The Wombles of Wimbledon coming are we... with Tom Millington, the great young goal-ee, and a more than capable defensive back three [edit: that's what happens when you're made to study poetry and rhyme at uni! Plus, I've always believed in this concept with channeling the angles, failed attempt at a jovial chant like you might see - hear! - at Exeter uni, but hey ho!].
Sadly you don't get many chants at hockey (which is a bit of a ledown, especially for goalies!), but Wimbledon look dominant after finally cracking the egg of getting the team of Olympic stars to gel, spurned on with their battles against Holcombe for the top spot (which was right down to the wire and final game of the season), and they have a really strong starter in the shape of Tom Millington, a goalie that should be starting to come into his prime at the age of pre-30 wisdom and fast paced youth, with about three seasons experience under his belt as a consistent national league starter. At the age of 25 and being so dominant with his performances in goal, only Cachia, Bailey or Scanlon really have that weight of experience and grounding behind them as youngsters ('Scanners' playing prem from 21 onwards, and I will exclude Pinner for this statement!) in the whole national league, though Tom is probably the only one in the league that has gone away and been working away on his over-all game as well as fitness levels and agility and physical strength, in order to take over the league with his man of the match goalie displays.
His performances last year were some of the strongest in the league for quite some time, drawing commendation from players and goalkeepers alike, impressing national league veteran Chris Hibbert with his displays that got them into winning the league and then promoted. And having cut his teeth on conference level national league hockey, it's high time he had a crack at the premier league to see how much he can come into his own. He excels at short corners, which are one of the main areas of elite level requirement at this level, and for some reason again you don't see much of this, but should be, like in Potton's Euro display against (link). And it is a useful strength to have, especially if you want to stay out and dominate each and every game. At this level most goal attempts are going to come from short corners and defending them needs to be a strength, rather than being so exposed in field play (which isn't going to happen much due to the counteractive elite defending!), so it is more than a necessity; so he is already in a good place with his technical game.
As you can see for yourself in the clip below, he is able to react from his feet in a standing position if facing high drag flicks, or athletically get down or across to save lower placed flicks. With the intelligence and insight in reading the game, this is going to set him apart from the competition at this level.
Though, having said that his angles look a little off at times and he can sometimes get caught on the short side or acute angle, out of position, just as Brothers struggled with (link). Which, at this speed of the game, will be dreadfully exploited as players see a weakness to make use of, and can target it with their elite precision. But, then again, the qualities in his self confidence and awareness and ability to battle on instead of caving under the weight of goals conceded, he carries on almost regardless, which is what a team really needs in the goalkeeper if they want to battle back into the game. Though, if there is an Achilles heel, it is in his local of communication with his defence, staying very quiet and almost non-existent as a presence behind his defence, which he needs to work on if he wants to play as a refined defensive unit at a higher level (moving from conference to prem anyway!).
Interestingly he has moved brands quite a bit, going from Obo at Lufbra to a Merican glove with Exeter (although still in Obo!), then changing everything with Mercian sponsorship; moving from his Obo gloves with a tube style right hand glove, rather than the newly popular blocking rhp glove. And he is now one of Monarch's new sponsor signings, helping them push the brand along with their D30 range to new heights, weaing much more square pads than in the curved slide-easy approach with Obo.
For the season upcoming, I think he should be able to help Wimbledon do more than simply turn up to games and with their experience (with Olympians in the squad) and a well drilled almost professional set-up, they could even end up mid-table if they really work at it. He could have stayed with Exeter when he helped them to promotion, but opted to go to Wimbledon and play and learn on the go, where he grew and grew. So now with this new opportunity after being part of a promotion winning side, it is time for him to shine, otherwise it's a chance wasted. He could easily push for contention in the GB depth, in the Olympic cycle and build-up, having been involved with England and GB U21's whilst at Lufbra, if he impresses at this level. For now, though, he just needs to concentrate on bringing the game he had last year to each and every game he plays this season.
Sadly you don't get many chants at hockey (which is a bit of a ledown, especially for goalies!), but Wimbledon look dominant after finally cracking the egg of getting the team of Olympic stars to gel, spurned on with their battles against Holcombe for the top spot (which was right down to the wire and final game of the season), and they have a really strong starter in the shape of Tom Millington, a goalie that should be starting to come into his prime at the age of pre-30 wisdom and fast paced youth, with about three seasons experience under his belt as a consistent national league starter. At the age of 25 and being so dominant with his performances in goal, only Cachia, Bailey or Scanlon really have that weight of experience and grounding behind them as youngsters ('Scanners' playing prem from 21 onwards, and I will exclude Pinner for this statement!) in the whole national league, though Tom is probably the only one in the league that has gone away and been working away on his over-all game as well as fitness levels and agility and physical strength, in order to take over the league with his man of the match goalie displays.
His performances last year were some of the strongest in the league for quite some time, drawing commendation from players and goalkeepers alike, impressing national league veteran Chris Hibbert with his displays that got them into winning the league and then promoted. And having cut his teeth on conference level national league hockey, it's high time he had a crack at the premier league to see how much he can come into his own. He excels at short corners, which are one of the main areas of elite level requirement at this level, and for some reason again you don't see much of this, but should be, like in Potton's Euro display against (link). And it is a useful strength to have, especially if you want to stay out and dominate each and every game. At this level most goal attempts are going to come from short corners and defending them needs to be a strength, rather than being so exposed in field play (which isn't going to happen much due to the counteractive elite defending!), so it is more than a necessity; so he is already in a good place with his technical game.
Millington stepping out on one of the many short corners he did so well defending last season.
As you can see for yourself in the clip below, he is able to react from his feet in a standing position if facing high drag flicks, or athletically get down or across to save lower placed flicks. With the intelligence and insight in reading the game, this is going to set him apart from the competition at this level.
Interestingly he has moved brands quite a bit, going from Obo at Lufbra to a Merican glove with Exeter (although still in Obo!), then changing everything with Mercian sponsorship; moving from his Obo gloves with a tube style right hand glove, rather than the newly popular blocking rhp glove. And he is now one of Monarch's new sponsor signings, helping them push the brand along with their D30 range to new heights, weaing much more square pads than in the curved slide-easy approach with Obo.
For the season upcoming, I think he should be able to help Wimbledon do more than simply turn up to games and with their experience (with Olympians in the squad) and a well drilled almost professional set-up, they could even end up mid-table if they really work at it. He could have stayed with Exeter when he helped them to promotion, but opted to go to Wimbledon and play and learn on the go, where he grew and grew. So now with this new opportunity after being part of a promotion winning side, it is time for him to shine, otherwise it's a chance wasted. He could easily push for contention in the GB depth, in the Olympic cycle and build-up, having been involved with England and GB U21's whilst at Lufbra, if he impresses at this level. For now, though, he just needs to concentrate on bringing the game he had last year to each and every game he plays this season.
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