Had a bye in the first round.
Second Round vs Morpeth, at home, on Sunday 25th November.
Won 3-0
A sound first half from the home side saw them take a comfortable 3-0 lead, thanks to goals from Andrew Battye, Phil Palfreyman and Jan Ahmed. There could've been more ... one or two chances went begging and Nick Kennerley was unlucky not to be awarded a flick.
After the interval, a few changes were made to give other squad members a run out, and with Morpeth also changing their approach, the home team found it difficult to maintain the same momentum. Again, one or two chances went begging, thuogh none clear cut. Morpeth were slightly unlucky not to be awarded with a flick when Tone appeared, rather deliberately, to stop a ball with his foot in the "D". It was fortunate for him and the team that the umpire could not see clearly that Tone was in the "D" and that he awarded a penalty corner.
A good result though, and at least we can look forward to another run out in February against Ipswich - at home..
Chesterfield v Shrewsbury 0 - 3 (Sunday October 14th 2007)
Chesterfield vets (over 40s) made the long trip to Shrewsbury with a 10 man squad. This was our first excursion into this competition. The omens were not looking good for our ‘virgin’ vets as just 24 hours prior we were in danger of forfeiting the game due to last minute withdrawals. With our Irish import confirming at 8pm and the 3rd team veteran sweeper (just returning from his Saga holiday in Spain and delirious from our Rugby victory against ‘Le Frogs’) agreeing near midnight I could finally go to bed!
The 10 man party reminiscent of a ‘Friends Reunited’ Reunion met at the Brampton Manor for an early 10.30 departure. Weather conditions were dull but pleasant for this time of the year.
If this make shift team of vets and super vets were fearful of a thrashing it did not show. Shrewsbury, after all, was no mean opposition at home and had reached the semis beating Cannock a couple of year’s earlier.
The journey was made longer by congestion just outside Shrewsbury. We were just in time for the 2pm start. With just enough time to attend nature’s necessities the ill prepared team was quickly on the pitch.
Chesterfield was soon on the defensive with the Shrews making the extra man count. Some resolute defending and inspired goalkeeping from MJ kept the score 0-0 till about 10 minutes before halftime when a deflection gave him no chance.
The vets were unlucky to go 2-0 down at the stroke of halftime – a deflection during the second phase of a short corner.
To their credit the vets continued defending and kept the opposition at bay. Their attacks were limited to hopeful crosses across the ‘D’. Chesterfield created a few chances with Nick being outstanding.
McCran policed the defence giving his teammates plenty of verbal support. Andy and Tony silently got on with their job with their usual efficiency. Len (‘Sam’) had an excellent debut. Even ‘Higgy’ and Les were seen burning a few calories with some tireless running. Defender Scott unexpectedly found himself in a one on one situation with the opposition goal keeper.
As tiredness finally set in the vets struggled to remember their team mate’s names resorted to calling them Sam. This ploy worked as it confused the opposition and looked like keeping the second half goalless.
It required an exocet of a shot (the type that is often attempted in practice but rarely successful) to make the final score 3-0.
Our thanks to the hosts and the excellent umpires for playing the game in the right spirit.
We were then treated to a curry (unlimited) which was beyond the stomachs of our diet conscious vets – where are Hunter/Kay when you need them?!
Even the opposition captain’s offer to a free drink was declined –“who needs to drink …. …..to have fun! Could this be a first?
Our thanks to Mac, Len and Les for chauffeuring the team.
The loss enables the vets another bite at the cherry – the team goes into the draw for the plate in January. This should give us enough time to get to know our team mates and even remember their names!! We may even surprise ourselves and attempt to attend Sunday training (after mini hockey)!
Team – Martin Jones (GK), Tony Bointon, Lawrence McCran, Andy Fisher, Len Unwin, Les Hawketts, Mark Fonseca, Gary Scott, Alan Higgenbottom, Nick Kennerley.