RAF VET’S VS BANBURY – SUN 6 MAR 11

The final game before the IS at HMS Temeraire on 15/16 mar 11 saw the Vets take on the Banbury XI in Banbury. The starting XI included players preselected for the IS competition, with Curns as the 2^nd GK and Mark C kitted up as the only available outfield substitute; due to latte injuries and other commitments.

The warm-up focussed upon finalising the Short Corner (SC) routines and brushing up on basic skills and tactics.

For a change the sun was shining and the game started with the RAF attacking into the sun! From the start the RAF pressed forward, with Prav and Gizmo upfront and Powell, Hickson, Phelpsy and Dave Sellars in the midfield supporting. It only took a little over 2 minutes for the RAF to gain their opening goal, with Powelly dribbling into the ‘D’, drawing the defence, allowing Gizmo to lurk free at the far post, where he was able to sweep the ball past the GK. 1-0 to the RAF. From the restart Banbury pressed forward and after a good period of possession shot narrowly past the post. The RAF then put together some encouraging passing play, with Powelly, Phelpsy and Gizmo linking well together. Back in the RAF ‘D’ Greg W was forced to make a strong tackle to prevent another Banbury attack on goal, then first Prav and then Gizmo came close following good approach play by Powell. SC’s were won at both ends, with neither side converting their opportunities. It wasn’t until the 26^th minute that the next goal came, and again it went to the RAF. Al H injected the SC ball, it was stopped and directed backwards the injector, who calmly slotted the ball past the GK at the near post. 2-0. A period of patient RAF possession followed after the restart, and until the ball was forced forward the RAF were in calm control. Unfortunately, Banbury broke quickly and the 2-man attack rounded the GK, 2-1 only minutes before half-time.

The second half saw Banbury come out strong, and after Jonno’s strong first half in goal, he changed into his outfield kit and Curn’s took over in goal. It wasn’t long before Curns was called into action to save a shot from the top of the ‘D’. The RAF responded with a slick move from Phelpsy to Simmo, to Powell and on to Powelly that resulted in Prav being in on goal, only for the GK to save. A period of end to end play followed, with both teams using the flanks and switching the balls around. Baldwin, in the unusual position of left back and Al sitting alongside Wines in the middle and Richie Simpson at right back made up the back line and they worked hard to open up gaps in the Banbury midfield to fee the ball into the forwards via Phil Hickson and Phelpsy in the middle. Banbury struck first, with a second goal following an attack down the right, 2-2. The RAF responded again and a quick break saw Gizmo score his second of the match at the far post to give the RAF a 3-0 lead with about 15 minutes to go. Banbury then enjoyed a further period of possession and attacked, only for Curns to stop them again and then down at the far end the RAF narrowly missed with a SC. Banbury pressed and were then again rewarded, as they scored a third goal – 3-3. With less than 10 minutes to go Collins came on for a run and replaced the hard working Simmo at right back. The RAF pushed on, looking for a winner, and from a SC they came close and Sellars picked up a ‘rap’ across his hard, resulting in his substitution and Simmo coming back on – no rest for the wicked!! As the clock ticked down the RAF won a further SC which was ‘blown up’ just before the ball crossed the line and from the retake the RAF were unable to take the advantage before the final whistle and a hard fought 3-3 draw was the final result. Now just a week until the IS, fingers crossed there will be no further injuries over the forthcoming weekend. Thanks also to the umpires for their sterling efforts, especially Dave lenny – the RAFHUA appointed official. See you soon in Pompey!

RAF VETS VS EAST OF ENGLANDS VETS – SUN 6 FEB 11

The fourth fixture of the RAF Vets season saw them at home again against an unknown team; the East of England Vets (E of E). The game also saw some more new faces vying for consideration for the IS squad. A ‘busy’ training session took place prior to the match and everyone responded positively to the tasks and roles that they were asked to ‘drill’ prior to the start.

E of E duly arrived and the fixture was again umpired by Kev Platt and Suneil Raval of the RAFHUA, (thank you to you for supporting us, and to Andy Sparrow for sorting out the appointments). From the start E of E pressed and it was clear that the Vets had a more than competent opposition to compete against, ideal as the preparation time for the IS has only a little over 5 weeks to run. E of Es initial possession resulted in an early scare but the defence of Wines, Keating, Oatley (Captain) and Stones, listened to ‘Jonno’ Johnson in the goal and dealt efficiently with the threat. The RAF then enjoyed a period of possession hockey, which involved the midfield of Baldwin, Hickson and Cording linking with the back 4, before launching attacks through the initial trio of Gilmore, Phelps and Hanrahan. Early chances fell to the forwards, the closest being a shot from Gilmore which the GK got down quickly to save before Al H attempted to convert the rebound; only for it to hit his foot before he was able to control it. E of E responded and enjoyed a passage of play that saw an attack down the centre, moved swiftly to the right before the reverse sweep was cleared away by the defence. From that position the RAF surged forward and forced a long corner; only for it to be stifled and E of E broke down the left, Jonno in goal came out and made a superb initial save, only to see the rebound ‘zing’ across his penalty area for a supporting E of E striker to sweep it hard and low into the goal. 1-0 to the opposition. Substitutions continued to be made by Cartmell and Collins (x 2 Sean and Mark) which saw Patel, Old and Wood join the affray in the front, midfield and backs respectively. From the restart an RAF attack resulted in a fine effort from Phelps ‘whizzing’ over the crossbar – probably the best effort for the home team of the half.

The second half began with the E of E forwards pressing hard again and a shot narrowly went past the post. Soon after a short corner against the RAF was given; quickly the ball was cleared. Play was fairly open at this time and ‘Badger’ took one for the team in the form of a stick cut to the nose and soon after Keating was issued the green card for heavy tackling. E of E pressed on and went close again. The RAF were having to work very hard to extinguish their runs, predominately from their left. Another SC followed and again the visitors hit the ball high and wide of the right hand post, partly due to the speed of the RAF runners forcing them to shoot under pressure. With time running out the RAF pressed for the equaliser and eventually a shot from the top of the ‘D’ was deflected into the visitors to goal, 1-1. After much debate (after the game) we think it should be credited to Hickson!! Soon after Baldwin had a good shot smothered by the advancing GK and the rebound he struck narrowly wide of the post. And there it finished; 1-1. A hard fought game, ideal preparation for the IS and now the management team need to refine the squad for the game against Peterborough on the 27^th and Banbury on 6 March. Today the team showed examples of good skills and the ability to pass the ball around. It also tested their individual skills and ability as the E of E squad worked very hard and could so easily have had a second goal but for Jonno’s saves and their finishes being slightly off target. Well done to all of the squad again for their commitment and enthusiasm; the preparation for the IS remains positive and competition remains high – the hardest selection process in my 3 years with the Vets is about to be considered.