O.P.M. HOCKEY CLUB
2nd XI Match Reports
Season 2009/2010
17/10/2009 (A) vs Tavistock B, South Western District 1
by Ian Johnson
OPM 'A' got back to winning ways with an 8-0 win away toTavistock 'B'. Dan Hutchins bagged a hat-trick for the away side who were helped by two Tavy players being sent from the pitch in the second half. The first half was much more even but OPMs gradually secured control and finished their chances. Veteran midfielder, Colin Wilding, worked tirelessly and even set up a goal to finish a fine performance.
Short, boring and to the point. I'm ashamed....... We did for for you Stephen Gateley! Score: Tavistock B 0-8 O.P.M. AOPM Scorers: Dan Hutchins (3), Rich Davies (2), Pete Honey, Piers Critchlow, Rob Saunders
24/10/2009 (H) vs Dart B, South Western District 1
by Ian Johnson
Having conceded an early goal OPMs came back strongly to secure a second consecutive win but struggled to link passes together against a young Dart side.
Returning from his missionary work in deepest Plympton St. Maurice, Gareth added some much needed aggression even if it was directed against his own team mates! But it was lucky he did because OPMs started like members of the Narcolepsy Society; slow to the ball and even more drowsy when it came to quick passing. A fearsome bust-up between Lady Daniella Hutchins and Garethina Logan reminiscent of a Little Britain sketch left the contents of 2 handbags strewn everywhere and the opposition quite taken aback. Suddenly, however, OPMs took hold the game and a couple of strikes gave us a 2-1 advantage going into the second half. Dan T had manfully agreed to play between the sticks but even with the excessive padding still looked slimmer than his dad. He received MOM for his bravery and made several good saves. To be fair, the defence of Ali and Carl kept his work down to a minimum and the young Johnson made some fantastic tackles in the second half after Dart had narrowed the gap to 3-2 with their only real attack of the second half. Ian J, Rob C, Colin, Piers and Damian ran their little legs off and kept Dart’s danger man out of the game. In fact Damian and Colin both scored beauties especially the former’s instinctive deflection which has only taken 10 years of practice to execute. The forwards always looked capable of scoring but as a team we looked disjointed and reluctant to use each other. Eventually, goals came as Dart tired and Gareth continued to run rings around the opposition, his own team and himself with some mazy dribbles which defied logic. Pete, sensing victory, took himself back into defence as sweeper (as you do when you have a 3 goal advantage!!) and Stroudy and Saunders ploughed the flanks trying to keep big D supplied. Both missed sitters but work effort was tremendous. Comedy moments were supplied by Dan T who despite having been advised to “Leeeeaveee it!” decided at the very last moment to kick a speculative pass giving Ali kittens and high blood pressure. Back at the clubhouse, Sarah (Sarah! Sarah! Sarah!) supplied dog/weasel mince chilli and chips. Stroudy became obsessed with McCain Home Fries and now wants to do voice-overs for that company in return for a free supply. He’s far too easily pleased that boy! We all watched Colin unwrap his birthday presents which included a pair of new sheepskin slippers, a surgical support and a month’s supply of Viagra (should keep him going for 3 years....). Dan T kept up the family tradition of talking b***sh*t and there was a heated debate about the differential of 3 (zero or infinity, mmm......) only to be interrupted by: “Where the f*** is Madrid anyway?” said Guess Who! I seriously worry how Mr T is going to manage to trick or treat in Spanish next weekend! Tim, Stoney and a Gary? back next week and who knows maybe Gareth and big Dan will continue their love affair up front. Watch this space. Score: O.P.M. A 6-2 Dart BOPM Scorers: Dan Hutchins (2), Colin Wilding, Damien Hughes, Gareth Logan, Pete Honey
Team: Dan T (MoM), Carl, Ali, Ian J, Damian, Colin, Rob S, Rob C, Pete, Dan H, Piers, Rob Stroud, Gareth
05/12/2009 (A) vs Penzance A, South Western District 1
by Ian Johnson
OPMs survived the elements, a long-old journey, 10 men, a 2 goal deficit and the jibes and taunts of an overly-confident opposition to eke out an unexpected but welcome draw.
The day had typical ‘Cornish away trip’ disaster written all over it as Damien, Ian J and Carl debated what to do for an hour as our respected captain had texted them with the wrong meeting time! Ah well…I hour on and only 9 players. Yep… disaster written large! Could it be yet another repeat of the Truro 7 and the Bude 9? Luckily, Kelvin materialized out of St. Austell and 5 of the ‘Penryn 7’ at last ran out on the pitch to play in Penzance but 10 minutes in and we knew we were going to be on the back foot. Our only attacking options came from quick breakaways which came through some of the best passing of the season. Tom H was drafted into centre midfield and proved to be a revelation; up and back and always supporting Rich and Dan. Dammo was inspired and played his best game of the season. Kelvin and Piers never stopped and made life difficult for the massing Penzance midfielders. Johnners and Carl made tackle after tackle and Tim was an impenetrable barrier. Could we hold out til half-time? Unfortunately….no. Johnners was drawn out to the ball carrier and their most threatening forward converted a chance to take into the second half. But despite dominating the second half Penzance couldn’t extend their lead. Having 15 players meant they rotated subs frequently which seemed to work against them. They were also really ‘cocky’ expecting to win by a country mile and when they went 2-0 it seemed as if they would. But OPMs never gave up and Tom, helped by generous umpiring, finished off a superb performance by dribbling into the D and pushing a goal low to the keeper’s right. This triggered a mass substitution by Penzance, time-wasting and more sarcasm: “If you’d brought more players you could make substitutions” and a wave of short corners. But OPMs held firm with Tim stopping everything and Pincher, Dan and Rich continued to probe looking for an opening. Dan was the epitome of control and managed to keep his stick and all of his toys inside his pram. Penzance still forced for a third and pushed their left back up which weakened them if only OPMs could expose this. And then……..with 1 minute to go a Cornish defender decided to play the ball across his own D, the ball went loose and Rich pounced to return it towards an outstretched Dan who got the faintest of touches to beat the keeper. Cue mass hysteria, hugs and kisses from one team and a tirade of groans from the other. OPMs lasted out with an aerial from Dan that went so high and long that it had snow on it when it returned to earth. To their credit Penzance were full of praise for our efforts post match but the result was immensely satisfying. Pincher really rubbed their noses in it by winning the Quality Street in the draw and Piers revealed that while being a vegetarian he would eat anything that he killed with his own hands. He’s been looking a bit pale lately so try not to be alone with him else he might do you in and eat you. Thinking about it I haven’t seen Rob Saunders since he gave Piers a lift 2 weeks ago... Score: Penzance A 2-2 O.P.M. ATeam: Tim, Ian J, Carl, Dammo, Tom Hancox (MoM), Kelvin, Pincher, Dan H, Rich D, Piers C
Scorers: Tom H, Dan H
27/02/2010 (A) vs Plymouth Marjon D, South Western District 1
Score: Plymouth Marjon D 0-0 O.P.M. A
Team: Tim, Ian Stone (MOM), Carl,Johnners,Rob cross, Rich Davies, Piers, Luke prowse, Dan t, Dan h, Pete H, Ali