Saturday, January 27, 2007
Bury Miss Out Again
Preston VI....2
BGSOB.........1
Cooke (5)
For the second successive week the Old Boys left the pitch knowing that their display warranted a better result.
Despite early pressure from Preston, it was Bury who struck first. Moving the ball quickly from back to front, the Old Boys sliced through the Preston backline, providing Waywell with the opportunity to cross. Cooke was on hand to apply the finish and score his second in two games, giving the visitors the lead.
The game was still a very even contest, with both sides creating chances. Midway through the half though, the Old Boys lost defensive stalwart Tariq Sheikh to injury. The situation was then compounded as his replacement, James Berry, also had to leave the field injured. It was during this time that Preston got themselves back into the game, with a well placed finish.
The start of the second half saw both teams again looking to attack. This time it was Preston who edged in front, as their captain stole in at the back post to convert a right wing cross. What followed was then wave after wave of Bury pressure. Cooke hit the post, both he and Powers were denied by some excellent goalkeeping, Hillary saw three short corners saved, Waywell, Matthews and Ainscow all went close and Aitken had another short corner cleared off the line by a defender.
The Old Boys should take the positives out of this fixture. Some of the hockey was excellent and, on another day, the score line could have been very different.
Match Day Squad: Titlow, S. Sheikh, Aitken, T. Sheikh, Cheung, Foster, Hillary, Larmett, Waywell, Ainscow, Cooke, McManus, Berry, Matthews, Powers.
BGSOB.........1
Cooke (5)
For the second successive week the Old Boys left the pitch knowing that their display warranted a better result.
Despite early pressure from Preston, it was Bury who struck first. Moving the ball quickly from back to front, the Old Boys sliced through the Preston backline, providing Waywell with the opportunity to cross. Cooke was on hand to apply the finish and score his second in two games, giving the visitors the lead.
The game was still a very even contest, with both sides creating chances. Midway through the half though, the Old Boys lost defensive stalwart Tariq Sheikh to injury. The situation was then compounded as his replacement, James Berry, also had to leave the field injured. It was during this time that Preston got themselves back into the game, with a well placed finish.
The start of the second half saw both teams again looking to attack. This time it was Preston who edged in front, as their captain stole in at the back post to convert a right wing cross. What followed was then wave after wave of Bury pressure. Cooke hit the post, both he and Powers were denied by some excellent goalkeeping, Hillary saw three short corners saved, Waywell, Matthews and Ainscow all went close and Aitken had another short corner cleared off the line by a defender.
The Old Boys should take the positives out of this fixture. Some of the hockey was excellent and, on another day, the score line could have been very different.
Match Day Squad: Titlow, S. Sheikh, Aitken, T. Sheikh, Cheung, Foster, Hillary, Larmett, Waywell, Ainscow, Cooke, McManus, Berry, Matthews, Powers.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Stunning Strike Not Enough For Bury
BGSOB 1-3 Bolton
Cooke
The Old Boys left the pitch on Saturday knowing that on any other day they could have, at the very least, secured a point from this game.
Bolton started strongly and took an early lead having won possession in the Bury half. The visitors continued to exert pressure and had another chance cleared off the line by Sameer Sheikh, before Bury came into the game.
Finally The Old Boys started to string moves together and began to take a grip of the game. Several good chances were then created, the pick of which was a Hillary shot, which scraped the outside of the post. By the end of the half Bury felt they were on top and started the second have determined to pull level.
This was accomplished early in the second period, thanks to a stunning finish from Matt Cooke. The ball was worked through Aitken and Ainscow and eventually into the D. As the ball dropped, Cooke turned and volleyed an unstoppable shot past the Bolton keeper.
At this point the Old Boys, though not playing fluently, were dominating possession and creating chance after chance. Unfortunately the Bolton keeper was proving to be extremely hard to beat, despite the best efforts of Hopwood, Ainscow, Waywell and Cooke. As Bury pressed to make the most of their pressure, they were unfortunately hit on the break and Bolton managed to put themselves in front again.
As has been the case throughout the season Bury heads did not drop, and they continued to keep Bolton back in their own half. However, with the Bolton keeper keeping his side in front, Bolton were again able to grab another goal. A long ball out of defence saw them win a hit-in on the right, which was played into the D. Although Tariq Sheikh was able to halt the initial attack the ball eventually broke free and feel to a Bolton forward who poked the ball past Titlow in the Bury goal.
Altogether, The Old Boys will feel that they deserved more from this game, but credit must go to Bolton for taking their chances and having the reincarnation of Lev Yashin in net.
Squad: Titlow, Cheung, T. Sheikh, S. Sheikh, Aitken, Foster, Hillary, Hopwood, Waywell, Cooke, Ainscow, Berry, Powers, Larmett.
Cooke
The Old Boys left the pitch on Saturday knowing that on any other day they could have, at the very least, secured a point from this game.
Bolton started strongly and took an early lead having won possession in the Bury half. The visitors continued to exert pressure and had another chance cleared off the line by Sameer Sheikh, before Bury came into the game.
Finally The Old Boys started to string moves together and began to take a grip of the game. Several good chances were then created, the pick of which was a Hillary shot, which scraped the outside of the post. By the end of the half Bury felt they were on top and started the second have determined to pull level.
This was accomplished early in the second period, thanks to a stunning finish from Matt Cooke. The ball was worked through Aitken and Ainscow and eventually into the D. As the ball dropped, Cooke turned and volleyed an unstoppable shot past the Bolton keeper.
At this point the Old Boys, though not playing fluently, were dominating possession and creating chance after chance. Unfortunately the Bolton keeper was proving to be extremely hard to beat, despite the best efforts of Hopwood, Ainscow, Waywell and Cooke. As Bury pressed to make the most of their pressure, they were unfortunately hit on the break and Bolton managed to put themselves in front again.
As has been the case throughout the season Bury heads did not drop, and they continued to keep Bolton back in their own half. However, with the Bolton keeper keeping his side in front, Bolton were again able to grab another goal. A long ball out of defence saw them win a hit-in on the right, which was played into the D. Although Tariq Sheikh was able to halt the initial attack the ball eventually broke free and feel to a Bolton forward who poked the ball past Titlow in the Bury goal.
Altogether, The Old Boys will feel that they deserved more from this game, but credit must go to Bolton for taking their chances and having the reincarnation of Lev Yashin in net.
Squad: Titlow, Cheung, T. Sheikh, S. Sheikh, Aitken, Foster, Hillary, Hopwood, Waywell, Cooke, Ainscow, Berry, Powers, Larmett.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Machiavelli Found Alive and Well....in Lytham!!
Lytham St Annes 3
BGSOB 2
Hodbod
Ainscow
Following the 5-0 humbling that Lytham suffered in the first encounter between these teams, it was clear that the home team were determined to take the points on Saturday. In fact, in their determination and eagerness to succeed they appeared to start the game with two number 15s. One of whom, it must be admitted, was a very good player indeed.
However, despite Lytham’s early pressure the Old Boys’ defence held firm. From this base Bury were able to string together moves through Hodbod, Hillary, Larmett and impressive debutant Waywell, which led to them taking a two goal lead into the break.
Firstly Lytham were caught cold as Ainscow was played in down the left. He cleverly rounded the keeper and unselfishly squared the ball to Hodbod, who made no mistake from close in. Minutes later Waywell burst down the right and fired in a superb ball to Ainscow, who tucked the ball into the bottom corner.
The second half, however, was a very different story. The loss of Ainscow was a major blow as man to man marking was taken to the extreme, even when the ball was at the other end of the pitch.
It was only a matter of time before Lytham got back into the game however, as reminiscent of the previous season’s game, they were awarded a multitude of short corners. Eventually Lytham managed to get their noses in front, making the most of the decisions that were awarded in their favour.
Towards the end of the match, Aitken received a yellow card. Having been stick tackled and pushed to the ground, his crime of laughing when the decision went Lytham’s way, was deemed enough to earn him his marching orders.
There were two real highlights for the Old Boys from this game. Firstly Mark Waywell’s impressive debut and promising link up play with other forwards bodes well for the rest of the season. Secondly, and perhaps the funniest moment on a hockey pitch, instead of letting the ball drop in the D and firing past a stranded keeper, a Lytham player (who shall remain unnamed) elected to catch the ball and appeal for a short corner!!
Squad: Titlow, Aitken, Cheung, T. Sheikh, S. Sheikh, Foster, Hodbod, Hillary, Larmett, Waywell, Ainscow, Stoneman, Berry, Powers.
MOM: Hodbod.
BGSOB 2
Hodbod
Ainscow
Following the 5-0 humbling that Lytham suffered in the first encounter between these teams, it was clear that the home team were determined to take the points on Saturday. In fact, in their determination and eagerness to succeed they appeared to start the game with two number 15s. One of whom, it must be admitted, was a very good player indeed.
However, despite Lytham’s early pressure the Old Boys’ defence held firm. From this base Bury were able to string together moves through Hodbod, Hillary, Larmett and impressive debutant Waywell, which led to them taking a two goal lead into the break.
Firstly Lytham were caught cold as Ainscow was played in down the left. He cleverly rounded the keeper and unselfishly squared the ball to Hodbod, who made no mistake from close in. Minutes later Waywell burst down the right and fired in a superb ball to Ainscow, who tucked the ball into the bottom corner.
The second half, however, was a very different story. The loss of Ainscow was a major blow as man to man marking was taken to the extreme, even when the ball was at the other end of the pitch.
It was only a matter of time before Lytham got back into the game however, as reminiscent of the previous season’s game, they were awarded a multitude of short corners. Eventually Lytham managed to get their noses in front, making the most of the decisions that were awarded in their favour.
Towards the end of the match, Aitken received a yellow card. Having been stick tackled and pushed to the ground, his crime of laughing when the decision went Lytham’s way, was deemed enough to earn him his marching orders.
There were two real highlights for the Old Boys from this game. Firstly Mark Waywell’s impressive debut and promising link up play with other forwards bodes well for the rest of the season. Secondly, and perhaps the funniest moment on a hockey pitch, instead of letting the ball drop in the D and firing past a stranded keeper, a Lytham player (who shall remain unnamed) elected to catch the ball and appeal for a short corner!!
Squad: Titlow, Aitken, Cheung, T. Sheikh, S. Sheikh, Foster, Hodbod, Hillary, Larmett, Waywell, Ainscow, Stoneman, Berry, Powers.
MOM: Hodbod.
