Mens 1XI Match Reports 2011/12

24/03/12 v Leicester University - Away - W - 5-2 - T Dennsi (2), S Round (2), J O'Brien

In a game Players had to win to avoid relegation a goal each from Stef Round and Tony Dennis ensured the right start - But the home side were always dangerous on the break and only another Tony Dennis goal ensured the vistors were still ahead 3-2 at half time - The next goal was probably going to be the decider and fortunately it came from another Stef Round strike with a penalty corner from Jordan O'Brien securing the 3 points

0/03/12 v Leicester Westleigh - Highfields - D - 1-1 - T Dennis

A Tony Dennis effort put the home side ahead in the first half but despite lots of pressure no further goals came and the visitors equalised to set up a nervy finish to the game

17/03/12 v Nuneaton - Highfields - W - 3-2 - S Dockrell, S Round, D Shearer

With the score 2 nil to the opposition at half time and with the home side rarely threatening the opposition goal it looked like it was curtains for Players' chance or avoiding relegation - But a quick watering of the pitch seemed to changed things round and a good individual goal from Dan Shearer and a sniffer from Stef Round levelled the score before a Stephen Dockrell penalty secured all 3 points - Special mention to Jordan O'Brien for unanimously grabbing all the votes for "Dick Of The Day"

10/03/12 v Leicester Thursday - Away - L - 0-6

A fast, fit and skilful Thursday side blew Players away despite the visitors having as much possession and territory - Players have 2 more games against Leicester clubs and badly need maximum points
 
26/02/12 v Berkswell & Balsall Common - Away - W - 5-4 - A Desai (2), S Dockrell, D Henderson, R Millar

A young and inexperienced Players team finally came out on top of a must win game - Trailling 4-2 with a little over 10 minutes to go Dougie Henderson scored his first goal for the 1XI with a nice deflected penalty corner - Stephen Dockrell levelled the scores from a penalty stroke, then a second goal for man of the match Arpan Desai regained the lead with 5 minutes to go - Despite massive pressure from the home side Players held on for the 3 points - Mentions go to Joe Green and Paddy Massam on their 1st team debuts

25/02/12 v Leicester - Highfields - D - 4-4 - S Dockrell (2), L Rammage, G Woods

Players found themselves trailling 4-2 at half time despite having dominated the first half - The opposition were very quick on the break and knew where the goal was so it was vital the home team got the first goal in the second half - And so it was with Gareth Woods netting early - Players then dominated and a nicely worked penalty corner from Stephen Dockrell drew the scores level - Despite pressure until the end Players couldn't find the winning goal

18/02/12 v Newark - Away - D - 1-1 - L Rammage

Despite dominating the game Players lacked creativity in and around the Newark D and most chances created were easily saved by the Newark keeper - Newark were always dangerous on the break and levelled after Lee Rammage had put the away team ahead - In the end it was a result that didn't help either of the bottom two in the league

28/01/12 v Ashbourne - Highfields - L - 2-4 - T Dennis, L Rammage

Players got their noses in front through forwards, Dennis and Rammage but a serious of injuries affected their ability to hold off a fast attacking Ashbourne team who eventually took all the points

21/01/12 v Coalville - Away - L - 0-3

It took the second half for Players to show any kind of form but by then it was too late as a fast, fit and determined Coalville side had already built up an invincible 3-0 lead - Players desperately need a win next week at fortress Highfields

14/01/12 v Derwent - Highfields - L - 0-3

With key members of the team missing Players were doing to well to hold top of the table Derwent to a 1-0 lead at half time - But a yellow card at the start of the second half resulted in 2 quick goals which despite the home sides rejuvenated attacking display sealed the victory for the away team

07/01/12 v Nottingham - Highfields - W - 4-2

An under strength Players team eventually saw off a hard working and deterimed Nottingham and hopefully some Xmas turkey and pudding as well

10/12/11 v Leicester University - Highfields - L - 2-7 - T Dennis, R Wood

Despite taking the lead Players were blown apart by a fit, skilful and well organised Uni team and in doing so were beaten at Highfields for the first time in 21 months

03/12/11 v Nuneaton - Away - L - 3-4 - T Dennis, L Rammage, R Wood

Players started strongly and went in to an early 2-0 nil lead through Roger Wood and Tony Dennis - But a fast breaking Nuneaton levelled the score at 2-2 and again at 3-3 after another goal from Lee Rammage - Nuneaton scored early in the 2nd half and despite constant pressure from the away side the equaliser wouldn't come

26/11/11 v Leicester Thursday - Highfields - W - 5-3 - T Dennis 2, J O'Brien (2), S Dockrell

Knowing a victory would take Players above Thursday a real determined start saw a 2 nil lead through Jordan O'Brien and Stephen Dockrell only for an ever dangerous opposition to pull the game back to level terms before half time - Tony Dennis with 2 and another from Jordan O'Brien in a matter of minutes looked to have sewn the game up but Thursday pulled one back to give Players an anxious last 10 minutes

12/11/11 v Leicester - Away - D - 2-2 - T Dennis 2

Despite starting the better side Players went 1-0 down to a rebound from a penalty corner and then had to fight hard to stay in the game - A Tony Dennis equaliser meant it was all square at half time - Tony made it 2-1 after 10 minutes of the 2nd half and it was Leicester's turn to hang on - Despite several penalty corners Players couldn't get that all elusive 3rd goal and the ever dangerous Leicester attack equalised to share the points

05/11/11 v Newark - Highfields - W 3-2 - T Dennis, S Dockrell, J Greenwood

Players recorded their first win of the season against a dangerous fast breaking Newark side - Despite early possession and territory from the home side Newark took the lead but a Stephen Dockrell penalty corner and a Tony Dennis open play effort gave Players the lead before Newark equalised with a freaky goal - Players went ahead through Josh Greenwood in the 2nd half but couldn't get the all elusive 4th one which always kept Newark in the chase

29/10/11 v Leicester Westleigh - Away - D - 2-2 - T Dennis, L Rammage

With 6 regular 1st teamers out it was always going to be a case of how quickly the team could gel - Unfortunately Westleigh weren't going to let that happen easily and soon took a deserved lead - Players held on and began to get back in the game with some good passing - Lee Rammage equalised with his 1st goal for the club and Tony Dennis put Players ahead before half time - Players dominated the 2nd half but couldn't get that vital 3rd goal - Stephen Dockrell hit the crossbar with a ferocious drag flick but it was Westleigh who converted their next penalty corner to get the equaliser - Well done to 15 year old Dougie Henderson for making his 1XI league debut

22/10/11 v Berkswell & Balsall Common - Highfields - D - 1-1 - A Desai

Fielding their strongest team of the season Players dominated the game but couldn't add to their solitary first half goal - Berkswell always dangerous on the break equalised in the second half and despite pressure at the end Players couldn't take all 3 points - Congratulations to Arpan Desai on his first league goal for the 1st team and commiserations to Chris Warren for his yellow card and being sent in to the corner like a naughty boy

15/10/11 v Ashbourne - Away - L - 0-4

Despite the sunny day Players were not able to match the weather and failed to master a fit and skilful Ashbourne side

08/10/11 v Coalville - Highfields - D - 2-2 - J Greenwood, J O'Brien

Players got their 1st point of the season against a fit, fast and well organised Coalville team - Trailing 2-0 an inspired substitution saw player manager Tony Dockrell enter the fray and by the time he had departed the scores were level through Josh Greenwood's first goal for the 1st team and a Jordan O'Brien penalty corner - Special mention must go to Alex Teall on his debut and Tony Dennis' shooting not - After several misses Tony went to put his head in his hands and guess what - He missed!

01/10/11 v Derwent - Away - L - 2-4 - M Dockrell, P Dodsley

As the convoy left Highfields for Wirksworth no one could have guessed that by the time it had gone just a few miles every car would have gone its own way, unfortunately resulting in one car getting stuck on the M1 with the keeper in it and so the gane started with 8 players on the pitch - Fortunately the missing car turned up and Players to no ones surprise found themselves 2-1 down at half time - Players got the score back to level terms but couldn't apply the final touch in and around the "D" to take the lead and got caught on the break as the heat of the day took its toll - Derwent added another from a PC after the final whistle had gone

24/09/11 v Mansfield - Away - L - 0-6

Despite the scoreline a weakened Players side should have been in front at half time but were sadly missing their shooting boots - The 2nd half went pretty much the same way except that a fit and fast Mansfield side took advantage as the warm weather took its toll and the game opened up

17/09/11 v Sikh Union Nottingham - Highfields - D - 1-1 - S Dockrell

In a game that ebbed and flowed neither side really took advantage of the chances that came their way and a draw was probably a fair result - Players took the lead as Stephen Dockrell smashed home a rebound from a penalty corner but their lead was cut short by a good finish from another penalty corner - Players had last minute pressure and really should have scored from the resulting penalty corner

10/09/11 v Daventry - Away - L - 1-2 - J O'Brien

Players struggled against a fit and fast Daventry side who took a well deserved 2-0 lead - A Jordan O'Brien goal pegged the score back but the rest of the team failed to add to that to get the draw they deserved