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It’s all smiles for Wheadon
From the Wiltshire Times, first published Friday 2nd Feb 2007.
ADAM Wheadon was sporting the biggest grin in Chippenham hockey club after scoring the third goal in this derby win.
It was his first ever goal of any sort, in any match of any type and for any team.
Wheadon's magic moment came when he and Steve Kilvington both took a strike at the ball from the top of the D, but because Wheadon's stick was touching the ball he was able to claim the goal.
From the start Chippenham managed to stay focused and to mark well at the back, allowing space to outplay a younger and faster West Wilts side in an extremely sporting and good-tempered game.
The first half was evenly matched, both sides missing goal-scoring opportunities from good passages of play. The West Wilts centre-forward missed a good opportunity to open the scoring after having beaten the Chippenham goalkeeper and a scramble in the West Wilts D saw the ball go wide despite valiant efforts by Joe Saunders.
Both goalkeepers put in good performances, with strong clearance saves by the West Wilts goalkeeper and two excellent slide tackles by John Spooner in the Chippenham goal to ensure that Chippenham stayed in the game. The first half ended goal-less and was probably a fair refletion of the play.
In the second half, Chippenham immediately upped their game to start playing wide and fast. Matt Hunt and Adam Wheadon drew out the West Wilts defence excellently so that they were stretched when the ball was crossed into the D for Steve Kilvington to slot the ball home. Kilvington also struck home a second-phase short corner to put Chippenham 2-0 up.
The pace became even more furious as West Wilts counter-attacked.
Chris Barrow, a kingpin in the Chippenham midfield, had to be replaced after pulling a hamstring and while Chippenham were adjusting to a new formation, West Wilts exerted pressure, winning several short corners.
Spooner put in a couple of show-stopping saves, but a deflected strike to his right caught him napping. The ball looped off his toe into the goal for West Wilts' only goal.
Chippenham took the fight back to West Wilts and Mark Dodd moved up the park to ensure that they moved the ball well around the back. Chippenham's third goal came from a combined Wheadon-Kilvington strike from the top of the D, but because Wheadon's stick was touching the ball, he was generously allowed to claim the goal.
Chippenham kept possession and Kilvington's hat-trick goal came from a stylish flick into the net.
Man-of-the-match was Steve Kilvington.
Chippenham 2, Somerset Gryphons 1
CHIPPENHAM consolidated their position at the top of the Avon League with a hard fought victory over a much strengthened Gryphons side.
It was always going to take something special to break the deadlock and Chippenham produced it with a fine move started by Darren Beam in his own D.
He found Collin Fisher on the halfway line and his measured through ball committed the home defence and goalkeeper, but neither could match the pace of Main who arrived first and clinically slotted the ball home into an unguarded net.
Ten minutes into the second half Chippenham forced a short corner and Stonham produced a low drag flick into the bottom corner to wrong-foot the home goalkeeper.
Pushing forward, Chippenham left gaps at the back and they were punished with about eight minutes to go when a quick break left the defence exposed and a first time shot found the target.
Man-of-the-match was Darren Bean.
Chippenham A 6, Swindon A 0
CHIPPENHAM bounced back in style by putting six goals past local rivals Swindon.
Chippenham put pressure on Swindon from the start, pushing them back into their own 25 and a mistake from a sideline hit gave Ben Jones the chance to steal the ball off the defender and play a wonderful ball across to Mark Knight, who flicked the ball over the advancing goalkeeper to give Chippenham the lead after only two minutes.
The lead was doubled as Jones drove into the D and his shot bounced over the diving goalkeeper into the bottom left corner.
Knight went onto complete his hat-trick and further goals came from Tim Harris and O'Keefe.
Man-of-the-match was Mark Knight.
Chippenham Ladies 2nds 1,
Swindon Ladies 2nds 0
CHIPPENHAM'S second team built on their improving form by securing their first league win with a slender 1-0 victory over neighbours Swindon.
After a succession of league draws, Chippenham's second team finally capitalised on their determined campaign and lift themselves out of the relegation zone.
The only goal of the game came after Chippenham were awarded a penalty flick following a goalmouth foul and Fiona Wanliss stepped up and calmly put the ball away to score.
Bath Buccs Ladies 5ths 2,
Chippenham Ladies 3rds 1.
THIS game started with strong, attacking play from both teams, combined with a lot of defensive play, with Chippenham's Angie Whiteside and Claire Bennett having to work hard.
A lucky break by Bath Buccs allowed the home side to take the lead.
In the second half a short corner awarded to Buccs saw them take the chance and double their lead but a determined Chippenham worked hard and were awarded a series of short corners, with Jade Jackman coming into the D with a great strike to pull a goal back.
Joint players of the match were Leigh Page and Jade Jackman.
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