Recent News
Junior Girls herald bright future
With still one match remaining, Banbury Under 16 Girls moved to almost certain qualification for the regional finals of the England Hockey Cup with two fine wins on Sunday.
Despite having a very young team, they reaped the benefit of a very disciplined display against a large well organised Buckingham squad, eventually running out 6-0 victors, before inflicting a heavy defeat upon Towcester. This was a much more mature performance than in the first round two weeks ago, as players from different age-groups bedded in and realised what was expected of them.
Coach Andrew Mobley thinks this group heralds a bright new future for the Club ladies division with all players capable of senior honours and several already pressing for 1st XI caps including team captain Juliet Gardner who is the youngest in the squad.
Team; Abby Kennell, Harriet Boland, Kate Protheroe, Paige Davis, Louise Tremlett, Juliet Gardner, Rosanna Verdon, Tory Mobley, Bea Saunders-Watson, Pia Davies, Millie East-Nuttall, Megan Moran, Kate Davies
The U14 Girls have already secured their place at the Regional finals despite being edged out 2-1 by arch rivals Oxford Hawks on Sunday.
Banbury U16 Boys EH Cup tournament – 27th November 2011
Banbury boys U 16s played Northampton Saints and Oxford Hawks at the Saints ground this Sunday in the EH cup with some key players missing – but did themselves proud. They took a team mainly made up on the U14s from last year and 2 of the U13s and played two big clubs who fielded their strongest U16 squads.
Northampton Saints – 0 Banbury – 0
The first match was an exciting end to end game with Banbury unlucky not to come away with all three points after pinning Saints back for the last 15 minutes. In the first half the young Banbury team took control of the game with Oscar Allit, Oliver Davis, Luke Frazer and James Davenport dominating midfield and Christian Squire and Tom Tait unlucky not to score up front.
Saints, however, weathered the storm and Sam Collier, Harry Camp, Chris Atkins and Ashley Laverick had to dig in and make some great tackles. Alex Hatzegeorgiou made some great saves too but it was Sam Collier who was the hero with a great save on the line. Chris Atkins played a “stormer” at left back and constantly turned over possession and built penetrating attacks form the back. Aiden Edwards came on in the second half at right back and made an instant impression building attacks down the right with Luke Frazer who constantly out ran the Saints defence.
Ben Britto, Joe Whinmill and Ashley Laverick supported the squad as useful substitutes and played really well especially in the second period. The final 15 minutes was totally Banbury but they couldn’t turn the advantage into goals with Davis, Tait, Fraser and Squire coming so close – so the match ended in a very creditable draw against the home favourites.
Banbury – 1 Oxford Hawks – 5
The Banbury boys then had an hour’s rest before they had to play a fresh Hawks squad who regularly play U16 Mercian League and arrived having had no prior match. Banbury lost James Davenport, and in addition – Oliver Davis, Tom Tait and Christian Squire were carrying injuries – so the young Ben Britto, Joe Whinmill and Ashley Laverick had to step into the brink, and they did well coping with a fast and furious game.
Despite heroic defending from Sam Pick, Harry Camp and Sam Collier, and some phenomenal goalkeeping from Alex Hatzegeorgiou kept the score down to 4-0 at half time – the last Hawks goal coming from a well converted flick after Harry Camp tried hard to save a shot on the line.
At half time the team reshaped and refocused and the second half turned out to be a different match as Oscar Allit, Sam Pick, and Luke Frazer particularly took the game by the scruff of the neck and started to dominate the midfield, with young Sam Pick playing particularly well on the left tackling all that came at him and taking on and beating the Hawks right midfield. Harry Camp and Sam Collier put in some brave tackles and Collier particularly created many turnovers with his effective distribution to Christian Squire and Oscar Allit. Chris Atkins and Aiden Edwards worked their socks off and closed the Hawks left down well, but Tom Tait had to leave the pitch after a nasty head injury which meant the team missed an experienced player.
The Banbury goal came 5 minutes from the end with yet another great interception from Collier, and incisive move from the hard working Allit who released Frazer to run from the half way line and hammer the ball from the top of the D past the stranded Hawks keeper. It was what the young team deserved after digging in so well against an older and stronger opposition.
So far the team have won 1, drawn 1 and lost 2 in the cup campaign.
Ladies 1st win against Oxford
Banbury Ladies 1′s -2 V Oxford -1
Banbury started strongly – slick passing. Great link up play between Tash Nunneley, Victoria Page and Charlie Matthews. Early goal after great run and shot from Nunneley bundled over the line by Victoria Page. Banbury remained on top and Liz Mcvey and Becca Atkins ensured there was no joy for Oxford on their rare moves forward. Banbury doubled their lead shortly before half time when a great run and cross from Ali Sturla was defltly turned in by Mel Wilkinson.
In the second half Banbury struggled to keep the momentum going forward and allowed Oxford back into the game when sloppy passing allowed Oxford to get a consolation and almost steal a draw. Luckily some fine goalkeeping from Susie Pollock ensured Banbury came away with all 3 points and moved up the table before the long Christmas break.
Mens 1st v Sevenoaks – Report
Banbury 0 – 4 Sevenoaks
Ex national league side Sevenoaks host Banbury in their first meeting in a league fixture.
Banbury started the match with a half press allowing Sevenoaks the majority of the possession, Sevenoaks picked holes in the Banbury defence throwing aerial passes over the top of the forward and midfield line. Sevenoaks opened the scoring through a good passing move which seemingly pierced the Banbury defence effortlessly. A deflated and frustrated Banbury side did not react well after conceding, Sevenoaks were able to score a short corner before half time making the score 2-0 at the whistle.
Very stern words from coaches Stuart Armstrong and Matt Bull at half time urged senior members of the team to take responsibility and take three points from a less than convincing Sevenoaks side. Banbury came out in the second half fighting and applying more pressure, inevitably creating chances through an in-form Steve O’Connor. This pressure was released when Banbury conceded a third goal through a weak Sevenoaks short corner routine. Banbury were unable to claw their way back into the game and frustration lead to another goal conceded.
The last ten minutes brought more characteristic Banbury drama; Josh Nunneley was shown a yellow card for a bad tackle. A matter of minutes later Richard Foreman was shown a yellow card for supposedly kicking the ball intentionally, this lead to Stuart Armstrong AND Tom Slay being shown yellow cards for dissent. Leaving Banbury with only 7 players and leaving the pitch embarrassed and disgraced.
Weekend Results – Nov 26th/27th
Ladies 1′s – WON 2-1 (scorers Victoria Page, Mel Wilkinson)
Ladies 2′s – WON 4-0 (L White, Carol Hicks, Bethan Carter, Laura Dee)
Ladies 3′s – WON 1-0 (scorer Charlotte Page)
Ladies 4′s – DREW 0-0
Mens 1′s - LOST 0-4
Mens 2′s - WON 2-0 (scorer Tom Boardman 2)
Mens 3′s – LOST 1-3 (scorer Tom Tait)
Mens 4′s – WON 4-3 (Scorers John Davis, Jamie Abbott, Alex Whitmore, Roger Mellor Brook)
Mens Piranha’s – NO GAME
EH Girls U16′s CUP against Buckingham – WON 7-0 (scorers not currently known)
EH Girls U16′s CUP against Towcester – WON 17-0 (scorers not currently known)
EH Boys U16′s CUP against Northampton Saints – DREW 0-0
EH Boys U16′s CUP against Oxford Hawks – LOST 1-5 (scorer Luke Frazer)
Banbury Under 16 Boys Match Report
Banbury HC U16s – 6 Oxford HC u16s – 3
Banbury U16s came away from Oxford with another convincing win in their league campaign. The first half was close, however, where Oxford came back from the first 20 minutes where they were under the cosh from a dominant Banbury team to score the first goal with a quick break from their defence. Banbury soon equalled the score with a neat short corner routine from Kyle White. Oxford came back at Banbury again soon after with another fast break from the back to take the lead. 3 minutes before half time Kyle White scored his second gaol breaking into the D and slotting the ball high into the Oxford net.
Alex Hatzigeorgiou in goal kept Banbury in the game with some fine saves and Harry Camp and Sam Collier held the defence together well with some great tackling and recycling of the ball. The team went into half time 2-2.
After a change of tactics at half time Banbury maintained possession much more effectively in midfield with White, Oliver Davis, Aiden Edwards, and Chris Atkins closing down the Oxford opponents at every opportunity and recycling the ball quickly to the wings and attack. Luke Frazer, James Davenport, and Sam Pick ran the Oxford team ragged down the flanks leading to a string of short corners, which Oxford defended bravely. There was nothing they could do about Banbury’s 3rd goal which White despatched with a vicious reverse stick strike high into the net. The floodgates then opened when after a great passing move between Atkins and Davenport ended with Christian Squire slotting home the 4th goal. Banbury could have scored more at this point with Jo Whinmill and Luke Frazer both coming very close hitting the post, but it was White’s 4th that really put the game to bed with yet another marauding run into the D and a venomous strike.
The Banbury Defence of Harry Camp and Sam Collier at the heart tackled and intercepted every Oxford attack and Alex in goal made a couple of excellent saves to deny the opposition any grip on the game. The last goal came from an excellent penetrative run from Oliver Davis who forced the ball through 3 or 4 Oxford defenders and hammered the ball home past the Oxford keeper.
Next Sunday the team face a stern test at Northampton in the EH Cup tournament when they face Saints and Hawks.
Mens Piranha’s Still Riding High
Banbury Piranhas maintained their winning run with a convincing win over Abingdon Men’s 3s. The Piranhas have scored 27 goals so far and conceded only 4 in their first season after 7 matches. The first half, however, was a frustrating 0-0 draw with the Abingdon Goalkeeper playing out of his skin saving a whole string of shots from Banbury’s attackers and short corners. Andy Camp came closest with an excellent deflected shot onto the Abingdon post but every other attempt failed to find the back of the net. Abingdon did manage a couple of very effective attacks – one which led to a fantastic instinctive double save by the young Kit Lamb in goal.
The second half was different. The Piranhas changed their tactics – using the wings more and getting behind the Abingdon defence. Abingdon, however, did start to build more effective attacks and the defence of Harry Camp, Ashley Laverick, and in particular, Chris Atkins, worked very hard to contain them and recycle the ball.
The Banbury defence soaked up a string of attacks midway in the second half with Atkins and Camp intercepting constantly and providing some great attacks through the Abingdon midfield. Abingdon ran out of ideas and Simon Atkins and Ady Lamb in midfield took advantage by building some great attacks through Aiden Edwards and Luke Frazer on the wings.
With fifteen minutes left to go a great move through Ben Britto and Christian Squire led to Noel Britto slotting the first goal home. This then opened the flood gates with Frazer, Edwards and Laverick marauding down the wings and a superb passing move which led the Christian Squire’s first goal. The third Piranha goal came from a short corner which was flicked into the net by Andy Camp, and the fourth and final goal came in the last 2 minutes when Squire scored his second after a great move from Edwards, Britto and Frazer to round the keeper. Another great win for the Piranhas to continue a great start to their first season.
Ladies 2′s v Maidenhead – Day of Frustration
Banbury should have taken all three points in this game after totally dominating the second half ay the NOA Drayton home pitch.
The first half was more closely contested with both teams testing the opposition defences in an end to end attacking game. The Banbury defence of Jenny Nunneley, Laura Dee, Tamsyn Harvey and Juliet Gardener were well organised and effective, intercepting and tackling well and using the possession well to set up some incisive attacking from the midfield and the attack. Tilly Kirwin in goal made some great saves to make sure the team wet in at half time with a clean sheet.
After talking tactics at half time Banbury used the wings more and switched play across the pitch more effectively. Hannah Gordon, Robyn Ledger, Carol Hicks and Megan Moran were far more effective in closing down the opposition and distributing the ball effectively to the forward line or maintaining possession by dropping the ball back to the defensive line for them to switch play.
Laura Dee and Tamsyn Harvey were particularly effective in distributing the ball and setting up wing attacks and Juliet Gardner was outstanding at right back building attacks with Robyn Ledger and Beth Camp down the right of the pitch. Beth Camp, Beth Carter and Charlie Moran constantly stretched the Maidenhead defence with their speed and agility and won a string of short corners that Banbury could not convert.
Maidenhead were only able to break out of their half and into the Banbury D on a couple of occasions and came close to scoring if it wasn’t for the agility of Tilly Kirwin in goal. A point won for Banbury Ladies 2s – but they will feel hard done by as they should have taken the win.
Mens 1st v Staines – Report
On the back of Banbury’s worst ever start to a season, this week’s match was a chance for Banbury to kick-start their season and snatch three points against a side which is producing good results against all teams.
Banbury warmed up and started the match in cup final fashion, zipping the ball around with pace and purpose. After 20 minutes of possession and territory it was Banbury to open the scoring, Josh Nunneley flicked the ball high into the net after Adrian Simons was awarded a short corner. This pressure did not let off and Banbury go into half time 1-0 up.
The second half started similarly, with Banbury seemingly on top. For the first time this season Banbury look like winning convincingly. Against the run of play Staines equalised in open play, this goal affected the confidence of the young Banbury side and Staines scored once again to go 2-1 up.
The match somewhat evened out but Banbury were in no way down and out. Banbury were awarded a penalty flick after Tim Craven deflected the ball onto the foot of a Staines defender blatantly denying a goal, this flick was put away with confidence by Adrian Simons.
The final minute of the match was abundant with drama, Banbury were denied a side-line ball after Tyson Nunneley was tackled. This blatant wrong decision leads to Staines dribbling into the ‘D’ and winning a short corner whilst Banbury players stood and watched flabbergasted. The final whistle blew and George Brooker was shown a yellow card for chatting to the umpire, the short corner was converted with the final touch of the game making the final score 3-2 and Banbury leave the field feeling robbed.
Weekend Results – Nov 19th/20th
Ladies 1′s – LOST 1-4 (scorer not currently known)
Ladies 2′s – DREW 0-0
Ladies 3′s – LOST 1-5 (scorer Becky Lee)
Ladies 4′s – LOST 0-4
Mens 1′s - LOST 2-3 (Scorers Josh Nunneley, Adrian Simons)
Mens 2′s - LOST 1-2 (scorer Andy Clarke)
Mens 3′s – WON 2-0 (scorers Oscar Allit, Matt Bull)
Mens 4′s – DREW 5-5 (Scorers not currently known)
Mens Piranha’s – WON 4-0 (Scorers Squire 2, Britto 1, Camp 1)
Boys U16′s – WON 6-3 (scorers Kyle White 4, Christian Squire, Oliver Davis)