Skinner leading the charge at Bath

Not knowing enough about some of the other team's goalkeeping talent on offer (along with lacking knowledge of the North conference!), I thought I'd finish off coverage of the Western conference with Bath. In Tom Skinner, Bath have an experienced Premier league back-up, who offered Beeston cover when George Pinner was involved in the build up to the Bejing Olympics with the GB training squad, that is capable of playing to a consistent level at national league standard. Whilst Bath had youngster James Bailey for the seasons, who is now at Reading, as he studied at Bath, the team were going to need a solid replacement, consequently wisely drafting in the experienced Skinner. Bath have rebuilt and are looking to dominate the hotly contested West conference of the national league, with barely points separating four challengers, so with a consistent and capable goalkeeper behind them, should be able to go the distance. And this season could be the one, with them currently sitting top of the table coming up to the Christmas break.

Bath also have greater depth than a lot of the other squads in the league, with Dan Cattermole waiting in the wings should anything happen to their prized starter. Dan got national league experience whilst playing at Sevenoaks in their demotion season, having earned his colours in the East Regional Premier leagues. And having got international experience (it still counts!) playing with England mixed, as well as Army representation, is an able goalkeeper should he ever need calling upon! 

Pinnegar giving Birmingham a fighting chance

Being a university side (as the name suggests!) the first eleven University of Birmingham team will have to go through changes as they see in and out new and old faces, so having a regular and consistent goalkeeper to turn to is going to be of great use for a squad in transition each year, as they push on from being able to establish a strong foothold in the league, into being table toppers. And Birmingham are lucky to have GBU21's reserve goalkeeper Pinnegar as their starting goalkeeper for the past few seasons, offering a level of consistency in spite of his age.

Having blogged previously about his playing opportunities, Pinnegar was at Cannock for a short while, but with Patrick Smith now establishing himself for the Staffordshire side after deputisying for London's GB starter Fair, Pinnegar would have struggled to break into the squad, simply because of Smith's own level of experience and Fair's, so signing with Birmingham was a good move considering the need for game time and experience for young goalies to develop and achieve their best as they look to bloom. Birmingham have been doing well the past few seasons and are currently challenging beyond mid-table as they battle it out with other university side Exeter for points, these tough games helping Pinnegar establish himself as a national league starter and for participating in GBU21 action this season.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152073715939516&l=7fba23a4ef

http://www.englandhockey.co.uk//fl/ehl/current_teams_reg_players.asp?t=3391&l=1&section=

Isca switching it up at the back

With the vast majority of teams sorted goalkeeper wise, Isca seem to be unsure as to who to start in goal for them. With the English routine of an incumbent and youngster around just in case, it's always interesting when something crops up that bucks that trend. Isca won promotion with their own talented young goalkeeper (who I can't identify and maybe went to uni, edit = don't know?!), only to replace him with a more experienced starter (pictured below, with the old school vibe going on!) who started their first few games. And as far as I know, Rich Hancocks came in and replaced him as starter. So that's a few changes going on that the defence have to get used to! With Guildford looking to be relegated with certainty, Isca will battle for the relegation playoff spot, playing tight defensively to give them a fighting shot. With a more experienced and communicative starter this should be easier than with the weight of expectations on a goalkeeper with less talent/experience.

Banister clearly Exeter's first choice

With Chris Rea and Andrew Miller having graduated from Exeter over the summer, the university side's first team were going to be looking for a sure fire starter in order to help regroup and battle for promotion as they break in some new young blood freshers. With Dudley having moved from Birmingham to the Devonshire side, I made the assumption that he would be taking over from Rea and Miller, who split starts last season. But it seems that Australian goalkeeper Jack Banister (who is either on a gap year or scholarship scenario, as I'm not sure how overseas players registration affects things) is deemed worthy of taking over the goalkeeping mantle for the side.

At 19 he is probably (one would assume!) the youngest starting goalkeeper in the national league, accompanying a squad where the average age will be in the 20s. But he has performed well, showing his ability, getting wins against some tough teams, along with clean sheets, nonetheless. His experience of playing indoor and outdoor to a competitive level should make the adjustment easier on him as he settles into the English national league, but there may be a few changes he has to make to optimise his changes in the British style of hockey.

http://www.rskg.co.uk/p887937551/h28d166eb#h28d166eb

http://hockeywales.org.uk/news_EHL-teams-unbeaten-against-Exeter-opposition_Jul13.html

http://www.englandhockey.co.uk//fl/ehl/current_teams_reg_players.asp?t=9227&l=1&section=

Kit wise he is using Obo pads and kickers, with a Grphon tube style rhp (presumably brought over with him?!), flat defender style stick (which a lot of national league standard goalies find useful for the low bow) and a TK lhp. And keeps only the right arm padded, as is getting quite popular globally. Style wise he seems to standout with the stereotypical "X stance" approach with hands up and out to help with having active hands for save making.