Brighton turn deficit around to draw at Oxted

Dave Bockett-Pugh has been Brighton's first choice for a while now, helping the Sussex side to promotion to the national league for their first time last season and his experience has been a difference maker in the side making this leap to national league level hockey. There will always be question marks about goalkeepers stepping up to this standard of play (in any sport), but he has risen to the challenge and shown he has got what it takes, even at this stage of life/career (not old in goalie terms, but from a really talented youngster there is always that level of expectation to be playing to this level on, say for example).

With Brighton's solid defensive line (conceding an incredibly low goals against average during their promotion winning season) a big difference maker in turning the tables on other more experienced teams (of and at this level), the relationship between back four and goalkeeper, with the right levels of understanding and communication is key, something that would have helped them keep a high scoring Southgate at bey in their away game, for instance.

And their solid defensive unit has allowed them to push forward with confidence and rigour, shown in their comeback today against Oxted this Sunday afternoon. By being able to keep things solid at the back, it gives the side the chance to look to score goals without fretting and worrying over goals being conceded against the run of play. Compare that to say East Grinstead and the Brazil or 'run and gone' style of play (i.e. just try and outscore opponents as with Gretsky's Edmonton Oilers team in the 80's for another example) which requires the goalkeeper to have a certain type of approach and mentality to 'come up big' when they don't have the support of a strong defensive core, and doesn't seem to work in the national league of English hockey, as EG show.

And whereas EG struggle to up the ante without a goalkeeper to do the lion's share of score limitation, Brighton's system shows the key difference of a strong midfield and defense all working in tandem with their goalkeeper leading vocally from the back (picking out breakaways from the best view on the pitch), to make up for not scoring like Holcombe do. In this sense, they can afford to score only a small amount of goals, confident in the fact that they will not concede a ridiculous amount. A lot like Mason's Guildford at the moment, the defense and goalkeeper can steal games without fears of having to outscore their opposition by a huge amount.

Dave dives across to his right to make a key save with his left hand at a PC to keep the score down.

Phil conceding a weird goal for Brighton's second that any goalkeeper would have nightmares about.

Dave was a difference maker for them today and having been able to deal with a lot of shots thrown his way, was interesting to see how Brighton came back from Oxted's two goal lead to tie things up and then go on to get a point out of the game by its closure. Was unlucky against a flick where he committed left but the taker went across to his right (managed to turn up late so missed the first one go in...).

Goalie ratings

Dave = 4.8/5 [always tough to grade goalie performance in this weird way, but had a very strong game today]

Arguably Dave had a lot more to do than his goalie opponent at the other end. There were a few breakaways that he dealt with well, forcing the shooter wide, as well as some cracking saves getting across to his right low for a PC drag flick save and making the splits to save with his left kicker to save low at the left corner against a shot smashed near the post, whilst Dave also made some key challenges closing down attacks that could otherwise ended disastrously.

Phil = 3/5 [seems a bit harsh but didn't have a 'blinder' in goal]

Phil suffered from quite a bit of bad luck today. The first goal was the result of an interception he stormed off his line to reach, only for the ball to get lifted up and over and into the top of the goal, with scrambling defenders unable to do anything to stop a goal being scored. And the second was from what seemed to be an awful bounce, otherwise it was a deflection/flick that outsmarted Phil for the tying goal, but either way in his decision making, decided to leave his feet early to cover low, which left him aghast as the ball went up and over him. Other than that he played with a cool head, a technical approach and kept out a few chances that could also have caused trouble.

Brom & Beck beat Oxted away

I made it five games in a row as an observant of the EHL by getting along to Sunday's game between Bromley and Beckenham versus Oxted. I should probably have done the write up shortly after watching the game as I've now forgotten most of what I wanted to say and it's easier to write with things fresh in your mind, hey ho! It was snowing again and I think I need to get some better gloves as my fingers were pretty frozen whilst taking photos, what with wearing half cut gloves, not much use!

Anyways, the match was pretty close even though Bromley won by a goal difference of two. Oxted's defender managed to save Carr's blushes at one stage after he had made an important tackle but left an open goal behind him, running back to save off the line! I had expected Oxted to win comfortably after their recent run of form and Bromley's slipping, but they won, away nonetheless and the result meant they leapfrogged the Surrey side in the East conference table.

Carr seems to have changed masks from his customised painted Scottish flag design to the old school shark face mask Obo used to produce. Useless and random information as ever!

I *think* Brom & Beck's starter is Dave Taylor, guessing from the team's info page on the England Hockey website. Playing wise Taylor plays a lot like an endorsement of the 'sweeper keeper' style. Not in the sense of playing so high up when tackling like say Isaacs or Hendy in his day, as he , but was happy to roam around at the top of the D ready to shut down a breakway and tackle at the top of the D. Though, he often does this, as seen in a game this season against Old Loughts although I can't seem to access the Hockey Images photos of the game any more (and a pre-season game verus EG last season link). His choice of tube style Obo hi control rhp makes sense for ground work and tackles in this way. He also bailed out a defender who fluffed on a pass back from another defender, kicking away , showing the importance of strong kicking, being comfortable with the ball at your feet and able to kick back or pass to defenders if these things happen, as they do! Something that I tried writing about in the 'sweeper keeper' article on the Obo Keepers Resources site.

In spite of what I wrote about regards the Holcombe/Richmond game, he has actually changed his stance for corners, rather than the 'stick down' approach that Richmond's goalkeeper uses. Taylor now has his gloves about shoulder height now, Aussie style for flicks etc. He seems to keep his ready stance glove height low (link) to save, though raises his gloves in the ready stance every so often.

Interestingly, Nathan Bullens came on for the last five minutes or so of the match. Bullens was a reserve at East Grinstead before moving to Wimbledon and then onto Bromley. Kit wise, he's changed helmets from the Grays/TK 'open mask' injection moulded style to a helmet/cage 'combo' (ice hockey player's helmet and cage) and seems to wear the boxy Mercian pads versus the curved ones he used to wear. Still sticking with the Mercian shoulder caps and ice hockey elbow pads set-up. Interestingly, he was wearing a garish purple jersey with pink lettering/numbering; another thing I blogged about 'swagger' on the KR site. When he came on, he was playing higher up in the D, a little bit like France's Thamin, and seemed to have a tighter stance with legs pretty close together.

 Bromley's first goal.

 Taylor wandering around outside the D.

Taylor's changed short corner ready stance.

 Taylor bailing out his defender by kicking away.

 Well made and timed challenge after repositioning from a high position into the D, backtracking and then moving out to attack.

 Bullens making his debut?!

Ratings

Taylor 4/5
Vocal but not as much as he could have been. Strong coming off his line with timing and challenges; unlikely on their goal and the second such scenario as the ball bounced free for another Oxted player to slot home. Not much to do except shots to the post well covered etc. Basics covered, job well done, also fast running out to a loose ball watched over the line.

Bullens 3/5 (i.e. not a key part of the game)
Not really vocal, not much to do at that stage in the game!

Carr 3/5 (based purely on goals allowed)
Still very vocal, although not so as much in their game against Wimbledon. He was unfortunate with the first goal, having come off the post to slide out to tackle but the attacker lifted the ball up and over him to score. One of Bromley's goals came from a breakway where he may have been better to time a slide in, as the attacker took the ball around him and dragged him out of position. Made a key stop in the first half sliding out to block. But he made some decisive saves at short corners, diving low with his rhp and then making concurrent saves after. Didn't manage to photograph the goal Bromley scored from one of their corners...

Washout at Holcombe (for Holcombe!)

Well, I think that's how the phrase goes, although it was definitely a wet and windy night in Kent watching Holcombe! Popped up the M25 to go and see (for various reasons, some will become obvious later!) play Richmond in the East league. At least it terms of a 'washout', Holcombe did put quite a lot of goals past their opposition as they look to storm into the promotion playoffs. Wimbledon are keeping astride with their own goals scored, and it looks like goal difference is the only thing that will separate them (Holcombe going top after yesterday's match) and will be interesting to see how things pan out next weekend. Great to see level of competition like this in the national league as shows how strong England's talent base is.

In terms of atmosphere, there was a very solid crowd with a good club atmosphere with fans going in and out of the club house to watch the game and keep warm! I *think* Chris Hibbert and a few of the Southgate players were in the stands not far away from my perching spot, which just goes to show that national league players still enjoy watching the game (I think Kwan Browne goes to EG occasionally!), plus Southgate had played Canterbury earlier so made some kind of sense for them to be going to the game as they passed on through on their ways home!

Holcombe have added to their squad, with the notable additions of short corner specialist Gareth Carr, and Danny Hall, both from East Grinstead, and 'Steph' (Stephane Vehrle-Smith) strengthening the team (who was at HWHC if I'm not wrong!) who are looking for promotion to the premier league. Interestingly, other than Ali McGregor, Allan is the only other scotsman I am aware of (could be wrong, usually am!) that has played in the national premier league recently or at all (maybe!), with a season for Surbiton and then out with injury when Bristow took over, as much as I know. Which just goes to show that he's already got what it takes for them to move up to the premier division.

The scotsman was very vocal, probably the most vocal goalkeeper I've seen when watching national league games this season and it was nice to hear the accent coming through his helmet (having relatives from Scotland makes hearing it appreciable)! He was very loud and proud and in constant communication with his defence. He made a great save diving out mid-high wide with his rhp against one of Richmond's short corners and other than coming off his line to slide in didn't have all that much to do. And other than that appeared jovial and upbeat, as if he actually wanted to be there, good to see such a level of enthusiasm coming through when playing at this level, which you don't always see! Just goes to show how much he enjoys playing I guess!

He was commendable and commanding of his defenders, 'clapping' his gloves (i.e. banging his stick on his lhp) to show his appreciation to his defensive team mates, which Iwan Williamson of Wales and Whitchurch does a bit of. Trivial but interesting to see how he would crouch and (nerves/boredom/not sure!). Kit wise he was also wearing an ice hockey dangler rather than the generic square dangler you see with most hockey goalkeeper's helmet/cage 'combos' (hayward). Interesting to note that both goalkeepers both wear full arm guards, which considering the set-ups in the East league is a little different to the norm, but protection doesn't always mean lack of flexibility with arm movements! Richmond's goalkeeper had a dashing spot of pink for his Obo pads, with orange outer colouring for an interesting colour combo scheme.

Felt sorry for the Richmond goalkeeper, especially considering the score line. And it goes to show the difference between national and regional prem. A lot of questions will always be asked of teams that have been promoted up from the regional prem league into national league, about whether their goalkeepers are able to carry them to success and evolve to the level of play at the elitest of levels. It just goes to show the difference and development needed and the importance of an elite goalkeeper. He used an interesting low glove stance you don't see often in the national league, although Brom & Beck's starter does similar.

Richmond's goalkeeper's stance at the corner. Obviously struggling with my camera AGAIN!

The unfortunate 'blooper' goal. It went in between the goalkeeper and the defender on the right post.

Richmond's goalkeeper looking despondent after said goal.

Ratings
I can be a harsh critic at times, but writing about one of these games is a little tricky if it is a team effort. One team was stalwart, the other a little troubled, perhaps. These guys are national league standard and from an outside perspective makes it harder to be judgemental, so critical viewpoints become even finer and hard to do I feel. 

Allan Dick
4.9/5
Very vocal and commanding. Made some great stops at corners and in field play when called upon. One of the goals conceded was right at the post, not sure what he could have done about it really, perhaps could have gone in have for the tackle otherwise unsure!

Tried searching all over the place but couldn't work out the Richmond goalkeeper's name shamefully
4/5
He did make a hash of a short corner, expecting to go down and then getting caught out as the ball went by as he tried to get back out to stop. Perhaps should have been more patient and upright before committing? Other than that make some crucial tackles/interceptions when coming his D and could do little to stop the penalty flick he faced.

ANOTHER close game, this time at Guildford!!

So, after wanting to get along to watch some national league games for the chance to watch and analyse some elite goalkeepers, I've managed to make it three in a row. I call that sir a hat trick!! And it was also snowing (well, at least when I left, it wasn't in Guildford!) but it was a chilly venture. Mason was keeping himself warm shuffling, bouncing and running around in the cold. With hockey SO strong just south of London, it just goes to show how conveniently placed I live and how easy it is for me to get to a game, as I ventured not so close to home since EG and Oxted were both away! I also managed to watch Mason self pass and 'punt' it up the pitch which was worth the trip in and of itself!!

Again, it was another close affair. And again, I turned up late (really need to work on my timings, still feel like a student, even though I graduated nine months ago, but it was a midday, 12 o' clock start, at least, that's my excuse!!), but it was 0-0 at half time.

As far as I know, this is Skinner's first full season in between the sticks in the national league, since his days at Beeston when he deputised for Pinner who was busy in the Bejing Olympic year being involved in the GB set-up (as much as I know/have to go on!). And he looked the part in spite of this. Bossing his defence (as any goalkeeper should!) and looked comfortable and confident for a Bath team that are pushing for the top of the table in between four times (!): Cardiff, Guildford and Exter and obviously themselves! He showed the need and appropriate use to log against a short corner given away, but conversely showed when not to as he was beaten by a well executed deflection that is becoming a popular move for the Guildford side.

Skinner used to wear TK but is in all Obo (except the helmet/cage combo which is proving a little popular in the EHL right now for some reason!) foam, with a nice blue/pink colour combo and hi rebound glove proved for blocking reasons, also showing technique means it's possible to log effectively with it! Mason was wearing a set-up including the not-so-new (!) Mercian continental style rhp and the Mercian body armour with shoulder caps (blue extreme one I think!) and the low grading club shorts by Mercian interestingly (more movement etc.?) Reebok ice hockey elbow pad on the right arm; think Skinner wears elbow pads on both arms.

Mason cuts an imposing figure, a gigantic yet athletic figure, a lot like Max Weinhold, standing heads and shoulders above some of his team mates! He also looked calm and casually commanding, but seemed a lot less vocal, even if he was happy to walk up to the 25 to chat to defenders during Guildford's short corner opportunities! Mason is one of those goalkeepers who can literally steal you a game but didn't seem to be one of those games, even though he was definitely on form.

Watching him in person, it looks like he is in a little bit of a time warp. And that's NOT offensive (hope it doesn't read like it is!) because Martin Brodeur plays his own game in the NHL (ice hockey) and STILL comes out with the goods, plus, it totally confuses shooters that are expecting you to do something preprogrammed and routine! Yes, he is the oldest starting goalkeeper in the EHL and pretty much plays his own style (very hard to copy or emulate for youngsters learning the game!), but he has incorporated new into his game, like with the new Mercian rhp, so watching his low glove stance and such seemed pretty different and such but he is also a trend setter with the self pass 'punt' kick (at least, I think he started off using it before Isaacs at Havant!)!

Skinner 'logging' for the corner save.

Skinner going in for the tackle (arguably a hard challenge as the player got bundled over!).

Mason sprints off his post to challenge.

Mason wandering around to chat to his defence up close and personal!

Didn't manage to get an action shot of Guildford's goal as I was drinking coffee (as usual, as pointed out earlier!!).

Goalie ratings

Can't decide on how to analyse their performances and don't want to be seen too over critical but... !

Skinner 4.5/5 
A lot more vocal than Mason weirdly and very commanding. Did well closing down attacks; he come out to make a crucial tackle, and made a quality save that I couldn't get a picture of (that ALWAYS happens to me and was just starting to drink the coffee bought to keep myself warm!!. However, think he may have been better to stand against the deflection and waited to 'log' before going down, versus the goal that he conceded at one of Guildford's corners.

Mason 4.5/5
I'll give him brownie points for the self pass and its accuracy, not getting too near to anyone for it to be called dangerous by the umpires and close enough for a player to latch onto (plus it went beyond the half way line and right near where I was standing!). In my opinion, he could have dived to stop the pass that gave away the goal or gone over to cut the angle, if being perfectionist (but aren't we as goalkeepers?!). That being said, nothing else got through him afterwards and he did a lot coming off the post early and shutting down attacks aptly. No corners to face in the half I watched, so can't really comment on that!

Oxted unfortunate in another close encounter

Another weekend and another attempt at getting along to watch some national level hockey close to home. This time, it was at Oxted, another club I've played at (nearly had more clubs than Tiger Woods!), who were at home to top of the table Wimbledon. Kit trivia wise, it was interesting to see Millington wearing Mercian against Carr in Obo. Last season I presume it would have been the other way around (probably wrong, didn't get the chance to find out!), as Millington had previously been in Obo, and Carr was definitely in Mercian last season! Don't think either were wearing arm pads (Carr normally wears an elbow pad on his right) as it wasn't obvious through their long sleeved jerseys.

Anyways, it was another close game. I missed the first half (not exactly punctual with my timings these days!), which was 0-0 and the second half was no difference really from the telling score line. It was a very close encounter and another tight game after watching HWHC battle it out with EG. No side truly dominated and whilst Oxted pushed forward and into the D, they didn't really have any obviously clear cut chances. The highlight (for me anyway!) was seeing the ball get stuck in Millington's kicker in between the kicker and shoe (ouch! It does happen!) and then some confusion as he took off his glove to remove it! A short corner was conceded after, but wasn't paying attention to the reasoning!

The kicker incident in all its glory!

In the battle of the goalies, Carr seemed more dominant, although Millington was off his line early when needed and made a crucial diving stop to his left to keep from the score line changing. In his second season as Oxted's starter, Carr looked much more assertive and commanding than when I saw him last, last season. Carr made some crucial diving saves low to his right on some corners (about three were conceded consecutively), and the only goal conceded seemed to be through a mix up with the defender. A sure sign of his development that has seen them achieve third spot in the East conference as opposed to last season's outing. He was much more vocal and engaged with his defenders than Millington seemed to be, pointing and shouting away with astute commands.

 The unfortunate goal that made the difference. Only way of not conceding it was potentially to split further or dive to the left to get in front of the defender and out the way!

 Blurry shot of Millington's crucial diving stop!

Interestingly (tedious for everyone else!), both left their goal to collect balls that have gone off the pitch to get the game moving quickly, something you don't always see low level hockey 'keepers doing, or even in footie!

Goalie ratings
As it's a blog about goalies and not sure/willing to rate the other team members, I'll give a basic rating (for the games I get to!).

Carr 5/5
Very vocal and showing his evolution and confidence with his commanding of the defence. Not much to stop (although more than Millington!) and did well against the remaining string of corners and tight angle shots.
 
Millington 4/5
For me, I think he could have been more vocal to match Carr and been more communicative with his defence. Although he had little to do, he did it well and ensured he kept a clean sheet.

HWHC lose by one

I had hoped to get along to more games this season, but managed to pop down to Saint Hill to watch away team HWHC play against home club East Grinstead. EG have obviously had more players move on, but it was a totally differnet game to the 12-2 drubbing they dealt HWHC when they came to Saint Hill last season.

The game was probably the closest, tightest match I have had the pleasure watching in person and from the outset it looked like it was going to be 0-0. But Pearn managed to smash home a rebound after a save at a penalty corner by Ian Scanlon, which he could do little to stop as he was down and out after making the intial save. Although he was lucky to have escaped after a similar situation where the shooter smashed it wide of the goal after a similar low diving save at a previous corner. Showing his passion for the game, Scanlon threw his glove away at the end of the match and had every right to be disappointed after the performance he put in, having banged the post in frustration after the goal was conceded.

Scanlon has been playing in the premier league for about four years now and is showing signs of maturing as a goalkeeper, still able to pull off athletic saves but settling into the 'clutch' capacity of being able to pull off important saves at crucial times. He made at least 10, with a triple save near the end of the first half, finishing the sequence with a diving clearence with the stick (something you don't see much of in English hockey) along with some reflex saves close in. One of interest was when he went into a barrier and managed to stop a low shot, being unsighted against it. Potton had little to do in comparison but made important stops nonetheless.

Both teams had their reserve goalkeepers benching, which is a sight in itself as national league teams hardly ever bring another goalkeeper to games. Of all things it was snowing (not sure how much snow you get in Australia!), with both second choice goalies huddled up in the cold.

I did bring my camera and its new zoom lens (or whatever it's called!) but had trouble taking photos with the flash and low light of February afternoons.

Blurriest photo in the history of the EHL with Coates wrapped up in a coat!