Curtis starts for EG

Last weekend saw Richard Curtis start for East Grinstead, as expected, against Oxted in their first game of the season. Brought in over the summer, the expectation would be that, as an experienced starter in the Premier league with Holcombe, he would be the first choice for the season. Sam Lloyd will therefore be second choice now and will compete for game time with him. 

It will be interesting to see how things pan out over the season (which is being played in a different format due to the international games in 2022 clashing with scheduling and player availability), given that the competition between goalkeepers on the training ground, will only serve to see both goalkeepers push themselves (and each other) to bring out the best in themselves.

Apologies for the potato camera but this was all I could manage with my usual camera out of action...

Dowse starts for the O's v.s. Bromley

Having mentioned him when blogging previously, it was interesting to see Dowse start in last Sunday's game against BromBeck, with Gallagher benching for the duration of the game (although watching him stand in the huddle at half time, half expected him to start the second half...). No idea if it was his league debut (if it was, it would assumedly be his national league debut, as as far as I know, he only benched for the Gym behind Tommy).

Interesting to see Dowse being thrown into the thick of it, even if against a struggling side, and definitely worth mentioning, given that it shows a continued trend in young goalkeepers being given playing opportunities at the highest levels of the game. For competition for the elite goalkeeping places and strengthening player improvement and advancement beyond the single system, goalkeepers need playing opportunities and the more clubs provide this, all the better for English hockey and English goalkeepers.

Dowse's introduction sees continuation of the saga of goalkeeping rotation at the Oxted, with Gallagher seemingly the preferred first choice and Dowse being considered a suitable deputy. This is a bit headscratching to be honest, given Carr's ability and morale boosting performances which greatly benfit the squad(in the games I've seen so far this season, the team really rally around him when he plays and he is a cornerstone for their games and ability to stay in the game against tougher opponents). With Carr a long serving member and veteran of Oxted for so long, it seems odd that he is being phased out; presumably meaning a departure or somesuch switch in circumstances.

Dowse adds to goalkeeping depth for Oxted

Theo Dowse is one goalkeeper transfer (if not the only one) that has happened in the transfer window this side of new year's, with the former England U21's reserve choice joining Oxted from Indian Gym.

With Noble joining from Reading, adding to the log jam of goalkeeping depth behind Simon Mason at the helm for the 1's, it seems a practical move for the youngster, giving him more involvement with Oxted's first team. Training regularly with the 1's is sure to help aid develop than training with the 2's or lower teams (i.e. with some clubs appointing goalkeepers to training squads at training, if needs be; prioritising for target practise affecting goalkeeper development in a grandiose explanation).

I have seen him bench for Gallagher against West Herts at home and presume he will continue to do so for Oxted. Whilst Carr and Gallagher have been splitting starts, it would seem Gallagher has gotten more games recently and with Carr having carried his team morale singlehandedly through various games, I find it confusing as to how the two goalkeepers are sharing the lion's share of games. Either way, Oxted's addition adds to a goalkeeping depth that wasn't as strong as past seasons, and benefits Dowse in inclusion in first team responsibilities and practise.

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.

Morgan deputising for Chapman

Last weekend I was able to (which was cut a little short, or at least disrupted - by the lights going out - !!) get along to the Teddington - Oxted game at home for Oxted. I was hoping to see "Chappers" face up to the team who he debuted in the national league with, his old side Oxted (I was at the club when he was, so would have been good to see him play again!). But instead was surprised to see another goalkeeper in his place, and it turns out Joe Morgan, who plays for Teddington 2s generally, was deputising for him (not sure on the reason!).

Morgan was wearing all Obo, with Obo elbow pads (current design), all foam and Obo helmet and throat guard, the only non-Obo piece of kit being his neon green stick! He was also wearing a fetching hair band, which I haven't seen before, so a touch of panache too! He made some great athletic stops and was up again explosively to cover the second shot on a short corner, but Teddington broke down later on in the game for Oxted to make a comeback and tie things up.

http://www.englandhockey.co.uk//fl/ehl/current_teams_reg_players.asp?t=29&l=1&section=