Swindon Flames Match Reports 16/03/08

 

SWINDON FLAMES PEEWEES 15 v SWINDON FLAMES PEEWEE REDS 1

Sunday at the Farnborough Leisure Centre saw two “blue on blue” fixtures for Swindon Skater Hockey Club as the club’s development sides faced off against their age-group counterparts for the first time in competitive league games.

In the first of  the day’s Swindon v Swindon contests the Peewee Flames (U-12’s) took on their club-mates, the Peewee Reds. As a development side, The Reds took to the rink for what, for most of the team, was only their second competitive hockey game against a team of older, stronger and more experienced players and despite their obvious enthusiasm and their best efforts four goals from Peewee captain Sam Nobbs, two from Will Harding and one from Jamie Kilby saw the first period close with the Peewee Flames leading 7-0.

The second period followed a similar pattern. With The Reds determined and enthusiastic but lacking in experience The Peewees Flames cruised through the second period with Sam Nobbs and Will Harding adding one each to their tally, and Anthony Bayliss scoring a hat-trick. Despite the one sided scorecard the Reds refused to top trying and were rewarded with a late consolation goal from team captain, Jacob Latham, but goals from Ryan Walters, Zac Simons and Megan Sailsbury saw the Peewee Flames home with a comfortable 15-1 win.

After the game The Reds coach/manager, Mark Lane, said, “ The final result was pretty much as expected but I was really pleased and very proud of my team’s attitude and effort. The Peewee Reds were created by the club to develop players who are new to the sport and as such the emphasis is on building skills, gaining experience and above all having fun. As long as the team are learning from, and enjoying, each game then the results aren’t that important at the moment.”

SWINDON FLAMES YOUTH 8 v OXFORD TORNADOES 2

The weekend also saw the Swindon Flames Youth team (U-15’s) take to the rink for their second league game of the 2008 season as they faced off against local rivals Oxford Tornadoes.

The Tornadoes have proved to be something of a hoodoo team for the Flames over the last few seasons and the Flames hit the rink determined to reverse their fortunes against the Oxford side. The charge was lead by team captain Connor MacKenzie whose blistering shot found the back of the net five minutes into the game to put the Flames into the lead. Following a five-minute period of total domination two quick fire goals from Jamie Morgan and Oliver Thompson further increased the Swindon side’s lead before the shell-shocked Tornadoes managed to claw back a goal with six minutes of the first half remaining. Not to be denied the Flames replied with a Jack Townsend goal to take the team to half –time 4-1 up.

The second period started at a frenetic pace with the Flames determined to stamp their authority on the game and extend their lead. MacKenzie was again instrumental when his pass put Jamie Morgan through to score his second of the game and minutes later, forward Kyle Coupe beat the Oxford keeper to give the Flames a commanding 6-1 lead. Again the Tornadoes managed to claw back a goal but as the pressure mounted both teams began to take minor penalties and at one time both sides were reduced to two outfield player each .As the clock ticked down and both teams were restored to full strength it was the Flames who broke the penalty-induced deadlock when Connor MacKenzie again beat the Oxford defence to score his second of the game. The Flames continued to push forward and with less than a minute remaining Coupe again fired pass the keeper to give the Flames a memorable 8 –2 win against their “bogey” side. Derek Thompson, Youth team manager said “ This was a great performance by the team with every player giving 110% from start to finish. This is always a difficult fixture for us and it’s great that we not only managed to win but to win well. In previous encounters we’ve been in winning positions but have always let the Tornadoes back in the game so it was great to see us take control from the first whistle and keep it throughout the entire game.”

SWINDON FLAMES JUNIORS 12 v SWINDON FLAMES JUNIOR REDS 1

The remaining “blue on blue” fixture of the day saw Swindon Flames Juniors (U-18’s) pitted against the club’s junior development side, The Reds.

15 minutes before face-off the Junior Flames’ match preparations were thrown into disarray with the unforeseen “no-show” of both their netminders, which forced the drafting of forward Craig Davies as an alternate keeper.

As was to be expected with this fixture there was more than just league points at stake for both teams with The Reds determined to “put one over” on their club-mates.

The first period saw the Reds stubbornly resisting the Flames attack and whilst not creating many of their own chances they successfully foiled the Flames until defence-man James Bayliss managed to break through to slot the ball past Reds keeper Adam Rose. Again the Reds closed ranks defensively and made the going difficult for the Flames but strikes from Luke Swaby and Hannah Archer saw their team to the half time break with a 3-0 lead.

The Flames hit the rink for the second period determined to take the game by the scruff of the neck and within the opening two minutes forward Tom Poole struck home twice. With the upping of the pace the Reds began to find it increasingly difficult to compete with the now rampant Flames and goals from James Townsend, Luke Swaby, Matthew Baxter, two from Tom Ireland and two more from Tom Poole saw the Flames power their way through the second half and, despite a late consolation goal for the Reds scored by Mike Weymouth, take all the points with a convincing 12-1 victory.