Okehampton
A 4
Mid Somerset B 3 (6th November)
Mids made the 90 mile journey for a clash between the second and third teams in
the league with only ten players but still produce a creditable performance in
a very exiting game. Although the early
exchanges were fairly even with Mids winning several short corners which they
failed to convert and eventually Okehampton started to take advantage of the gaps
being left by Mids defence and after twenty minutes they were leading 2-0.Mids
pulled one back through Joel Butcher just before halftime looking to go in only
2-1 down but unfortunately Okehampton added a third with the last action of the half.
The second started where the first ended with Okehampton adding a fourth goal. This
appeared to be the end but this Mids team is made of sterner stuff and started
a brave fight back throwing caution to the wind launched a series of all out
attacks and helped by some last ditch defending and good goalkeeping by Bob
Sneddon got back into the game. Dan
Mehlig scored the best goal of the game with ten minutes left and the Sam Kent
scored a third but Mids ran out of time before the could get an equaliser.
A great effort by the whole team (all 10 of them).
Mid-Somerset
B 9
Minehead 2 (30th October)
Another convincing win by the thirds though tempered a little bit by the fact
that Minehead only had 9 players, but you can only play the opposition that
turns up. Mids started at a fast pace creating chances in the first ten minutes
until nerves were settled with the first goal, a well struck shot from
Mids first short corner by Ryan French. Ryan completed his hat trick with two goals
from open play leaving Mids 3-0 up at half time.
Mids started the second half somewhat lethargically until Minehead made their second
mistake of the day (the first was turning up with 9 players) by scoring, what
followed was a rout with Mids scoring six goals in the next twenty minutes and
somewhere Minehead scored a second. At this point Mids were playing some very
fast flowing hockey creating lots of chances. Ryan French added two more goals,
Harry Reidy scored his first goals for the club by bagging a pair, father and
son combination Richard and Jake Connock got one each though Richard seemed to
miss as many as Ryan French scored, Phil Whitfield added a short corner.
Another good point was again the use of substitutes which were used with no disruption
to the structure or style of play.
As a footnote it was very good to watch in the previous match with so many recently
promoted third team players perform with credit in their excellent win over
Ashmoor, showing the interchange of players between the two sides is currently
working. Can anybody now say that we don’t
need the third team.
Mid Somerset B 8 Sidmouth C 0 (23rd October)
This game started with an interesting incident when a short corner was stopped on the line by a Sidmouth players foot without crossing the line and the umpire
incorrectly awarded a goal, however Mids sportingly conceded that it was not a goal and the umpire correctly changed his decision to a penalty stroke, good umpiring.
Richard Connock then missed the stroke (sportsmanship taken too far). However that was as good as it got for Sidmouth as Mids scored three goals before half playing
neat tidy hockey.
The second was even where the standard of hockey reached new heights n which retention of the ball and passing became the order of the day. Mids scored another
five goals and despite Sidmouths best player was their goalkeeper.
The goal scorers were Phil Ballan-Whitfield(2), Joel Butcher(2), Dan Mehlig, Malcolm Chorlton, Richard Connock and Adam ?. Eight goals - six different goal scorers,
says a lot for teamwork.
Finally the umpiring was excellent and the match played in a very sporting atmosphere.
Isca E 3 Mid Somerset B 3 (16th October)
Again Mids started at a fast pace, hitting a post, the bar but a brilliant display by the young Isca goalkeeper meant that Mids did not score and Isca gradually came
into the game. And just before half-time Isca took the lead with a well taken breakaway. This left Mids in the unusual position of being behind and things got worse
as Isca extended their lead with a second very well taken goal.
At this point Mids showed another attribute, strength of character slowly getting back into the came. Jake Connock scored with fifteen minutes left, followed by
his father Richard five minutes later getting the equaliser. The game was now being played at a very fast pace with both sides striving for the winner and with three
minutes left Isca retook the lead with a scrappy goal.
However Mids were not done for and with thirty seconds left were awarded a short corner which was converted by Phil Ballan-Whitfield with a hard hit shot into
bottom corner.
Mid Somerset B 5 Chard B 2 (9th October)
Following an opening league win over Taunton CS Mids started this game with real intent and for twenty minutes played the best hockey possibly played by the thirds,
during this period Mids took a five goal lead with goals from Joel Butcher(2), Ryan French(2) and Robbie Blake. At this point maybe the report should end because
Mids switched off and allowed Chard to control the game
scoring two goals in the second half, making the final score 5-2. Strange game, at their best Mids were brilliant and at their worst quite poor.Mid-Somerset B 5 Taunton CS B 0 (25th September)
The week before Mids went to Taunton
to play a friendly and beaten 5-2 but this
a league match and steadied by the inclusion of a couple of vets and Joel Butcher
this was completely different. Right from the start of the match Mids played
with real purpose and scored through Joel Butcher after ten minutes. Mids went
further ahead with goals from Robbie Blake and Dan Mehlig sending Mids into
halftime with a 3-0 advantage.
Further goals by Butcher and Mehlig gave Mids a comprehensive 5-0 victory.
Match Report 09/10
Sidmouth 4th X1 0 Mid-Somerset 'B' 3
Cheap Shot
Mid-Somerset travelled to the south coast, more
specifically to the silver surfers' paradise of Sidmouth, in the knowledge
that, whatever the result, they would end the season in third
place. Predictions of festival hockey were wide of the mark. As was
Sidmouth's solitary attempt on goal. Whitfield and Jones, (sounds
like one of those Sidmouth retailers specializing in grey shoes that
look like pasties and have Velcros instead of laces) were plotting before the
game. "In the second half we'll do some attackin', get a bit of the
glory", said Jones, "Once we have an unassailable lead we'll set up
camp in their half," said Whitfield. Of course, competitive instincts
usurped any cavalier concessions. Whitfield accepted the invitation
to venture up field for a short corner and his clean strike gave Mids
the lead. This was the catalyst for the Sidmouth goalkeeper to have an Olivia
Newton-John "Let's get physical" moment. His
first transgression was an 'off the ball' incident when he
kicked the Mids' centre forward, Andy Steele. This went unnoticed by the
umpire. His second misdemeanour, an Eric Cantonaesque, double-footed jump into
Steele's back was spotted. The surprising sanction was a card which
allowed him to stay on the field rather than take the walk of shame. Nor
was a penalty stroke awarded, just a corner. Man of the Match Mehlig
and Rob Holland bossed the midfield with doughty contributions from new
recruits Alex McNeil and Jake Alen. Before the break, Chorlton reversed a flick
past Mr Angry's face-mask to extend the lead.
I confess that I am a fan and part-time exponent of 'sportsmanship'. Sledging should only be used if:
a) it contributes to the mental disintigration of the opposition
b) it does not turn into a repetitive, cliché-ridden, running commentary
c) as a minimum, it must amuse the person delivering the quip in direct proportion to how much it irritates the target.
There are rules that must be adhered to for maximum impact:
a) make sure that the officials can't hear any expletives as they may excuse you from playing the remainder of the game/season.
b) have a clear objective - do you want to put him off his game, retire from the sport, or get him to leap off Beechy Head?
c) statements are less effective than open ended questions because if you are really lucky the opponent will be so thick that his head will explode before he can think of a decent rejoinder.
I was delighted to turn Sidmouth's central defender into a gibbering wreck. South Africans are easily identified. Not wishing to generalise, but in my experience they are usually quite large, have a self-confident gait that borders on a swagger and strangle their vowels. I only asked him which part of Australia he was from and he went to pieces. When I congratulated Whitfield on his second and the team's third, the Bok completely lost the plot. The best he could do was a bizarre accusation that Mids weren't the better side, (look in the book) and that I was from Kent.
What a great season. Played 20 won 14, drew 1 and lost 5. Finishing third in the league, the most satisfying element being the influx of new talent, a number of whom will be pushing for higher honours next season. Thanks to all the umpires who have turned out week after week, to the Sherston Inn, for providing the post match teas, and to Captain Bob Sneddon who has ensured that more players than ever have donned the Mid-Somerset colours.
Mid Somerset B 0 Vs. 4 Taunton Vale (13th March 2010 Push Back 15:00)
What did
the mighty Mids do on Saturday that David Hemery, Sally Gunnell and Colin
Jackson were all unable to achieve? Win a Gurning competition? No, fall at the
last hurdle, that's what. The bar had been set high. It was like Dick Fosbury
being expected to compete in the pole vault but without the pole.
Mid-Somerset trailed the Vale (mmmmm nice rhyme) by two points and needed to
win to be confident of promotion. Mids' selection policy followed the same
rules that had served them well for the whole season. Turn up and you'll get a
game. Taunton Vale turned up with a squad that looked suspiciously unlike a
third or fourth eleven. Those give away signs, such as warming up,
discussing tactics, and a pre-match huddle were all in evidence. In mitigation,
the Vale's captain was the same chap that had overseen their 4-2 drubbing earlier
in the season. Mids started well and forced a number of opportunities but those
crafty chaps from Taunton had seen it all before and gradually got a grip. Bob
Sneddon in goal pulled off some fine saves and the defence kept out a plethora
of penalty corners but the cracks appeared in the second quarter. Phil
Whitfield and Simon Jones were well supported by Rob Holland and Dan Mehlig in
defence and everyone gave it a real charge. The Vale were two up at the
turn and put their proverbial feet on the Mids' Adam's apple with two more
strikes after the break. So Mids will remain in Division 2 and Vale will
progress. But wait a
minute something's wrong (is Red House on Jimi's Valleys of Neptune?),
Mids may still go up. Three teams may be promoted because one of the sides
above has dropped out of the league. Also, our old fiends Sherborne and Yeovil
have withdrawn their 1st Xl from their league, which may mean that their
4th team could be barred from promotion (they're top at the moment).
Whatever decisions are made, up the food chain, it would be nice to be
asked by the league if we would care to be promoted. Personally I would
like to say, “Thank you for your kind offer but the Corinthian ethos remains at
Mid-Somerset and we will strive for promotion in accordance with both the
letter and, most importantly, the spirit of the laws."Mids travel
to Sidmouth for their last league game of the season this Saturday.
Irrespective of the result Mids will finish the season in its highest position
for many a year. East
Devon 1 Mid-Somerset 'B' 4 (6th
March 2010)
Red tape is like bind weed. It is
impossible to eradicate. As the general election approaches, opposition parties
will vow to reduce the paperwork beast that is such a burden on businesses,
pensioners and tax payers. And whichever political party takes
power, nothing will change. Why am I so sure? Because, if the N4 Hockey
League has a handbook that runs to 8,153 words, just to administer an amateur
sport in South Wales and the west country, then what chance the important
stuff. What was I doing reading about the rules? Our honorary treasurer
mentioned over a pint of Doom that each hockey club pays to be a member
of 'the league'. He believes that Mid-Somerset, with three teams, contribute
just short of £1,000 per annum for the pleasure. And the web-site lists 88
clubs. (Do the math - that's £10.79 per word) The extract below doesn't
mention the amount to be levied.
2.1 Membership and Affiliation requirements.
(i) All teams shall pay an annual subscription in respect of each team participating in the League. This shall be paid to the League Treasurer before the 31st October. Failure to pay by the 31st October shall incur a fine; failure to pay by the 1st December shall incur such additional penalties under Rule 15.1 as the Committee may decide.
Am I alone in thinking that these revelations could have as devastating effect on the world of hockey as the MPs' expenses scandal has had on the electorate? Is there a 21st century Kerry Packer out there who could give the sport a shake? Should Sky want to cover the Mids 'B' v Taunton Vale clash this Saturday there's every opportunity for a big shirt deal.
6.1 Club Sponsors
Sponsors' advertisements are allowed on clothing, shoes, tracksuits and sports bags but not on players' sticks or goalkeeper's pads other than the manufacturer's logo. Three sponsor's advertisements are allowed up to a maximum of 600 sq. cm and no individual advertisement shall exceed 450 sq. cm. In televised matches those participating will be required to comply with the requirement of the television company concerned.
So what happens to all the money swirling around the league? Is this the only sport where the grass roots supports its national team? Well good luck to our boys out in India. When you return with the World Cup don't forget the contribution from Mid-Somerset 3rds.
Joel Butcher's pacey run into the 'D' culminated in a fizzing flick to open Mids' tally. Rich Connick pulled a muscle after 5 minutes and his departure caused such disarray that East Devon equalized. The game took on an odd complexion. East Devon retained the ball for long periods playing a passing game that belied their lowly league position. But the hosts couldn't break through the Mids defence. On the one occasion their striker was presented with an open goal he elected to use the reverse stick method which resulted in his nomination for the "miss of the season" award. Sneddon pulled off a fine diving save when the Devonians pressed again but Mids regained the lead when Chorlton rolled back the years with some intricate stick work and a fine finish. Breakaway goals by Dan Mehlig and Butcher's second put the result in the bag. The real test will be against Taunton Vale this weekend when Mids look to take the 3 points that would place them second in the league.
Mid Somerset 4 - Taunton Civil Service 0 (27th February 2010)
Would they shake hands before the game?This
was the question exercising the mind and pen of local freelance hockey
correspondent Arthur Dribble. It came as no surprise that the first to
brake the ice was the Taunton Civil Service defender, "Where's the
latrine mate, I'm dyin' for a waz?". He didn't look the type to wash
his hands, so no hand shake there.
As the milky sun was setting over Wells,
Mid-Somerset started with the eleven that Bob Sneddon entrusted to give
Taunton Civil Service the run-around. Mids gave the visitors a torrid time
in the first quarter but for all the huffing and puffing, half an hour
had passed before Sam Kent stroked Mids into the lead. Mids' dominance
in the second half was illustrated by stalwart defender Simon Jones appearing
in the TCS 'D'. The half-time motivational speech hadn't mentioned 'total
hockey'. Had Jones forgotten that teams change ends at the break? The second
goal, scrambled over the line by Andy Steele, was timely as the government
officials from Taunton had launched a fight back. Taunton's disregard for
the rules gave Mids a succession of short corners. Experimenting with different
set piece combinations confused the opposition but the complexity of the
moves completely baffled the Mids attack. It came as a great relief that
the deciding goals came from open play. While Jake Connick's first shot
was deflected into the net by Dan Mehlig, his second needed no assistance.
Hand shakes all round.
Mids travel to bottom of the table East
Devon on Saturday but the following weeks 'six pointer' against Taunton
Vale just 2 points ahead of Mids will decide who gets promoted.
Mid-Somerset 'B' 4 Yeovil and Sherborne 4 (13th February 2010 Push Back 15:00)
Sixteen
turned up for the top of the table battle with Sherborne and Yeovil. Captain
Bob Sneddon turned up with a piece of paper that was the schematic map of the
starting eleven. Substitutes were listed with their predetermined times of
entry into the fray. Bob had even listed the players that the subs were to
replace. Whereas Chamberlain only overlooked one small, but costly, detail,
Bob's plan had more flaws than a Toyota's accelerator. His first mistake was to
entrust the sheet to his disgruntled vice-captain Andy Steele who was delegated
to carry out the changes from the side line. It should have come as no surprise
that his vice does not normally accessorize his game's kit with either reading
glasses or a wrist watch. These minor issues were overcome and the first mass
substitution took place on time. Five Mids left the field and five took their
places. Chaos ensued. The right sided players ended up on the left, defenders
made their way up front, Fred Karno had pitched his big top in Wells. When Sir
John Chilcot has a spare evening he'd be welcome in the Sherston Inn to chair
the inquiry.
As the
league positions would suggest, Mids second and Y&S top, this was a closely
contested encounter. The visitors took the lead, but Mids' response was quick
and emphatic with Butcher pulling the trigger. Rich Connick and Sam Kent
extended Mids' advantage but Y&S pulled level and at half-time the teams
were three apiece. The second half was a bad tempered affair. Umpires Pickles
and Rockell drew on their years of experience of keeping order in Somerset's
educational institutions. The problems were not with testosterone charged
teenagers, but from belligerent balding old gits who should know better. Every
attack seemed to result in a penalty corner as defenders from both sides put
their bodies on the line. A Sherborne defender even interrupted the arc of
Connick's stick with his head. A foot intercepted a Sherborne strike and the
penalty stroke gave them the lead. In the closing minutes Charlie Whitfield
scored Mids' fourth and secured the draw.
Bridgwater 'D' 0 Mid Somerset 'B' 7 (6th
February 2010)
Captain Bob (the Cat) Sneddon won the toss and, with nothing else to do, curled up in his basket for the first half. Steele had a goal disallowed due to his own winger, one M Chorlton, grassing him up to the umpire for trapping the ball with his foot. Steele was unimpressed and unaware that Bridgwater Hockey Club had acquired charitable status. Chorlton made amends by scoring. Bridgwater had no answer to the questions posed by Mids. Relentless pressure enabled Mids to suck on their oranges at half-time with a 4-0 lead. Sam Kent and Rich Connick scored two apiece. Joel Butcher and Connor Edwards added to Bridgwater's woes. Only the second clean sheet of the season, the margin could and should have been greater had Mids converted just one of a dozen penalty corners. Top side Yeovil and Sherborne travel to Wells on Saturday which could make or break Mids' promotion prospects.
Mid Somerset B 4 Vs. 2 Taunton Vale (31st January 2010)
The BBC managed to send 277 staff to cover the 2009 Glastonbury
Festival, 358 to Wimbledon and spent £8 million on Euro 2008 in Austria and
Switzerland. And they don't know if you, the licence payer, got value for
money. Even if the Beeb had sent that bloody Claire Balding to Taunton Vale on
Sunday with a camcorder, tripod and a dish on a stick, the broadcast would have
topped the ratings.
Taunton Vale started and finished the weekend second in the league, but Mids
have now joined them with an identical point’s total. Goal difference still
favours the Vale who has a solid defence. So solid that it resembles a row of
(albeit unkempt) terraced houses. They must like their pies in Taunton. As any
self respecting burglar knows, if the front door hasn't been left on the latch,
access is best achieved at the rear. Connick entered Taunton's back yard and
stole the lead. The Vale countered and equalized. Callum Thorner hit the cross
bar from a drag-flicked short corner which prompted the opposition to ask if
our 'ringer' had yet gained international honours. After breaking his hand in
the first game of the season Paul Maskell returned to the midfield. The Artful
Dodger picked fewer pockets than Maskell whose pace and reach snuffed out many
a central saucy sally. Whitfield senior is the fulcrum on which the Mids'
defence rests. His every 16 yard hit found its target and when Whitfield minor
found the unmarked sniffer Steele in the 'D', Mids were in the ascendancy. The
second half opened with Connick lashing the ball into the net from a tight
angle but the compliments were returned with an unstoppable Vale deflection.
Thorner richly deserved his first and Mids' fourth. There followed a passage of
play that would have Rupert Murdoch reaching for his cheque book. Taunton Vale
scored. Captain and Goalkeeper Sneddon's tantrum was an epic. Of Sir alex furguson
proportions. A real dummy spitting, foot stomper. Had Bob's mum been there, she
would have marched him off by the ear. In her absence, the umpire excused him
from the remainder of the game. Not the smartest exhibition of leadership but
Mids kept the Vale at bay for the last five minutes. Probably the best Mids'
display of the season.
Mid Somerset B 4 Vs. 2 Okehampton (30th January 2010)
As your correspondent predicted Mid somerset 'B' earned six points over the weekend. Okehampton were put to the sword by the highly motivated marauding Mids. Connick opened his account for the weekend and was instrumental in the second. The goal of the season (so far) was from a script by Nicholas Parsons. No hesitation, repetition or deviation as the ball moved from defence, through midfield to Joel Butcher and inevitably the goal, in just a minute. Okehampton reduced the deficit but fell afoul of that irritating rule; you’re not allowed to kick the ball off the goal line. Steele was volunteered, and threaded the penalty under the keeper's armpit. One 'phust' of Lynx and the ball would have been saved. Simon Jones entered the fray for the last quarter looking like the frozen dog in Trains, Planes and Automobiles. Whilst still thawing out he managed to concede a penalty. Keeper, Bob Sneddon managed to fall over just before the ball arrived but subsequently Mids' lead was reduced from a well worked short corner. Connick bagged his brace and Mids dispensed with the Devonians 4-2.Ashmoor 'B' 4 Mid Somerset 'B' 5 (23rd January 2010)
Men v Boys
Ashmoor's oldest
player was 18. Mid Somerset's oldest has had a senior citizen's bus pass for
over a year. It was the youngsters who took the lead during the ten minutes
when Connick had been carded. Ashmoor's 3rd team captain who was moonlighting
as the umpire deemed Connick's Anglo Saxon unsuitable for his charges' ears.
The lead was short lived as Steele deceived the goalkeeper with a scuffed
flick, and Connick celebrated his return from the naughty step with another.
Mids extended their lead thanks to Butcher linking with Chorlton who found the
unmarked Steele. Some cultured distribution and defending by Whitfield and a
save off the line by Holland kept Ashmoor at bay until Sneddon was beaten by a
converted penalty corner. Clive Rockell added some finesse but Ashmoor added
another goal. Connick scored Mids' fourth before Steele completed his
hat-trick. Mids conceded a fourth but ran out winners just before they ran out
of puff. Third placed Mids have a season defining weekend with a home fixture
against Okehampton and an opportunity to close the gap on
second placed Taunton Vale on Sunday. 6 points and promotion beckons.
Mid Somerset ‘B’ 3 – ISCA 2 (16th January 2010 Push Back 15:00)
With a month between fixtures it was appropriate that
Captain Bob Sneddon gathered his troops in a pre-match huddle, not so much to
deliver Churchillian rhetoric, but to re-introduce the players to one another.
A reminder that ISCA had trounced Mids three nil in 2009 was motivation enough
for Mids to race out of the blocks. But it was the busy side from Exeter that
drew first blood. Mids' response was immediate. Charlie Cook bewildered his
marker with a reverse pass to Rich Connick who strolled into the 'D' and
rattled the back board. Cook then wriggled into position for a reverse shot
which gave Mids the lead. Defensive stalwarts Phil Whitfield and Simon Jones
kept ISCA at bay and miraculously only conceded one penalty corner even though
some of their tackling was agricultural. Charlie Whitfield increased the lead
claiming that he deflected a Connick shot. Had Hot Spot technology been
available the goal may have been awarded to Connick. ISCA pulled the score back
to 3 -2 with ten minutes to go. During this time (the longest 10 minutes of the
season) Mid-Somerset tried to slow the pace of play down to conserve their
lead. All, that is, except R Connick who had inexplicably convinced himself
that Mids were losing. Mids have reached a heady third position in the league
and 2010 could be a very good year.
Minehead 'B' 1 Mid-Somerset 'B' 1 (12th December)
Raindrops stopped falling on Minehead and so did the goals. In comparison with recent weeks there was a drought on the west coast. Minehead fielded a side that strongly contested the midfield. Mid-Somerset were unable to play the free flowing hockey to which they have become accustomed, but Dan Mehlig was outstanding in disrupting numerous Minehead attacks with his timely tackling. Before the break, Charlie Whitfield pushed a penalty corner to his Dad and Phillip cleverly converted the opportunity via a defender's stick. In the second half Minehead threw everything at Mids who repelled all boarders until with ten minutes remaining had their defences breeched by a knee high torpedo. The draw was a fair outcome, however due to Minehead A failing to turn up for their fixture, Mids could be awarded all 3 points. On Saturday Mids travel to Taunton Vale to complete the first half of the season.
Mid-Somerset 'B' 6 Sidmouth 'C' 0 (5th December Push Back 16:30)
Criticism has been levelled at your correspondent for providing insufficient copy on the contribution that the Mids' defence has made to their winning streak. I will therefore gloss over the work done in attack, which has brought 20 goals in three games most recently 6 against Sidmouth. Holland, Steele (2), Whitfield Jnr., Kent and Chorlton were Saturday's glory boys. Captain Bob Sneddon kept his concentration to pull off a fine first half save, as ever leading by example. At right back Simon Spider Jones caught all-comers in his web and on the left Des Wilson was untroubled by the occasional Sidmouth sortie. Phil Whitfield distributed the ball with precision enabling Connick and French to make the mid-field their own. Mids travel to Minehead on Saturday and on present form have every chance of reversing the defeat they suffered on the first day of the season.
Mids Destroy East Devon 8-1 (21st November 2009)
Having put 6 past Taunton Civil Service last week, the goals kept coming
at home to East Devon. From the whistle, through driving rain, Mids set up camp
in the visitors' half. There was no shelter for the Devonians as wave upon wave
of burgundy shirts pressed forward until their defences were breached. Dan
Mehlig's first goal of two was walked in, quickly followed by Phil Whitfield's
short corner. The quality of Mids' play was stunning. Gone are the days of hit
and hope, simple passing made possible by supportive runs into space, gave no
respite to East Devon. More goals from Sam Kent, Andy Steele and Joel Butcher
brought Mids' tally to eight. The only blemish came when Captain and goalkeeper
Bob Sneddon kicked air instead of the ball. Mids are now above halfway in the
table and are away to Taunton Vale on Saturday.
Mid-Somerset ‘B’ 1 Vs. Bridgwater ‘D’ 2 (24th November 2009 15:00 Push Back)
Seldom has one side had so much possession and yet
managed to lose. From the whistle, Mids based camp in Bridgwater's half. Wave
upon wave of maroon shirts invaded the 25 and occasionally the 'D' but some
fine resistance by the Bridgwater goal keeper kept Mids at bay. Bridgwater's
first, a breakaway goal, might have been a blip, but their second involved too
much ball watching and too little tackling. In the second half Mids brought
more pressure to bear but wasted 3 short corners. Captain Bob Sneddon
substituted Malcolm Chorlton for some younger legs, but Chorlton 50 years Dan
Mehlig's senior pulled rank and re-entered the fray for a late consolation
goal.
Okehampton ‘B’ 2 Vs. Mid-Somerset ‘B’ 3 (17th November 2009)
The influx of young talent is beginning to make its
mark for Mids. Dan Mehlig was first to the ball on numerous occasions which was
critical to Mids' new found ability to keep possession. Rob Holland has
added distribution to his repertoire of skills, and Callum Scott-Hartly made
some decisive tackles. Sam Kent and Ollie Childs found space and linked well with
the impressive Joel Butcher. In the second half Butcher ran the Devonians
ragged and in the space of 15 minutes had provided a tap in for Steele and
scored twice. The third goal was a classic as the ball was moved from defence
through the mid-field out to the wing and into the box. Okehampton were stunned
but clawed back 2 late goals to make the final minutes a twitchy affair.
Mid-Somerset 'B' 3- Ashmoor 'B' 1 (10th October 2009 12:00 Push Back)
Butcher makes mincemeat of Ashmoor
There will be Saturdays during the season when the
prospect of a 150 mile round trip to play at 4.30 in a blizzard, the Thirds
will struggle to field an eleven. Not so at home at midday in the Autumn
sunshine, when 18 reported for duty.
Having lost at home to Minehead and away to ISCA,
it was no surprise when Ashmoor took the lead. Mids fought back immediately and
after a period of concerted pressure Joel Butcher found the back board.
Butcher's persistence was rewarded when his reverse flick was illegally parried
over the bar by Ashmoor's captain. Steele converted the penalty. Half time
brought about wholesale changes. The subs bench groaned under the weight and
the subs groaned at having been replaced. But Phil Whitfield remained to
strangle any Ashmoor attacks. Rich Connick ran his socks off in mid-field and
finally fed the ball to Butcher for his second and Mids first league win of the
season.
