O.P.M. HOCKEY CLUB
2nd XI Match Reports
Season 2001/2002
29/09/2001 (H) vs Bodmin
O.P.M. 2nd XI took the field with 8 players making their season debut: Paul Bygrave, Jack Ormand, Adam Whiting, Nick Paull, John Horton, Adam (Paul Mingo's mate), Iain Ings & Gareth Logan.
Bodmin were a fairly young side who have played together for the past couple of season's and so far this season, like ourselves, remain unbeaten. The first half saw Bodmin lead half time 4-0 although a couple of the goals they scored were down to short corners and players getting used to defending them, having not played as a team before the score line was not quite a true reflection of the first half. O.P.M.'s, with Paul Mingo pulling off some excellent saves, were defending stoutly with everyone marking and chasing well.
The half time team talk by Iain (Alex Ferguson?) Ings saw the team playing with even more commitment and they started to put Bodmin under pressure which after the first half was nice to see. The younger players Jack H, Jack O, Gareth, Luke, and Chris started gaining in confidence, play the ball around and did not stop running until the final whistle, they all left the pitch shattered but not beaten.
Paul had again made some outstanding saves with many different parts of his anatomy coming into play, Nick Paull playing his first game for over 4 years, was always looking to set free the youngsters with some superbly weighted balls into space (NOT ROUTE ONE?), one pass found Jack Horton who carried the ball and then put Gareth away into the corner his first time cross was firm, Adam Whiting managed to get on the end of it at the same time as the Bodmin keeper who made an excellent save this was the best move of the GAME.
The game finished with Bodmin scoring again in the second half to make the final score 5-0. The result may have been the teams first defeat of the season, but the spirit of the team was still evident well after the final whistle.
Rob Logan
Score: O.P.M. 0-5 Bodmin
20/10/2001 (A) vs USHC Plymouth B
OPMs started the game attacking and looked very lively going forward with Jack Horton, Tom Langridge and Chris Tremblitt working the ball well between them. With Adam Kelly playing in a new wide left role the team looked dangerous every time the ball was crossed in, Adam being unfortunate not to score on several occasion early on. However he did score towards the end of the first half finishing off a flowing move from the far post. Chris made it two shortly before half time with Adam getting his second again from the far post right on half time.
The second half saw O.P.M. slow down considerably probably due to the amount of running the youngsters did in the first half. Time to mention the defence who coped easily with every thing U.S. had to offer and even allowing Arthur Norfolk time on the ball! Steve Copper's 16 yard hit was exceptional for taking the pressure off! Paul Mingo in goal who dealt with everything and was unfortunate to concede the goal late on in the game. This was scored by the youngest player on the pitch but he was by far U.S. best player in the attacking third and will certainly turn into a very useful player in years to come.
The team driven on by Nick Langridge assisted by Steve Kennard and John Hutchings in midfield had the last say with Adam again popping up at the far post to finish off another flowing move. Last mention should go to Jack's dad John who played a whole game carrying a hamstring injury, TOTAL COMMITMENT. A very good win against a very experienced team.
Rob Logan
Score: O.P.M. 4-1 USHC Plymouth B
OPM Scorers: Adam Kelly (3), Chris Tremblitt