Letchworth Roller Hockey Club

Please find attached a brief summary of Adam Allinsons (LRHC Minors/Intermediates player) involvement and the results of the EC Select team at the EC Minor’s Division 2 Tournament at Soham on the 6th of January. Unfortunately for the EC Select team Jake Mansfield and Frankie were on holiday, however EC were able to field a full squad ( + 2 subs) with support from additional players from Ely. Even at this level of play politics played its part as the Ely coach was unhappy for one Ely player to join the EC Select team. Adam was the only player from LRHC at this tournament, the remainder of the squad was predominately made up with players from Ely. 

The first game was against Ely, the previous two tournaments had seen the EC Select team lose on both occasion. Unfortunately, there was nothing different in this match. The match ended up 7-4 to Ely, Adam scored 3 of the goals. In general this was a tough match however the EC select took the iniative and openned up the scoring. Through their eagerness EC select left themselve exposed during attacking moves by all players moving forward. Ely spotted this and left one player permanently camped centrally in our half waiting for the clearance ball. I am confident we will win next time !!! 

The second game was against Colchester, which we won 6-4. This time round Adam played more of a defensive role, scoring two goals for the side. This was quite a close match and enjoyable to watch seeing some good passing movements from both teams. 

The third game was against Cottenham, which we won 17-3 Adam scored 6 taking up the same position as the previous game centrally in defense. I felt a little sorry for Cottenham as the side done their very best. Listening to them after the game they were very proud of their performance. One lad had worked out their goals against and goals for ratio, stating that it was one of the best results they had achieved. Never at any time did they lose their spirit. 

Adam enjoyed his day. The EC select team are a developing side with good individual and team spirit. It is good to be part of the team. 

Cheers 

Kevin. 

Robert Broadley (capt)

Colin Marshall

Adam Allinson

Kingsley Shah

Calum Smallman

Michael Adams (GK)

First Game against Ely Blue:

We were without three of our normal team players so today was going to be a new experience for Kingsley & Calum. The team started well, trying to include the new players as much as possible. Ely scored first but Colin replied with two good goals, then Ely scored two more finishing the first half 3-2 to them. The second half Ely scored two more, then two more from Colin who then went off with a wrist injury. We needed a goal to draw ! Adam received a pass then dribbled & smashed it into there goal. It ended 5-5 a fair result. Both keepers were very busy with Michael having to make some important saves to keep us in the game.

Second Game against Peterborough A:

They were upto there old tricks again of shirt holding, stick & wrist holding, tripping, knocking our sticks away with there stick etc etc etc ! Those Peterborough rules again !The result was 10-1 to Peterborough but they certainly didnt ‘win it’ by the rule book !!!!!!  once they were in front of our goal there powerful shots were too much for Michael to do anything about. Robert scored our goal, a real cracker too.

Third Game against Ely Green:

This was a realy good & fair game with Ely on form ending the first half 6-0 up. In the second half we got our act together & started to come back at them with a great goal from Colin & three from Adam. They scored two more but With a couple of minutes to go Michael made five saves all on target within 30 seconds, in a last ditch mad scramble in front of our goal. He saved all of them, determined not to let the score get any higher. A few more minutes & i reckon we could have evened the score ! Next time !!!!!!!

Kingsley & Calum did well for there first tournament playing three tough teams & they were the only ones rotated/subbed so that meant everyone else had to play almost every minute of the games. As you can imagine they were exhausted at the end.

ATB

Paul Adams

The ND2 team played four games of wich they won 2, drew 1 & lost one, scores as follows:

Letchworth 4-Norwich 4

Letchworth 5-Plymouth 3

Letchworth 2-Manchester 10

Letchworth 5-Bury 0

Robert Broadley (Capt)

Nick Flint

Colin Marshall

Adam Allinson

Jake Mansfield

Frankie ………..

Michael Adams (GK)

First Game Against Peterborough B:

The lads started really well against this largely inexperienced peterboro side helping themselves to eight goals in the first half. Colin got 3, Nick got 3, Adam & Robert got 1 each. Michael hardly had a touch of the ball as our defence rarely got tested untill they somehow managed to get through & flick one in over his pads to end the first half 8-1. In the second half big Sam went in goal to replace the previous keeper so we new it was going to be harder to score this time, but Colin & Adam both scored cracking goals from good solid passes from the side. Robert managed to fumble one in over sams pad after he saved it first time then a minute later whacked another in to end the game Letchworth 12-Peterboro 1

Second Game Against Peterborough A:

We all hoped that Peterborough ‘A’ were going to behave themselves this time and play fairly unlike last time when they didnt do themselves any favours by ‘playing to Peterborough rules’ ! as another club parent onlooker told me ! This time they did mostly behave themselves with only the odd incident that the ref Tony Noble tried to stamp out as soon as possible.Both teams were fairly evenly matched with Letchworth making some good attacks on goal from cleverly worked manouvers but big sam in goal managed to keep them out. Michael had to make lots of saves from peterboro attacks untill they slipped one in under his legs & then scored two more in quick succession to end the first half 3-0 up to peterboro. The second half the lads were determined to get something from the game and went up a gear to make the tempo even quicker (as if it wasnt quick enough allready!) they worked themselves very hard & were rewarded with 2 great goals from Nick & Adam.The final result was Letchworth 2- Peterborough 3.

Third Game Against Ely Blue:

The team attacked & defended really well in this game helping Nick make plenty of attacks on goal resulting in 3 good goals, as did Robert with 2 in the first half. In the second half Elys No 6 was given a yellow card after a harsh tackle on Frankie. Jake, Nick & Robert got one each to end the game Letchworth 8-Ely Blue 0.

Next tournament is at Soham on 7th January.

Heres Wishing everyone a ‘Merry Christmas & Happy New Year’

ATB

Paul Adams

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