Men's 1st XI
Matches
Sat 05 Oct 2019  ·  Middx, Berks, Bucks & Oxon - Regional 2
Sonning Hockey Club
Men's 1st XI
4
2
Banbury 2
Sonning 1st XI 4 – 2 Banbury 2nd XI

Sonning 1st XI 4 – 2 Banbury 2nd XI

Jonty Rider8 Oct 2019 - 13:05
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Sonning 1st XI overcome a hard battling Banbury side to keep their 100% record intact.

Following on from a promising win at Reading, Sonning hosted Banbury 2nd XI for what has always been a tough encounter for both sides in recent seasons. Sonning skipper Jonty Rider recalled Ben Allday and Jonathan Sharp into the side, with Pat Thomas and Callum Richardson unavailable for selection.

Sonning began strongly from the off, implementing a high press well and dominating both possession and territory. They won a number of penalty corners and despite not testing the opposition keeper as much as they would have liked, there were signs that they could threaten their opponents if given the opportunity.

The away side had other plans however and following a double-turnover of possession they struck first. James Lockhart won the ball on the halfway line after an attempted dribble by his opposite man, but in seeking to play in a Sonning forward too quickly, he immediately returned possession. The Banbury left back read the play well and intercepted the pass before playing an early ball of his own into a centre forward. Given little choice and easily beaten for pace, Neil Pursell had no option but to bring down his quarry, rather than see him take a free shot on goal. Sure enough a penalty stroke was given and converted well for 0-1.

Half time came around seemingly quickly and despite not being able to find an equaliser the pattern of play continued with Sonning probably edging proceedings and just not being able to tuck their chances away. The mood was calm and composed at the break – with the leadership team encouraging their side to continue trusting their game plan.

It didn’t take long for Sonning to find a well-deserved equaliser, with Sonning forward Ian Gallagher cutting back from the baseline on the left wing, before playing in cute, lifted cross to James Manser. The postman delivered and he volleyed home from close range to make it 1-1.

The scoreline wasn’t to remain unchanged for long however, with Sonning going ahead for the first time shortly afterwards. Huw Thomas, playing at left half beat his man before playing in a driving cross to the right post. Noel Plant has been in great form since the beginning of pre-season and he kept his scoring run going with a brave slide deflecting well into the roof of the net. 2-1.

Banbury equalised quickly with a direct short corner uncharacteristically missed by Matt Sloper on the post for 2-2 but the momentum carried on in Sonning’s favour and against a 12 man squad they made their full complement of 15 players count.

Shortly after this, Sonning re-took the lead before putting the game out of reach with 10 minutes to play. Nick Leach, fresh from signing his 3 year Sonning contract was patient on the ball at a penalty corner and finished neatly from a variation routine lobbing the grounded keeper for 3-2.

Sonning got the 2 goal buffer that ultimately killed the game through a penalty stroke of their own. Ian Gallagher finished with aplomb, after a shot from James Lockhart hit a defender’s body on the line.

All in all, Sonning came away with another 3 points in the bank, after a workmanlike performance. Pleased with taking a maximum 6 points from their opening 2 games, but with much improvement to be made, they next travel to Wallingford 1st XI who have had mixed results so far, but are always a tough opposition. #COTN

Squad: Ben Sully, Neil Pursell, Matt Sloper, Sam Terry, Jonty Rider, Nick Leach, Ian Finlayson, Jon Sharp, James Lockhart, Ed Williamson, Huw Thomas, Ian Gallagher, Jimmy Manser, Noel Plant, Ben Allday.

Goalscorers: Ian Gallagher, Nick Leach, Jimmy Manser, Noel Plant

MOTM: Nick Leach

DOTD: Ben Sully

Match details

Match date

Sat 05 Oct 2019

Kickoff

13:30

Competition

Middx, Berks, Bucks & Oxon - Regional 2

League position

2
Banbury 2
5
Sonning 1
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Kit sponsor - Eight Wealth Management