Press Reports Saturday 29th of January
Posted by Nobody on 31 January 2011
It was an understated weekend for ELHC’s top teams with the Ladies only gaining a point from their trip to Harlow and the men going down 2-1 to Plashet in an ill tempered game at Mile End.
East London’s ladies went into saturday’s fixture looking to increase their unbeaten run to 7 games and despite a shaky start, going a goal down shortly after push back, they looked to be on track to do so as they began to dominate possession and ask questions of the Harlow defense. True to form East London were quick to wipe out the deficit and then pushed on to build a healthy lead with goals from Eilis Quinlan, Robyn Shears and a brace from Zoe Marsden.
With time running down in the second half it looked as though East London’s ladies were in for another solid victory. Harlow weren’t so keen to roll over however and began to push back, winning a series of penalty corners. Three of the corners were duly converted leaving a shell shocked East London to consider how they had let their lead slip and the game finish as it did 4-4.
ELHC’s men went into Saturday’s game against Plashet well aware of what their opponents were capable of both in terms of the undeniable skill of some of their players, but also the confrontational way in which they often conduct themselves on the hockey pitch.
A relatively good natured and closely fought first half saw Plashet take a narrow 1-0 advantage into the half time break and they were quick to double their lead in the second period when an East London defensive error gave them an opportunity in front of goal. It was the Sparrowhawk’s first goal from the stick of Alex Kickham that proved an unfortunate turning point in the match marking as it did a noticeable deterioration in the mood of a number of the visiting players.
Much of what followed made the remainder of the game almost farcical and by the final whistle many were left asking why they had bothered turning up for a game where good sportsmanship had clearly gone out of the window.
On a more positive note it would be remiss not to mention the Mens 3s and 4s cleaning up in their games against Wapping, with thumping 8-3 and 5-1 victories respectively, ensuring that the bragging rights remain firmly in ELHC's hands.
