News 2011-2012
Loughborough Students vs East Grinstead
Despite leading twice, Loughborough Students lost out in a fiercely contested game with East Grinstead on Sunday.
The first chances of the game fell to Loughborough with a series of penalty corners mid way through the first half but they were unable to seriously test Richard Potton in the home goal. East Grinstead were looking dangerous on the break but it was Loughborough's Sam Ward who scored the opening goal, a crisp shot off the right side board, giving the visitors a half time lead.
Jerome Goudie "I thought we created a number of good chances against a side missing a lot of players but who were still dangerous on the break. If we can improve our set piece plays, we can been more of a threat in games."
The result sees Loughborough earn seven points out of nine from their three game home stand and sets them up nicely for their final game before Christmas away to East Grinstead on Sunday.
Both teams controlled the game for periods of the second half but ultimately it was East Grinstead's penalty corners that won them the game. Their first, on 40 minutes, brought the game level but an unchallenged reverse stick shot from Chris Griffiths a minute later restored Loughborough's lead. However Rick Gay scored two more drag flicks after 50 and 69 minutes to secure the points. The result was harsh on the Students who, by all accounts, deserved a point at the very least.
David Condon "I think our first half performance was great and coming out on the losing side was pretty gutting with the effort levels the boys put in."
Loughborough's outdoor season continues in February 2012.
Loughborough Students vs Bowdon HC
Two early goals from Sam Ward led Loughborough Students to an impressive 4-2 victory over Bowdon on Sunday.
Coming into the game in good form, Loughborough's confident passing play produced multiple early chances and the sharp Ward put two opportunities past the Bowdon keeper to put the Students two up within 10 minutes. Loughborough continued to play well as a shocked Bowdon struggled to maintain possession. However, as half time approached Bowdon won a short corner that Simon Egerton converted. The Bowdon comeback was to be shortlived though as a fine Loughborough passing move was finished with an accurate reverse stick shot and goal from Stuart Loughrey to restore the Students two goal advantage just before half time. Bowdon came out the stronger in the second half, controlling possession but unable to convert pressure to goals. This proved costly as more good passing from the Students saw David Condon score their fourth and all but secure the points for the home side. Bowdon added a second at the final whistle, a second for Egerton from a short corner.
Sam Ward
"I thought we played some magnificent hockey. We made alot of chances which is always good. You can never complain about scoring two goals"
Chris Griffiths
"We allowed Bowdon to play too many balls through the middle of the park which hurt us but with good, and sometimes scrappy, defending we limited their chances. We attacked really well and moved the ball effectively inside the final quarter of the park"
Richard Smith
"Some clinical finishing put us ahead early on and then hard work to limit their chances saw us control the game and get a big win for the Mighty!"
Loughborough Students vs Reading HC
Goals from Henry Weir for Loughborugh Students and GB International Nick Catlin for Reading cancelled each other out as both teams took a point from a well fought match at Loughborough University.
An even game saw both teams playing well but making limited opportunities in open play. Reading's main threat came from a number of penalty corners but a combination of fine saves from Ali MacGregor and mis-traps prevented the visitors from getting on the scoresheet. Loughborough meanwhile won a penalty stroke as a short corner rebound was stopped on the line by the body of a Reading player. GB goalkeeper Nick Brothers, however, dove confidently to his right saving Andy Bull's attempt to keep the game deadlocked. Nonetheless on the stroke of half time, Loughborough pressed forward and the ball fell to Henry Weir at the back post who finished high into the net to give the Students a half-time lead.
The game continued in a similar thread in the second half with the best chances coming from a number of penalty corners. It was no surprise however, that Reading's equalising goal came from the stick of the creative Nick Catlin who was also involved in the build up. Although both teams pushed for a winner, the game finished in a fair draw.
Loughborough's England U-21 Defender Richie Dawson-Smith said;
"Sunday's game was always going to be a test for us, as it always is against Reading, being a team who always compete at the top of the league. The first half was a even battle with both teams having chances, most notably for us being a penalty flick which unfortunately was saved by Reading/GB keeper Nick Brothers. Only a few minutes from the end of the first half we broke the deadlock to put them on top going into the half time break.
The second half was a tough test for us, we were put under a lot of pressure from the Reading team, but we still created some chances ourselves. Alistair McGregor in goal for us had another great game and pulled off some fantastic saves to keep us in the match. Reading equalised part way through the second half, and it was a nervous finish to the game, as we held on to get a good 1-1 draw. This was good to see as earlier in the season, games like that we would have faltered in the second half and lost by a big margin."
Loughborough Students finish their three game home stand and play their last home game of the year next Sunday November 27th against Bowdon, 2pm start.Loughborough Students vs Cannock
Loughborough Students produced an inspired and disciplined performance to beat table topping Cannock by four goals to one on Sunday. An even start to the game produced few chances for either side until some good use of width and quick passing hockey saw Owain Dolan-Gray convert a reverse stick shot to give Loughborough the lead.
While Loughborough continued to play well and make chances, they were equally matched by Cannock's threat on the break however neither team could convert before half time. Loughborough came out strongest in the second half and took a stranglehold of the game with goals from Sam Ward, in open play, and Richard Smith, scoring a drag flick from a penalty corner. As Cannock began to chase the game it became a scrappy affair with both teams reduced to ten men for periods of time. With less than 15 minutes to play, Cannock got a goal back with a penalty corner rebound but a second for Sam Ward after 69 minutes capped off a fine performance for the Students which will give them confidence against Reading next week.
Both teams wore black arm bands and a minute silence was observed for Armistice Day.
Loughborough continue a 3 game home stand against Reading next Saturday, 2pm push back.Loughborough Students vs Surbiton
Despite an improved defensive performance, Loughborough Students were defeated 3-0 by a clinical Surbiton team on Sunday. Despite securing plenty of possession the students were unable to create many clear cut chances, Sam Ward and George Torry coming closest. Surbiton however made numerous outcomes in the final quarter and scored two first half goals through James Tindall. Rob Moore added a third in the second half to ensure the points would stay at Sugden Road. Surbiton's margin of victory would have been greater were it not for a number of outstanding one handed saves made by Loughborough goalkeeper Ali McGregor.
Loughborough forward Sam Ward said:
"It was tough game today, after a dominant start we began to provide Surbiton with opportunities which they clinically converted. They continued to play well in the second half and only a fantastic performance from Ali helped to keep us in the game till the end."
Loughborough face a tough game against a streaking Cannock side next Sunday as they begin a series of 3 consecutive and vital home games.
Loughborough students vs Exeter
A fine all-round performance from Loughborough Students led them to a 5-2 victory over fellow Premier Division student side the University of Exeter. Loughborough made a strong start to the game, putting Exeter under pressure from the push back and winning a penalty corner in the first minute. Although this was missed, they immediately earned a penalty stroke which was converted by Richard Smith. Just five minutes later and another fine piece of attacking play saw Sam Ward with the ball on the baseline and he cooly put the ball over the left shoulder of the Exeter goalkeeper high into the net to double Loughborough's lead. Loughborough continued to look dangerous in attack and when Richard Smith added his second from a penalty corner after 14 minutes, Loughborough appeared to be set for a comfortable victory.
A fine all-round performance from Loughborough Students led them to a 5-2 victory over fellow Premier Division student side the University of Exeter. Loughborough made a strong start to the game, putting Exeter under pressure from the push back and winning a penalty corner in the first minute. Although this was missed, they immediately earned a penalty stroke which was converted by Richard Smith. Just five minutes later and another fine piece of attacking play saw Sam Ward with the ball on the baseline and he cooly put the ball over the left shoulder of the Exeter goalkeeper high into the net to double Loughborough's lead. Loughborough continued to look dangerous in attack and when Richard Smith added his second from a penalty corner after 14 minutes, Loughborough appeared to be set for a comfortable victory."Todays game was a much more satisfying performance and very much needed after a tough run of games for us. It was essential for us to get a result in this match not only because it was against Exeter but also to get us back to winning ways. The important thing now is to take what we did in this game as a starting block and improve on this from now on."
R.Dawson Smith - 2011
However, Exeter upped their level and after 17 minutes they earned a penalty corner which was clinically converted by Ian Haley. Exeter hopes of a comeback were raised further when, after half an hour, they won a penalty stroke for themselves which was also scored by Haley. However, in the second half Loughborough were solid in defence and added two further timely goals to put the result beyond doubt. The first came from a penalty corner scored by Stuart Loughrey after 46 minutes and the second a first ever National League goal for Richie Dawson-Smith after 61 minutes. The Loughborough side will hope the much needed but deserved victory will begin a series of good results.
Beeston v Loughborough Students
In front of a crowd of over 300 people Loughborough Students narrowly lost an exhilarating clash against a strong Beeston side on Friday night. An individual goal from Paddy Schmidt that just snuck past Ali MacGregor mid-way through the first half was enough to earn Beeston the win.
In the second half the intensity of the match saw both teams reduced to 10 men for periods of time. In terms of chances Loughborough were on top for the majority of the second half and should really have scored several times especially in the last 10 minutes as they kept Beeston camped deep in their own half. However, Loughborough couldn't find that all important breakthrough and left empty handed.
Loughborough's England U-21 defender Richie Dawson-Smith said
"Under the lights and in front of a vocal crowd we played very well, creating a lot of chances and more than competing with the current English champions. Unfortunately we could not take our chances and we didn't get what we deserved from the game."
Hampstead & Westminster v Loughborough StudentsA bad weekend for Loughborough Students was compounded on Sunday as they lost 4-0 to a clinical Hampstead and Westminster team. Loughborough made a bright start to the game creating several good scoring chances but couldn't get on the end of any of them. At the other end Loughborough were putting pressure on themselves with several mis-placed passes and were made to pay with goals from open play after 21 and 32 minutes which gave Hampstead a two goal lead at half-time. Hampstead made a strong start to the second half earning a penalty corner and scoring from a deflected drag flick. Despite a determined attacking effort from Loughborough as the half continued, Hampstead held strong and added a fourth, albeit scrappy, goal as the game ended. Loughborough midfielder David Condon said
"It was a fast paced, end to end battle and unfortunately 4-0 doesn't reflect the way the game truly was. We'll take what we can into the match next week"
Loughborough play Exeter University next Saturday at home.1-1 Draw against Southgate
Henry Weir scored Loughborough's goal against bottom of the table Southgate.
Henry Weir scored Loughborough's goal against bottom of the table Southgate. Full match report to follow, when our budding journalist Oli Ward finishes his article.
Thanks to Matt Grant for the Match photos to see more photos click on the image above.
Victory in Season Opener
The first Eleven won 3-2 in a tight away fixture at Bowdon Hockey Club. Loughborough Opened the scoring after 25 minutes with goal from George Torry. However just before the half time whistle Bowdon levelled the score.
Sam Ward scored a brace on his league debut for the club by next deflecting Owain Dolan-Grays powerful shot, Ward finished well again after superb build up by Henry Weir and elder statesman Jerome Goudie. Bowdon won a flurry of corners in the closing stages, finally scoring in the last play of the game. A great start to the season by the Loughborough students!
The team carry on there EHL campagin with a home match against East Grinstead on Saturday 2:30.
Thanks to Sam Dawson-Smith for the Match photos to see more photos click on the image above.
A Chairman Moves On
William Arthur has recently graduated from the University, boasting not only an excellent degree but three BUCS medals. Notably he also became a regular feature in the National premier league side, as well as being chairman in his last year. Previously 'King Mo' had been one of the clubs most successful treasurers securing several lucrative sponsorship deals.
You could always count on Will to be on tour, travelling to destinations such as Dublin, Bourmouth and "The Tour that must not be named". Will and former Club captain Josh Ewens have been eagerly snapped up by East Grinstead H.C. both of whom will be valuable additions to there squad.
The pair are reportedly looking forward to their return to the coliseum on Saturday the 24th of September for opening home fixture of the year. Will Arthur commented:
"At least I have an excuse for passing to the opposition forwards in the Loughborough game"
Before then Loughborough will be taking on Olton and East Warwick in a home pre-season fixture on Thursday the 1st of September at 7:30 pm, all support is welcome.