England Beat Wales 2-0 In Men’s 075s At Olton Hockey Club

On Tuesday 15 March, England O75s took on Wales at Olton Hockey Club in what is an extremely important year for Masters’ hockey. 

With 4 Nations and World Cup competitions on the horizon, both teams were determined.

The game started with consistent pressure from England without really threatening the Welsh goal.  There was some excellent build up play led by Brian Perryman, Greg Hutchings and David Holgate in midfield, releasing Alan Wade and John Maylam as wide wing backs to get behind the Welsh defence.

With Jim Tranter, Barry Mills and John Ridings solid in defence, Wales were unable to penetrate, and Colin Kimber was untroubled in the English goal.

The first half proved to be a frustrating one for the home side with an acceptance at half time that they had to get the ball into the opposition circle with a little more purpose and take care to deliver the ball constructively and covert their superiority in to goal chances.

In the third period with forwards Imtiaz Sheikh, David Woodward and Roger Lomas coming more into the game, and having chances to score, England finally won a penalty corner which was tipped in at the far post by John Maylam, after a great delivery from Adrian Robinson.  A goal off the training ground from the previous evening.

More excellent approach play, from Greg Hutchings and `Peter Denley, produced sustained pressure on the Welsh defence leading to several short corners and finally an excellent strike by Greg Hutchings to make the game safe at 2-0.

A confirmation of the dominance that England had in this game, was that goalkeeper Bill Goodridge did not touch the ball during the second half.

WMH will stage their three World Cup Competitions this year. The first in Nottingham (women and men’s 035/040) from 12 – 21 August. Then in Cape Town, South Africa (for all the Women’s age groups and Men’s 045/050/055) and in Tokyo, Japan (for all men’s age groups 60+) in October.

England Team: Bill Goodridge, Jim Tranter, Peter Denley, Adrian Robertson, Barry Mills (VC), Roger Lomas, David Woodward, Colin Kimber, David Holgate, Greg Hutchings, Brian Perryman (C), Imtiaz Sheikh, Alan Wade, John Ridings, John Maylam, Steve Floyd (Coach)