Result: Glebe 2 lost to Sutherland 6

Half-time: Glebe 1 Sutherland 2

Penalty corners: Glebe 4 (1 goal) Sutherland 3 (1 goal)

Scorers: Will Brine, Paul Jowett

Glebe players: Clark Foster, Chris Farrugia, Tony Wark, Paul Jowett, Marley Seebacher, Andrew Cheong, Cameron Johnston, Adam Campano, Zane Goodridge, Will Brine, Brad Goodridge, Aiden Najdzion, Darren French, Lachlan Hall, Ken Wark coach, Terry Kelly manager, Sam Bagley (spectator)

Unavailable players: Sam Bagley (patella), Oliver Tordoff and Simon Wark (knee).

Pre-match prediction:

On 22 April 2023, Sutherland beat Glebe 5-2 at Cintra Park, Concord.

Sutherland is currently fourth on the competition table with 33 points from 11 wins and 4 losses, and Glebe is currently eighth on the competition table with 12 points from 4 wins and 11 losses. There are 11 teams in the competition. Sutherland has scored 48 goals and has had 24 scored against it, with a goal difference of + 24. Glebe has scored 18 goals and has had 63 goals scored against it, with a  goal difference of – 45. Based on past performances Sutherland would be expected to beat Glebe by 4-5 goals, with Glebe scoring one goal, putting the predicted result in today’s game as a Sutherland victory 5 or 6 to 1.

The Glebe team has a competitive lineup for this game and if the aimless back and side passing is eliminated and the tackling is early and often, I think it will be a close contest. My prediction is for Glebe to lose 3-1.

Match Report:

Sutherland was a skilful team and had a couple of experienced players who capitalized on 3 or 4 Glebe defensive lapses, took their goal-scoring opportunities well and was the difference between the two teams. Sutherland scored four goals from Glebe’s errors of judgment, rather than scoring from well-constructed passing movements.  For the most part, Glebe competed well, tried hard, and did their best. The game was definitely not a one-sided affair.

It was a beautiful day for hockey with a blue sky, a few white, fluffy clouds, little wind and a temperature of 20°C.

The game started with Sutherland skilfully passing the ball around and looking dangerous in attack. For the first 7 minutes, Sutherland was camped in Glebe territory, made 4-5 circle penetrations, and had 2-3 shots on goal which were well saved by Glebe goalkeeper Clark Foster. Glebe did well to stay in the game and prevent Sutherland from scoring. Glebe was tackling relentlessly to contain the Sutherland attacking raids. Sutherland had 60% of the territory in the first quarter.

Eight minutes into the first quarter Sutherland crashed the ball into the Glebe circle from 35 metres out from the inside right alley, where it caught a Glebe defender’s foot and it was awarded a penalty corner. No goal ensued.

Andrew Cheong was taking a good position as centre-half and Sutherland was finding it hard to come through the centre of the Glebe defence. Chris Farrugia and Brad Goodridge were tackling constantly and making Sutherland work for every metre they gained. With four minutes remaining in the first quarter Sutherland broke quickly down the left wing. The ball was transferred across the face of the Glebe goal where it hit a Glebe player’s foot and a penalty corner was awarded.

The first shot was saved by Clark Foster, but the rebound fell favourably for a Sutherland player who hit the ball high past keeper Foster, Glebe 0 Sutherland 1. In the first quarter, Glebe made no circle penetrations and did not have any shot at goal. Glebe was very much on the defensive finding it hard to compete. The score at the end of the first quarter was Glebe 0 Sutherland 1.

Seconds after the second quarter started Glebe had a golden opportunity to score. Centre-half Andrew Cheong, from midfield around the centre of the field, quickly passed the ball to Tony Wark on the right wing. Tony quickly passed the ball across the face of the Sutherland goal where Lachlan Hall was lurking, being pressured by the Sutherland goalkeeper. A scramble in front of the Sutherland goal ensued, but Lachlan was unable to push the ball into the net.

Two minutes into the second quarter Sutherland broke quickly from 20 metres inside its own half on the righthand side of the field and the Sutherland winger was five metres clear of the nearest Glebe defender. Chris Farrugia gave chase and got to the Sutherland forward as he was entering the circle, just as goalkeeper Clark Foster, who had left his goal was approaching the Sutherland forward. Chris did not allow the forward any room and the ball deflected off Clark just wide of the Glebe goal.

Six minutes into the second quarter a Glebe defender was taking a 15-metre hit in the inside right position. He decided to hit the ball across the top of the circle to a teammate in the inside left position. A wily, older Sutherland forward read what the Glebe defender was going to do and picked off the pass. The Sutherland forward walked into the Glebe circle and hit the ball past Clark Foster. The 15-metre hit was a high-risk, low-reward pass that was slapped rather than hit hard, the direction of the pass was telegraphed prior to the hit being taken, but even so, it showed excellent anticipation by the wily old Sutherland forward to make this interception, Glebe 0 Sutherland 2.

Midway through the second quarter Glebe won its first penalty corner for a bad Sutherland tackle inside the 22m area. Aiden Najdzion’s push-out was slightly off target and stopper Will Brine stood up and trapped the ball on his forestick, moved the ball into the circle, and cracked a hard shot at goal. The ball took a deflection off a Sutherland player’s stick and went into the back of the goal, Glebe 1 Sutherland 2.

Brad Goodridge was having his first game back after his hamstring tear and was playing well. Fortunately, he got through the game without any muscle troubles. Glebe was getting into the game and was pressuring the Sutherland defence. Eleven minutes into the second quarter Chris Farrugia crashed a ball from 40 metres out into the Sutherland circle and the ball bobbled about in the circle. This tactic was effective for Glebe.

With 2 minutes remaining in the second quarter Glebe worked the ball from 5 metres inside the Sutherland half in the midfield via Andrew Cheong, Zane Goodridge, and Lachlan Hall to Darren French five metres directly out from the Sutherland righthand goal post. Darren’s tomahawk shot went into the side netting. The second quarter was much better than the first for Glebe and the team had 4 or 5 red-hot scoring opportunities. The score at half-time was Glebe 1 Sutherland 2 and Glebe was still very much still in the game.

Glebe started strongly in the third quarter and was immediately on the attack. Tony Wark had a cracking shot at goal from the inside left alley on the top of the Sutherland circle that was well saved by the Sutherland goalkeeper. A hard shot from a Glebe penalty corner a few minutes later was well saved by the Sutherland goalkeeper.

A few minutes later a Glebe side pass was intercepted by a Sutherland forward who ran into the circle and hit for goal. His hit went wide. Seven minutes into the third quarter a Sutherland raid which started inside its own circle went the full length of the field before a Sutherland forward had a shot at the Glebe goal. Clark Foster saved the first-up shot, but the rebound fell to another Sutherland forward who hit the ball into the back of the net, Glebe 1 Sutherland 3.

Sutherland had 55% of the territory in the third quarter and was creating more scoring opportunities than Glebe, but Glebe was hanging on and had several scoring opportunities of its own. The score at the end of the third quarter was Glebe 1 Sutherland 3. Wing halves Marley Seebacher and Darren French were playing strongly and combining attack with defence. Zane Goodridge was covering a lot of territory, passing well and providing the link between the defence and the attack. Paul Jowett always looked dangerous when he got the ball in the forwards and his tackling back often disrupted attacking bursts from the Sutherland wing-halves. A Glebe comeback seemed unlikely, but at 1-3, it was still possible. Glebe had shown it could create goal-scoring opportunities in the first three quarters.

About one minute into the fourth quarter, Glebe was trying to get the ball from a 15-metre hit up the field. A fullback trying a high-risk, low-reward push-pass to a teammate 8 metres away, who was immediately tackled by a Sutherland forward. The Sutherland forward won possession of the ball strolled into the Glebe circle unopposed and hit the ball from the top of the circle past Clark Foster into the Glebe goal, Glebe 1 Sutherland 4.

One minute later, almost immediately after the hit-off following the previous goal, a Sutherland forward picked off a back pass, strolled into the Glebe circle unopposed and hit a hard tomahawk shot into the roof of the Glebe goal. The aimless back pass, telegraphed and passed slowly to a teammate is a dangerous tactic against wily, experienced forwards who have been around for 20 years and read oppositional players’ body language perfectly, Glebe 1 Sutherland 5. It was disappointing to have conceded two soft goals within minutes of each other.

The option taking by our defensive players when trying to break the opposition press needs a major overhaul. It was a major weakness of the team all year, which is why the team had the worst defensive record of any team in the competition. Take away the defensive lapses and the score would have been Glebe 1 – Sutherland 2.

Six minutes into the fourth quarter Glebe won its fourth penalty corner. A Cameron Johnston flick at hand height was easily saved by the Sutherland goalkeeper and the ball dropped down for Tony Wark to have a stand-up backstick shot at the Sutherland goal that went wide of the goal. This was an excellent scoring opportunity for Glebe. Glebe was making circle penetrations with relative ease and I had the feeling that another goal was possible.

In the middle of the fourth quarter, Sutherland had a sustained period of 10 minutes where it was pressing the Glebe defence hard. The Glebe defence was up to the task and denied Sutherland any real goal-scoring opportunities. Adam Campano was playing well as were Will Brine, Marley Seebacher, Darren French and Aiden Najdzion.

With three minutes remaining in the game, Glebe started to press up and try and find a way through the crowded Sutherland defence. This tactic left Glebe exposed to a quick counterattack, but with the score at 1-5, it was a reasonable option.  A Sutherland forward spotted that all the Glebe players were inside the Sutherland half of the field and delivered a long overhead upfield to a Sutherland forward with no Glebe player within 15 metres of him. This Sutherland forward ran towards the Glebe circle unopposed. He pulled the ball to the side of the advancing Clark Foster and tomahawked the ball into the Glebe goal, Glebe 1 Sutherland 6. This Sutherland goal was another example of how Sutherland preyed on Glebe’s defensive lapses.  Sutherland did not have to create goals with any teamwork of its own when it fed off the poor option-taking of the Glebe defenders.

A minute later Tony Wark positioned one metre from the lefthand sideline on halfway passed a quick ball along the sideline to Aiden Najdzion, who immediately passed the ball along the sideline up to Lachlan Hall 30 metres from the Sutherland backline two metres from the sideline. Lachlan hit the ball across the face of the Sutherland goal. The Sutherland goalkeeper advanced towards the ball, as did Paul Jowett. The ball hit the Sutherland goalkeeper’s pads simultaneously with Paul laying a touch on the ball.

The ball fortuitously fell directly behind the Sutherland goalkeeper, into the path of Paul Jowett who tapped the ball into the Sutherland goal for a Glebe goal, Glebe 2 Sutherland 6, which was the final score of the game.

If the defensive lapses were taken out of the game, Glebe played well and extended the Sutherland team. Option-taking is always a risk-reward assessment and today I think Glebe’s decision-making on this matter was flawed.

The team enjoyed playing today, tried hard and certainly was not outclassed. Our final record was 4 wins and 12 losses from 16 games, which placed us eight on the competition ladder out of 11 teams.

Tony Wark played his 400th senior Club game today. Congratulations Tony. In addition, Tony played 188 Junior games for Glebe. He commenced playing juniors for Glebe in 1988. He has had three years in Europe and five years in Victoria between 1988 and 2023.

I would like to congratulate the team on an excellent season, which ended today. The team was a credit to the coach and the GDHC, always doing its best with zeal, commitment and to the best of its ability.

Good luck for the off-season.

Harry Wark

Report on the Glebe v Sutherland Third Grade game played 1230 hours, 26 August 2023 at the Sutherland Synthetic Turf, Sylvania.

Result: Glebe 0 lost to Briars 6

Half-time: Glebe 0 Briars 5

Penalty corners: Glebe 1 (0 goals) Briars 5 (2 goals)

Scorers: nil

Glebe players: Clark Foster, Chris Farrugia, Zane Goodridge, Adam Campano, Aiden Najdzion, Oliver Tordoff, Marley Seebacher, Lachlan Hall, Tony Wark, Darren French, Will Brine, Jamie Travis, Craig Martin, Ken Wark (coach), Terry Kelly (manager)

Unavailable players:  Andrew Cheong, Cameron Johnston, Sam Bagley (patella fracture), Brad Goodridge (hamstring injury), Simon Wark (knee), Clayton Herbst.

Pre-match prediction and analysis:

There are several key players out for today’s game, which will slightly dint Glebe’s firepower, but their replacements are experienced players who have had plenty of previous third-grade experience. (more…)

Result: Glebe 3 defeated SU 1

Half-time: Glebe 1 SU 0

Penalty corners: Glebe 5 (2 goals) UNSW 3 (1 goal)

Scorers: Lachlan Hall, Darren French and Tony Wark

Glebe players: Clark Foster, Chris Farrugia, , Zane Goodridge, Adam Campano, Aiden Najdzion, Oliver Tordoff, Marley Seebacher, Lachlan Hall, Tony Wark, Darren French, Andrew Cheong, Rob Frew, Liam Crowhurst, Ken Wark (coach), Terry Kelly (manager)

Unavailable players: Cameron Johnston, Sam Bagley (patella fracture), Brad Goodridge (hamstring injury), Simon Wark (knee), Clayton Herbst and Will Brine.

Pre-match prediction and analysis:

Leading into tonight’s game, from their 12 games  Sydney University has won 4, drew 2, and lost 6, scoring 23 goals with 26 against, for a goal difference of -3, and were sitting seventh in the competition table. Glebe has played 13 games for three wins, no draws, and 10 losses, scoring 15 goals for, with 56 goals against and a goal difference of -41, and they sit ninth on the competition ladder out of eleven teams. The goal difference between SU and Glebe was 38. (more…)

Result: Glebe 1 lost to UNSW 3

Half-time: Glebe 1 UNSW 2

Penalty corners: Glebe 3 (1 goal) UNSW 5 (1 goal)

Scorer: Lachlan Hall

Glebe players: Clark Foster, Chris Farrugia, Cameron Johnston, Zane Goodridge, Adam Campano, Aiden Najdzion, Oliver Tordoff, Marley Seebacher, Lachlan Hall, Tony Wark, Clayton Herbst, Darren French, Andrew Cheong, Will Brine, Ken Wark (coach), Terry Kelly (manager)

Unavailable players Sam Bagley (patella fracture), Brad Goodridge (hamstring injury), Simon Wark (knee).

Pre-match prediction and analysis:

The team played UNSW on 27 May 2023, at the Daceyville synthetic turf, Daceyville and lost 8-1. UNSW was awarded ten penalty corners from which they scored two goals and one penalty stroke from which they scored. (more…)

Result: Glebe 0 lost to Moorebank 5

Half-time: Glebe 0 Moorebank 2

Penalty corners: Glebe 1 (0 goals) Moorebank 7 (1 goal)

Scorers: nil

Glebe players: Clark Foster, Chris Farrugia, Cameron Johnston, Zane Goodridge, Adam Campano, Aiden Najdzion, Oliver Tordoff, Marley Seebacher, Lachlan Hall, Tony Wark, Paul Jowett, Clayton Herbst, Darren French, Will Brine. Ken Wark (coach).

Umpire Riley Nilan

Unavailable players Andrew Cheong, Sam Bagley (patella fracture), Brad Goodridge (hamstring injury), Simon Wark (knee).

Pre-match prediction and analysis:

Glebe third grade played Moorebank in the first game of the season on 1 April 2023 at Cintra and lost 1-4. Glebe’s goal was scored from a penalty corner (one from one) and Moorebank scored three goals from its five penalty corners. Moorebank lies fourth on the competition table with 24 points from eight wins, three losses from eleven games, 27 goals for, and fifteen against, with a goal difference of +12. Glebe is eighth with 9 points from three wins, eight losses from eleven games, 14 goals for, and forty-eight against, with a goal difference of -34.

The AI analysis has the result of this re-match as being Moorebank 4 to beat Glebe 1, the same score as in the match played between the two teams on 1 April 2023. (more…)

Result: Glebe 2 beat Northern Districts 1

Half-time: Glebe 1 Northern Districts 1

Penalty corners: Glebe 6 (2 goals) Northern Districts 2 (0 goals)

Scorers: Clayton Herbst, Aiden Najdzion

Glebe players: Clark Foster, Chris Farrugia, Andrew Cheong, Jamie Travis, Cameron Johnston, Zane Goodridge, Adam Campano, Simon Wark, Aiden Najdzion, Oliver Tordoff, Marley Seebacher, Lachlan Hall, Clayton Herbst. Ken Wark (coach).

Unavailable players: Tony Wark and Paul Jowett(both overseas), Sam Bagley, Brad Goodridge (hamstring injury), Darren French, Will Brine.

Pre-match prediction and analysis:

Last round, on 15 July 2023, Northern Districts (ND) had a 1-3 loss to UNSU, and Glebe had a 1-7 loss to Ryde. When Glebe played UNSW on 27 May 2023, it had a 1-8 loss. On 20 May 2023, Glebe had a 1-0 win against ND at Cintra in a game that I thought was a 50-50 affair. (more…)

Result: Glebe 1 lost to Ryde 7

Half-time: Glebe 0 Ryde 3

Penalty corners: Glebe 2 (1 goal) Ryde 6 (1 goal)

Scorer: Darren French

Glebe players: Clark Foster, Chris Farrugia, Andrew Cheong, Rob Curlewis, Jamie Travis, Rob Curlewis, Jamie Travis, Cameron Johnston, Zane Goodridge, Adam Campano, Brad Goodridge, Aiden Najdzion, Ken Wark (coach).

Unavailable: Tony Wark and Paul Jowett (both overseas), Oliver Tordoff, Marley Seebacher, Sam Bagley, Simon Wark

Pre-match prediction:

We are back after a three-week break, so I expect the team will be a bit rusty, but hopefully not too rusty.

In our first-round game against Ryde on 15 April 2023, played at Ryde, we lost 1-10. Ryde was the 2022 premiership winner in the third-grade competition and has been the gun team of the third-grade competition for 4-5 years. In the 9 games Ryde has played in 2023, it has scored 35 goals and has had 11 goals scored against it, for a goal difference of +24.  Glebe has scored 11 goals, had 40 scored against it, and has a goal difference of -29. The difference between the goal difference of Glebe and Ryde, both of whom have played 9 games is 53 goals. The AI prediction is that the score should be 1-8, with the Glebe goal coming from a penalty corner scored by Brad Goodridge in the second quarter. If we can tackle early, tackle often, and try to tackle outside the defending circle I predict a 0-6 loss.

Match Report:

The game was played on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, with the sun shining, the temperature 20oC, and little wind. Glebe played very well in parts, but in quarters two and three the team went to sleep, the game plan faltered, and tackling fell away. (more…)

Result: Glebe 1 defeated SEHC 0

Half-time: Glebe 1 SEHC 0

Penalty corners: Glebe 3 (0 goals) SEHC 4 (0 goals)

Scorer: Tony Wark, field goal

Glebe players: Clark Foster, Chris Farrugia, Tony Wark, Simon Wark, Paul Jowett, Aiden Najdzion, Darren French, Zane Goodridge, Clayton Herbst, Adam Campano, Will Brine, Brad Goodridge, Sam Bagley, Marley Seebacher, Ken Wark (coach).

Unavailable: Andrew Cheong, Cameron Johnston, Oliver Tordoff

Pre-match prediction:

Glebe has played 8 games for 1 win and 7 losses, scoring 10 goals for and having 40 scored against it, with a goal difference of -30, now second last on the third-grade competition table sitting on 3 points.  SEHC has played 8 games for two draws and 6 losses, scoring 11 goals for and having 22 scored against it, with a goal difference of -11, and sits last on the third-grade competition points table.

Doing the numbers comes up with a predicted result of  SEHC beating Glebe 3 goals to 1 and leapfrogging Glebe into the second-last spot.

The team welcomes back two under-17 players from fourth grade Clark Foster and Marley Seebacher.

In last week’s game against Macquarie University, the team’s main problem was its inability to convert guilt-edge scoring opportunities into goals. With better circle craft, earlier, faster, stronger passing,  better reading of the game, and a better penalty corner conversion rate, a win in this game is possible.

Match Report:

Today’s game was closely fought from beginning to end and played between two very well-matched teams. (more…)

Result: Glebe 1 lost to Macquarie University (MU) 5

Half-time: Glebe 1 MU 2

Penalty corners: Glebe 7 (1 goal) MU 4 (1 goal)

Scorer: Tony Wark, penalty corner rebound

Glebe players: Jacob Warnock, Chris Farrugia, Tony Wark, Simon Wark, Paul Jowett, Andrew Cheong, Cameron Johnston, Aiden Najdzion, Darren French, Zane Goodridge, Clayton Herbst, Adam Campano, Will Brine, Ken Wark (coach).

Unavailable: Brad Goodridge, Sam Bagley

Pre-match prediction:

MU has played 7 games, for 3 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses, scored 21 goals, and had 11 scored against it, with a goal difference of 10, and sits fourth on the competition table on 11 points. Glebe has played 7 games, for 1 win and 6 losses, scored 9 goals, and had 35 scored against it, with a goal difference of -26, and sits tenth out of eleven on the competition table. Last game on 3 June MU drew with Ryde 1-1. Glebe played Ryde on 15 April and lost 1-10.

Looking at the statistics it suggests that Glebe will lose this MU game 6-0.

If Glebe can trap the ball better, tackle much earlier, nail its penalty corners, take free hits quicker, pass the ball quicker, more accurately, earlier, and to the stick of a teammate, we can get much closer to MU than 0-6.

My prediction is for a 4-1 loss, provided we play to our potential.

Match Report:

It was a lovely winter’s sunny day at Cintra, ideal for playing and watching hockey.

MU was the better team and deserved to beat Glebe by 2 goals. (more…)

Result: Glebe 2 lost to Manly 5

Half-time: Glebe 1 Manly 2

Penalty corners: Glebe 2 (1 goal) Manly 2 (no goals)

Penalty Strokes: Manly (1 goal)

Scorers: Darren French field goal

Glebe players: Jacob Warnock, Chris Farrugia, Sam Bagley, Tony Wark, Simon Wark, Paul Jowett, Andrew Cheong, Cameron Johnston, Aiden Najdzion, Darren French, Zane Goodridge, Clayton Herbst, Adam Campano, Ken Wark (coach).

Unavailable: Brad Goodridge

Pre-match prediction:

In 2022 season Manly beat Glebe 4-3 and 2-0. In 2023 Manly sit eighth on the competition table with a win, two draws and three losses from six games. Glebe is tenth on the table with one win and five losses. Manly have a goal difference of -10 compared with Glebe’s goal difference of -23 and Manly have scored eight goals to Glebe’s seven. Looking at last week’s games, Glebe had a 1-8 loss to the UNSW, which was its worst game of the season and Manly had a 1-1 draw with Northern Districts.

The AI prediction is for Manly to win this game 2-0.

On paper the two teams seem well matched. If Glebe plays to its potential, gives the early ball, tackles early and often, reduces the aimless cross and back passing and in defence draws  an opposition player out of the defensive line before passing the ball forward, then a win or draw is well within the team’s reach.

I put the odds of a Glebe win at 7-4 against and a draw at 5-4 against.

Match Report:

The game was played  on a beautiful early winter’s Saturday afternoon, with the sky blue, the sun shining and no wind. Manly were the better team and deserved its win. (more…)

Result: Glebe 1 lost to UNSW 8

Half-time: Glebe 1 UNSW 4

Penalty corners: Glebe 4 (no goal) UNSW 10 (2 goals)

Penalty Strokes: UNSW 1 (1 goal)

Scorers: Zane Goodridge, field goal

Glebe players: Jacob Warnock, Chris Farrugia, Sam Bagley, Tony Wark, Simon Wark, Paul Jowett, Andrew Cheong, Cameron Johnston, Brad Goodridge, Aiden Najdzion, Darren French, Zane Goodridge, Will Brine, Clayton Herbst, Adam Campano, Ken Wark (coach).

Pre-match prediction:

Before this weekend’s round of games, UNSW has a two wins, three losses record this season, with 13 goals for and 16 against, a goal difference of -3 and sit seventh on the competition ladder. Glebe has a one win and four loses record, with 6 goals for and 22 against, a goal difference of -16 and sit ninth on the ladder.

The statistics suggest that UNSW should win by a couple of goals. This week’s Glebe third grade team is the strongest fielded this season and Glebe will be competitive, but unless the team get a good slice of lady luck, it is unlikely to pull off a victory. Glebe needs better circle craft and smarter thinking in the attacking circle to maximize its chances of victory.

I put the odds of a Glebe win at 6-1 and a draw at 4-1.

Match Report

It was a beautiful, sunny late autumn day, with a blue sky and a gentle breeze.

The UNSW team are a good team and beat us comprehensively today. (more…)

Result: Glebe 1 defeated Northern Districts 0

Half-time: Glebe 0 Northern Districts 0

Penalty corners: Glebe 2 (1 goal) Northern Districts 4 (no goals)

Penalty Strokes: nil

Scorers: Brad Goodridge

Glebe players: Jacob Warnock, Chris Farrugia, Sam Bagley, Tony Wark, Simon Wark, Paul Jowett, Cameron Johnston, Brad Goodridge, Aiden Najdzion, Darren French, Zane Goodridge, Adam Campano, Craig Martin, Ken Wark (coach).

Unavailable players: Andrew Cheong, Will Brine, Clayton Herbst, Oliver Tordoff

Pre-match prediction:

Glebe, sitting last on the competition ladder, has had four losses from four games so far in 2023, with 5 goals for and 22 goals against. Northern Districts have had two losses and two draws from its four previous games and sit third last on the competition table with two points, with 3 goals for and 16 goals against.

Northern Districts have held the wooden spoon for the last few seasons in third grade, but with half-a dozen Pakistani players coming into its first-grade team this season, it has meant that accomplished hockey players have filtered back into the Club’s lower grades and strengthened them.

So far this season Glebe have played the best teams in the third-grade competition, whereas Northern Districts have played teams in the bottom half of the competition.  Today’s game will be evenly contested. I am predicting a 1-0 Glebe win, with Glebe scoring its goal from a penalty corner hit-in by Brad Goodridge. My estimate is that Glebe is 5-4 on favourites to win. The AI forecast is for a 1-1 Draw.

Match Report:

Glebe’s first win of the season from five games. (more…)

Result: Glebe 1 lost to Briars 3

Half-time: Glebe 1 Briars 2

Penalty corners: Glebe 2 (no goal) Briars 3 (1 goal)

Penalty Strokes: Briars 2 (2 goals)

Scorers: Andrew Cheong, Field goal

Glebe players: Jacob Warnock, Chris Farrugia, Sam Bagley, Tony Wark, Simon Wark, Paul Jowett, Andrew Cheong, Cameron Johnston, Brad Goodridge, Aiden Najdzion, Darren French, Zane Goodridge, Will Brine, Clayton Herbst, Nick D’Onofrio, Matthew Wark, Ken Wark (coach).

Unavailable players: Adam Campano, Pat Wark (chronic knee problems), John Hammond, Rob Curlewis

Pre-match prediction:

Glebe has had three losses from three games so far in 2023, with 4 goals for and 19 goals against. Briars have had 3 goals for and 6 against, for two losses and a draw. The results suggest that Briars is a goal or two better than Glebe and are favourites to win this Glebe v Briars encounter.

Glebe has a big squad of 16 players this week, with several players coming back into the Club’s teams after recent absences. The Glebe team this week is the strongest third grade team fielded so far in 2023 and I predict a hard, close game with the result going to the team that best takes its chances in front of goal. The AI forecast is Glebe 1 losing to Briars 3, with Glebe being a 6 to 1 outsider. My own prediction is for a 1-1 draw.

Match Report:

Glebe was competitive tonight and had as many if not more circle penetrations than Briars, although Briars probably had about 55 % of the territory. (more…)

Result: Glebe 2 lost to Sutherland 5

Half-time: Glebe 1 Sutherland 5

Penalty corners: Glebe 4 (1 goal) Sutherland 5 (1 goal)

Penalty Stroke: Glebe 1 (1 goal)

Scorers: Brad Goodridge (stroke), Lachlan Hall

Glebe players: Jacob Warnock, Chris Farrugia, Sam Bagley, Tony Wark, Simon Wark, Paul Jowett, Andrew Cheong, Rob Curlewis, Cameron Johnston, Adam Campano, Brad Goodridge, Aiden Najdzion, Darren French, Lachlan Hall, Ken Wark (coach). Ken’s car broke-down, which prevented him attending the game.

Unavailable players: Pat Wark (chronic knee problems), John Hammond, Dan Palomique (hip injury)

Pre-match prediction:

A few players have left us for the SL 3 team. Thank you, gentlemen, for your wholehearted efforts over the preceding two weeks. They have been appreciated. A few players join us from the Premier Division second grade team. Welcome gentlemen, I am sure you will enjoy yourselves.

Sutherland have beaten us by 4 or five goals in the games we have played over last couple of years. This season they have had two wins from two games and sit third on the competition table. Looking at the form guide, I think a computer would predict a Glebe defeat 5-1 in this game. If we can concentrate for the full game, not cough-up goals with poor passing options from defence, tackle early and tackle often and manage to convert a couple of penalty corners, a win although unlikely is not impossible. The odds of us winning, I would put at 25 to 1.

Match Report:

The game was played under a grey sky, a temperature of 18oC with no rain.

Sutherland were the better team and deserved its win. (more…)

Result: Glebe 1 lost to Ryde 10

Half-time: Glebe 1 Ryde 5

Penalty corners: Glebe 2 (1 goal) Ryde 7 (2 goals)

Scorer: Chris Farrugia

Glebe players: Jacob Warnock, Chris Farrugia, Sam Bagley, Tony Wark, Simon Wark, Paul Jowett, Andrew Cheong, Rob Curlewis, Jamie Travis, Oliver Tordoff, Marley Seebacher, Craig Martin, Cameron Johnston, Adam Campano. Ken Wark (coach).

Unavailable players: Pat Wark (chronic knee problems), Brad Goodridge, John Hammond

Pre-match prediction:

Ryde has been the dominant team in the third grade competition for the last five years and won the third-grade premiership in 2022. The score in the game we played against Ryde in 2022 was 1-5 (three penalty corner goals). They have an excellent penalty corner conversion rate and more than 50% of the goals Ryde has scored against us in recent seasons have come from penalty corners. If we tackle early and tackle often and try to tackle outside our defensive circle to minimise the penalty corners we concede, I think we will be competitive. Of the four goals scored by Moorebank against us last week three came from penalty corners (3/5). Any score under 0-5 will be a good result for us.

Match Report:

The game was played on a beautiful, mild, still, sunny, Saturday afternoon.

Ryde outclassed Glebe in today’s game.

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Result: Glebe 1 lost to Moorebank 4

Half-time: Glebe 0 Moorebank 2

Penalty corners: Glebe 1 (1 goal) Moorebank 5 (3 goals)

Scorer: Tony Wark

Glebe players: Jacob Warnock, Chris Farrugia, Sam Bagley, Tony Wark, Simon Wark, Aiden Najdzion, Brad Goodridge, Rob Curlewis, Jamie Travis, Oliver Tordoff, Marley Seebacher, Craig Martin, John Hammond. Ken Wark (coach).

Unavailable players: Paul Jowett, Pat Wark (chronic knee problems), Andrew Cheong (wedding), Adam Campano (right biceps injury)

Pre-match prediction:

On 6 August 2022 Moorebank beat the beat third grade team 6-0 at Moorebank. In that game Moorebank had some fast, fit, skillful players. Moorebank finished fifth on the third-grade ladder in 2022 and Glebe finished second last. Going on last season’s results Moorebank will start favourites to beat us today.

Glebe is starting with a few under 17 players in this team, Oliver Tordoff, Marley Seebacher and Aiden Najdzion, and a player new to Glebe, John Hammond. These players are mixed with long term third graders, complimented by a new coach Ken Wark. Any score under 0-5 will be a good result for us.

Match Report:

It was a showery, overcast day at Cintra, temperature 170C and little wind.

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