Letchworth Roller Hockey Club

Letchworth Premiership team narrowly lost there second game of the season against Middlesborough 5-6.

Letchworth Premiership team lost there first match of the season against Bury on 15th Oct  5-9.

Letchworth recently competed in a National Div 2 tournament and the scores were:

Won against Colchester 3-1

Won against Bury 10-2

Won against Norwich 6-5

Lost to Manchester 10-3

The Team

Robert Broadley ( Captain )

Nick Flint

Colin Marshall

Adam Allinson

Jake Mansfield

Frankie ……

Michael Adams (GK)

First game against Ely Green:

This was a tough game to have first off of the three but the lads were up for it from the start & the tempo was very fast with both teams attacking & counter attacking relentlessly forcing both keepers to be on there toes most of the time. Michael pulled off some very good saves to keep the scores 0-0 for most of the first half stopping some very solid strikes at goal after they had got past our defence. Our lads put together some clever passes too, easily opening up there defence but the final shots on goal was all to often just wide of the mark. Just before half time there striker Sam weaved through our defence dummying Michael to flick past him into the corner of the goal ending the first half 1-0 to Ely. For the second half David reinforced the game plan to the team which resulted in Adam scoring a great goal from a powerfull strike early on then it was back to end to end attacks at 1-1. The team was rotated through subbing every few minutes to help save there energy & both teams were fairly evenly matched untill Ely were awarded a penalty, Michael stared at Sam the penalty taker looking to see which way his eyes looked to guess the direction & he saved it but the ball rebounded off his chest pad back into the path of Sam who whacked it past Michael with a powerfull strike. The lads tried very hard to even the scores but Ely scored again finishing the game winners 3-1.

Second game against Peterborough B:

This was to be classed as a ‘friendly’ match as goalkeeper Sam from the Peterborough A team was put in goal at late notice. Even though they were the ‘B’ team they were still very good at passing the ball around & trying to get passed our defence, which they managed a few times too many for our liking. Eventually Robert managed to score from a side pass to powerfully strike it past Sam who didnt like it very much, seeing as he is the No 1 choice of keeper for the England games ! Soon after Colin intercepted a pass to flick it passed him too, ending the first half 2-0 to Letchworth. Second half was much the same with Adam scoring a great goal from a powerfull shot up into the corner of the goal making it 3-0 but the Ely team were pressing hard & managed to dummy Michael. We could see it comeing for a few minutes as our lads were getting tired now. Then we were awarded a penalty which Nick took but Sams frame filled the goal like someone a few years older & it bounced off his pad. Eventually the game finished 3-1 to Letchworth.

Third game against Peterborough A:

This was to be a very physical game with both teams not wanting to give an inch. Robert took an early penalty scoring with ease past Big Sam then Adam followed soon after with a good goal. Peterborough retaliated with three goals in quick succession as our lads were getting more tired to end the first half Peterborough 3-2 up. In the second half Michael had to make many saves as Peterborough were quite strong on the break then Adam scored another great goal from good passes. We were now 3-4 down but could sense a draw & pushed on giving everything they could. Peterborough team were upto there old tricks again of holding our sticks during tackles, tripping us up with there sticks as we went past, elbowing, pushing against the wall & holding onto Michaels goalkeeper pads to stop him moving accross to the ball !How did the ref not see it all ? Colin was brought down by a P/boro player who was given another yellow card so off he went but colin also got a yellow for retaliating (you can only take so much cant you !) Then Adam intercepted a late pass to smash it into there goal finishing the game a draw 4-4. Some of the Peterborough players faces showed they were not happy & thought they were going to win it easily ! Well done lads you tried so very very hard & if given a few more minutes could have won the game for sure. All the team players did so very well as they all played two days in three & some of them had played three days in a row, training Friday, Saturday for EC Select & today. You deserve a rest lads.

 Next tournament is on Dec 10th probably at Peterborough but to be confirmed.

ATB

Paul Adams

Frankie, Jake & Adam from Letchworth RHC played in the EC Select team at Colchester recently & all three got plenty of rink time, being subbed on & off for all the games.

First game against Kings Lynn ended with the EC Select team winning 7-2, with 6 of the goals being scored by the Letchworth players. Frankie scored one, Adam 3 & Jake 2 including a successfull penalty.

Second game against Ely. This was the toughest game of the day, last time EC Select lost this one & this time it could have gone either way as it was a very close game but the final score was 8-7 to Ely. Adam scored 4 of the goals & Jake scored 2.

Third game against Colchester ended with the EC Select team winning 7-4, Adam scored 3 of the goals & Jake 1.

All three lads enjoyed the tournament & got plenty of rink time, having a great rapport with the rest of the team & seeing as they have never all trained together before they worked well as a team & were very effective.

All three lads were a credit to there club so a very big well done to all of you.

Best Wishes

Gill Childs