Letchworth Roller Hockey Club

Stan Oaten (captain)
Matt Oaten
Ricky Jupp
Neil Warren
Kris Pay
Ashley Pay (goalkeeper)
Jack Kilsbie

First half:
Despite Letchworth Juniors’ defeat recently at the National Cup Finals in Herne Bay to Bury, they were more focused and prepared for the game this time round. With the probability Bury would use the same diamond defence system, they concentrated in training to work out a way to break it down.
From the off Letchworth looked a different team altogether than at the Nationals. Movement and passing was much improved and the training soon paid of with a Stan Oaten flick past Bury goalie Matt Conroy after 1m 35. Bury proved to still be dangerous when they caught Letchworth defence of guard with a counter attack with Matt White levelling the score two minutes later 1-1. Jack Holmes was the Bury danger front man creating some good chances on Letchworth’s goal. With a time out for Letchworth, Stan Oaten was told to pressure Jack out the game. The tactic paid off creating a Letchworth counter attack one-two with Kris Pay slamming the ball in the Bury net ending the first half Letchworth 2 Bury 1.

Second Half:
After a half time team talk Letchworth decided to defend their lead with Ricky Jupp and Neil Warren to stay back to create a strong defence with the Oaten brothers Stan and Matt to push forward into Bury’s goalmouth, producing many more chances in front of the Bury goal, including a disallowed volley by Kris Pay.
Most of Bury’s chances on goal were stamped out with Ashley Pay again on form in the Letchworth goal. Bury’s frustration showed when Stan Oaten put his second in with the ball glancing off Matt Conroy’s arm. Tempers flared towards the end of the game with a total of 4 yellow cards awarded. Final score Letchworth 3, Bury 1.

Martin Jupp (Juniors Captain)

Ashley Pay - Goalkeeper.
Ben Brown - Captain.
Jack Kilsbie.
Adam Mardell.
Gordon Marshall.

This game was always considered to be the hardest one for Letchworth. With the loss of Josh Bishop before the game, it meant that the team were down to a bare starting line up against an experienced Kings Lynn side of Juniors and Seniors. With some great support the Letchworth youngsters, all schoolboys, started nervously, but stuck to there pre match instructions, competing for every ball. Kings Lynn got the first break, a deflected shot off of Ash and the rebound was cleverly flicked into the top corner. 0-1. Undeterred, the Letchworth boys continued to press and came close on a number of efforts, Adam and Jack both with the keeper to beat brought good saves from the KL keeper. The first half ended 0-1 but with Letchworth having the stronger opportunities and with Ben and Gordon coping with the KL forwards we were confident we could still win. We changed things slightly at half time, deciding to counter quicker and more direct, this nearly paid off with a strong solo effort by Jack that hit the post. Letchworth continued to press, and with less than 5 minutes remaining, were rewarded when Jack found Gordon unmarked at the far post and slipped in a perfect goal. The team were exhausted but we decided to keep pushing for the win, deciding that Ash could cope with anything that KL had to offer, he made a number of superb saves, one from under the bar with his left leg, spanish style? With 1 minute left, we were awarded a free hit, and with some inspirational coaching from Keith Allen, Ben was under pressure to score, which he did and Letchworth held out to end victorious 2-1 winners.

AS a footnote, I would like to congratulate the whole team for an amazing effort and result, remember the feeling for next year. Well done, keep smiling Gordon.

Nic Pay
Div 3 Coach (For the day)

This year’s Eastern counties cup finals will be held at Bushfields in Peterborough. After a stunning victory for our premier league team against Bury in the national cup finals 2 weeks ago, the team look to triumph again over Bury in the Eastern cup finals.
Sadly having lost in the national cup finals, our junior side seek winning spot in the eastern juniors cup over Bury.
Also looking to end this year’s season with a high is letchworth’s division 3 team, playing in the eastern cup finals against Ely this weekend alongside Letchworth’s other two teams competing on the day.

The competition is to be held on Sunday 10th July at:

Bushfields Sports centre,
Bushfield Orton Goldhay
Peterborough
Cambridgeshire
PE2 5RQ

See you all there and good luck to all competing