Match Reports

Grasshoppers II

20 Sept 08	Lowestoft III   8      Grasshoppers 2XI    0 Grasshoppers second team were not so lucky away at Lowestoft. Even though losing 8 - 0 the visitors gave 110%, and with only 9 players they can at least say that they did their best under the circumstances. Captain Lucy Elsdon said she was pleased with the teams efforts and the new members did well despite being thrown into the deep end.    back
27 Sept 08	Grasshoppers 2XI   4      Sudbury IV    3 It was hot but the Hoppers were hotter (yes I know Alix). In a reversal from last week, the 2XI had a surplus of players, all putting in their best. But Sudbury was to strike first. It was not long before Bev not only levelled the match but put them ahead. Julie made it 3 - 1, now could we hold on to this impressive start. No is the short answer, Sudbury came back and despite Nicky’s efforts was not able to stop them clawing their way back to a 3-3 draw. Two minutes to go and could we hold on to a well deserved draw, well No again, as we were awarded a Penalty Stroke. Now I’m sure that the huddle which ensued was full of volunteers, but the result of the eeny meeny miny mo was that Julie was to step up to the spot. This was put away calmly which left only seconds to the end of the match. Well done - great result.    back
4 Oct 08	Grasshoppers 2XI   1      Christchuch II    2 "Somebody's" sister scored two goals, although it would have been a lot more it wasn’t for the efforts of Lou in goal and Sue and the defensive team. Jenny had a great game and got ‘man of the match’. But I’m almost positive that it was JULIE that scored for us, that’s Julie, not Lucy or Lodge or anybody else. Definitely Julie.    back
15 Nov 08	Carlton Park   2      Grasshoppers 2XI    2 When we got to Framlingham it was hard to decide whether to get out the deck chairs or dig out a bucket and spade. Still once we had decided to play hockey instead and welcomed a new member of our "youff" squad we could crack on. The umpire warned both captains about turning which I thought went out at the same time as the offside rule, but I kept stum as he had an England umpire shirt. Then for the coin toss (this is where the spade came in handy!) The first 15 mins seem to be mostly camped out in the hoppers half with several short corners and equally as many shots from a No13, luckly she was having an inter-dimension rift this morning and couldn’t hit an elephant with a bumper car. Unfortunately CP had some other strikers were a bit more accurate, but Jenny did well to keep them out too (Ed: I’m not trying to say you’re an elephant). Also Lou came in very handy for some goal line saves, but 20 mins in the pressure finally paid off. In true GH style the reply was pretty much instant with some good work down the middle from Julie and by Rachel on the wing, a cross saw Nicky 'The Bruiser' Davies tap in the equaliser. Second half and GH had a bit more action, both midfield and wings giving CP a bit of elbow grease! After a lot of f@rting about in the circle causing much excitement, anticipation and eagerness it was rewarded with a Julie strike. With all the aforementioned elation I blow the whistle to give the goal! ‘Yeah! We’ve scored!!!’ Then the other umpire who was actually controlling that end blew for the goal too - oops!! Anyhoo this fired up CP who No13 was now in some kind of trans-temporal flux was smacking the balls at goal like there was no more chocolate in the world - but still missing the target by a country mile. With 10 mins to go, it was ending like it started with everyone camped in GH circle and Bex and Liz doing their best at being brick walls which worked as CP couldn’t penetrate. One last 'push' from Nicky and co tried to put the game beyond a draw, but a quick counter saw a one on one with Nelly Jenny which meant that GH came away with a well deserved point and very sandy pants.    back
6 Dec 08	Grasshoppers 2XI   1      Mildenhall    2 With Mildenhall bottom of the league and turning up with only 10 players, optimism was rife among the 2XI. (Fatal mistake - all my years playing hockey, has taught me one two things, never assume it’s in the bag). Anyway with positions sorted, the teams took to the field, play was very end to end, and despite a few lapses in consciousness from the umpires, play was fairly even. Mildenhall took the lead midway through the first half with a cross field pass and one of those annoying people to tap in from 2 yard away jobbys. Second half saw a re-shuffle and with Bex up front things were hopefully going our way. Lauren had one of her stonking games, battling away like a little terrier with rather tall chip on her shoulder. Lisa and Kate also played well making some good link up play. Despite this Mildenhall scored again (damn!) Ok, last 20 mins and the hoppers had their gander up and pushed forward relentlessly, several chances were had by Julie and Bev but nothing was going in. By now Mildenhall’s 16 yard hit out tactic was to retrieve the ball r-e-a-l-l-y r-e-a-l-l-y slowly and with their sweeper having a hit that may even have out-blasted Wibbly, time was edging away but Bex was on fire and made several attempts at goal - one even rebounding off the post. I have to say I was getting quite excited to the point of forgetting that I should be watching for offences rather than just watching, luckily the support from sideline was quick to spot my oversights. 10mins to go and it was Jenny with a great individual effort that finally got the ball in the net. Well done everyone - good game to watch.    back
17 Jan 09	Sudbury   2      Grasshoppers 2XI    3 Upon reaching the pitch, we found Sudbury looking rather youthful, would this be a help or a hindrance? First half and we seemed to be all over them like a rash, despite the tackles being a bit rough and there being a lot of unnatural reverse stick stuff looking awkward - I nearly shouted out "get your arse round" which is my normal respond to scenes of this nature. Still we mostly camped in Suds half and it was not long before Julie let off a screamer at the top of the D (ED: once the smog cleared she had a hit at goal too - lol, sorry couldn’t help myself.) More tight passing followed with Lisa and Nicky blocking all Suds efforts in the middle, and Bev, well just being Bev really, running all over the shop with brief pauses to blow noses. More attacks came and a long pass from the back saw Lodge and Julie on their own with one to beat, who was easily passed with a little one-two and Lodge slipped in past a static keeper. Whooho – I was beginning to enjoy this, still I must keep my eye on the ball. Not long later (who’s counting – oops me!) with Suds pushed up Julie burst through the midfield again with only the keeper to beat, I thought hey up she’s gonna let another one off, which she did, but from my angle it looked as though I was going wide. But then previously hidden by the goalie, (which isn’t easy when Lodge is 6ft1" and the goalie is 4ft3") out stepped Lodge and slotted it in the net. Second half, and this is where youff has the advantage. With their younger legs and lungs, they were more dominant and were pressing hard. Bex and Amy had good games holding off the pressure. Lau, well was just being Lau, moaning to the poor voluntary umpires that they never saw what she saw, something about a penalty flick - yadda yadda yadda! Don’t panic I’d have never have let them get a third.   back
24 Jan 09	Christchurch   2      Grasshoppers 2XI    0 As the team slowly arrived, we saw a welcome return of Sandy and Pinky, Lauren managed to find the place and Bex was playing the real live version of buckaroo (it’s a good job you weren’t doing oranges as well, otherwise that may have been the final straw). The warm up consisted of everyone gathering round Tracy to look at the picture in the Suffolk Free Press of Bex doing a crunching tackle against Sudbury. (Ed: more piccies page 3) Unfortunately they had failed to put in a report, if I’d have known I would have sent them mine. We still managed to conjure up 10 players, so a lot of hard work and much running about was the order of the day. First half was mostly camped out in our half, but luckily they were bad aims, also the defense and Tracy were all having stonking games. About 5 mins to go in the first have Christchurch were awarded a short corner, a shot was fired and Bex without any due care for her own welfare managed to put both foot and hand on the line and stopped a certain goal. This was absolutely necessary as it maintained her 100% accident record. I leniently awarded another short corner, but unfortunately Spicey was not having any of that, and muttered summit about a penalty flick. Naturally I blamed the sun and a small leprechaun getting in my line of sight at the vital moment. I need not have worried though as Tracy duly saved the flick. Second half and more of the same with Man of the match Nicky tirelessly running about in the middle, I had to wonder why she didn’t take the ball with her! Finally they found the target twice, shame really - a 0-0 draw would have been much more justified. And so it was back to the clubhouse for hot milk and tea cake. Great game - well done everyone.    back