Two particularly good matches last week saw victories for our 1st XI Football team at Gordon's School and the 1st XI Hockey team dominated at Leighton Park, ultimately winning 12-1. More importantly, however, were the winning attitudes of our boys, who were not disappointed by this week's fixtures.
Hockey
Shiplake 1st XI v Leighton Park
On Wednesday 6 February, Shiplake faced Leighton Park. Due to injuries, Max Bromwell went in goal and Miles Firth and Max Way went in Midfield. The match began with Tom Gorringe scoring three goals in three minutes. Tom scored an additional four more in the first half, which looked like a very powerful start from Shiplake. With two more goals from Creighton and one from Jack Rees in the first half, Shiplake was up 10-0 by half time.
Into the second half, fundamental changes were made in Shiplake’s defence and our attackers swapped places. Despite this, Harry Watts was still able to get past Leighton Park’s goalkeeper and Zack Tilley scored a goal. The new defence held strong until Creighton was seemingly faced by five players at one time! This ultimately led to Leighton Park getting a goal.
The final result left Shiplake at 12-1. Shiplake had yet again achieved a great score and we can only hope for similar scores to follow.
Football
Shiplake 1st XI v Gordon’s School
After all senior teams beat Gordon’s on Wednesday, the 1st XI completed the clean sweep in a competitive match winning against Gordon’s for the first time.
A fast start to the game on a damp surface allowed for the quick passing style of play that Shiplake loves. The Shiplake team was able to open the play quickly, creating multiple chances. A quick break down the left found Matty Fitzgerald, who lifted the ball into the box that dropped into the bottom corner making it 1-0 early on.
The pressure on Gordon’s continued, with chances coming from throughout the team. Eventually, a free kick delivered by Rufus Stone was turned into the box by Joe Ruffle for Matty Fitzgerald to finish, 2-0 Shiplake.
Against the run of play, Gordon’s whipped a ball into the box that was headed back into the centre for an easy finish making it 2-1. This didn’t faze Shiplake as they continued to dominate the midfield and remain strong at the back. A change in possession won back by the midfield turned into a quick counter attack in which Matty Fitzgerald slipped Callum Theodorou in to tuck the ball past the keeper just before half time. The two goal lead was restored and maintained due to a couple of vital saves by goalkeeper Finn Brown.
The second half started and Gordon’s took control for a short while, but the back three stood up to every challenge they faced and continued to play out from the back comfortably. A testing cross by Gordon’s challenged Finn Brown in the slippery conditions and a tap in was all that was needed for Gordon’s to be back in the game making the score 3-2.
Again, Shiplake responded with some tidy play in the final third, ending with Theodorou curling the ball round the keeper for Ruffle and Fitzgerald to slide the ball into the net. Once again the two goal lead was restored.
Time was running out for Gordon’s and as he had done all game James Roxburgh-Smith knocked the ball around working it into the corner, and crossed it into the box for Ruffle to finish with a header into the top corner. The game was put to bed. However, with seconds remaining, Gordon’s midfielder found some room and hit what can only be described as a wonder goal, ending the game 5-3 to Shiplake.
MOTM - James Roxburgh-Smith
