COLTS

England Hockey Cup First Round
The U15 Boys travelled to the City of York only to find that the pitch was locked and no one had a key! Over an hour later the match was relocated and underway. Beeston dominated the match winning 7-1 with goals from Sam Ward (3), Ashley Harris (2), Alex Leeson Brown and Sam Dixon. Thanks to David Lyneham Brown (manager), Ian Ward (coach), James Keeling (coach) and Ryan Dawson (umpire) who travelled with the team.
The U15 Girls did not have a match.
The U18 Boys were drawn home to Bradford. The team is being rebuilt this season and with several players missing due to cricket etc they played as if they had hardly met which was not too far from the truth! However their superior hockey skills finally got the measure of Bradford teamwork and Beeston won 5-3 with goals from Jack Sykes Wood (3), Aaron Cambden and Charlie Macildowie.
The U18 Girls were drawn at home to Rotherham. A home tie is a novelty for this team and they dominated the first half but only scored once through Emma Keeling deflecting in from a penalty corner. Rotherham drew level at the start of the second half but further goals were scored by Lauren Moors from penalty corner routines resulting in a 3-1 win for Beeston.

England Hockey Cup Second and Third Rounds
The U15 Boys 2nd round match v Brigg HC was postponed due to snow then conceded by Brigg. In the 3rd round the boys travelled to Sutton Coldfield where they won easily 11-3 with goals scored by Sam Ward (5), Matt Seal (3), Ollie Willars, Ashley Harris and Ryan Mason.
The U15 Girls started their campaign with a 4-2 victory over Sth Leicester with goals from Jenny Burke (2), Tori Broughton and Jo Taylor. Their December match away to City of York was postponed at the last minute because of a frozen pitch. The match was eventually played in January when City of York proved too strong for the girls who lost 2-8 despite an outstanding performance by Becky Morley in the Beeston goal. York had several divisional players and an England international in their team so the girls should not be disappointed with their performance. Beeston’s goals were scored by Amy Skoyles. Squad=Sarah Brennan, Rozie Brennan, Tori Broughton(1g), Jenny Burke(2g), Rosie Farish, Becky Morley, Jenna Musson, Hannah Price, Amy Skoyles(2g), Jo Taylor(1g), Bex Brown , Maddie Bryant, Grace Goodey, Nicole Sangha, Rachel Saville, Rachael Seager, Lucy Stephenson and Sophie Warne. Thanks to Mike Price(coach) and Anne Linsdell(umpire) who travelled with the team.
The U18 Boys continued their gritty run: in the 2nd round they played without their England internationals Dixon and Collins who were on duty for the first team and ground out a 2-1 victory against a hard Gateshead team. Goals were scored by Jack Sykes Wood and Charlie Macildowie. Dixon was back for the 3rd round (straight from England U21 duty) but Collins was training with England U18s. Beeston were drawn away to Urmston who had reached the National Q.Finals for the last 2 seasons. Beeston took the lead through Jack Sykes Wood and John Procter added a second before half time. Urmston pulled one back in the second half but a solid performance by Beeston’s keeper, Charlie Culverwell, meant that Beeston maintained their lead. Jack would like me to point out that he has scored in every round----so far! Thanks to Graham Dixon(coach), Paul Macldowie(coach) and Ryan Dawson(umpire) who travelled with the team.
The U18 Girls easily beat City of York in their 2nd round match 5-0 with goals from Ellie Rickets, Kelly Anne Rose (2), and Kate Ball (2). Beeston continued to have luck with home ties in the 3rd round but unfortunately their opponents were one of the cup favourites Fyffes Leicester whose 1st team play in the Ladies National Premier League. Just like the u15s the girls were up against a superior team with divisional and international players and who all train with their ladies first team. Beeston lost 1-9 with their only goal coming from Kate Ball. This is the last competitive match for the u18s this season who will lose Becky Simms, Fran Hird, Abi Gordon and Ellie Rickets next season. Squad= Kate Ball(3g), Holly Gillatt, Abi Gordon, Emma Keeling(1g), Claire Meddins, Hayley Musson, Becky Paffard, Kelly Anne Rose(2g), Becky Sims,  Christina Smith, Jo Sztejer, Lauren Moors(2g), Ellie Ricketts(1g), Nicola Whiting, Anna Dickenson and Kathryn Horsley.

England Hockey Cup Fourth Round (last 16)
The U15 Boys travelled to Wolverhampton where they stuttered to a half time score of 1-1. Martin’s half time team talk must have done the trick as the opposition never knew what hit them. Beeston turned on the best display of hockey that they have produced so far scoring no less than 9 goals in the second half giving a final score of Wolverhampton 1 Beeston 10! Scorers: Sam Ward (5), Sam Dixon (2), Felix Evans (2) and Ashley Harris.
The U18 Boys conceded an early goal to Rotherham and then despite pressurising for the rest of the first half did not equalise until just before the interval. The second half was more even but again it was Rotherham who scored and despite a total of 13 short corners in the match Beeston never managed to equalise. This was a big disappointment for the lads who could have won the match anyway but were playing without their England Internationals Adam Dixon and Alex Collins. This is the last competitive match for the U18s this season who will lose Aaron Cambden, Tom Campbell, Charlie Culverwell, Adam Dixon, Fearghal Evans, James Hemstock, Jack Sykes Wood, Joe Nowicki, Dan Mierkalns and Ali Morley next year. Squad= Culverwell, D.Smith, Campbell, Cambden, Hemstock, Sykes Wood, I. Smallwood, J.Procter, O.Evans, W.Torr, J.Robinson, C.MacIldowie, Nowicki, W.Lee, Evans and A.Latham.

England Hockey Cup National Quarter Final
The U15 Boys were again drawn away, this time to Old Loughtonians a large national league club in Essex. Once again parents took to their cars and delivered 16 boys in plenty of time for their big match despite the Mason’s car overheating on the M1! Beeston started the match perfectly with a goal from Ryan; just as well the Wards double backed for him, and maintained the pressure for the rest of the first half. Ashley Harris struck a superb goal at the start of the second half but unfortunately the umpire thought he was outside the D, obviously his angle was different to everyone else’s, so it was disallowed. Beeston were not to be denied however and went on to score 3 quick goals from Ashley Harris (2) and Sam Ward which effectively finished off Old Loughts. Felix Evans scored Beeston’s fifth and final goal spectacularly in the dying seconds of the match. The final score Old Loughts 0 Beeston 5 flattered the home side. Every member of Beeston’s squad was given pitch time in preparation for the next round.

RESULTS SUMMARY

UNDER 15 BOYS
CUP 1ST ROUND  CITY OF YORK 7 BEESTON 1
CUP 2ND ROUND  BEESTON w/o BRIGG  
CUP 3RD ROUND  SUTTON COLDFIELD 3 BEESTON 11
CUP 4TH ROUND  WOLVERHAMPTON 2 BEESTON 10
CUP Q FINAL      OLD LOUGHTONIANS 0 BEESTON 5

UNDER 15 GIRLS
CUP 1ST ROUND BEESTON 4 Sth LEICESTER 2
CUP 2ND ROUND City of YORK 8 BEESTON 2

UNDER 18 BOYS
CUP 1ST ROUND BEESTON 5 BRADFORD 3
CUP 2ND ROUND BEESTON 2 GATESHEAD 1
CUP 3RD ROUND URMSTONE 1 V 2BEESTON
CUP 4TH ROUND BEESTON 1 V 2 ROTHERHAM

UNDER 18 GIRLS
CUP 1ST ROUND BEESTON 3 ROTHERHAM 1
CUP 2ND ROUND BEESTON 5 CITY of YORK 0
CUP 3RD ROUND BEESTON 1 FYFFES LEICESTER 9

England Hockey Cup National Semi Final
The U15 boys were at last treated to a home draw which was just as well with Dixie flying in from South Africa, Barr from Trinidad and Seal from Ireland an away draw could have proved tricky! The boys made a disastrous start conceding a goal in the second minute. They took their time to regain their composure and withstood several minutes of Canterbury pressure before Ollie Willars scored an equaliser after 10 minutes. Gone was the confidence shown in the Old Loughts match with the team thankful to reach half time only   1-2 down. The coaches talk at the break seemed to do the trick with a revitalised Beeston taking control in the second half. A sensational drag flick by Ashley Harris put Beeston back on equal terms and everyone was pleased that Ashley had not wasted his time at school with Adam Dixon! Beeston then began to turn the screw and Surbiton could not match their work rate or desire to win. Ashley scored again in the 57th minute and if he hadn’t gone for the spectacular finish could have had a hat trick.
Final score Beeston 3 Surbiton 2.
The boys will now play a talented and experienced Canterbury team in the final on Saturday 14th May at Bowden HC at 2pm. The squad will be Nathan Middleton, James Dexter, Robert Trem, Ed Torr, John Barr, Richard Lawrence, Sam Dixon, Ollie Willars, Sam Ward, Matt Seal, Ashley Harris, Ryan Mason, Felix Evans, Chris Price, Charles Brooke and Alex Leeson Brown. Ian Welch who filled in for Alex at the last moment in the semi final will travel as a non playing reserve.

England Hockey Cup National Final
Another highly successful season culminated last weekend in the Beeston under 15 boys’ team winning the National Club Cup. The under 15s’ season had been one of great promise with a squad comprising of only 5 under 15s thus meaning that the rest of the squad are eligible to play in this team again next year. In the earlier rounds of the competition Beeston’s record was: Round 1 away to City of York won 7-0; Round 2 home to Brigg – conceded by Brigg; Round 3 away to Sutton Coldfield won 11-3; Round 4 away to Wolverhampton won 10-1(an amazing winning margin as the score at half time was 1-1); National Quarter Final away to Old Loughtonians(Essex) won 5-0; National Semi Final home(at last) to Surbiton won 3-2.
So on Saturday 14th May Beeston travelled to Bowdon Hockey Club in Manchester to play in the National Final of the England Hockey Under 15 Cup against the highly favoured Canterbury HC. The bulk of the Canterbury team came from Kent College a renowned hockey playing school and had a reputation for being an outstanding team with a management team including a sports psychologist! Beeston, having learnt something about their rivals from Coventry and North Warwick HC and Belper HC who had both lost heavily to Canterbury, came with a game plan.
The Beeston team executed that game plan to perfection minimising the influence of Canterbury’s centre half and moving the ball with speed and accuracy around the field of play using the full width of the pitch to attack down the wings. The Beeston team was lifted by the unselfish work rate of forwards Ashley Harris and Ryan Mason who constantly put the Canterbury defence under pressure forcing them to make mistakes and therefore regaining possession for Beeston. Midfielders Sam Dixon, Matt Seal, Sam Ward and Ollie Willars effectively cut out the Canterbury playmakers and captain John Barr marshalled the defence of Ed Torr, Rob Trem, Richard Lawrence and the unflappable Nathan Middleton. Eventually the pressure paid dividends with a Beeston goal scored by Ashley Harris in the 23rd minute when he coolly pushed the ball hard into the corner of the goal. Beeston continued to dominate the first half and were unlucky not to add to their 1-0 lead.
The expected onslaught from Canterbury after the interval did not materialise and Beeston’s domination continued and they scored their second goal from a brilliant solo effort from Matt Seal in the 6th minute of the half. Beeston continued to control the game despite an injury to Matt Seal their influential left half who played no further part in the game. Canterbury rarely threatened and were swiftly thwarted by the rock solid Beeston defence. As the clock counted down Canterbury became more and more frustrated by the control exerted by Beeston and at the final whistle Beeston emerged worthy winners 2-0. This was a whole squad achievement and although Felix Evans, Chris Price, Alex Leeson Brown and James Dexter were not used in the final their contribution in previous rounds was essential to the team’s progress. The man of the match award was given to Beeston’s Charles Brooke who rotated on as a substitute and played so well was never rotated off!
Beeston are the first Hockey Club to win both the England Hockey Youth Cups having won the under 18 cup in 2003.

Beeston Under 15s: Nathan Middleton, Robert Trem, Ed Torr, John Barr(Capt.), Richard Lawrence, Ollie Willars, Sam Dixon, Sam Ward, Matt Seal, Ashley Harris, Ryan Mason, Charlie Brooke, Felix Evans, Alex Leeson Brown, Chris Price, James Dexter and Ian Welch(non playing reserve).