Vintage Storm Past Amersham
By Paddy Tripp
Vintage 4 – 1 Amersham & Chalfont Grand Masters
Team: Haycroft, Harding, Desai, Dunn, Hitch, Beaney, Aparicio, Molloy, Sharpe, Curry, Tonks (Guildford), Gorbett (Amersham), Lowe, Tripp, Carney (Guildford), Paterson
Umpires: James Hamper & Dirk Smeed
Scorers: Gorbett 2, Paterson, Sharpe
Player of the Match: Lee Creaser
Yet another miserable week before the game, fretting about finding enough players and then a keeper for the opposition. With the much appreciated help of Jess Tallent, Lee and Tony we got there (and thanks to James and Dirk) and then the Magnets cancelled and we exceeded all expectations and turned out with 16 players. That left Suresh and I with nothing to do. Well I had to juggle subs and remember who had been on/off and when.
Another depressing and unmotivating team talk before the game and off we went and started well. A fairly early goal by Ross got us on our way followed by a delightful lob over the keeper by Rowley – took me back to Tring. Then a beautiful piece of hockey movement and recognition between Molloy and Sharpe gave us a 3 – 0 lead and made non-goalscorer Sharpe almost leading scorer for the season!
Amersham then woke up and played some good hockey and for about ten minutes ran the game – scoring once.
Everyone worked hard and it was one of those days when things went right for us. One problem was Lee Creaser who made several very good saves – particularly one from Molloy. But Ross got another goal to make us 4 – 1 winners. Back to normal next week probably!
Amersham were very pleasant and sociable in the bar afterwards. They are very lucky to have Trevor who works tirelessly for his team.