BICESTER HOCKEY CLUB

Bicester M1's 9-2 Thame M1's

 

Bicester made it 17 goals in 2 home games with a dominating 9-2 victory over struggling Thame on Saturday to keep Bicester in the top four of MBBO Division 1.

 

Bicester started well and soon had the lead when Jonny Reid scored a rebound from a well struck short corner to get the scoring underway. Thame then came back quickly and soon equalised and this is how it remained until about 20 minutes into the first half. Bicester then scored five goals in 15 minutes to finish off the game before half-time.

 

Dave Sutcliffe started the goal glut after a strong cross from Callum White and Ben Kirk got his name on the scoresheet after some good interplay between the Bicester forwards. White got his own goal after a silky driving run led him to the top of the D, where given space, he fired on his reverse into the bottom corner, past the stationary Thame keeper.

 

Jonny Reid got his second of the game from Kirk's brilliant square ball, before Kirk himself got the sixth, and his second, from a piercing, skilful run, as he beat two defenders in the D and scored from a ridiculously acute angle.

 

After the half-time break, Bicester came out wanting to keep the intensity as high as it was before. They struggled to match the first half however as Thame came back into the game. Bicester got the first goal of the half however with Callum White's second of the game from close range. Thame got a goal back to make it 7-2 but Bicester finished well with Jeff Elliott scoring a lovely deflection from Kirk's precise cross and Sutcliffe finished off the game with his second to make it 9-2, after he ran from deep to finish from Reid's square ball.

 

An emphatic victory for Bicester in their final game before a tough run of games which begins with travelling to table toppers Amersham and Chalfont next week.

 

Bicester M1's 8-0 West Hampstead M3's

 

Bicester dominated from start to finish as they beat West Hampstead 3s 8-0 at The Cooper School on Saturday with Callum White picking up his first hat-trick for the club.

 

Bicester started well, and unlike previous weeks, got a goal to warrant their pressure when Cj Birtles fired the ball past the West Hampstead keeper from a well-worked short corner. Birtles was at it again as he scored his second in the same fashion before White picked up his first before half time with a well taken drag flick from another short corner.

 

From 3-0 at half time, Bicester didn't take their foot off the gas and quickly had a fourth as the West Hampstead defence switched off and Jonny Reid was able to fire low into the corner of the goal. White scored their fifth with a lovely finish as he fired a flick from a tight angle high into the goal and he soon had his hat-trick with another short-corner finish.

 

Dave Sutcliffe and Jordan Chester finished off the scoring to give Bicester the three points and to help them remain unbeaten in 2016. They now travel to Old Merchant Taylor's in North London looking to continue their rise up the table.

 

ASHFORD M2's  2-3 BICESTER M1's

 

Bicester Mens 1s completed their third comeback victory in three weeks away at Ashford on Saturday. From two goals down inside the first ten minutes, Bicester left it late to secure the three points but eventually ran out 3-2 winners to put them up to fourth in the league.

 

Ashford started well and scored a brilliant first goal following a mazy run from their forward. They soon had a second after a defensive mishap to once again leave Bicester to do it the hard way if they were to win. From then on Bicester dominated proceedings but struggled to score. Numerous short corners were won but Ashford defended well and their goalkeeper continued to make good saves to leave it 2-0 to Ashford at half time.

 

Bicester continued to press in the second half and started to fashion some clearer chances. They got their first goal back with twenty minutes to go with a Dave Sutcliffe deflected goal following a piercing run from Jonny Reid. Goalkeer Nathan Elliott then made two really important saves to keep Bicester in the game before they equalised with ten minutes to go as Sutcliffe got his second with a well placed finish. Sutcliffe then completed the comeback and his hat-trick when his initial shot came straight back from the Ashford goalkeeper to give him a second bite at the cherry and he made not mistake and buried the shot in the bottom corner to give Bicester all three points.

 

Bicester are now up to fourth in league and remain unbeaten in 2016 with West Hampstead visiting Cooper School next week.

 

Bicester M1 4-3 Sonning M2's

 

Bicester continued to entertain, if not convince, with a 4-3 win against Sonning 2s, after being 3-0 down with 20 minutes to play.

 

Sonning started the better team and created chances which they finished. By the half time break the away team were two goals to the good following two good finishes low into the corner of Nathan Elliot's goal.

 

After a half-time rollicking, Bicester came out with far more purpose and verve and yet still managed to concede again early in the second half as Sonning countered. Bicester's pressure did eventually lead to what all felt would be a consolation goal though, as Ben Kirk bullied his way past the defender and smashed the goal past the Sonning keeper to make it 3-1.

 

With the momentum firmly with Bicester, they kept attacking, and kept winning short corners. Callum White slung his first goal of the game into the side netting to get it back to 3-2 and then Andy Brown's drilled shot deflected off a Sonning stick and looped in from another short corner.

 

With two minutes to play and the game tied, both teams had chances to win the game. Bicester however found the winning goal as another short corner was won and converted by Callum White, sending the victorious Bicester team above Sonning and into 5th in the league, as they remain unbeaten in 2016.

 

Tring M1's 2-3 Bicester M1's

 

Bicester picked up an impressive three points against Tring on Saturday with a 3-2 comeback win.

 

In an eventful game which included two penalty flicks, it was somehow 0-0 at half time. In part this was due to the penalty flick saving heroics of Nathan Elliott and to some wasteful finishing from Bicester.

 

The second half proved to be full of action however, as early on, debutant Callum White scored his first goal for the club following some impressive work by Jordan Chester. Both teams continued to fashion chances but Tring were next to score from a top-corner drag flick. It was from another drag-flick that some controversy ensued, as a penalty flick was awarded after a ball was stopped on the line by Andy Brown, with some doubt as to if the ball was actually goal bound or not.

 

With the second flick of the match however awarded, Tring's player stepped up and sneaked the ball under Elliott's pads, only to see the umpire disallow the goal due to double movement by the flick taker. This led to a lengthy delay whilst complaints were heard and rule books consulted, before the umpires upheld their original decision.

 

Tring, riled by their sense of injustice, came onto Bicester strongly and soon took the lead following a mazy run and deft finish into the bottom corner. Bicester did not give up hope of inflicting Tring's second defeat in 50 matches though and White soon equalised with a powerful drag flick of his own. Bicester then pushed for the winner and soon won a short corner following some tricky play by Ben Kirk, which Dave Sutcliffe finished with aplomb to give Bicester a well earned three points, and on the march back up to the upper echelons of the MBBO Division 1 table.

 

Full time: Tring 2 - 3 Bicester (Callum White x 2, Dave Sutcliffe)

 

Bicester M1's 3-3 Oxford M3's

 

Bicester gave away the lead on three occasions in a frustrating 3-3 draw against Oxford 3s at home on Saturday.

 

Bicester took the lead when some smart midfield play from Jordan Chester and Rob Blackie allowed Jonny Reid to be released in the D where he as able to finish smartly into the top of the net. Despite further chances, this was to be the only goal of the half, as Darren Moore, in the Bicester goal, managed to make a remarkable triple save to deny Oxford an equaliser.

 

After the break, the goals flower however with Oxford managing to equalise from a well worked move soon after the re-start. Reid got them back into the lead however with a reverse stick shot in the corner, before Oxford equalised again. Bicester then took what they hoped to be a winning lead with ten minutes to go, through the ever running Jeff Elliot, who's perfectly timed run saw him with a successful shot on goal after some strong running from Ben Kirk.

 

Oxford finished strongly however, and soon found an equaliser, to give them a point in a game Bicester had hoped to win.

 

Bicester now travel to high flying Tring next week, hoping to pick up all three points.

 

Witney M1's 4-2 Bicester M1's

 

Bicester Mens 1s lost 4-2 away to a determined Witney side on Saturday to prevent them finishing the first half of the season on a high. 

 

Witney started very strongly and were two goals up inside ten minutes following two well worked short corners. Bicester should have made one back from a short corner when Dave Sutcliffe missed narrowly from a well worked move, but he made up for the miss with a well finished goal from another short corner won soon after.

 

It was Witney however who then pressed home their advantage and another fierce short corner beat Nathan Elliott in the Bicester goal before Witney made it 4-1 when a well placed lofted pass found a very pacey Witney striker in space, with enough time to place his shot into the corner past Elliott.

 

Bicester got one goal back before the interval when Ben Kirk rifled home a short corner but that was the be then end of the goals for both sides.

 

After the break, both goalkeepers had excellent halves as both teams created chances. Witney however held out comfortably for the win as Bicester failed to add to their goal tally and they now go into the break looking forward to return fixtures against each of the teams in the second half of the season.

 

Bicester M1's 6-2 Wycombe M2's

 

Bicester got back to winning ways with a 6-2 win over a youthful Wycombe side at The Cooper School on Saturday. 

 

In a dominant first half, Bicester took an early lead when Ben Kirk's surging run led to him finding Dave Sutcliffe in space in the D, where he made no mistake from the finish. 

 

Bicester continued to press and goalkeeping debutant Nathan Elliot had a quiet half. It took them until the last play of the half to get the second goal however, when Rob Blackie converted from a well worked short corner. 

 

The second half was a far less comfortable affair for Bicester with the loss of centre back Andy Brown keenly felt. Bicester did however get the next goal through Dave Sutcliffe before Wycombe pulled one back with a well worked short corner. Bicester then thought they had the game sealed when Jonny Reid was fortunate to find the back of the net when a defender turned his firm cross into the net.

 

Wycombe however got another goal back with a neat deflection and threatened to make the game even tighter from a few short corners which Elliot did well to save and clear. 

 

Bicester then closed the game out with a couple of well taken goals from Will Hartley and Ben Kirk to give Bicester a well earned three points.

 

SONNING 3-2 BICESTER M1s (EHC Vase)

Bicester travelled to Sonning, a team doing well in the league above them, and gave them a scare despite having only 11 players available. 

Bicester took the lead through Dave Sutcliffe who reacted first in the D. Sonning then patiently played from the back and soon had the equaliser from a short corner. 

Bicester didn't let that stop them attacking and soon had a brilliantly worked goal as Hugh Rowlands found Will Hartley in space in the D with an incisive pass which gave Hartley a first time shot which he nestled into the bottom corner. 

After the half time break Bicester continued to attack and had a few chances. Sonning however scored next as they won a penalty flick when their player went down from a challenge from the Bicester goalkeeper. They dispatched the flick but didn't close out the game until two minutes to go. Bicester had threatened a few times but couldn't fashion a clear chance and Sonning kept the ball well. They then managed to score a deflection with a few minutes to go to give them the cushion and with it progress into the next round.

 

BICESTER M1's 2-5 AMERSHAM AND CHALFONT M1's

Bicester's losing streak continued despite an improved performance against league leaders Amersham on Saturday. 

Bicester started well and were unfortunate to have a goal disallowed early on as doubt arose as to whether the ball had been struck inside the D. Amersham then took the lead and soon powered away into a 3-0 lead with some dynamic movement and some well worked short corners. 

Bicester however did not lie down and fought back to 3-2 before half time. Dave Sutcliffe reacted first to a bouncing ball in the D and lobbed the Amersham goalkeeper and Ben Kirk scored a wonderful goal as he drove through the heart of the Amersham defence and struck home. 

Bicester knew the next goal after half time was key but unfortunately Amersham scored next and then held onto the ball well to deny Bicester many chances in the second half before applying gloss with a fifth goal as the game came to a close. 

Bicester now head to Ramgharia looking to hit back with three points

 

Bicester M1's 3-5 OMT M2's

 

Bicester slipped to a 5-3 loss against a ruthless OMT side on Saturday at Cooper School. 

Bicester started strongly and opened their account early on with Alex Wilson scoring emphatically from a well worked move. OMT came back quickly however with a well finished deflected goal to level the game. 

Bicester then had a sustained period of pressure but their forwards couldn't convert their chances and OMT scored next. The team from London then went on a goal blitz for five minutes as they scored twice more to lead 4-1. 

Bicester managed to grab a goal back through a persistent Will Hartley before half time but the comeback was not to materialise. 

OMT scored first in the second half from a well worked goal and they could have had more in the second half if not for some excellent saves from Peter Bowen. Bicester piled on the pressure without really testing the excellent OMT goalkeeper and got one goal back late on through Dave Sutcliffe but it wasn't enough to spark a comeback. 

Bicester now travel to Thame looking to get back to winning ways after a good start to the season. 

 

Bicester 3 -2 Ashford

 

Bicester made it three wins out of four and moved up to third in the league with a battling 3-2 at home against Ashford.

 

Despite dominating much of the opening exchanges, Ashford took the lead after ten minutes. Bicester kept their cool and with a few minutes before half time they got a goal back through Andy Brown who tidied up from his own short corner strike to bundle the ball past the agile Ashford keeper.

 

Bicester came out positively after half time and within minutes had the lead through Ben Kirk who snuck the ball in following some good link up play between Jonny Reid and Will Hartley. Bicester then pushed for a bit of a cushion and came close a number of times as the midfield of Ian Oak, Ad Drewitt, Alex Wilson and Jordan Chester all managed to create chances for the Bicester forwards. 

 

Ashford didn't ever go away though and with one of their few chance of the half they managed to get an equaliser with about fifteen minutes to play. Bicester then attempted to go again but chances were now few and far between. Dan Round and Andy Brown were keeping it solid at the back but Bicester stopped creating chances as they had been before.

 

It was uquick thinking from Andy Brown though which created the goal as Jonny Reid received the ball just outside the D from a quick long corner from Brown. Reid drove into the right hand side of the D and then smashed the ball just above the backboard past the Ashford keeper to give Bicester the win and the three points. 

 

They now travel to West Hampstead next week as they attempt to keep putting pressure on the current leaders.

 

Sonning 2-4 Bicester

 

Bicester made it two wins out of three and remained unbeaten away from home as they beat Sonning 2s 4-2 in an exciting game of attacking hockey.

 

Bicester roared into a 3-0 lead after only 15 minutes with some incisive attacking play. Dave Sutcliffe opened the scoring after a tight press forced a mistake from the Sonning defence which Ben Kirk pounced on. His firmly driven cross was then met by Sutcliffe who's dainty touch sneaked into the bottom corner of the goal.

 

Kirk then scored the second following some brilliant work in midfield from Leo Graves and Ad Drewitt, who pinched the ball on the halfway line and fed Jonny Reid who managed to find Sutcliffe who delivered a lovely ball to Kirk in the D, who rounded the goalkeeper and slotted the ball into the goal to double the lead. Will Hartley then added the third after Stu Lock released Reid down the left wing, who burst past the Sonning defence and squared for Hartley to apply the finish. 

 

Sonning then came back well as their incisive forward running made life difficult for the Bicester defence. A penalty flick was won from a short corner which Peter Bowen could do nothing about and a second goal was added to make it 3-2 at half time.

 

Bicester then continued to press for that two goal cushion and went close on a few occasions. Will Hartley was unfortunate to have a goal disallowed following some incisive play from debutant Jordan Chester but Sutcliffe eventually gave Bicester the cushion from a well worked short corner move to seal the game for Bicester.

 

Bicester now host Ashford back at The Cooper School next week as they look to continue to establish themselves near the top of MBBO Division 1.

 

Oxford M3's 2 - 4 Bicester M1's

 

Bicester started their new season with a win away at Oxford on Saturday as they continue to aim for promotion out of MBBO Division 1.

 

The Foxes raced out of the traps and were three goals up inside fifteen minutes as they completely dominated play. Hat-trick hero Dave Sutcliffe opened his account with a fierce strike into the bottom corner before doubling the lead from a lovely well worked team move starting from a Leo Graves interception. 

 

Jonny Reid put Bicester three goals up following some wonderful slick passing from back to front, topped off by a delightful first time ball from Ben Kirk, leaving Reid with an opportunity to stroke home from ten yards.

 

Oxford then began to rally and with five minutes left of the first half got themselves a goal back with a well struck shot into the bottom corner. Their momentum continued in the first few minutes of the second half as some brilliantly skilful play from their centre midfielder saw him set up an easy tap in for the Oxford striker to bring them back to within one goal of Bicester.

 

An end to end battle them resumed as both teams pushed for goals. Andy Brown and Sutcliffe both went close and Bicester forced a succession of short corners, whilst Stewart Moore and Dan Round both defended resolutely and made goal line clearances to sustain Bicester's lead. 

 

Sutcliffe however put the game to bed after some delightful play down the left hand side from Adam Drewitt saw Sutcliffe have time to swivel in the D and smash the ball at head height past the Oxford goalkeeper to seal the three points for Bicester.

 

Bicester host newly promoted Tring next week at The Cooper School as they look to continue their home form from last season, which saw them only lose once one their local turf.

 

Ashford M2's 1-1 Bicester M1's (MBBO Division 1) 22 March 2015

 

On Sunday Bicester then travelled down to Ashford for a re-arranged game where they earned a hard fought point against a solid Ashford team. Despite going a goal down in the first half, a penalty flick was won from a short corner and Birtles dispatched it into the top corner to give Bicester a point and moved them back up to 3rd with two games to play.

 

Oxford M3's 2-7 Bicester M1's (MBBO Division 1) 21 March 2015

 

Bicester Mens first team moved back up to 3rd place and a possible promotion spot with a win and a draw from their double-hedaer weekend away at Oxford and Ashford. 

 

The weekend began by Bicester making the short journey to Oxford where they beat Oxford 3s 7-2 in a thumping victory featuring a CJ Birtles hat-trick. The pick of the goals was Birtles' second, as he burst through the middle of the pitch from half-way and slotted on his reverse stick to give Bicester a 4-1 lead. Dave Sutcliffe, Leo Graves and Luke Smith all contributed with goals as Bicester took a well deserved three points.

 

Bicester M1s 2-1 Thame M1s (MBBO Division 1) 28 February 2015

 

Bicester Mens First team continued their promotion charge with a tense 2-1 win against Thame. 

 

Bicester took the lead through teenage debutant Will Harrtley, when Andy Brown's ball found him unmarked in the D with time to turn and sneak the ball into the Thame goal. Bicester doubled their lead in the first half through Stu Locke's short corner deflection and Bicester went into the break confident of finising the game off. 

 

Some ill discipline however led to Thame getting a goal back and if it wasn't for man of the match Peter Bowen in goal, Thame surely would have won the game. As it was though, Bicester remained unbeaten at home and know that their promotion charge is in their own hands.

 

Bicester Mens 1s v Maidenhead 2s (MBBO Division 1) 14 February 2015

 

Bicester thrashed Maidenehad 2s 8-1 in a feisty game which included two yellow cards and a red card for the opposition.

 

Bicester took the lead inside the first 30 seconds as Jonny Reid pounced on a missed pass to have a one-on-one opportunity with the keeper which he scored. Dave Sutcliffe then added a second within five minutes to give a two goal cushion for the home team. The game settled down a bit with Bicester going close a number of times. Man of the match Adam Drewitt then scored his first as a well worked move saw him found in space in the D where he fired home to give Bicester a three goal lead at half time. 

 

After the break, Sutcliffe scored his second following some good play from Leo Graves and Luke Smith down the right. Drewitt then added his second in a controversial manner. Graves had his shot saved twice by the excellent Maidenhead goalkeeper and Drewitt scored the follow up. Maidenhead instantly complained that the goal should not stand although neither the umpires or Bicester saw much in it. This led to both their captain and centre midfielder being given a sin-bin, with one of them then sent off following words exchanged with the umpires. Bicester then made use of the extra space to add three more well worked goals with Sutcliffe completing his hat-trick and Luke Smith and Adam Buxey adding to their tallies for the season to give Bicester a comprehensive victory as they consolidated their promotion hopes for the season.

 

Bicester M1s 2-2 West Hampstead M3s (MBBO Division 1) 7 February 2015

 

Bicester Mens 1s threw away a two goal lead against West Hampstead on Saturday but still remain in second and in prime position for a promotion push as the season comes to a head. 

 

Bicester took the lead through Dave Sutcliffe, as he pounced on a defensive error to slot past the goalkeeper and despite not playing particularly fluently, managed to keep this lead until half time.

 

Bicester doubled their lead early in the second half as Adam Buxey tapped in from a short corner following Cj Birtles' blocked shot. Bicester took their foot off the gas and allowed West Hampstead back into it as they scored a brilliantly struck short corner and then equalised a few minutes later from another penalty corner effort. 

 

The game petered out as Bicester strove for a winner but it wasn't to be and they now welcome Maidenhead to Cooper School, a venue they are unbeaten at this season, next week.

 

Banbury M2s 2-4 Bicester M1s

(MBBO Division 1) 31 January 2015

 

Bicester Mens 1s kept the promotion hopes firmly alive as they beat a title chasing Banbury side 4-2 at North Oxford Academy on a baltic Saturday morning.

 

Banbury opened the scoring after a lapse in the Bicester defence but parity was soon restored as Luke Smith followed up last weeks hat trick with the opening goal as he wrong-footed the goalkeeper with a firmly struck shot from the top of the D. Both sides then continue to have attacks with Peter Bowen making some excellent saves in the Bicester goal and Stewart Moore stopping the ball on the line to keep the score at 1-1 at half time.

 

Bicester then struck first, as Dave Sutcliffe forced a mistake from the Banbury centre back after only a minute of the second half, to win the ball and cooly slot home to give Bicester the lead. Banbury struck back quickly though with a very well taken short corner from the next attack. Both teams then settled into a rhythm, with both goalkeepers having to work hard to keep the goals out. Bicester struck next however as the outstanding Sutcliffe scored an audacious lob following a beautifully flighted aerial pass from CJ Birtles. Sutcliffe then scored his third, keeping him firmly at the top of the goalscoring charts, as following a break down in play from a Banbury short corner, Jonny Reid fired a long range pass to Sutcliffe, who, waiting in the opposition D, picked up the ball and again slotted home to complete his hat-trick and confirm the dominant win for Bicester.

 

Bicester now sit comfortably in second place, with games in hand, as they continue to seek promotion this season.

 

Bicester 1s 4-1 Wycombe 2s

(MBBO Division 1) 24 January 2015

 

Bicester comfortably beat Wycombe 2s 6-1 at Cooper School to keep them right in the hunt for promotion in MBBO Division 1 on Saturday. 

 

Bicester started well and took the lead with CJ Birtles firing home from a short corner. Wycombe came back well though, and soon had a short corner goal of their own, when after a period of sustained pressure, their captain Robbie Leung shot home. 

 

Bicester continued to press though and Luke Smith soon had the first of his three goals when some good work from Dave Sutcliffe presented him with a tap in. Sutcliffe himself then got in on the act with a deflection from a yard out to put Bicester 3-1 up at half time.

 

With the first goal of the second half crucial, Bicester came out well and soon had their fourth with Jonny Reid scoring from a scuffed shot. Smith then added his second from a short corner move and his third in the final minute of the game came after more smart work from Sutcliffe. 

 

Bicester's man of the match was player-coach Andy Brown for a outstanding performance in the midfield as Bicester put themselves in third with two games in hand on British Airways and one on next weeks opponents, Banbury.

 

Bicester M1's 4-1 Oxford M3's

(MBBO Division 1) 6 December, 2014

 

Bicester beat Oxford 3s 4-1 in a game moved to Kidlington due to frost at Cooper School. After both teams and umpires decided the school was unplayable, Oxford kindly agreed to move the game to Kidlington to avoid a postponement. 

 

The game at Kidlington then proved to be a strong one for Bicester as they adapted to the slow pitch well and were three goals up inside fifteen minutes. Ian Oak got the first after some slick Bicester passing and Dave Sutcliffe got the next two after some more swift attacking play. 

 

The game stayed at 3-0 until the last ten minutes when Bicester took a four goal lead after some penetrating play from Oak found Luke Smith who finished well before Oxford pulled one back. 

 

Bicester continue their unbeaten run and their promotion push and now head to bottom of the table Ashford next week looking to extend it.

 

British Airways 1s 2 - 4 Bicester 1s 

(MBBO Division 1) 29 November, 2014

 

Bicester beat top of the table British Airways away in North London to continue their unbeaten run and promotion push in an absorbing and typically physical game.

 

With a few forced changes to the forward line, Bicester could have been concerned about scoring goals, but a clinical Wayne Buxey and a great pair of performance from Harry Gaunt and Jeff Elliot saw Bicester saw two goals in each half.

 

Bicester took the lead as Wayne Buxey scored with his first touch of the match with a tip in following a free flowing counter attack agains the run of play. Bicester then found themselves two goals up as Andy Brown found Ian Oak in space in the D with time to turn and pass the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper. British Airways finished the half stronger however and it was 2-1 to Bicester at the break.

 

British Airways came out strongly after the interval and got themselves level with a lovely deflected goal and Bicester sensed a storm was coming that needed to be weathered. This they did for the next twenty minutes as the Bicester defence superbly restricted the opposition to speculative shots from the top of the D and not much else. 

 

Bicester then got themselves in front again as Buxey again scored well after a scrap in the D saw Jonny Reid find some space, and his unforgiving lofted pass was brilliantly put away by Buxey to give Bicester the lead with ten minutes to play. They soon finished the game off as Reid got in on the act from a short corner with a simple finish from a few yards out.

 

Bicester closed out the game to pick up another three points and with three games to go until Christmas are aiming to be in the promotion places going into the break.

 

Bicester M1s 5 -4 Amersham and Chalfont 1s

(MBBO Division 1) 22 November, 2014

 

Bicester continued their winning streak against Amersham and Chalfont with a 5-4 win after last week's farce at Thame saw floodlight failure force the game to be postponed.

 

Amersham started well as the pace that was to continue for the rest of the game was set with early attacking breaks. They soon found themselves leading when Bicester conceded a short-corner goal from a well worked move. This sparked Bicester into life as Luke Smith went on a two goal rampage in one minute as he scored following a scramble in the D and then straight from the resultant push-back as Bicester strung seven passes together down the side of the pitch to give Smith a back post tap in to give Bicester the lead.

 

Amersham restored parity however with a somewhat controversial goal as the Bicester defence accused an Amersham forward of blocking. The shot that followed however was fierce and firm into the bottom corner - an excellent finish to make it 2-2. Bicester however had the last laugh in the half, as Stu Locke scored from a short corner, won following Leo Graves' battling, with a lovely deflection following Dave Sutcliffe's shot.

 

The game ebbed and flowed nicely in the second half and it was Amersham who equalised again with an incisive breakaway. Bicester responded in kind however when Stu Moore smartly spotted Jonny Reid in space, who broke into the D and found Dave Sutcliffe in space to finish and give them the lead again. It was not to last long however as Amersham again broke away to level with only five minutes to play. Bicester got the final goal though after some strong work from Ad Drewitt saw the ball deflect in the D to Sutfliffe who again provided a composed finish to give Bicester the 3 points as they continue to aim for promotion this season. 

 

Bicester head to top of the table British Airways next week looking to continue their strong form.

 

Maidenhead M2s 0-6 Bicester M1s (MBBO Division 1) 1 November, 2014

 

Bicester returned to winning ways down in Maidenhead with a dominant 6-0 win, with Dave Sutcliffe scoring four goals and Jonny Reid and Stu Locke adding the others.

 

Bicester started strongly and soon took the lead as Luke Smith made a brilliant run down the right hand side of the pitch before smashing the ball, waist height, across the D to Reid who adjusted his body to deflect the ball home from a yard. Smith was at it again along with Ian Oak, as the two combined to find Sutcliffe at the penalty spot to slot home and make it two-nil in the first ten minutes.

 

Maidenhead now had a mountain to climb but Bicester's defence, marshalled by Man of the Match Dan Round, were rarely trouble on the bouncy Maidenhead sofa with Peter Bowan rarely called upon in the Bicester goal. Bicester soon had a third from a sweeping break and some wonderful passing hockey, with Sutfliffe soon finding himself at the top of the D, where a crisp shot into the bottom corner gave the goalkeeper no chance. Bicester then continued to attack and win short corners, with only a brief respite where Maidenhead brought a good save out of Bowen in the Bicester goal. One of these short corners from Bicester soon brought a fourth goal as a well worked move saw Smith's deflection well saved and provided Locke with simple tap in.

 

After a half time reminder to stay focussed and keep the clean sheet, Bicester continued to find space and if it wasn't for the outstanding Maidenhead goalkeeper who pulled off a number of brilliant saves, they would have had more than the two goals their play deserved. Both goals were scored by Sutcliffe after smart work in the D from Oak and CJ Birtles as Bicester then cruised to a 6-0 win and up into third place with a week off next week

 

West Hampstead 3s 5 - 2 Bicester 1s (MBBO Division 1) - 25 October, 2014

 

Bicester suffered their second loss of the season away at West Hampstead 3s in a frustrating visit to London for the Foxes.

 

West Hampstead scored with their first short corner of the match from a well worked move and from there looked in control for the vast majority of the game. They fashioned a second goal with a swift counter attack to put Bicester firmly on the back foot before a wonderful ball from Stuart Locke on the right hand side of the pitch found Luke Smith, who expertly deflected the ball past the outstanding West Hampstead keeper to make it 2-1. Another fine move down the right of the pitch, capped by a surging run by Cj Birtles, saw Stu Goodacre in space in the D, and his pinpoint pass found Dave Sutcliffe who finished smartly from close range to equalise the game at 2-2. Both teams continued to have chances in the first half, with Bicester routinely working the goalkeeper from a succession of short corners. It was West Hampstead who took the lead again though with a swift break seeing them expertly work it round the Bicester defence, giving their forward a simple finish to make it 3-2 at half-time.

 

It remained 3-2 for the majority of the second half with neither team dominating chances, although West Hampstead clearly dominated possession. This possession led to them eventually fashioning the chances to give them another two goals and comfortably end up 5-2 winners. Bicester now travel to bottom of the table Maidenhead attempting to pick up another win and crucial points in what is turning out to be a very tight league as usual.

 

Bicester 1s 2-2 Banbury 2s (MBBO Division 1) - October 18, 2014

 

Bicester hosted local rivals Banbury, looking to extend their unbeaten record at home at Cooper School.

 

The game was frenetic from the start with neither team asserting any real meaasure of control and this continued for the first half. For Bicester, Ian Oak went close in a one-on-one, with the Banbury goalkeeper making a fine save, but apart from that, chances were few and far between. At the other end, Slim Bowen made a fine double save to keep the game goaless until the 30th minute. At this point the Banbury midfield played the ball nicely to work it into the D and a fine reverse stick finish gave Banbury the lead going into half time. 

 

After a half-time rollicking from player coach Andy Brown, Bicester came out firing and within two minutes were on level terms when some fine play down the left eventually saw the ball find Ian Oak at the top of the D who fired a fine finish into the bottom corner. Bicester soon had the lead when CJ Birtles took a brilliant free hit, finding Jonny Reid, who weaving into the D, struck a firm reverse stick shot at the Banbury goal with the ball squeezing through the Banbury goalkeeper's legs to give Bicester the lead.

 

The game then settled down with neither team having any clear-cut chances until a Banbury midfielder weaved his way into the Bicester D and his reverse stick strike restored parity with about ten minutes to go. Both teams had yellow cards as the scrappy affair petered out and both teams settled for a point in a close fought contest.

 

Wycombe 2s 6-5 Bicester 1s (MBBO Division 1) - October 11, 2014

 

Wycombe and Bicester once again played out a high scoring match at Cressex with Wycombe eventually coming out on top 6-5.

 

Wycombe started very quickly and soon found themselves two goals up after a strong drag flick and a goal on the break. Bicester slowly started to get into the game and won themselves a short corner. A well worked move saw Jonny Reid's shot stopped by a foot on the line and Cj Birtles dispatched the resulting penalty flick to start the comeback.

 

Reid soon restored parity after some smart work from Andy Brown found him in space in the D and he rifled the shot into the bottom corner to make it 2-2. Another Wycombe short corner gave them the lead again before a defensive error from the home team saw them gift the ball to Reid who found the energetic Adam Drewitt in the D who swept the ball into the goal to make it 3-3 at half time.

 

After a stern half time team talk Bicester started well and another short corner resulted in a penalty flick when Dave Sutcliffes shot again hit a man on the line to give Birtles another chance to score which he duly took.

 

Wycombe then hit back and scored anther corner before taking the lead with a well worked move. They then scored another drag flick to give them a two goal cushion before Ian Oak bundled the ball over to set up a frantic finish as Bicester searched for a point to no avail.

 

They now go in hunt of a win against local rivals Banbury at Cooper School before their England Hockey Vase Match agains Slough on Sunday.

 

 

Bicester 1s 5 - 0 OMT 2s (MBBO Division 1) - October 4, 2014

 

Bicester started off their league campaign in dominant style with a clean sheet and five goals against OMT 2s at Cooper School.

 

New captain Jonny Reid opened the scoring after some fine play down the right hand side of the pitch from Jon Roger, Dave Sutcliffe and Luke Smith. Smith then got in on the act after Sutcliffe showed real composure in the D to draw the opposition goalkeeper and give Smith an open goal to aim at. 

 

The Bicester defence were solid and at this stage rarely tested as Cj Birtles and Dan Round marshalled the defence. Peter Bowen was however called upon in the Bicester goal half way through the first half but OMT found their shot finely saved by Bowen to deny them a comeback goal. Reid then scored another tap-in after fine work again from Jon Roger and Ian Oak down the right hand side of the pitch to give Bicester a three goal lead nearing half time. They managed to find a fourth before the half-time whistle though as Reid pinched the ball in Bicester's half and hared down the line, outpacing the OMT right-back and squaring the ball for new player-coach Andy Brown to apply the finish and give them a four goal lead at half time. 

 

Bicester soaked up pressure well in the second half as OMT tried to find a way through a solid midfield of Leo Graves, Stewart Moore and Andy Brown to no avail. Adam Buxey constantly looked dangerous at right-back and both himself, Stu Goodacre and Stu Locke allowed nothing to come down the flanks with OMT's only real chance of the half seeing Birtles clearing off the line from a short corner. 

 

Bicester were to add to their tally however as Ian Oak got in on the act with a tidy finish following a well worked Bicester move as Sutcliffe again turned provider to set Oak up for the goal.

 

A solid five-nil win to the start the season, and start Bicester's quest for promotion.