SWINDON FLAMES - MATCH REPORTS– 13/04/08

 

SWINDON FLAMES PEEWEES 2 v OXFORD STORM 5

After last weeks games were cancelled due to the weather this weekend saw the  return of Skater hockey to the Farnborough Leisure Centre and a full programme of fixtures for the Swindon Flames.

First to face off were the Swindon Flames Peewees against local rivals Oxford Storm.

Swindon forward Will Harding open the scoring for the Flames in the second minute of the game when his shot beat the Oxford goalie to give the Flames a short lived lead. Within 70 seconds the Oxford team equalised and with five minutes of the first period remaining Storm snatched the lead only to immediately pegged back by a strike by Zack Simons to take the teams to the half time break drawing 2 all.

The second half followed with the Oxford Storm intent on taking the game by the scruff of the neck and despite the best efforts of the Flames defence the Oxford side managed to score three unanswered goals to give them a 5-2 victory at the final whistle.

Speaking after the game, Ian Walters, the peewee manager, said, “Despite the final score this was a good performance by the team who more than held their own in the first period, unfortunately we were unable to match the intensity of the Oxford Storm in the second half and despite the teams best efforts as we began to tire the gap began to widen.”

SWINDON FLAMES JUNIORS 11 v HEATHROW REAPERS 1

Next to face-off were the Swindon Flames Juniors who were, this week, pitted against the Heathrow Reapers. In a feisty and brusing encounter the Flames struck early with a goals from James Townsend and Tom Ireland. The Reapers managed to pull back a goal but with 5 minutes of the first period remaining Flames forward Craig Davies lead the charge with a three goal blitz which saw the Flames reach half time 5-1 in front.

In a second half characterised by some big hitting from both teams, the short handed Reapers began to crumble under the Flames onslaught as Tom Ireland completed a hat-trick, Craig Davies grabbed another brace to take his tally to 5 and goals from Luke Vincent, Matthew Baxter and another from James Townsend saw the Flames to a convincing 11-1 win.

James Cosgrove, Junior Flames coach, said after the match “ This game was a real test for the team against a very physical and determined side and although the score-line would suggest that it was an easy win nothing could be further from the truth The Reapers ,even though they were short handed, made us work for every goal and I’m really pleased with the way the whole team responded .”

SWI NDON FLAMES YOUTH 3 v OXFORD TORNADOES 4

Swindon Flames went into their game looking to extend their unbeaten league start whilst the Tornadoes were out for revenge following their 8-2 defeat by the Flames in their last encounter.

The Flames got of to a blistering start with John Spence finding the back of the Oxford net within the first three minutes but a determined fight back by the Tornadoes saw them draw level six minutes later. The two closely match sides continued to compete on level terms throughout the remainder of the first period until, with just 95 seconds of the half left, Oxford managed to break through the Flames defence and snatch their second goal. Not to be outdone the Flames immediately launched a counter-attack and, in the last minute of the period, clawed back the equalised with a goal from Jack Townsend to go into half-time with the score at 2 a piece.

The second period started where the first had left off with both teams determined to break the deadlock but it was Oxford who, six minutes into the period, struck first to give them a one goal advantage. As the Flames pushed forward in an effort to close the gap Oxford managed to break through and again find the back of the net to put themselves 4-2 in front. Again the Flames mounted a sustained and intensive push to wrestle back the inititive and with 5 minutes left to play they were rewarded when John Spence again slot the ball pass the Oxford keeper. The last five minutes of play saw the Oxford side desperately trying to hold on to their one goal lead with the Flames throwing everything at the Oxford side in an attempt to steal at least a point from the game. With every Oxford player behind the ball and hemmed into their own half the Flames mounted attack after attack on the Oxford goals but thanks mainly to an outstanding performance by the Oxford keeper the Tornadoes managed to hold out to the final whistle and claim a narrow 4-3 victory.

Youth manager Derek Thompson said after the match “We knew going into this game that Oxford would be looking to avenge their defeat in our last game and we knew that it’d be a close hard-fought game. We’re obviously disappointed to have lost this game but I’m really pleased with the overall performance of the team and we’re looking forward to our next meeting with the Tornadoes.”

SWINDON FLAMES PEEWEE REDS 0 – FARNBOROUGH ARROWS 34

The Flames newest recruits, the Peewee Reds, faced their toughest test on Sunday as they faced off against the high-flying Farnborough Arrows and true to the form-book the Reds were swamped by an onslaught from their more experienced counterparts.

Speaking after the game Reds assistant coach Simon Smith, said, “ This was always going to be a one-sided game given that the Arrows are fielding very experienced and competent players and are currently leading the Peewee league. Although getting this kind of drubbing isn’t really much fun we need to put things in perspective and realise that this team are all beginner hockey players in their first season and, for most of the team, this was only their third competitive game. Despite the score is was really encouraging to see the youngsters trying from start to finish and I’m sure that with practice we will undoubtedly improve”.

SWINDON FLAMES SENIORS 9 v OXFORD SHAMAL 4

The day’s last game saw the Flames Senior team facing-off against Oxford Shamal as they attempted to extend their unbeaten run in their first season in a competitive league. A hat- trick from man of the match Dan King helped the Flames to a convincing 9-4 victory which sees the Senior Flames finish the weekend as top of the SASH  “B” league.

Swindon Flames Senior Side 2008