Team: Williams; Watson; Reape, Parker, Brothwell; Shaw, Coates, Fermor; Cowley, Cartledge, Durkin; Sub. Winter.

A&C frustratingly had to settle for a point in their Trysports Three Counties League match away to Rover Oxford on Saturday despite playing some good hockey in the first half.

The first 5 minutes were even before A&C took the lead through Sarah Cowley's strike at a penalty corner. A&C then enjoyed some spells of possession and quick attacking moves with Sarah Cartledge leading the front line well. However, the closest they came to adding to their lead was when Natalie Durkin was denied by the keeper both in open play and then at a penalty corner.

Rover came back in to it later in the half and only an excellent deflection off the line by Annie Brothwell maintained the visitor's lead going into half time.

After the interval, a sharp turn and shot by Cartledge was saved. Rover increased their work rate and pressed hard on to A&C in the second period and Rachel Parker was in the thick of the action in trying to keep them at bay.

One fast counter attack by Rover saw Vicki Williams quickly off her line to close down and save at the feet of an onrushing forward. Rover finally got an equaliser with just 9 minutes remaining following another fast break.

A&C nearly grabbed a late winner when Katy Shaw threaded the ball through to Durkin in the D but her cross went agonisingly across the face of the goal.

Thank you to the following that umpired for us last weekend:

TESCOS VOUCHERS

Thank you to all of you that have been collecting for us. We now have an amazing current total of 2616 vouchers. Please give any vouchers you still have to me or put them in the box at the club.

LOAN SCHEME DRAW

The latest draw was held on 12th November 2005 at the Club. The lucky winners with number 17 as drawn by Emma Hewitt and witnessed by Neil Turner were Sean and Val Cremin. Thanks again for the continued support of all the Loan Scheme members.

A&C's Fifths met the league leaders at the weekend. Oxford Hawks had scored 17 goals in their 3 previous league games so we knew that this was going to be tough. We didn't help ourselves by conceding 2 early goals, one through no marking at the top of the D allowing their best player to shell the ball waist high into the back of the net. The second was a mixture of bad calling from Colin or dodgy shots from outside the box but either way the ball ended up in the back of the net and we were 2 down. A change in midfield where Cash took up the bottom diamond position gave much more stability and broke up Oxfords midfield play. More attacks were getting through and we started winning some short corners. One short was stopped "on" the line and our players and their umpire said that it was over the line but he didn't give it!! Our lack of ability to get the final shot off meant that 2:0 was the final score. On a positive note, we worked very hard and loads of players showed the ability to adapt to different positions which can only be a good thing going forward.

A very pleasant team to play against, who called their own fouls when needed. Very evenly fought which bodes well for the future.

A two minute Crossman Interview

How did you build up to the big game on Saturday against Wallingford?
Was it a big game?

Well, level points with the opposition, 5th in the table? 2 points from third!
Oh yeah, right. Well, Tuesday I went to selection with the guys and picked the team. It's important to get prepared early and know what is what. Then Wednesday I like to loosen up in a Club somewhere, Reading, Beaconsfield, anywhere really. The hangover Thursday kind of gets my mind in gear, which is when I remember that I need a team for Saturday.

So you get in touch with them all Thursday morning?
Yeah sure, morning, yeah, of course - or at least before 9pm that night. Thursday, that is the day before Saturday right?

The game started with a bang?
We looked awesome for 30 seconds, I think everyone touched the ball leading straight to the goal. The run from Powell to supply Cartledge was just brilliant.

Cartledge slotted with a first time shot?
No. That would be too easy for the maestro. He left the open goal as too easy, beat a defender, dummied the keeper and then put the ball back to the open near post. Simple.

So you walked the first half?
Unfortunately not. They rallied and we didn't seem to want to close them down. Their two quick goals turned the game on its head and really gave them a boost. I was glad when half-time came and we could get a breather.

2-1 down at half time I bet you gave the team a right rollocking?
Not really, I have a coach that does that sort of stuff - and he is pretty calm. I just spend the time trying to get my breath back - it was a frantic half.

Was the second half an even contest?
Not really. They were on the up for a while, but we were attacking well as a team so we always looked like getting the result.

5-2 win was a bit of a turn around?
It was, but not unexpected. We have great potential to score on the break as shown by Andy (Carruthers) through ball to Martin who fed Warren to round the keeper, a move that started like the first goal in our own half. Then both Darryl and Jacko were able to score from clever short corners. I set up the last goal with a beautiful ball over the top of the defence for Scott to touch to Cartledge who, in customary style controlled and skimmed it home for his second.

You have a lot to say about Mr Cartledge?
Because he played so well - two goals and loads of running up front - got our man of the match!

Was there a Donkey vote this week?
That's why you're doing the interview! It was a foolish call really - on the short. OK, so we haven't scored from the "slip-left-flick" short in two years at least I reckon, or so the Donkey tells us, but the rebound rolled nicely down the defenders back to Jacko who, despite liking to take an age before blasting over the bar, decided this week to slot the ball passed the stunned keeper.

So the Donkey got the vote for calling the corners?
Kind of. It was actually for turning down that corner first of all since he believed "we hadn't scored in 2 years from it", but when the first strike missed and got us another corner we had to try it. And voila - a goal. I think that turned the Donkey vote against you Warren - as there were other strong contenders.

Who were they then?
I'm not one to blow my own trumpet, but I am always a contender. Can't use Sat Nav, lost the team balls, jeans to warm up and for Cup games I get the team out on a Saturday night, but luckily this week I had it all spot on (except the two traffic offences and lost balls of course). Then there is ginge696, he knows what for - or at least his ear does. He could have got it just because there is also probably ginge1 to ginge695 on Hotmail, but the better vote would have gone to Darryl. I mean, he has a hit wide left, and after several hours of deliberating, nicely picks out the centre forward with a clean strike. Only it was their centre forward and a clear run on goal. Luckily they missed. Mind you Mr Lamborn (having a usual hard hitting left back of a game), might have got it with his Ali shuffle while trying to decide which of ten passing options to take - or maybe Wolfy - though he was more subdued than previous weeks (no Karate Kid exploits to talk about). And Shambles, no, he had a good solid game.

So Darryl should have been Donkey?
God no - Warren calling the shorts wrong was far more of a muppet thing to do! And he turned up for the vote late - not that we rig it of course.

So anything else of interest in the game?
The goal that wasn't a goal. They kind of scored (or not as you may see it). I mean the lucky looping shot of a short-corner breakdown may or may not have crossed the line, but after Mr F in goal dropped onto it there was no way the umpire could tell (or us). So they played another corner, which Andy F cleared wide.

A good win then and high spirits after?
A great win, that's us on a run [a run being more than 1 win :-) - ed.], I think a good run to Christmas will see a top of the table clash against OMT - bring it on.

Any other comment?
Anyone seen our balls?