07/01/2012

Shepton Mallet 1st XI    5 - 4 Mid Somerset 1st XI

Shepton went into the local derby keen to detach themselves from the occasion and improve their hockey before the league restarts next week. This was quickly fulfilled when inside the first seven minutes the home team found themselves two nil up. The first Si Lord set up Chris Reina to net, then Lord bagged one of his own after Phil White crossed to the unmarked forward.

This early lead though seemed to make Shepton over confident and as the half went on appeared to drop down to their oppositions level. Shepton stoped playing their short passing free flowing hockey and instead tried to seek long balls which the visitors picked off. As the half ended Mids found themselves level. The first was a short corner which beat the normally reliable Ward. The second Shepton were made to pay for a lose pass in their own half which again Ward should have done better to prevent.

Half time arrived and Shepton all knew they were better than the score line, however it was Mids who responded when they took the lead shortly after the break following some poor Shepton marking. White drew it back level though not long after following a goal mouth scramble. Then midway through the half Reina took the lead again for Shepton with a venomous top corner smash. Shepton looked again to play the better hockey and pushed for further goals but it was defensive slip again that allowed Mids back into the game when the unmarked forward slotted a cross home.  This revitalised Shepton though who again started to show their superior hockey when Lewis Ducheazeau won the game for Shepton with a well worked short corner.

Although Shepton won the game they will hope that is the last of Christmas cobwebs out of their locker when they face the first league game of 2012 home to Bath Buccs D on Saturday (1300hrs start at Shepton Mallet Sports Centre).

Phillips Tyres Man of the Match: James Brooker

12/11/2011

Team Bath Buccs 4th XI    3 - 4 Shepton Mallet 1st XI

Following a disappointing performance and loss last week, Shepton new an immediate bounce back was required. Shepton started the game strongly and were dominating possession. This was quickly rewarded inside the first five minutes when Rollo Lewis converted the first short corner of the game. This was followed up inside another ten minutes when Phil White found Si Lord unmarked to flick over the logging keeper. Buccs did start to build in confidence but the back line of Tim Clarke, James Wolff, Darrell Chainey and Jack Patterson held strong. The latter also turned goal scorer when he converted a well worked short corner shortly before the end of the half.

The second half saw the hosts keen to get back into the game and they reduced the deficit inside the first ten minutes when a well struck shot left Ward in the Shepton goal with no chance. Shepton responded almost immediately though to ensure the three goal cushion when Chris Reina converted yet another short corner. Buccs though didn’t roll over and once again threw everything at Shepton and recued the deficit once again when a deflected shot found its way into the Shepton goal. Buccs again appeared to up a gear and the the midfield had to work hard to chase down the ball. Shepton though defended superbly and although Buccs did grab one last consolation goal the visitors were satisfied that they controlled the game for the majority.

Next weeks sees Shepton host Bristol University at Shepton Mallet Leisure Centre, 1300 start.

Phillips Tyres Man of the Match: Rollo Lewis

29/10/2011

Devizes 2nd XI      2 - 10 Shepton Mallet 1st XI           

Shepton’s impressive run in North 2 continued this week with a 10 goal thrashing of an in-experienced Devizes side. Shepton’s superior passing speed and team play won the game but a special mention should go to the on-form Devizes keeper who pulled off a number of stunning saves to keep the scoreline reasonably respectful.  

Shepton started strong and within 5 minutes were two goals to the good through Si Lord. Chris Reina added another following a well worked short corner routine. Devizes managed to pull one back when a defensive error that left the two Devizes forwards with just Tom Ward in the Shepton goal to beat. However the goal fest resumed when Lord found the net a further two times in the half.

The second half saw Shepton playing to see out the game with Tim Clarke, Alex Reina, Brett Orrell and Jack Patterson showing superb composure in playing the ball around the back. Shepton though did continue their hunt for goals and just 10 minutes into the half had added a further two through Phil White. The game then took a bit of a turn when Will Shean saw yellow for poor challenge and resulted in Shepton being left with ten men for the next 17 minutes.  Devizes grabbed the opportunity and through a well worked routine scored their second from a short corner routine. Shepton however pulled themselves back together and even with a man down added a further three goals through Rollo Lewis and another two from Lord.

Phillips Tyres Man of the Match: Tim Clarke

Bristol UWE 2nd XI   2 - 4 Shepton Mallet 1st XI

Shepton travelled to UWE disappointed to throw away three points the previous week and knew a tough test stood before them. The opening exchanges saw both midfields battling for the ball with Will Shean, Chris Reina and Rollo Lewis exerting themselves on the game.  The latter set up Shepton’s opener inside 15 minutes when he beat six players and slipped the ball to Si Lord to smash home. Lord picked up his second of the day when Andy Boyce found him unmarked once again. Shepton continued to pile on the pressure and it wasn’t long until Shepton were three up through Lord, again unmarked but this time Reina drove round the D and pulled the ball back. UWE attempted to get back into the game but Tom Ward in the Shepton goal was more than equal when he took both ball and man shortly before the halftime whistle.

The second half started with Shepton knowing they couldn’t ease off their opposition and Lord soon found his fourth of the day when some poor UWE defending allowed Reina in to set up once again. This fourth goal seemed to ignite UWE and their squad of 16 started to make Shepton legs pay. For long spells of the half though Shepton were in control thanks to the composed passing of Lee Turner, Alex Reina, Brett Orrell and Mike Spencer. As the half went on, Shepton tired and they started to let UWE into the game and in the final two minutes they managed to pick up two consolation goals.

Shepton can be pleased with this performance though and look forward to next week’s double header. Saturday sees Shepton host Cardiff Uni 2nd XI in their next league match, 1pm start. Sunday sees Shepton in their inaugural year of the England Hockey Vase national competition and host Wooton Bassett, 1pm start, supporters welcome!

Phillips Tyres Man of the Match: Rollo Lewis

Shepton Mallet 1st XI     6 - 1 Team Bath Buccs D  

Shepton Mallet 1st XI  6 - 0 Chard 1st XI                        

With the fixture being the final friendly before the league campaign begins next week Shepton were keen to ensure they finished on a high note. Shepton’s pre match plans though soon went out of the window when they had to hand their visitors a player to compensate for them not bringing a full squad.

The opening ten minutes saw Shepton defensive players Tim Clarke, Lee Turner and James Wolff keeping the ball as they probed for weaknesses. Shortly this posession tactic payed off when Chard were stretched opening up the middle for some quick passing which saw Phil White through on goal. 1-0.

From the restart Shepton looked to hunt the ball down and wing backs Mike Reina and Brett Orrell ensured that any Chard attacks were quickly quashed. The solid defensive performance allowed Shepton to control the game and soon two more goals were added, the first was a reversed stick pass from Chris Reina to White for his Second. Reina turned goal scorer for Shepton’s third when Clarke picked him out for a deflected goal.  

At half time Shepton were keen to keep the pressure up and soon added a fourth when Chris Reina crossed to White for his hatrick. As Shepton pushed forward Alex Reina look to control the game with some pin point passing and wingers Patterson and Duchezau pressurised the opposition wing backs. White though wrapped up the game in the final 15 minutes when he scored the final two goals at close range.

Next week sees Shepton visit Bath Buccs in their opening league game of the season.

Shepton Mallet 1st XI   3 - 1 Yeovil & Sherborne 1st XI

The first friendly of the season saw Shepton Mallet against Yeovil who sit a league higher than their hosts. The superiority in the leagues shone through and in the opening ten minutes and Yeovil were one nil to the good following a defensive mix up.

This early fright boosted Shepton however and they started to string together some good phases with debutants Phil White and Simon Lord combining well with James Fry in attack. It was right back Brett Orrell though who levelled the score when he won a short corner which he duly converted. 1-1.

As the half went on Shepton grew in confidence with midfield duo Chris Reina and Josh Brooker showing creative genius to make chances that just weren’t being converted. The second half though saw Shepton really take control of the game and Orrell soon picked up his second following Reina winning a second short corner. 2-1

Yeovil did look to get back into the game but some great defensive work by Darrell Chainey and Phillips Tyres Man of the Match Alex Reina kept the visitors at bay. The third goal though was initiated by left back Michael Spencer who combined with Lord who found an unmarked and out of position centre back to Will Shean who slotted past a floundering keeper.

Shepton can take great positives from their first friendly and look forward to Salisbury away next week. The club are also keen to recruit new players both male and female of all ages to join this growing club. Anyone interested should call Tom on 07585 904 654 or visit www.smhc.gb.com

26/03/2011

Shepton Mallet 1st XI    2 - 1 City of Bath 2nd XI

After winning the league last week, today’s game was little more than a formality but Shepton were keen to maintain their 2011 unbeaten run. With the hosts still being affected by availability and injury, Shepton played the first 10 minutes with just 10 men. This was all the motivation that City of Bath needed and after a period of sustained pressure found themselves one nil up inside the first 5 minutes.

With 11 players restored, Shepton responded superbly though and midfield trio of Chris Reina, James Brooker and Josh Brooker found themselves working tirelessly to create attacks. This pressure soon paid off when James Brooker crossed a ball which a diving Andy Boyce acrobatically deflected into the goal.

Half time saw Shepton knowing they needed to score next and in truth City of Bath appeared to be resigned to a draw as Shepton attacked relentlessly. Mike Squire and Lewis Duchazeau stretched the visitors defence with their pacey runs and wing backs Michael Spencer and Brett Orrell looked to recreate the first goal with crash balls into the D.

City of Bath defending well started to grow in confidence and formed attacks of their own but their shots were limited with centre backs Lee Turner and Darrell Chainey both in great form. It was following a fine tackle by Chainey that allowed Reina to counter attack and feed Josh Brooker who flicked Shepton’s winner past the rooted keeper with just two minutes to go.

As the final whistle rang out the celebrations started which sees Shepton Mallet promoted to Davis Wood Hockey League North Division 2. Phillips Tyres Man of the Match: Darrell Chainey. 

With the league won Shepton now look to the summer competition which sees them in the top division facing national league opposition. Anyone interested in joining Shepton should visit www.smhc.gb.com or call 07585 904 654.

19/03/2011

Marlborough 2nd XI  1 - 2 Shepton Mallet

Shepton went into 2011 five points off of top spot and lying in third, but an outstanding unbeaten run has seen the team win the league with a week to spare. With Shepton still feeling the impact of players out to injury and availability title chasing Shepton welcomed back Olly Aplin and second’s front man Mark Nash to the squad.

The home team started the stronger and for the first 15 minutes Marlborough were camped out in the Shepton half. High work rate from midfield duo Chris Reina and Josh Brooker along with some superb tackling from centre backs Lee Turner and Darrel Chainey ensured that the hosts had no shots on goal. As the half played out Shepton grew in confidence and started to win short corners, one of which was converted by Andy Boyce only to be overturned for it coming off his body.

Shepton restarted the half with increased players in the middle of the park which allowed the forwards more freedom. It was a Shepton error that led to Marlborough going front when an intercepted pass left the defence outnumbered and Ward exposed in the Shepton goal.

Shepton responded outstandingly and pushed for an equaliser with shots flying high and wide from all angles. It was a cross from Jamie Phillips that led to Shepton’s first goal which found the most unlikely of forwards Michael Spencer the visitors left back who smashed home past a helpless keeper! Spencers goal seemed to lift Shepton and were soon on the hunt for a second and shortly came when Reina’s crash ball found Phillips to deflect home.

Phillips Tyres Man of the Match: Michael Spencer

Next week sees Shepton Mallet, the Davis Wood Avon league champions, host City of Bath at Shepton Mallet Leisure Centre (1pm).

12/03/2011

Shepton Mallet 1st XI    5 - 1 Wootton Bassett 1st XI            

Saturday saw an in form Shepton team knock table toppers Wooton Bassett off of their perch. The hosts started very much the sharper and found themselves one nil up inside the first minute when Chris Reina won a short corner which he superbly converted.

Wootton attempted to get back into the game but centre backs Lee Turner and Darrell Chainey ensured that the visitors had very few opportunities. Shepton extended their lead mid way through the half when James Brooker beat a Bassett defender and slipped the ball to Andy Boyce to smash home past the floundering keeper.

The second half restarted with Wootton looking the more lively and they halved the deficit when a crash ball into the D was deflected at close range past Ward in the Shepton goal. The hosts soon extended their lead once again though when Boyce flicked the ball over the exposed keeper to complete his hatrick from yet another short corner.

Shepton winger Mike Squire finished off the superb Shepton performance when he slotted home into an open goal after Jamie Phillips beat the keeper. In truth Shepton could have added a few more goals but the whole team can be pleased with their performance. Next week sees Shepton seeking to secure promotion against mid table Marlborough 2nd XI.

Phillips Tyres Man of the Match: James Brooker