Forrester joins Old Loughts

With the registration not showing up on the player transfers (obviously because it's not an intra-EHL transfer) section of the England Hockey website, I had forgotten about the ITK notice of David Forrester joining the East Conference in the men's national league. Forrester joins from Inverness, having played at Edinburgh during his time at university, impressing as a young goalkeeper and cementing his position through strong performances. Having starred for the Scottish national team in recently friendlies and with GB Super League experience in addition and scouting for the future, there is a chance for him to show his qualities at this level and give his new team the push to recover their league placing we have come to know. With Scotand seemingly open to changing around their goalies and giving them new opportunities, this will also give management more confidence in his aims and developmental ambitions.

Only 23, there is strong upside for the Essex based club as he could be there for quite some time as he gets used to the standard of play and expectations, just like national compatriot and competitor James Cachia has done with Sheffield Hallam. Forrester should theoretically slot straight into the squad ahead of Chris Naven (also 23) after joining, and gives them a stronger level of depth in their goalie ranks. With Stuart Hendy out of the picture (having disappeared from the hockey scene), Old Loughts were in need of a strong replacement in order to push for table successes having dropped off the mark in recent seasons; I had assumed that after Canterbury were promoted a couple of seasons back, OL's would be the ones to take advantage and secure promotion. But this hasn't been the case and with David bringing with him experience from the Scottish national leagues as well as BUCS representations, which has helped him mature and development as a player and goalkeeper, there are good signs for his success this season as he settles in to new surroundings.

http://www.englandhockey.co.uk//fl/ehl/current_teams_reg_players.asp?t=26&l=1&section=

Naven switches gloves

Random kit sighting (sightings seem more popular in other sports, say ice hockey!), but stumbled across some match photos including Old Lought's goalkeeper Naven seen wearing some kit changes.  He's switched Brabo gloves to TK gloves, whilst still keeping with Brabo pads and kickers. Interesting to know whether he didn't get on with the Brabo gloves totally, or if he finds the TK properties better for rebounds etc. Looks like he's using a modified version of the Slazenger international body armour with the reinforced 'titanium' (as described!) shoulders, with the arm pads cut off.

Alexander starting for Indian Gym?

So as rumour has it (heard it on the grapevine!), looks like Tommy Alexander is actually starting for Indian Gym right now. After waiting patiently for opportunities at Surbiton, having trained and been involved with their first team for about three seasons, and I can't see why he would have made the move if he wasn't going to get starts. And the two clean sheets seemed like they were won by him, as he sured up the defence with his experience, and this weekend's game seems to just be a team blip where they couldn't convert their chances.

Williamson benching at Surbiton

Looks like Williamson will be benching in the mean time since the arrival of GB retiree Abi Walker. Although I'd question if it'd be better for her to be playing, seems like that is how the goalkeeping situation is being managed for now.At least she's 'warming the bench' with style. Brownie points though, for doing it in a unique way. Sitting on a glove!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12608538@N03/8522172094/in/pool-941053@N23

Giles Rooke out of action

It looks like the first injury of the season puts Cheltenham's starter Giles Rooke out of action. Haven't heard of this happening to a goalkeeper in the EHL for as long as I've been aware of the league, but it just goes to show the importance of having a second choice for cover as they look to rise out of the relegation zone in the West conference. The unfortunate incident happened as he turned against the move to his right against a penalty stroke he faced during the game. Obviously hope he's ok and can get back 'on his feet' without a terrible pun as it were, soon enough.

Found out via Havant's match report of their game at the weekend, as can be read here:

http://www.havanthockeyclub.org.uk/cgi-bin/v1_resultsfixresselin.cgi?ServiceId=ocz&DomainId=havanthockeyclub&PersonId=scal1&ModeId=1&LoginModeId=Domain&SessionId=8WUJ18&FixResSelTeam=M1&FixResSelRadio=R1&FixResSelDateDD=24&FixResSelDateMM=02&FixResSelDateYY=13

Tom Skinner Baths' new starter

With James Bailey graduating and departing to Reading hockey wise, Bath were in need of a new starter. Which is where Tom Skinner, Beeston's former reserve choice behind the now England starter George Pinner, came in. Skinner has made the switch from TK kit to Obo and obviously has a bit of experience at national league level having deputised for Pinner when he was away preparing for a previous Olympics campaign as far as I know and is currently helping Bath stay near the top of the West table at fourth. Skinner is backed up by Dan Cattermole who used to play in the East Regional Premier League and got his first taste of national league with Sevenoaks a couple of seasons ago.

Naven taking over at Old Louts

Not knowing much about every team these days, a bit of digging around revealed that Old Loughtonians' current starter is. But 22 year old Chris Naven looks to be Old Louts' new starter. He was benching often for them last season and after battling with Stuart Hendy for starts, seems to have taken over, with what looks like Hendy's retirement. Another young starter in the national leagues, his play could be the reason Old Louts aren't at the higher echelons of the East table, as he adapts to the elite level of domestic hockey, as would be expected of any goalkeeper new to the league. James Bailey obviously isn't returning to his original club any time soon, having joined Reading. With Canterbury having been promoted and Old Louts finishing just behind them a while back, I had expected them to be pushing for promotion with a strong squad led by the experienced Hendy. Out with the old and in with the new I guess and the surprising change gives an opportunity for a youngster to get experience at this level and try their hand at backstopping a team to glory!

http://www.oldloughtonians.co.uk/newsDetail.cfm?newsId=984

http://www.hockeyimages.co.uk/so29936

Stuart Hendy retires?

With his profile absent on the Old Loughtonians EHL web page team sheet, it looks like Hendy has left the national league side. Don't really know enough about it to confirm it, but presume it's true with him not in the squad sheet and no evidence of a transfer. Seems like an odd thing as he was going into the age where he would have peaked and played to his best, since his U18 England junior days and playing for Ipswich before taking over at Old Louts. After taking over from George Harris (who left for East Grinstead) at the time they were in division one, not so long ago, he built up a sound reputation as a strong national league level goalkeeper, nearly taking Old Louts to promotion (tipped by Canterbury).

He was even scouted by England I believe (was a scout there at a game against Oxted I watched) and was a member of the international indoor squad, playing in a friendly a few years ago, having always performed well at the Maxifuels Super Sixes and the tournaments before that. I would rate him pretty highly as a national level goalkeeper so seems a shame if he has left the sport entirely as a strong goalkeeper is always an important addition to any squad. He's an England centrally contracted coach, so I assume he'll to continue to move in that direction. Quite a shock if he has left Old Louts and national level hockey entirely.

January transfer gossip

Obviously the January transfer window is more for teams finding players to adjust their team sheet in hopes of more wins, so goalkeepers aren't normally making any moves at this time in the season. Hard to dig up anything but the only thing I've heard about is Tommy Alexander who has been delisted on the EHL website Surbiton page. He played in the Maxifuels two weekends ago, so not sure if he's on his way out or merely a tactical move to allow for a spare outfield player to get registered.

Ratcliffe to Doncaster

George Ratcliffe makes the switch from Sheffield to Doncaster in the latest EHL transfer gossip. With Ashley Watson, who performed admirably in his time at Doncaster, moving to Beeston to provide cover when Pinner is away on England duty, leaving Doncaster without a strong starter, Ratcliffe has presumably made the switch to get the opportunity to be a starter. With James Cachia in front of him at Sheffield, the former Welsh junior international will have more chance of cutting his teeth on national league action.

Goalkeeper switcheroo in the EHL

The move of Lee Ible from Brooklands MU to be a player-coach at Oxton means that Christopher Scott is enjoying being the starter there. Andrew Miller started for Exeter against Guildford this Sunday, as did Tommy Alexander, who after hard work since his arrival there about three seasons ago, played in his first league game for Surbiton. It will be interesting to see how things pan out as goalkeepers compete for their spots; Miller looking to prise the jersey off Chris Rhea and Alexander from Kettle. Although it is difficult to know how well they are doing without being able to observe their games or knowing the team sheets!