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END OF SEASON MATCH REPORTS

BICESTER HOCKEY CLUB Match Reports For 2/3 April 2011

Hannah Newell	Jan Southam

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Bicester Ladies 1’s 6 Wychwood Ladies 1’s 3

It was a below par Bicester Ladies 1’s who took the field for the last home game of the season against a fast and good spirited Wychwood side on Saturday. Down to a minimum 11, it was nevertheless an unusually complacent first 25 minutes for the unbeaten side home side. After Bicester failed to convert some early opportunities, Wychwood sensed their chance to put one over the League winners and deservedly scored the first goal of the game from a nicely deflected shot. For the first time this season Bicester were behind in a game and this provided the momentum for players to forget injuries and flu and start building a platform from which Kath James scored a hatrick before half time. After half time the score was taken immediately to 4 – 1 when James scored her fourth from a lovely through ball from Jan Southam. The home team then struggled to maintain concentration and Wychwood put pressure on the defence which was rewarded by a penalty corner from which they scored a disputed goal. The game was put out of doubt by Lilla Venning who scored twice in fairly quick succession, once from a rebound off the keepers pads and the other from a powerful deflected ball from Susie Miller. During the dying minutes of the game, all of the Bicester team were up around their own goal when Wychwood took a quick hit from the top of the area and their centre forward drove up the pitch and scored after a one on one with the Bicester keeper.  Overall, a good humoured game which completes Bicester Ladies 1’s excellent season. Woman of the game was Jan Southam. Stats for the year: played 22, won 22. Scored 133, conceded 9.

Ladies 2s v Bracknell

bicester Ladies 2's ended their season with a 1 - 0 win over Bracknell Ladies 2's. Bicester had the best of the chances in the first half with Amy Olah coming close before Sheryl Philpott scored the only goal of the game. Bicesters defence worked hard to ensure Bracknells chances on goal were kept to a minimum and goal keeper Fiona Boyer made an excellent save with her stick to ensure Bicester kept a clean sheet. Bracknell put more pressure on in the second half but Bicester stood strong and manage to create more chances on goal with excellent team work and determination. Player of the match was Liz Coulter who worked tirelessly throughout the game.

Mens 4’s

Wokingham IV 0 vs 2 Bicester IV

Bicester completed their league season with a repeat of the reverse fixture played only two weeks earlier. This time Bicester played more confidently than in the previous encounter but once again superb defence work and in particular Gary Brock in goal ensured the cleansheet for the Bicester side.

From the start Bicester put the home side under pressure and Shaun Varney and Chris Birch playing up front had a number of good half chances which they failed to convert. Well drilled penalty corner routines also failed to come off for Bicester as the Wokingham keeper confidently dealt with any variation that Bicester produced.

Jon Roger proved to be a thorn in Wokingham’s side as he worked the left side of the pitch and put a number of tempting balls into the Wokingham D but to no avail. With 20 minutes gone the deadlock broke as Wokingham half cleared a Steve Birtles shot which Varney pounced on and  flicked the ball  high into the net past a Wokingham goal line defender. Trevor Joseph worked tirelessly on the right to provide more potential goal scoring chances and Birch doubled the lead with a sublime reverse stick chip shot from the right which curled into the left hand side of the goal over the diving keeper from a Roger cross.

In the second half Wokingham doubled their efforts and desperate defending by Jack Higginson (who was later yellow carded for an inoffensive tackle) Mike Shorthouse and Stuart Lloyd kept the home side out with Brock in addition pulling off some cracking saves to earn his well deserved man of the match award. CJ Birtles and Adam Buxhey both provided good outlets from defence linking well with Pete English as Bicester looked threatening on the counter attack but despite some promising opportunities; failed to increase their lead before the end of the match but can look forward to playing division 9 hockey next year after a well deserved and hard fought season.

TWO MORE TEAMS HAVE PROMOTION!!!

BICESTER HOCKEY CLUB Match Reports For 26/27 March 2011

Pete English		Joe Sach		Mens 4's Penalty Corner
	Lucy Birtles		Wayne Dobbins

So many pictures today I had hardly any room, so click on them to see them in ALL their glory.

Bicester Ladies 1’s 7, Wallingford Ladies 2’s 0

Bicester Ladies 1’s delivered one of their best performances of the season on Saturday with a fine win over nearest rivals in the League, Wallingford . On a warm day and with the League already secured, a rather tired and complacent performance was feared by Skipper Lilla Venning. This was not to be the case at all. The whole team worked hard throughout and never gave Wallingford a moment to get into the game. Kath James scored her first after 10 minutes with a trade mark reverse sweep from the top of the area. Jan Southam took the score to two when she pounced on a ball from close range soon after. Excellent pressure in the midfield from Lisa Ryan, Hannah Newell and Amy Richardson kept the ball wholly in Bicester’s half and enabled James to score her second and Susie Miller to open her tally before half time. The momentum remained with Bicester through the second half with the wide defence of Lucy Birtles and Laura Pickering providing an attacking platform to the rest of the team. Venning scored her first from a rebound ball struck by Ryan before James secured her 49^th goal of the season. The final score came from an angled shot from Venning. Bicester go into the final game of the season next week, having scored 128 goals and conceded 6.

Bicester Men’s 1^st               4

Newbury & Thatcham       0

Bicester Men’s 1^st XI signed off their season with a fine 4-0 victory over a competitive Newbury & Thatcham side and also secured their promotion to Division 1.

Bicester knew that if they got something out of this game then they would be promoted.  With this in mind, they got the perfect start with their first penalty corner of the game.  Wayne Dobbins squaring the ball to Jon Roger who fired the ball low in the bottom of the goal.

Bizarrely, given the importance of the game, Bicester then decided to take their foot of the pedal and for the remainder of the half allowed Newbury plenty of time on the ball, although they failed to create too many clear cut chances.

After some stern words from captain Dan Round at half-time, Bicester really raised their game in the second half and started to play the type of hockey that had got them into a promotion race.

They got their second of the game when midfielder Tim Yates found striker Chris Ruff at the top of the area, who drilled the ball straight down the middle of the goal. 

This gave the home team the confidence that they needed and moments later they got their third goal this time good link up play between Ruff and Dobbins enabled Dobbins to surprise the Newbury keeper with a reverse bunt into the bottom corner.

Bicester sealed their promotion, with a well-executed routine from back to front which left Ruff with the simplest of tap-ins to cap a fine win and complete a very good season for Bicester Men’s 1^st XI.

SLOUGH MENS 3'S  3 - BICESTER MENS 2'S 0

Bicester 2's ended their season away against an eexperienced Slough side.

The away side more than matched Slough in open play and Mike Bywater was a constant threat to the  Slough defence going close on a number of occasions.

At the back, the Bicester defence kept the Slough forward line at bay in open play but twice beat keeper Adam Giles from strikes at short corners to lead going into half time.

The second half saw Bicester push forward, building attacked right from the back from Man of the Match Chris Allen and through the middle of the park through the impressive James Pilgram.

Any hopes of a comeback were dashed when the ball struck Allen's foot on the line and Giles had no chance from the resulting penalty flick. 

Mens 4’s

Sonning VI 1 vs 3 Bicester IV

Bicester secured promotion in runners up spot with one game go by beating Sonning. This was a closely fought contest and in the early exchanges neither side seriously threatened their opponents goal. Bicester played the better hockey but were often caught in possession as they attempted to take on one too many defenders. Bicester looked the most dangerous when they exploited the flanks and with 20 minutes played took a deserved lead. CJ Birtles found Chris Birch on the wing who linked up with Luke Smith who shot was scuffed by the keeper behind Birch who dived to slot the ball home. Bicester then pressed for another with Martin Austin Jr in particular causing the Sonning defence trouble whilst Pete English and Steve Birtles just about came out winners in the centre of midfield battle.

In the second half Sonning restored parity within a minute of the restart with a sublime tip over keeper Adam Giles. Although the point would have been enough to secure promotion Bicester wanted the win and hard work by Smith upfront was finally rewarded when a good advantage was played by the umpire which resulted in Smith’s reverse stick shot beaten the keeper and nestling into the corner of the goal. Sonning once more pushed for the equaliser. The Bicester defence held strong before with five minutes remaining Smith scored his second on the third attempt at goal securing promotion for the team after a hard fought season.

Emily Jane Hill	Toby	Dugald Humphreys

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Bicester Ladies 1’s score 8 against Wychwood Ladies 1’s

It was another fine performance for Bicester Ladies 1’s on Saturday against a fast and skilful Wychwood side.  After beating Sonning Ladies 7 – 0 the previous week, Bicester were a little sleepy during the first twenty minutes of the game, or perhaps this was down to a surfeit of jelly babies before the match began! Wychwood started with the ball and Bicester unusually found themselves with a penalty corner to defend within the first minute. The ball was well cleared by Yvonne Jackson and this set a platform for an immediate counter attack which resulted in a Bicester penalty corner which was well put away by Kath James from a reverse sweep. The next 15 minutes were very even with Wychwood working hard on and off the ball and keeping Bicester on the back foot. The stalemate was broken when Jan Southam scored her first of the day and then this was swiftly followed by a deflected goal in from Amy Richardson and a further goal from Kath James. Bicester went into half time happy with the last 10 minutes of their performance of the first half but still with a need to play the easy ball well and to use the full stretch of the pitch. Wychwood came out hard in the second half but their hopes were immediately dampened when James scored her third from a well placed through ball from Lilla Venning. To their credit Wychwood continued to work hard and maintained a sportsmanlike and good humoured approach to the end. After Venning squandered a number of chances for goal, Richardson scored her second from the right post, James delivered an expert aerial goal from another penalty corner and Southam pounced on the ball after a goal mouth scramble to take the tally to 8. The result means that Bicester remain unbeaten this season with a tally of 121 goals for and just 6 conceded, with two games remaining. They face a tough challenge against second placed in Division 1 Wallingford at home next Saturday. Woman of the Match was Amy Richardson.

Oxford Hawks                     1

Bicester Men’s 1^st               1

Bicester Men’s 1^st XI picked up a hard-earned away point in their penultimate game of the season with a draw against Oxford Hawks.

Both teams needed to get something out of the game but for very different reasons, Bicester for promotion and Hawks to avoid relegation.  The Hawks team clearly had a few more experienced players than when the two teams met earlier in the season and a result both teams were evenly matched.

Bicester started the game brightly and had the best of the early chances but as the half wore on Hawks started to come back into it and the Bicester goalkeeper and man-of-the-match Peter Bowen had to make some fine saves to ensure that the game remained goalless at half-time.

In the second half, Bicester again started well and with a change upfront they looked a little livelier.  After some good build up play, CJ Birtles’ deflected shot looped up into the air for Stuart Lock to tip the ball into an empty net.

This gave Bicester a much needed boost and just minutes later some great play from the midfield, led to Jon Roger forcing a fine save from the Hawks goalkeeper.

With ten minutes to go, Hawks broke into the Bicester half and a miss-hit shot from the top of the “D” deceived both Bowen and his defence and ball ended up in the bottom corner of the goal.

On reflection, a draw was probably the fairest result and Bicester know that they only need to better Abingdon’s result next week to secure promotion to Division 1.

Bicester IV 2 vs 0 Wokingham IV

Bicester remain in second in the league requiring one point from their last two league games as they eliminated rivals Wokingham from the running with this hard fought win.

Wokingham fielded a young fit side so Bicester had to rely on their experience and composure to supress the visitors. From the start Wokingham passed the ball fluidly and attacked aggressively but the defence of Joe Johnson, Mike Shorthouse and Stuart Lloyd held out deny and good goal scoring opportunities. Bicester threatened on the break but due to the superior speed of the visitors frequently found themselves outnumbered in attack but took the lead from their second penalty corner of the game when Martin Austin pounced on a half clearance from Steve Birtles initial shot the slot the ball home. Shortly afterwards Graham Harman was injured which left Bicester with no subsistutes which they desperately needed as the pace of the game and the heat of the day began to take its toll on the older Bicester side. However the crucial nature of this game meant that Bicester battled on and Captain Pete English lead by example giving Wokingham little time on the ball and linking well with Trevor Joseph to threaten Wokingham with some fluid moves.

In the second half Keeper Darren Moore put in an outstanding performance as a string of shot were directed at his goal and the only one he failed to deal with struck the post to further deny the frustrated visitors. As the game progressed Bicester switched tactics to a possession game, exploiting the flanks and enabling Wokingham to jab tackle the ball off the side line and burn valuable time they could ill afford. With 10 minutes to go Shaun Varney took advantage of a quick free hit from Birtles to run between two defenders and slot the ball under the advancing keeper in a move that was to secure the three points for Bicester.

WALINGFORD  MENS IV  6   BICESTER  MENS III   O
  A disappointing end to a two game unbeaten run but with LEE MEONS deputising in goal for the first time in three years and a Walingford side pushing for promotion it was always going to be a tough battle. But sterling work from the defense and young Lee, kept the score to a manageable 2-0 at half time with Bicester creating several good chances of their own.The second half followed a simelar patern to the first but it was Bicesters passing that ultimately let them down with Walingford running out comfortable winners.Bicester look forward to getting back to winning ways next week with our last home game of the season. 

Susie Miller	Harry Gaunt

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Bicester Ladies 1’s maintain unbeaten record

Bicester Ladies 1’s Hockey team maintained their unbeaten record with a 6 – 1 away win over third in the League Gerrards Cross. Having secured top of the League status last week, coach Mark Stuart Thompson feared a slightly complacent and sleepy performance. These fears were to be proved unfounded as the team continue to show determination to go through the season without defeat. Bicester had to work hard for the first goal which developed from fine midfield play and then a through ball from Kath James to Ruth Thomas who was well positioned on the right post. Bicester went two up 10 minutes later when Lisa Ryan fired a ball accurately through to Lilla Venning who, one on one with the keeper, slotted the ball in the right corner. Bicester then went to sleep for the next 5 minutes and allowed Gerrards Cross to counter attack strongly. An excellent drive up the right side of the pitch was struck sweetly by Gerrards Cross to score a rare goal against Bicester this season. This was just what Bicester needed to focus, settle and play more controlled hockey, best exemplified by Susie Miller, Ryan, Hannah Newell and Lucy Birtles in the midfield. James took the score to 3 -1 just before half time from an open play move. After the break Bicester  remained in control of the game which was largely played in the opposition half and allowed  the Bicester defence to push far up the pitch. Left back Laura Pickering set up the fourth goal with a well placed pass to James who scored her second with a reverse sweep. Woman of the Match Susie Miller got her name on the score board next after following up a strike on goal from Jan Southam. Southam secured the final score with an excellent strike from a penalty corner.

Bicester ladies 2’s

Bicester Ladies 2's who started the day in a relegation position faced a tough challenge against bottom placed Phoenix who are also in the fight to avoid relegation. Bicester started brightly with some good attacking play, Phoenix were quick on the break and put the Bicester defence under some pressure, but they did not take their chances. Bicester capitilsed on this and took the lead after Emily Hills shot was saved, Lucy McGregor pounced onto the loose ball and swept the ball into the top left corner of the goal. Bicester kept the pressure on and scored a 2nd goal minutes later, after Amy Evans cleared the ball from a defensive short corner and Sheryl Philpott finished the move with a good shot past the keeper. Bicester still had time before the break to score a 3rd goal, again Amy Evans was involved in the build up and Sheryl Philpott scored her 2nd goal with a neat step around the keeper and a cool finish.Phoenix came out more determined in the 2nd half and had a number of shots cleared by the defence and some good saves were made by goalkeeper Fiona Boyer. Bicester had more chances to score but did not take them. Phoenix scored in the last minute of the game with a strong strike to make the final score 3-1. Emily Hill was Bicester player of the match.
 

West Hampstead                3

Bicester Men’s 1^st               4

Bicester Men’s 1^st XI produced a great, hard-fought away win at promotion rivals West Hampstead . 

The game started at a frantic pace and Bicester fell behind to a very early goal from a penalty corner. 

However, as they have done on many occasions this season, they responded in great style with an equaliser almost straightaway.  Wayne Dobbins turned well at the top of the area, before hitting the ball towards the goal, where Joe Sach tipped the ball past the goalkeeper into the back of the net.

Just six minutes into the game the third goal was scored.  This time, Bicester sprung the perfect counter-attack and striker Chris Ruff found himself in acres of space in the West Hampstead area and he coolly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper, to give Bicester a 2-1 lead.

Bicester then began to control the game but unusually, switched off at the vital moment to allow West Hampstead to equalise.  This appeared to give Bicester the perfect wake-up call and they scored another great team goal.  The ball eventually arriving at Dobbins in the West Hampstead area and he found man-of-the match Harry Gaunt who had the simplest of tap-ins to regain the away team’s lead.

Just before half-time Gaunt was released on the half-way line and he showed great pace to create an one-on-one opportunity before calmly lifting the ball over the advancing goalkeeper to give Bicester a two-goal advantage at half-time.

Half time: West Hampstead 2 Bicester 4.

Bicester knew that the home team would start the second half well and they had to stand up to the challenge.  However, they were not helped when the home side scored a controversial goal to narrow the gap to just one goal.

The away team continued to battle really hard for one another and as the defence of Round, Southam, Lock and Goodacre stood firm, Bicester limited West Hampstead ’s opportunities to equalise and eventually held out to win this vital game.

Bicester now know that promotion is in their own hands and if they win their last three league games, then they will be promoted.

Bicester Mens 2s v Staines

Result bic 3 staines 2

The match started well for Bicester 2’s with Luke Smith whacking one into the back of the net, taking the home team to an early lead just after a minute. The second came not long after from a skillful aerial from Humphreys where Bywater managed to pick it up on his reverse stick and passed it neatly across to Pilgrim who managed to drag flick it towards the goal, the Staines keeper managed to reach it and push it away but Bicester Captain Buxey was on the post to put it cleanly away to take the home team 2 up.  

The first half was where the action was coming from, and Staines quickly picked up the pace to tap two goals home to make it 2-2 by half time.

The second half Bicester came back fighting and were unlucky several times with some good work on the wing from young Hull , but Bywater just could not get on it to put them away. Staines just could not keep up with the pace from the Bicester boys in with the third goal coming from Oaky after some strong movement on the wing from Peeley to Lewis Allen who pushed it across the D for Oaky to tap her home to take the Home team 3-2 up.

Man of the match was Oaky well deserved.

Kath James	Lilla Venning

Bicester Ladies 1’s celebrate a 10 – 0 win against Milton Keynes

Bicester Ladies 1’s Hockey team put in a league winning home performance on Saturday with a 10 – 0 win over Milton Keynes 2’s. Bicester were nervous going into the match as MK had delivered a number of good results since Christmas and the home team, having lost a number of key players through injury, could only field the minimum 11. Nevertheless, Bicester set about the game with a steely determination to not only win, but also to put in a league title winning performance in front of their loyal supporters. The game was held to 0 – 0 for the first 10 minutes until Kath James put in a cross strike to Ruth Thomas who slotted in from the right post. MK then delivered a strong counter attack which caused some Bicester nerves but good defending from Hannah Newell and Lucy Birtles ensured that no strike on goal was achieved. Bicester brought the tally to 2 – 0 after a penalty corner strike from Lilla Venning was slotted by Lisa Ryan. The score was then taken to 3 – 0 after a well positioned pass from Thomas found Venning in front of the MK keeper. Susie Miller and Amy Richardson used the space in the wide midfield to maintain pressure on MK and it was a lovely ball from Miller that found Kath James at the top of the area for a well timed strike in the left hand corner of the goal. Bicester went into half time very satisfied with being 4 – 0 up. Skipper Lilla Venning was, however, even more delighted with the second half performance when Bicester showed a ruthless side and maintained pressure and energy to the end. James scored 4 more goals – 1 of which came from a diving reverse sweep and another from a superbly executed aerial short corner routine. Ryan bagged her second after a further strike from James was parried by the MK keeper and Ryan secured the rebound. The score was taken to 10 when Venning scored her second, taking the ball calmly round the grounded MK keeper. Special credit should be given to the MK defence and to their keeper who worked hard to the end and were sportsmanlike and gracious in defeat. Woman of the Match was Kath James.  This result means that Bicester Ladies 1’s, with 5 games still to play,  will be promoted as League champions to the Premier Divisions for the first time ever. The end of the game saw a truly ‘champagne’ moment.

Bicester Men’s 1^st               0

Aylesbury                             1

Bicester Men’s 1^st XI suffered only their third defeat of the season and their first at home, against a determined and well-organised Aylesbury side.

Bicester never really got going in the first half with strikers Wayne Dobbins and Jon Roger only having a few half chances to open the scoring.  However, it was no real surprise when Aylesbury took the lead with a scrappy goal.  Bicester continued to look dis-jointed and were glad to hear the half-time whistle.

Although the home team improved in the second-half they could not find a way past the Aylesbury defence and on the rare occasions that they did, the visiting goalkeeper made two very good saves to preserve his team’s advantage.

With just four league games to go, Bicester know that they will have to improve if they want to secure promotion.

 Bicetser Mens 2’s

Another great performance from Bicester 2nd Team saw them achieve back to back wins! This weeks was a 1-6 victory away to Eastcote.

After a great win the previous week, Bicester went into this match full of confidence and took an early lead through Ian Oak. This was cancelled out when Eastcote equalized shortly after. The teams went in level at half time.

In the second half Bicester came out fighting and restored their lead almost immediately. A well worked move saw Mike Bywater lift the ball over the Eastcote keeper.

With their noses in front again the away team really started to turn the screw. Further goals were added in quick succession.The 3rd goal was added by Captain Adam Buxey before man of the match Ian Oak scored the 4th and 5th.

There was still time for Mike Bywater to cooley slot home a 6th, when a shot from Surana deflected of the post and straight into his path.

Bicester completely dominated the second half and with this win have now moved to 6th position in the league.

Mikey Bywater, Mens 2nd	Andrew Foreman, Mens 2nd	Ruth Thomas, Ladies 2nd

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Ladies 1’s

James scores 4 in a 5 goal win over Witney

Bicester Ladies 1’s Hockey team maintained their unbeaten League record with a 5 – 1 away win over Witney on Saturday. Bicester started really well and for the first 20 minutes the match was entirely fought in Bicester’s half. A number of excellent attacking moves kept Witney under pressure but some excellent keeping from the Witney keeper kept the score at 0 – 0. Bicester squandered a few penalty corner chances before James smashed in her first from the top of the area. Bicester continued to pile on the pressure and were disappointed when two successive goals from Lisa Ryan were disallowed. Just before half time James struck again with a trademark skilful reverse sweep. During the second half It was clear that Witney were prepared to play hard until the end and the Bicester defence were put under pressure a couple of times. Lucy Birtles in midfield made a number of fine runs up the right hand side of the pitch, connecting well with right forward Susie Miller, and helped ensure that Bicester kept the momentum. Bicester were able to keep good possession for most of the second half and played some lovely hockey, passing the ball wide and building attacks that resulted in a ball fed through by Su Wheeler to James who converted, also from a reverse sweep. Soon after Lisa Ryan swept a long ball through to Lilla Venning who  scored the fourth goal from close range, between the keeper’s feet. At this point Bicester lost concentration and Witney launched an impressive counter attack. A number of crucial tackles were missed and Witney were able to score from open play and a fine strike from the top of the D. This was enough to ensure Bicester regained focus and the rest of the game was all Bicester’s with a number of great attacks on goal. James uncharacteristically missed a couple of aerial strikes on goal and a penalty flick before she scored her fourth 10 minutes from the end. This result ensures that Bicester will be promoted to the Premier Leagues next year, with 6 games still to play. Woman of the match was Lucy Birtles.

Mens 1’s

Bicester 1^st Vs High Wycombe 3rds 2-2 Draw

Bicester travelled away to top of the table High Wycombe for a big game for both sides.  Bicester started the game well scoring after 5 minutes. Joe Sach was given space at the top of the D by a sluggish Wycombe defence to fire home.  However, Wycombe showed their credentials as table toppers.  They equalised immediately when a well worked move wrong footed the otherwise solid defence of Round, Sullivan, Southam and Goodacre.  Bicester changed players to push forward but a youthful Wycombe kept them pegged back.  Bicester scored again when forwards Waldorf and Statler combined leaving Dobbins an open goal.  Wycombe equalised again with a short corner which was converted by the leagues top goal scorer.

The second half saw both sides attack in an half that was played end to end.  The Bicester midfield of Lock, Snell, Birtles and Smith did well to stop most attacks and create chances in the Wycombe half.  The last 10 minutes saw both sides get close to scoring only for both keepers making excellent saves.  Bicester Keeper Bowen made multiple excellent saves five minutes from time.  The game finished with a 2-2 draw that both sides would be happy with.

Ladies 2’s

Bicester ladies 2's earned a valuable point in their fight to avoid relegation at home to City of Oxford ladies. Bicester took the lead after Ruth Thomas stayed calm to score a well placed strike to the right of the keeper. City were then lucky to equalise after a high shot from a short corner. Bicester came back to take the lead again on the stroke of half time after a well worked short corner routine ended with Stacey Roger slamming the ball past the keeper. The second half was closely fought with a number of chances for both teams but City managed to claw a goal back and the game ended 2-2. Woman of the match was split between 3 of Bicesters players; Grace Julier, Lucy McGregor and Ruth Thomas.
 

Mens 2’s

Another Saturday afternoon at Cooper school and another battling performance from Bicester Men’s 2^nd Team.

A lively and physical match saw Bicester run out 2-1 winners, against arguably one of the leagues surprise packages in Phoenix & Ranleigh. Recent results had seen Phoenix rise to 3^rd in the league, meaning that Bicester would have to be at the top of their game if they were to get anything from the match.

Bicester, who lost narrowly the previous weekend against top of the table West London, started the match with real determination.

Early efforts at goal were well saved by the visiting keeper, but with the increasing pressure it was only a matter of time before the home side found the back of the net.

A well worked move down the right ended with Lewis Allen scoring from a tight angle thus adding to his tally of 4 goals this season. At this point Bicester looked comfortable and continued to press.

With half time looming Phoenix started to assert themselves, winning successive short corners. From one of the resulting corners Phoenix drew level. A kind deflection fell to the Phoenix centre forward who in turn drilled the ball past home goal keeper Darren Moore.

The second half was very even and both sides had good chances to take the lead.

The final and deciding goal went to the home. The Phoenix keeper made a great save from close range but the ball fell to James Pilgrim who pounced and did not need asking twice to Cooley slot the ball home.

Home goal keeper Darren Moore was again in excellent form.

Bicester have now established themselves as 7^th in the league and will be looking to push onward and upwards for the rest of the season.    

Bicester Mens IV 1 vs 3 Reading Rovers

Bicester’s promotional hopes were all but dashed with defeat to league leaders Reading. As expected the visitors proved to be a tough side to breakdown; however sterling work by the midfield ensured that in the opening exchanges both sides were nullified.  After 15 minutes Reading took the lead when an opportunistic cross found its way through two defenders and to a Reading player on the top of D who swept the ball into the corner of the goal, past the  unsighted keeper Darren Moore who did not have enough time to react.

Bicester drew back level within five minutes from their first penalty corner of the game. Steve Birtles’s far post shot was going wide but Martin Austin Snr was on hand to deflect the ball into the net.

In the second half Bicester started positively and threatened the Reading goal with Trevor Joseph frequently getting into threatening positions. The superior fitness of the Reading side began to tell and although they now began to dominate play the defence held strong and allowed few scoring opportunities. Bicester’s luck was not to hold as the visitor’s scored  two fortunate goals which keeper Moore was disappointed that he did not handle the shots better. Failing unexpected losses for Reading, Bicester’s hope now lies in finishing second. Two of the remaining games are against Wokingham currently lying two points behind Bicester which will make the final weeks of the season a nail biting affair.

Lisa Ryan	Jan Southam	Dugald Humphreys

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Bicester Ladies 1’s 2 – Amersham and Chalfont ladies 2’s 0

Bicester Ladies 1’s faced their toughest game of the season away against a strong Amersham team on Saturday. Bicester started well and put immediate pressure on the Amersham defence but squandered some early opportunities to take the lead. Amersham’s game plan of man marking and disrupting Bicester’s control of the game was effective and this kept the score line at 0 -0 at half time. A disallowed Bicester goal (in bizarre circumstances to say the least) just before half time caused frustration amongst the ranks and tempers were at risk of flaring. Bicester found themselves in the unfamiliar territory of being 0 -0 at half time and needing to regain composure and focus. Skipper Lilla Venning asked the team to focus their efforts on the ball and the game, rather than the umpires and was pleased with the positive response. Amersham never threatened Bicester’s goal in open play at any point in the game, demonstrated by the fact that the Bicester goalie didn’t touch the ball at all. For the second half the game continued to be largely fought in the midfield and some stirling effort by Lisa Ryan, Hannah Venning, Hannah Newell, Su Wheeler and Shelley Richardson kept the momentum going for Bicester. Eventually the deadlock of Bicester attack countered by solid and physical Amersham defence was broken when Kath James fired a powerful strike from the top of the D which twanked off the keepers pads and into the top right hand corner of the goal. Minutes later Jan Southam took the score to 2 with a close range flick from the right post. For the remaining 10 minutes of the game Bicester were happy to defend their lead and to register three more points in their quest for promotion to the Premier Division. Woman of the match was Lisa Ryan.

Bicester mens 2’s  v banbury 3’s          result bic 5 ban 2

Bicester 2^nd Team won 5-2 against local rivals Banbury on a very wind swept Saturday afternoon.

It was Bicester’s best performance of the season especially as Banbury sat 3^rd in the league before push back.

Early goals from Bywater and Humphreys saw Bicester take a deserved 2-0 lead, but through two well worked short corners Banbury drew level at 2-2 before half time.

Banbury started the second half in the ascendency and forced several fine saves from Birthday boy Darren Moore.

Bicester regained their composure and it wasn’t long before they took the lead again. A well worked attack resulted in Pilgrim scoring his first goal of the season and Bicester’s 3^rd of the day. The final two goals were added by Surana.

Bicester’s defence were solid throughout and the Man of the match vote was given to Ed Hull for a tireless and faultless display at right back.

 Bicester ladies 2’s also played amersham Chalfont  ladies 3’s

Result 1-1 draw

Bicester Ladies 2's put in a good team performance to earn a draw against Amersham and Chalfont. Amersham were lucky to take the lead in the first half after some strong attacks from Bicester. Bicester were the stronger of the 2 teams in the second half and had a number of short corners which were well worked but not converted. Bicester drew level after a good break which started from the defence. Grace Julier picked up the ball and skilfully went past the Amersham defence before passing the ball to the right to Sheryl Philpott who neatly passed the ball between the keepers legs. Amersham fought back in the last 10 minutes with some good attacks but Bicesters defence stood strong to gain a well earned draw. Woman of the match was Lucy McGregor.

Bicester IV 1 vs 2 Wallingford IV

Bicester’s promotional expectations took a dent as they lost the return fixture to Wallingford. Bicester will rue missed chances as the visitors took full advantage of the few chances presented to them.

Bicester started strongly putting Wallingford under a great deal of pressure and creating a number of half chances but failing to convert any of them. Wallingford took the lead when a breakdown in discipline resulted in a penalty corner that Wallingford calmly converted. This was one of only four occasions that Wallingford successfully  penetrated the Bicester D in the game. Bicester restored parity with their fourth penalty corner. Steve Birtles dribbled past three players before slipping the ball to Oz Shorthouse who flicked the ball over the diving keeper to even the score.

In the second half Bicester continued to threaten and were presented with two open goals but failure to control the ball and shots shaving the post meant the visitors held out until 10 minutes from time; when Wallingford were awarded a penalty stroke for a foot stop on the line and keeper Gary Brock was unable to prevent the stroke being converted. Bicester battled for the equaliser but the defence held out until the final whistle.

Ladies 3’s 1 v alyesbury 3’s’ 6  

Despite a 6:1 lost to Aylesbury’s Ladies 3's this Saturday, Bicester's ladies development squad, the Ladies 3's put in another spirited performance.  Aylesbury opened the scoring early on, but Bicester showed great team work and camaraderie to equalise through Kirsty Winspear. Despite their best efforts of Bicester, the more experienced Aylesbury team proceeded to score a further 5 goals to register the victory.