So it came down to the last game of the season, Hornets in 7th needed to beat 6th place Exeter University to take the final promotion spot. A full strength Hornets side can match any team in the league but had to win without 7 regulars, so to say this was a tough task was an understatement. Darren Winstanley took over the captaincy and with no recognised strikers shuffled the formation to try and keep the game tight and frustrate their opponents. This seem to work well, soaking up the pressure but were grateful to keeper Sam Parsons who kept them in the game with some fine saves. Unbelievably the home side were also creating some decent chances and against the odds went a goal to the good with Harry Ackland netting after some good approach play. Knowing defeat was going to see Hornets leapfrog them in the table, Exeter Uni push forward and only some last ditch tackles and desperate clearances were keeping them out. Just as it looked as though they were going to make it through to half time a mistake from stand in skipper Winstanley resulted in a counter attack and the grateful attacker rounded Parsons to put the sides level at the break. It was a bitter pill to swallow but might actually have been a blessing in disguise as once again the home side new they had to score to go up. So rather then trying to defend a lead (which has been a difficult task all season!) instead had to go on the attack whist making sure Exeter uni didn't put the game to bed by scoring another one. Both teams seemed to take turns attacking one another and the game could have swung anyway. Luckily with just under 10 minutes till full time, a individual piece of magic from Jerry Silverton, saw him round the keeper and slide it into the empty net. Hornets survived out the remainder of the game and claimed an unlikely 6th spot in the table.

A massive thank you goes to the guys from the third team who stepped up and never put a foot wrong all afternoon. Silverton took the plaudits for m.o.m, despite carrying an injury from the previous week, he had a great all round game and the wining goal was the icing on the cake. Other mentions go to keeper Parsons for the saves in the first half. Rich Ingham whose skill and work rate caused the Uni problems all day and finally Andrew Guerin who despite maybe not have the legs he used to showed his undoubted class with quality tackling, distribution and has a cany knack of being in the right place at the right time.

I don't even think anyone would have predicted this result before the game so to win had to be the teams best result of the season. Next years going to be a difficult challenge but i've no doubt after todays game to see no reason why the side cant compete in the league above.

Hornets were looking to make it three wins on the spin when they travelled to Sidmouth in a mid table clash. Both teams had aspirations for a top 6 finish so this was going to be a tough fixture for both. Hornets started the game brightly, having plenty of possession and creating some decent half chances. The pressure finally paid off when a quickly taken free hit by Andrew Guerin was hit first time by Pete Randerson into the bottom corner to score his 20th goal of the season and put Hornets 1-0 up at half time. The game was a much tighter affair in the second half and it was Sidmouths turn to come out of the blocks quick. It wasn't long before they found the equaliser, a broken down short corner fell nicely for the attacker to put it into the roof of the net. If that wasn't bad enough Sidmouth then took the lead, while Hornets were appealing for a decision a Sidmouth player self passed, dribbled along the base line before pulling the ball back for an easy tap in. The home side had something to hold onto and dropped further back inviting Hornets onto them while using the counter attack to good effect. Hornets struggled to find a way through but a lifeline was given when a deliberate foul on Randerson as he was about to shoot led to penalty flick. Despite the protests for the second week in a row Darren Winstanley scored from the spot to rescue a point. On reflection Hornets would have been looking from 3 points from this fixture but a draw was probably the right result in the end. With 9 out of the 12 players picking up a m.o.m vote suggests that no one performed badly or stood out but Callum Pink is fast improving and settling very well into the side. Also keeper Sam Parsons gets a mention for his superb double save right at the end to keep the score 2-2 and this point could be the difference between them finishing in the top 6 or not.

Hornets welcomed top of the table Bodmin to St James School looking to follow on from their impressive victory over Minehead the previous week. After holding on to a 1-1 draw in Cornwall, the home side knew how difficult game this was going to be.

But like a few games this year Hornets started slow and found themselves 2-0 down within the first 10 minutes. The first via a deflection from a hard hit ball into the area after the attacker nipped in front of centre back Martin Pearce and the second came soon after as a uncharacteristic mistake from the reliable Nick Holway allowed the opposition to score again.

But I've learnt over the years playing for the 'A' team that we seem to be more adapt coming from behind (no pun intended!) then holding onto a lead. I'm not sure if it was Bodmin dropping further back or Hornets pushing forward more but the balance of play slowly started to change. The first goal came from neat work down the left hand side with Pete Randerson crossing for James Glover to tap in on the back post. The equaliser wasn't to long coming, Paul Trayhorn played a perfectly waited through ball to leading goal scorer Randerson who made no mistake.

Halftime and the team were on a high but Bodmin aren't top of the league for nothing, so Hornets had to start this half better then the first. Luckily we did and for the first time in the match took the lead after a penalty flick was awarded for a foul on the top of the D. So despite the efforts of Glover to convince everyone he should be taking it, regular flick taker Darren Winstanley stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to score his second penalty stroke against Bodmin this season. Now it was Hornets who had to hang onto the lead but solid defending seemed to repel the oppositions attacks, while looking dangerous on the counter themselves. Bodmin had the ideal opportunity to equalise themselves from the penalty spot after an unlucky Pearce was harshly penalised but keeper Sam Parsons stuck out a big left glove and kept the score at 3-2.

A hard fought and just about deserved victory over a very good Bodmin side moved Hornets up to 6th and the final promotion spot with four games to go. M.O.M. went to Jack Snell who has come into his own over the past few weeks and now one of the first people on the team sheet.

On a cold winters day where most of the other games around the West Country had been called off, Hornets faced a tricky away game against Isca second string. Going into the match despite being on a 3 game losing streak, morale was high as some of their recent performances had been very good. Hornets welcomed Captain Pete Randerson back into the side after a 2 game absence and hopefully add a bit of bite into a misfiring front line. The game started with the home side firmly on the front foot, wave after wave of attacks battered the hornets defence but it held firm until a bad touch nutmegged everyone and fell nicely to a Isca player who made no mistake to put them one up. The second goal came soon after, a mazy run down the right, was crossed in for the on rushing player to tap in from close range. Having not scored in there previous three games any kind of result looked slim but fortunes were to change as out of nothing a mistake from the Isca defender presented Randerson with a one on one with the Keeper. Initially it looked as though he'd taken it to wide but produced a fantastic reverse stick strike into the top right hand corner to give Hornets a life line just before the break. The goal couldn't have come at a better time as it seemed to change the mind set that they could get a positive result and they took that into the second half, pushing and pressing Isca into mistakes and the game changed on its head. A once fluid and well drilled Isca side suddenly were having there own defence tested as Hornets started to play some of the great hockey they had been producing over the last few weeks. The difference on this occasion was that they had someone who could put away the chances that they were creating and that man Randerson did it again, after neat work down the right hand side a pinpoint pass from Darren Winstanley found Randerson who rifled the ball into the goal. All of a sudden Hornets could sense maybe a unlikely victory was on the cards but the more they pushed forward the more likely they were going to get caught on the break. This was the pattern for the remainder of the half with both sides having chances, Randerson missed the chance for his hatrick when he blazed over the bar and at the other end Hornets keeper Sam Parsons made some great saves to keep the scores level at the end. A great point for Hornets against a very good Isca side and they must now start to win some of their games against the weaker teams in the league if they are going to stand any chance of making the top 6. M.O.M went to Parsons who once again excelled between the posts and a mention for the improving Jack Snell.

After two defeats Hornets were hoping there fortunes were going to change against a good, young Ashmoor side. But for the second week in a row they went into the game without a recognised sticker, so once again set piece routines seemed to be the best chance of scoring whilst keeping it tight at the back. This game plan went out the window early doors as Ashmoor struck the initial blow. Hornets conceded a short corner following a stick tackle and were made to pay as a drag flick got deflected by keeper Sam Parsons into the body of Hornets stalwart Martin Pearce to concede a penalty flick, which was duly dispatched, sending a despairing Parsons the wrong way. In times gone by this may have been the catalyst for a collapse but there is a great team spirit and belief in this side and only spurred the team on. The game almost turned into an attack vs defence exercise as Hornets dominated the rest of the half, Pep Guardiola would have been proud to watch the passing and movement of the side but how they pay for not having anyone who can put the ball in the back of the net. James Glover put one narrowly wide and Harry Ackfield shot straight at the keeper when well placed as Hornets piled on the pressure but Ashmoor held out. The half time team talk was positive and the team were keen and eager to get back out there. Normally service resumed as Hornets continued where they left off, only last ditch tackles and some great saves from the Ashmoor keeper kept them at bay, in particular a short corner strike from Kav Dias and another one on one chance. But you almost knew a goal was never going to come, summed up when Nick Holway, who for once managed to stay on his feet in the area, only to deflected a ball wide when it seemed easier to score. With even centre back Pearce in the oppositions half, Ashmoor increasingly looked dangerous on the break. But any further goals would have been harsh and it stayed 1-0 to the end mainly thanks to the Ashmoor centre forward who went on a mazy run, rounding Parsons only to shoot wide despite the open goal.

I may be looking at the game through black and yellow coloured glasses but despite the result Hornets put in their best display in many a season. On another day (and a centre forward) the team would have easily won this encounter but its a results game and you don't get any points for playing well, so once again the team needs to take the positives and move onto next week.

It was a great team performance but Rob Yarde got MOM for his tackling and much improved distribution and its obvious to see that becoming a coach has improved his own game. A special mention goes to Callum Pink who made his 2nd team debut and despite his green card showed plenty of promise and that he's ready to step up to this level.

After last weeks poor performance Hornets second string were looking to bounce back against high flying Yeovil and Sherbourne. Unfortunately with injuries and unavailability, including top scorer Pete Randerson who stepped upto the first team it looked a tough task. But this was not the case as Hornets matched there opponents in what ended up being a tight, even affair. What the opposition had in skill and flair, Hornets made up in energy and determination.

This was a game where both defences came out on top but it was Hornets who had the better chances in the first half although mainly through short corners, which the Yeovil keeper dealt with. The second half followed the same path but it was Yeovil who opened the scoring. With Hornets down to 10 after promising youngster James Glover saw yellow for a stick tackle the pressure built and Hornets conceded a disputed short corner. This was to be the only goal of the game as a straight strike somehow squeezed inside the left hand post despite the best efforts of Rob Yarde and keeper Sam Parsons. Hornets pushed for an equaliser but to no avail and Yeovil held out.

Despite the result it was a marked improvement on the previous weeks performance and if they can take that into the remaining games a top 6 finish wont be beyond them. There were good performances from Yarde, who like a vintage wine seems to get better with age and the evergreen Andrew Guerin, who was back from playing the back end of a horse in panto and duly got a deserved m.o.m.

There is just something about the post-Christmas game that Hornets 2nd XI don’t like! Last season it was a home loss to Chard and this away to local side East Devon, both teams bottom of the table before the start of the game. The game itself was poor but not as poor as the visitors who could barely string a coherent passing move together. Hornets couldn’t get out or first gear which saw most of the play in the middle of the pitch. The 1st half ended as it started with 0 goals and few chances for both sides though East Devon had a few more short corners opportunities which came to nothing.

The second half showed no improvement until a decent spell for the hosts midway through the half as they scored two in quick succession. East Devon opened the scoring with a solid drag flick short corner which both goalkeeper Sam Parsons and post defender Martin Pearce should have dealt better with, the second, within a few minutes, was from open play on the breakaway which was eventually scrambled in. Hornets had a couple of good chances after this with both Paul Trayhorn and Pete Randerson going narrowly wide but this was as good as it got as the game petered out into a tame ending. Indeed, the home side finished the stronger with a good spell of keep possession in the final 5 minutes.

Hornets will need to improve markedly in upcoming games which sees them play higher placed opposition.

Not a game to live long in the memory as Hornets and Exeter University played out an uneventful draw. The University had the better of the chances in the 1st period with a couple of reverse stick efforts being either saved by Sam Parsons or going over the crossbar. Hornets for their part created very little other than a James Glover half volley that flashed wide of the post.

The start of the second half was more promising with an excellent passing move from the hosts leading to a deflected finish that just creped past keeper Parsons. Hornets’ responded and equalised within a couple of minutes after a fine cross from the left was well finished by Glover. Hornets probably had the better of the chances from then on with Matt Mitchem twice missing by a matter of inches and Glover having another half volleyed effort going narrowly wide. The University looked occasionally threatening especially on the break. In truth though neither side deserved a win as the game petered out to end all square.

Hornets’ 2nd XI drew 2-2 with East Devon side Ottery Crickets at the weekend and will rue that they let slip a 2 goal lead in the closing 12 minutes. It was another eventful game although most of the action fell in the second period. Ottery started the game much the brighter but mustered few clear cut chances and missed with some shot corners opportunities. Hornets’ clawed their way back into the game with the remainder of the half largely even. The away side went closest after Alex Newman crossed for Tom Fayers who fired just wide.

Hornets’ looked more comfortable in the second period and from this better platform scored two excellent goals. Newman crossed for Fayers to deflect in at full stretch before man of the match Newman coolly flicked into the roof of the net after the initial short corner strike was saved. Hornets were largely controlling the game and looked set for a good away win. The turning point, rather ironically, came after the hosts were reduced to 10 for a poor stick tackle. Whether Hornets lost concentration or the hosts showed renewed determination was not clear but Ottery began to dominate. They reduced the arrears with an exceptionally soft goal which saw an unmarked forward deflect in at the back post. Hornets then conceded possession from a 16 yard hit, to an Ottery forward pressing from 3 yards away, before the home side passed the ball across the goal leading to a smart reverse stick finish.

The action did not end there as Hornets’ saw defender Martin Pearce sin binned for a high stick before Ottery had a goal disallowed for encroachment at a short corner. Hornets’ were then reduced to 9 as forward Fayers was also sin-binned for persistent stick tackling. The resurgent hosts had a 2 man advantage late on but ran out of time. Unusually, both teams were left disappointed by the final result.

Hornets were looking to build on their win from the previous week, but had to do it without leading goal scorer and captain Pete Randerson. Needless to say this was going to be a tight game and that's exactly what it was. The away side settled into their usual routine of soaking up a lot of pressure before using the pace of the forwards on the counter attack. This seemed to work as Hornets created the better of the chances, but ultimately it was stalemate at halftime. The second half couldn't have started any better for Hornets as they raced into a 2-0 lead. The first came from Tom Fayers after good work by Matt Mitchem and James Glover, the second a lovely lob into the top corner from Alex Newman. With Ottery down to 10 men following a yellow card, you would have thought Hornets would have easily closed the game out. However, not for the first time this year a two goal cushion was thrown away. Ottery pushed extra numbers forward in a attempt to get back into the game making the away side defend too deeply and unable to clear the ball out of their own half. The pressure finally told when a player was left unmarked on the back post for an easy tap in. With Hornets themselves down to 9 men, Ottery equalised from a short corner. It might have been 2 points dropped but in the end they were thankful for the point after the home side had a goal ruled out for encroachment from a short corner. M.O.M went to lone front man Newman whose constant running and skill caused the oppositions defence problems all game.

If ever a hockey match could be likened to a film this was the match and it would be called ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’. And it was the hosts that showed all three of these characteristics in an eventful match. To start with ‘The Good’, Hornets had spells in the game where the passing and movement were very fine indeed. Hornet’s forward line especially were a constant threat on the day and they were essentially the difference in the game. The opening goal came after Hornets won possession and broke at pace. Pete Randerson fed Alex Newman who supplied a class finish lobbing the onrushing keeper. It was then man of the match Randerson who quickly added a second sliding in a reverse stick shot after being fed by strike partner Newman. ‘The bad’ was displayed during the end of the half, and in other sections of the match, in which Hornets lost their rhythm and conceded multiple penalty corners. Fortunately for the hosts Sidmouth were unable to convert any opportunities.

The ‘Ugly’ was essentially most evident in the opening period but was more heavily punished in the second half. Hornets’ tackling was atrocious on the day. Harry Ackfield was the first to be sin binned, though a little unfortunate, but was essentially punished for a succession of stick tackles that preceded it. There were further players sin-binned in the second half which included Ackfield (for a different offence), Tom Fayers, Andy Richards and Matt Mitchem. However, it was also interspersed by yet more clinical finishing. Randerson scored with a fine reverse stick strike, before completing his hat-trick with an open sided strike after rounding the keeper. Nick Holway added a fifth for his first of the season at the far post. Sidmouth deservedly got 2 consolation goals back that their overall play merited with 2 short corner finishes.

A trip to Cornwall awaited Hornets at the weekend and a draw was secured in a tough game. Hornets started the game the brighter but could not find a clear opening. Thereafter the hosts increased the tempo and for the remainder of the half were in total control. Numerous chances were created and but for man of the match keeper Sam Parsons the Devon side could have been out of the game by half time. As it was Bodmin scored just the once through a well placed straight strike short corner.

Hornets’ regrouped and changed formation in the second period and this led to a much improved performance. The half was pretty even with both sides having good spells. The visitors best opening came from a good move starting from Martin Pearce finding Matt Mitchem. Mitchem fed a quick through ball to Tom Fayers who then set up top scorer Pete Randerson with a great chance only to see the ball fired wide. Shortly afterwards Hornets’ did find an equaliser. A goalbound shot was stopped by a foot and a penalty stroke awarded. Vice captain Darren Winstanley coolly flicked the ball over the diving keeper. At the end of the match Bodmin won a hotly disputed short corner which saw Parsons sin-binned. However, Hornets and stand-in goalkeeper Rob Yarde held out to secure the point.

Hornets’ hosted Somerset based Minehead and played out an entertaining draw. It was the visitors who carried the greater attacking threat for the first 10 minutes. Keeper Sam Parsons making a couple of good saves. Hornets’ gradually played their way into the game and had a spell of possession which saw no goals. Minehead were reduced briefly to 10 for dissent but Hornets could not take advantage. Shortly after the hosts were awarded a penalty corner which top scorer Pete Randerson fired home despite the efforts of the postman to keep it out. Hornets went into half-time on the ascendancy but could not add to the lead.

Early in the second period Randerson added a second from another straight strike short corner. Both sides saw players sent to the sin-bin however no further goals were scored, although the hosts felt that perhaps more than a short corner could have been awarded for a stick tackle by the goalkeeper by the Minehead goal-line. The visitors were beginning to dominate as the hosts tired and with less than 15 minutes to go Hornets Paul Trayhorn attempted a last ditch tackle as the away forward attempted a shot. A penalty stroke was duly awarded and converted. Hornets were now holding on but with a little over 2 minutes left Minehead converted from a short corner. At the end Hornets were left disappointed not to hold onto their 2 goal lead, however, the visitors will feel that their numerous chances created merited a draw. Man of the match was awarded to Andy Richards.

Hornets travelled to Plymouth looking to end a 3 game winless streak and did so in fine style. The away side looked to assert some control from the start of the game and duly took the lead with a composed finish from man of the match Matt Mitchem. Left back Paul Trayhorn added a second from a tight angle after a broken down short corner. Hornets confidence increased and further goals were added through a Trayhorn deflection from a Pete Randerson straight strike before Mitchem struck again. The hosts also had some good chances in the opening period and were rewarded with a goal late in the half as Hornets gave the ball away in midfield.

The next goal would be crucial and it was the away side who added a fifth through Randerson. OPM heads did not drop as they looked to get back into the game They added a second from a drag flick short corner that saw an uncharacteristic misjudgement from Hornets goalkeeper Sam Parsons. That was the end of the scoring though as Hornets held out comfortably in the final 15 minutes. A fine performance and some confidence gained going into a home match with Minehead.

Hornets entertained local rivals Isca at the weekend and fell to a deserved defeat in which both sets of forwards looked on top. The visitors started the brighter and took the lead after a good move down the right led to a smart finish. Isca doubled the lead with a good individual goal although there was some suspicion of a foot at the start of the move as Hornets made the initial tackle. Isca added a third late in the half with a scrappy broken down short corner.

Hornets emphasised a greater sense of urgency and higher press in the second half and this worked as the hosts had their best spell of the match. Numerous chances were created before Darren Winstanley fed Pete Randerson for a tidy reverse stick finish. Isca were then reduced to ten with a sin-binning for not retreating 5 yards, however, this seemed to give the visitors renewed determination as no further goals were scored. Isca added a fourth after another scrappy short corner before Hornets added a late consolation with a superb finish by Alex Newman.

An entertaining game between two evenly matched sides ended up as a 2-2 draw. It was end to end stuff with both sides pushing for a winner, but a point each was probably the right result.

The match started with Hornets fielding 11 outfield players as keeper Carl Bergfield forgot his helmet. However Ashmoor failed to capitalise and it was in fact Hornets with the extra man that looked the more threatening to score. With the Hornets keeper back between the posts Ashmoor came back into the game forcing a number of short corners which they made count with a drag flick in off the post. The rest of the first half saw Ashmoor with the majority of the possession, but Hornets always looked dangerous on the counter. With the speed of the front men the equaliser came after Pete Randerson was put clean through, and despite a good save he made no mistake with the rebound, hitting a powerful shot into the bottom corner.

The intensity of the first half was carried into the second with both teams having chances to score, and that’s exactly what Ashmoor did. A number of Hornets players appealed for a free hit as the ball was hit to the back post for a visiting player to tap in. Despite the protests the goal stood, but that only made the home side more determined to get back into the game. For the second time Hornets equalised when a foul was committed in the area, and with the prolific flick taker Darren Winstanley on the bench the talented youngster Jack Hampton took responsibility and duly dispatched. It could have been all 3 points for Hornets but they somehow missed a 3 on 1 opportunity to score. An encouraging start to the season for Hornets second string, with a key game against local rivals ISCA next week to come.

Hornets 2nd game of the season ended in a narrow defeat at newly promoted Yeovil. The hosts started the brighter and deservedly took the lead as an unmarked forward scored with a firm strike into the net. Yeovil continued to look the more threatening but could not double their lead after some fine saves from Hornets goalie and man of the match Sam Parsons. By the midway point of the half Hornets were working their way into the game and starting to create good chances. Forward Pete Randerson had a goal disallowed as the shot was deemed to be struck from above the shoulder height.

A renewed Hornets began to dominate the game but finishing and some good last ditch defending proved to be their downfall. Many good chances were created and squandered with two shots cleared off the line, one from a Randerson short corner. Hornets also had another goal disallowed, correctly, for a foot infringement. It was not all one way traffic though as Yeovil looked a constant threat on the breakaway, Parsons making further fine saves. Hornets will rue the missed chances which cost them atleast a point in this encounter.

Hornets 2nds opened their season with an emphatic home victory against local rivals East Devon. In terms of possession the sides were quite even, however, Hornets were far more incisive in attack and solid as a defensive unit and it was these two facets that led to a decisive victory. After a low key start it was forward Pete Randerson that opened the scoring and then he quickly followed it up with a second on the reverse stick after beating the keeper.

Going into the second period the next goal would be crucial and after some initial pressure from the away side Hornets countered and scored through Alex Newman. Tom Fayers, on league debut, then added a 4th neatly deflecting in after a broken down short corner. East Devon pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after a goalbound shot hit defender Paul Trayhorn. Hornets responded by adding 2 further goals as the teams began to tire in the searing October heat. Matt Mitchem scored with a fine strike into the bottom corner before Randerson completed a brilliant team goal to round of his hat-trick and a fine victory. There were excellent debuts for Fayers, Mitchem and Jack Snell. Man of the match was shared by 16-year-old James Glover and Pete Randerson.