Robbies retain IEHL Division 2 Status

Mon 25 Jan, 2010 04:49
Posted By Bob Cresswell

After the snow over the weekend of the original Division 2 South tournament, both the South and North divisions were rescheduled into this one weekend at Hull. With shortened games and long breaks between games it was not ideal, but Robbies travelled with a reduced squad and the aim of retaining their National League status.

Saturday

Devizes 0 Robinsons 3
A good win to start the weekend. Robbies experience showed against the West qualifiers as goals in the first half from Codders and Squeeler and another from Squeeler in the second half secured the win. Devizes threatened during periods of the game but outstanding saves from skipper Sonic kept a clean sheet.

Wycombe
As we waited the three and a half hours for our next 20 minutes of glory or despair, news came through that Wycombe had not arrived and our investigative reporter, Squeeler, was able to establish that they had withdrawn from the competition. This meant a 5 team competition and a 6 hour wait until our next game.

Marjons
Robbies started this game after the long break against a Marjons side whose schedule of later games saw them start the game more brightly and a penalty stroke in the first minute put them 0-1 up. Less than 2 minutes into the game, Marjons scored a second. Further goals came as Robbies were unable to shake of the dust of the 6 hour wait and Marjons took a 0-4 lead. The last couple of minutes saw Robbies start the fight back and a late goal from Plim raised hopes as half-time came with the score at 1-4. The second half started with Robbies dominating. Two goals from Codders and another from Asbo levelled the score at 4-4. With 5 minutes left on the clock, Sonic had to leave the field with severe headaches and was replaced by Ed Cresswell on Indoor National League debut [hey, if someone else's Dad wants to write the report, just let me know :o)]. Robbies could have stolen the game with a late chance from the excellent Jonny Codling which was inches wide of the far post and a late short corner which was off target. A win would have meant Division 2 survival and a relaxed Sunday when a play-off place could have been a target. The draw meant that Sunday was going to be a tense affair with Division 2 survival not assured until late in the day.

Saturday Night

We lost Codders to the snows of Andorra (or maybe the floor of some nightclub in Leeds) which reduced the squad even further. Although the shortened games did not require such a large squad, we would be sure to miss Codders skills and tactical insight. As our next opponents, University of Exeter, carbed up with pasta in the hotel restaurant, took a brief post-dinner beer and retired early, Robbies preparation was perhaps a little more traditional with a fish supper and nightclub. The 2s contingent and manager, spirits raised by news from Bristol of the win over Westbury and another 3s victory, were more sedate enjoying Hull's finest Chinese-ish cuisine with free starters and beer.

Sunday
At the start of the day, the draw against Marjons meant that one point from games against the two strongest teams in the competition was needed to assure another season in the Indoor National League. A Marjons win against Devizes would put them level on points but Robbies superior goal difference (+2 against -9) meant that keeping goal difference to a minimum was the primary objective.

Robbies 0 University of Exeter 1
An interesting game with the first half seeing both sides retaining possession deep in defence and neither side willing to risk pushing forward, Robbies wanting to keep goals to a minimum and maybe nick the game with turnover breaks, Exeter not wanting the risk the points which would push them into a play-off place.
In the second half, Exeter pressed more keenly and the Robbies defence were under a little more pressure. A key decision decided this game with the umpire deciding the Robbies had played the ball deliberately off the back line and the Robbies player with the ball sure that the ball had been touched off by an Exeter player. The resulting penalty corner was converted by Exeter for the only goal of the game.

Devizes 4 Marjons 4
Anything but a Marjons win would see Robbies stay in Division 2. An exciting game which was in the balance until the final seconds, Devizes being applauded off the pitch by Robbies who were now assured of a place in IEHL Div 2 next season.

Sevenoaks 4 Robinsons 2
With that achieved, a 4-0 win against Sevenoaks who had looked the strongest side in the competition would see a playoff place for Robbies. Ed replaced Sonic in goal. This was a close game with Robbies keeping pace with Sevenoaks. Sevenoaks scored first but Squeeler equalised at half time with an overtime penalty corner conversion. In the second half, Sevenoaks took the lead again but Robbies pegged them back with an Asbo equaliser. A melee in the Robbies D resulted in a penalty stroke which was converted. A final Sevenoaks goal put them through to the play-offs.

Despite all difficulties, a good weekend. With the original format and a full squad for both week-ends we could have been a real contender for promotion.

In the play-offs, Sevenoaks beat Hull 7-2. Exeter Uni went down 2-1 to Brooklands. So we have the pasta boys again next year. Holcombe and Maidstone were relegated from Division 1 so some re-jigging of the North/South divide, I think.

Squad: (Hull)-Sonic [Capt], Ed, Chrisso, Wost, Roddy, Codders, Baby, Squeeler, Plim, Asbo, Cressers [Manager]; [Non-travelling] Longer; Sharpy, Oli, Minwaz, Ryan.

Sunday Game's Highlights can be found @ hockeytv.co.uk even though we lost both games it shows the effort we all put in that weekend