Croydon & Old Whitgiftians 4s 1 – 10 Aldershot & Farnham 4s
The 4s were taught a lesson in hard aggressive and good passing hockey by this top of the table team. They were a class higher than teams we had met in other games and they should get promotion this year. This is not surprising as last year this team held their own Continue reading
Another close game for the 4s but unfortunately another defeat on the fine water based astro at Surbiton. Once again after some early pressure from Surbiton we took the lead through a good snap shot from James Granata. Surbiton hit back when their centre forward was given too much room in the circle and then they followed up after a short corner to score their second. Continue reading
Its always a drama before we start our games in the 1s. This week, we all got there on time, but we were locked out! Thanks to Sharon for letting us and the oppo in.
Once in there were no toilets/changing rooms when we got in. This is a match report, but I digress, to say, “hell hath no fury like women without toilets”, yet importantly, I’d also point out, non of this administrative error is due to our captain or the other people who work arduously (and it is arduous) to get a club like ours pitches for every team.
We showed our famous COWC manners to apologise profusely to the oppo, who were very gracious in return. But 22 women weeing behind a bush, is something not forgotten lightly! Continue reading
Croydon & Old Whitgiftian HC Present Pub Golf
Date: 12th November 2012
Croydon Hockey Club are doing their annual, at least twice a year, pub golf challenge…
Whether you are male, female, tall, short, play for Croydon, do not play at all or even play for another team you are more than welcome to join us on the 12th November. The only rule is that there are no … actually you need to be over 18. Continue reading
Wimbledon Ladies’ 2s 4: Croydon Ladies 1s 2
We got lost, and then we got banned from warming up on the grass but when we finally started on Saturday we started with 10 players against the current top of the league team. For the first ten minutes, we had to organise to cover the lost player and we lost two early goals.
But we still knew we could come back, and every player showed that determination, and soon enough we got one through perserverance and shoddy Wimbledon defence. They weren’t that strong in defence and we could see that we could win this game.
Continue reading
Croydon Mens 1s 1 – 8 Chichester Mens 2s
In a weekend where the England rugby team were somewhat underwhelming, the CROWS went out hoping to play more like the French. We played like that team. We also played like some of the French sides of old. Yes. That’s right. We played like two different teams during the match (in case the above needs explaining).
October 8th v Sunbury and Walton Hawks 5 Lost 3-5
As per last year we arrive at Sunbury without a full time – what is it about this fixture? Very kindly Sunbury leant us 2 players although we played the first half with only 10 men.
It was a beautiful day. We looked particularly handsome in our new kit. We had an umpire and subs. Our international fan club (Rob Mutch) turned up to watch. All looked good for a Croydon hockey
Sadly, that’s where the good news ends.
Keep Calm and Carry On
It seems quite apt that the old war time slogan ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ has surfaced again recently in the papers. Although not in the midst of a trademark battle, the CROWS do need to take Saturday’s loss into perspective.
A number of crucial events conspired against us meaning we were chasing a losing battle from the first whistle. Despite captain Paul ‘JAL’ Henthorne arranging a sensible early meet time, traffic did not allow most of the team to arrive at the pitch until 20 minutes before the game – not enough time for a thoroughly good warm up and getting focused on the task at hand.
A couple of cry offs meant we turned up with 13. On the hottest day ever in October and with more than one ginger strawberry blonde in the team, this was always going to be a difficult match for the squad. We also had a number of players away, crucially in defensive positions.
October 1st v Addiscombe 4 Lost 3-4
With Addiscombe having no goalkeeper but 11 outfield players we should have easily won this game with the many chances we created.
We were never in the lead with each time Addiscombe scoring and us replying through James Granata twice and Chris Bishop. Throughout the second half we pressed hard but all our shots seemed to just miss the goal or were stopped by defenders. Near the end disaster struck when on a breakaway there was a misunderstanding in our defence and Addiscombe scored the winner. Always a tough hockey game but with the amount of chances Croydon created, the game should have been ours. But a vast improvement from weeks gone by.
