Week 7: The Men’s 2s kept up their unbeaten record with a 2-2 draw away to Southgate Tankards on #derbyday. WHE dominated the first 20 mins and took a well-deserved lead when Thomas Mabey found Leo with a through ball from midfield. Leo carried it into the D and slotted past the oncoming keeper with a neat finish – christening his new stick in the process!

Unfortunately, Southgate came back into the game in the last 15 mins of the half and levelled the scoring with a deflected short corner which evaded the WHE defence.

An awful start after the break saw Southgate take the lead. The ball was bundled over the goal line from close range after some sloppy defending. However, WHE continued to fight and good attacking play down the left earned the 2s a penalty corner with 5 mins to go. This was successfully converted to tie the match up at 2-2. An extremely good result, considering Southgate started the day Top of the League! So, despite facing a full Southgate team plus subs whilst struggling to field a full team themselves, the Men’s 2s march on unbeaten!

There were fine performances from the whole team. Special mentions for Rob Ulph, who worked tirelessly on the left; Asit Rahman, playing his first game for the club and for Jack Henson, helping us out in goal and putting in a typically commanding performance with some fine reaction saves. Next up: Home against Rickmansworth.

M2 v Rickmansworth 4
Home (Aylward Academy, 1 Windmill Rd, London N18 1NB)
Saturday November 11, 2017 @ 1:30 pm

The Ladies 1s took a while to wake up during Saturday’s match. The score was 3-0 at half time and 3-0 at full time. They got a lot better in the 2nd half! Eastcote were fortunate with their second goal, Sarah E-Q was stopping the attacker from getting sight of the goal when she slipped in the D, allowing the attacker enough space to get the shot away!

Bethany McNamara almost got the 1s back in the scoring habit, but for falling over at the most inopportune time. The ball made its way up the right side of the pitch. A great cross, coming along to Bethany open on the top of the D. A prime scoring opportunity? Our best chance at goal! And she slipped and sat down instead, d’oh! WHE were cursed at both ends of the pitch by slippery patches!

In the end it was a tough game, and everyone defended fantastically, putting up a big fight at the back. This was especially the case when WHE were down to 10 players for the last 12 mins of the match after Captain Sam Deane “collided” with an opposition player. Sam is fine, except the whole not being able to turn her head or move most of her upper body thing…

The 1s nominated seven players for Man of the Match! Notably; Karen Goode for some outstanding defensive tackling and tracking; Bethany McNamara for brilliant tracking back to defend as well as great runs forward too and Talyssa Mensah for being amazing in centre mid. Coming out on top with the most votes was Beth Deane, for great runs and always getting back and great defending, well played!

The highlight of the afternoon was demolishing the yummy Jaffa Birthday Cake baked by Samantha Deane to celebrate Big Sister’s birthday. Happy Birthday Beth!!

The 1s are hoping to show Hendon & Mill Hill what they can really do next week – onwards and upwards!

L1 v Hendon & Mill Hill Ladies’ 1s
Home (Aylward Academy, 1 Windmill Rd, London N18 1NB)
Saturday November 11, 2017 @ 12:00 pm

It was a top demonstration by the Men’s 1s this week. With some great stick skills in the D, twisting and turning the opposition, Captain Stuart Carrick calmly converted the opening goal of the game!
Another Man of the Match performance from Tim Mall saw him slot away a hat-trick, meaning an overall result of a 4-0 win against local rivals Southgate Adelaide on #derbyday!

Which can only mean one thing- the first Cleansheet for Goalkeeper Josh Rider and #TeamDefence. As an extra bonus, WHE are no longer bottom of the league!

The match was very hard fought and there were tired legs by the end. There were so many great performances to mention them all and the whole team should be proud of themselves. This will surely be the first win of many. The 1s are looking to keep on the up away against St Albans.

St Albans 4 v M1
Away (Oaklands College, East Drive, Hatfield Road, St Albans)
Saturday November 11, 2017 @ 2:00 pm

Raring to go after the previous week’s 2-0 victory, the Ladies 2s faced Harrow away at 2.30pm. Unfortunately, within the first minute of the match starting, a penalty flick was awarded to the opposition! However, the 2s new goalkeeper Freya stood her ground and defended the goal against Harrows flick- which they missed ?.

As the game progressed, WHE played some fabulous hockey! Making some brilliant passes and tackles throughout the game. Yet despite these efforts, Harrow managed to score 3 goals, resulting in a 3-0 loss.

Man of the Match goes to Freya for her fantastic goalkeeping performance in her first ever game. Everyone agreed she has great potential and is going to go far! But not too far, their next match is at home to Ealing.

L2 v Ealing Ladies 1
Home (Aylward Academy, 1 Windmill Rd, London N18 1NB)
Saturday November 11, 2017 @ 3:00 pm

Big thanks to #TeamUmpire: Chris Moran, Dipak Shah and Bethany McNamara!