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Monthly Archives: April 2013

HBU would like to Say: “Congratulations to Kent Roller Hockey Academy on wining Eastern Counties under 11 Division 1”

Posted by HBU Admin on April 29, 2013

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Premier League: HBU Win at Letchworth 3 vs 7.

Posted by HBU Admin on April 22, 2013

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PREMIER LEAGUE: Letchworth 3 – 7 Herne Bay United

Time: 11.15am; Date: 20.04.13; Location: Letchworth

Herne Bay United returned to the top of the league with a hard fought 3-7 win away to Letchworth at the weekend. HBU having lost their last match away to Kings Lynn, knew that they needed to put things right against Letchworth.

It was the home side that started strongly putting a slow starting HBU under pressure right from the outset. They were rewarded when 3 minutes into the game the ball broke for Letchworth’s veteran striker and captain Nigel Allen who fired the ball home to make it 1-0. United were struggling to play their free flowing game on what is the smallest rink in the country, but they levelled 2 minutes later when Brendan Barker scored from close range to make it 1-1. The game then settled down, both sides were creating chances but United were starting to control the game. United went 1-2 up with 10 minutes left in the half, Barker scoring his 2nd of the game. United doubled their lead 2 minutes later with a brilliant individual goal from Neil Austin, who picked up the ball in his own half, dribbled 3 players before rounding the keeper to score making it 1-3.

United switched off for a moment and were punished when Letchworth attacked immediately from the restart, Nigel Allen rifling the ball home from long range to make it 2-3. Letchworth were not going to give up and they drew level when Craig Gibson scored from close range (3-3) with 3 minutes left in the half. 2 United defenders and the keeper stopped because they heard a whistle. Gibson did not and despite United’s complaints to the referee the goal stood. There were no more goals in the half and the score was 3-3 at the interval.

 

United were in a battle with their opponents, Letchworth sensed they could get something from the game so were up for the 2nd half. 4 minutes in and United were awarded a penalty after Dan Butcher was taken out in the penalty area. United’s player coach (and captain for the day) Phil McVey stepped up and coolly slotted the penalty home to give United the lead 3-4. This was the lift United needed, 2 minutes later Fabio Vicente scored with a fierce shot to put United 2 goals clear (3-5). Letchworth were now starting to tire, United however were getting stronger, as the game became stretched  and they capitalised scoring 2 more through Barker to make the final score 3-7.

After the game United striker Brendan Barker said: “It was important for us to get the win today, after our first loss of the season last week we knew we needed to get back to winning straight away. Letchworth is never an easy place to come, they are a solid side and their rink is very difficult to play on. We were also missing our captain Simon Hosking so we knew it was going to be tough. We now have 4 games left in the season, all of them very tough. We are playing the other 4 teams that along with us make up the top 5 teams in the league, and the next 3 are all away!”

 

United’s player coach Phil McVey added: “I was pleased with the result today. We play our home matches on the biggest rink in the country so to come to the smallest rink in the country is always hard for us as we find it difficult to play our normal passing game. We had to change our play accordingly and we did. We now go into 3 away games all against the 3 sides who have designs on winning the title. Next Saturday we are away to Manchester, they are trying to win the title for the first time. We go into the match as huge underdogs. Hopefully we will have all of our players available. We are top of league at the moment but you still have to say that we are 4th favourites to win behind Manchester, Middlesbrough and Grimsby, all of whom are our opponents for the next 3 matches, and all of whom have much easier run ins.”

HBU team: Jay Williamson, Eddie Mount, Neil Austin (1), Tom White, Fabio Vicente (1), Phil McVey © (1), Brendan Barker (4), Alex Mount, Joe Singleton & Danny Butcher.

 

Club P W D L GF GA GD Pts
HBU 12 11 0 1 74 37 37 33
Middlesbrough 13 10 1 2 66 34 32 31
Manchester RHC 12 9 0 3 105 57 48 27
Bury 14 9 0 5 73 71 2 27
Grimsby 11 7 1 3 75 40 35 22
Kings Lynn 13 3 1 9 63 97 -34 10
Letchworth RHC 14 3 0 11 48 77 -29 9
Peterborough RHC 13 2 1 10 55 93 -38 7
RHC Invicta 12 1 0 11 33 75 -42 3

 


Youth Academy: Eastern Counties Under 13’s continue promising form!

Posted by HBU Admin on April 16, 2013

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Herne Bay United u13 travelled to Norwich on Sunday for three games sitting in 2nd place in the league & hoping to maintain their position as title contenders.

The first game saw them play 3rd place Peterboro’ with HBU having their usual slow start and seeming to lack the desire to win the match. HBU went ahead through a deflected own goal and continued to miss many of the goal scoring opportunities created. The game was evenly balanced with HBU containing their opponents until a deflected shot allowed Peterboro’ to tap the ball into the net from just a few centimetres. The lack of urgency in HBU play did not change and in the end it was the fine goalkeeping by U11 keeper Harrison that kept the scores level. Harrison was making his debut in the U13 team and his performance was the positive aspect from a disappointing result and bodes well for the u13 team for next season. A good game for the crowd but not the performance that was hoped for. Final score 1 -1.

After the first game the UTD players went out to face local rivals Herne Bay with a much more determined attitude and this was reflected in all aspects of the game with HBU never allowing their opponents time to settle on the ball by passing and moving with greater purpose. This was reflected in the score line and HBU were 4-0 in the first few minutes and while the scoring rate slowed down the final score was 15-1 to HBU, with Harrison making many fine saves throughout the game to restrict HB to only one goal.

The final game of the day was against a Norwich side that had struggled in their earlier matches and this continued to be the case with HBU creating many chances and as in the previous game the finishing was good, all players scored and improved as the day progressed with HBU running out victors 18-0.

 

HBU finished and enjoyable day’s play undefeated, in 2nd place in the league with one more tournament to go. The most pleasing parts of the day were the improvement in team and individual play by the out players, with all the players getting on the scoresheet and the goal keeping performance of Harrison who conceded only 2 goals.

 

Team: Harrison Raven (GK), (C) Jamie McVey(14), Oli Hudson(6), George Daly(6), Luke Huckstepp(3), Sian Emslie(5).

 

HBU play in the final tournament of the season in June with Rhys, Archie and Noah expected to join the squad.


Premier League: Weekend of Mixed Fortunes!

Posted by HBU Admin on April 11, 2013

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Premier League: HBU v Manchester Sat 6th Match @ The Arena (HBU Win 6 – 4)

Premier League: Kings Lynn Sun 7th March @ Kings Lynn (HBU Lose 3 – 6)

HBU Premier League Mixed Fortunes!

Herne Bay United had a tough weekend ahead of them – they were to face their toughest game of the season against the League leaders Manchester and a win would put United in a controlling position of playing all the teams with few remaining games undefeated in a season that HBU were aiming to be a learning season and development season for the future.  United would also be facing improving side Kings Lynn who were second from bottom in the League so two completely different ends of the scale in games.

Saturday Night United faced League leaders and a New Manchester side from last season with their starting 4 being new signings from the continent and all professional players from Spain and Italy. Manchester started strong and United began also working with the system of choice for the season but Manchester were to score first with a well worked goal from Number 4 D’Ananasio. United stepped up applying more pressure and Brendan Barker scored from a ball falling favorably from his own shot in front of the goal making it 1-1. Again United were defending strongly and also gaining chances but the finishing product to the system was not being produced and late in the first half United lapsed and conceded two goals in last 3 minutes and in the last minute Barker was sinned bin for a harsh tackle, Jay Williamson keeping the score down and going into the break 1-3 down and all to do.

United started well in the second half  with 3 men due to the 39 seconds still remaining on 2 minute power play working hard, Simon Hosking was entered as soon as the time elapsed and evened up the teams, with chances beginning to fall to them, Tom White shortly scored in the top left hand corner that came straight out from the inside bar of the goal, unfortunately for Tom he suffered an ankle injury in the process and had to leave the rink and would put him out for the rest of the weekend.

2-3 and  United back in the game and was shortly followed by a superb individual effort from Hosking beating two players in the air to half volley the ball past Manchester’s young up and coming ‘Keeper. United now believed and Manchester were conceding team foul after team foul and had to give away  a direct free hit once they reached 10. Neil Austin took the first but was kept out, but at 3-3 United kept the pressure on and Barker got the 4th for United with a first time shot assisted by Joe Singleton. This was again followed by a cracking backhand drive from Neil Austin to put United 5-3 up. Manchester were looking tired and ratty and frustrated and with no substitutions being made and were needing a boost they did not have. The team fouls continued to be committed and again United were awarded a direct, but Barker failed and was again kept out by Manchester’s ‘Keeper he now being the only member keeping Manchester’s game alive. Unfortunately for him with six minutes to go his stick was out of his hand and he placed his glove on top of the ball awarding United a penalty. Barker Converted on the second attempt due to movement and United were 6-3 up with 6 minutes remaining. Manchester were desperate and fighting to get back and score with 5 minutes remaining but were shortly given no chance after repeated disent towards the referee with two player blue carded in the remaining 4 seconds only for Number 9 to continue this and be awarded the red card and now received a match ban. United finished on top 6-4 and moved to the top of the table and did anyone dare say looking like title contenders.

The following morning United set off to Kings Lynne for their 2nd fixture one not to prove so easy. United never looked like the same team as the night before –  A significantly reduced side was present and though weakened still had names that would have on 90% of occasions done the job.

Kings Lynn are a very promising young side and have been no easy opponent for anyone this season but have not done quite enough to win. Kings Lynn were always going to come out wanting to show their capabilities as this is a game they relish and seeing a weaker United they grasped their opportunity. United were always a step behind from the start and where the HBU younger players showed promise the night before, they failed to take a less pressured situation and use the opportunity presented but their inexperience showed and that consistency was not there, The older members of the team looked tired and were not firing as so often seen. United however did battle to stay in the game but it was not to be and Kings Lynn played superbly to keep United at bay and take a shock win against a team that one day beat the League Leaders beaten by 2nd from bottom Kings Lynn the next!

United Neil Austin said, “I really felt it today and taking nothing away from Kings Lynn they were stronger than us, it was unfortunate that a player was injured yesterday in our Manchester  game and two others unavailable & another on holiday  so we were weaker, and though I am not making excuses after last night’s fixture and heading straight to work for the London Fire service, last night I was called out a number of occasions  and though gave it my all today I was running on empty. We now will work hard to concentrate on every game as it comes and continue the good we have done so far.”

Manager Phil McVey added to this by saying: “The lads were excellent against Manchester, it was a top game of hockey, probably the best match since the Arena opened. Both teams played some exceptional hockey. The lads gave everything and were well worthy of the win. The game on Sunday against close to bottom club Kings Lynne was completely the opposite. It was a tired performance from us. We took a depleted team due to injuries, holidays and work commitments; I think all of the players were shattered from the match the night before. Having said that, Kings Lynne played very well and deserved their victory. We have 5 games left this season; our next is another tough trip, this time to Letchworth. We need to get back to winning ways in that one.”

Herne Bay United teams for matches:

6th April: Jay Williamson, Joe Singleton, Karl Smith, Simon Hosking©(1), Neil Austin(1), Ashley Barton, David Todd, Tom White(1), Brendan Barker(3), Eddie Mount

7th April: Jay Williamson, Karl Smith, Simon Hosking©(1), Neil Austin(2), Ashley Barton, David Todd, Phil McVey, Eddie Mount


Premier League: HBU with a Strong win against Current Champions Grimsby

Posted by HBU Admin on April 1, 2013

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Herne Bay United 5 – 1 Grimsby

Location: Bay Arena
Time: 19.30
Date: 30th March 2013

HBU faced current champions Grimsby on saturday night at the arena. United were looking to make it 9 wins out of 9 in the Premier League this season. Both teams started slowly but it was United who struck first when Brendan Barker scored to make it 1-0 after 4 minutes. United’s lead lasted less than a minute when Andrew Sims scored off a rebound to make it 1-1.

United then stepped up their game. Grimsby could not break down HBU’s defence and United controlled the game in attack. United made it 2-1 with 12 minutes remaining in the half. Barker scoring his 2nd of the game. The score remained 2-1 at halftime.

United whilst far from their best were dominating posession and were creating far more scoring opportunities than their opponents. With 13 minutes left in the game United scored twice inside 30 seconds to put the game beyond Grimsby. First Neil Austin scored a great dribble penalty then Barker scored his 3rd of the game. United were now 4-1 up and cruising. Grimsby were tiring and despite their best efforts they could not find a way through United’s defence. With 7 minutes remaining tom white scored a well taken goal to make the final score HBU 5-1 Grimsby.

After the game Brendan Barker said: “we are progressing nicely. To beat the reigning champions 5-1 is a great result for us. We know we are far from the finished article but we are all pleased with the progress we are making as a team, and the lads are pleased to have won the game.”

United coach Phil McVey said:”it’s coming slowly. The lads are getting the hang of the new system. We controlled the game for the most part, it was good to see the improvement in our game. I don’t think we should get over excited. I still do not think we have any real chance of winning the league. We still have to play current leaders manchester home and away, and we have to play title challengers middlesbrough and grimsby away. Add in away matches to Kings Lynne and Letchworth and a home game against Bury and I think you can safely say the title will be going to either Manchester, middlesbrough or Grimsby. All we are looking at is our own performance and how well we can implement the new system. We have another big weekend coming up as we play Manchester at home on saturday and then Kings Lynne away on sunday.”

Man of the match: Brendan Barker

HBU: Jay Williamson, Eddie Mount, Karl Smith, Simon Hosking (c), Neil Austin (1), Joe Singleton, Tom White (1), Myles Barker, David Todd, Brendan Barker (3).