Tamworth 2-1 Daventry (BodyKraft East Mids Div One)

After last week’s emphatic victory over Soar Valley, Daventry firsts were brought back down to Earth with an away defeat at Tamworth on Saturday (October 13th).
The team travelled across to the midlands with high expectations having beaten Tamworth here a year ago in a pre-season friendly – however it was not to be this time.
A stuttering start from Daventry saw the home side strike first with a well-worked passing move. A second goal was added soon after from a short corner.
Daventry never really got going in the first half and created few chances. The ball did end up in the Tamworth goal on a couple of occasions in the first period but with no contact from a Daventry player inside the ‘D’ rendering them worthless.
The second period started a lot better for DHC as they started to get hold of the ball more in the midfield. Several chances were created by the away side including a host of short corners, which eventually led to a goal for Daventry courtesy of Scott Mahoney’s well-placed finish.
The goal turned out to be little more than a consolation for DHC who were forced to accept the 2-1 defeat.
Attentions now turn to the weekend where DHC have two massive games: a league game at home to Loughborough Sharks on Saturday and the second round of the Vase cup on Sunday away at Ashby.

Sikh Union Cov 2-3 Daventry

A last minute winner from striker Matt Finch saw Daventry firsts clinch victory in their first game of the season in the East Midlands First Division against the Coventry Sikh Union.
The game had started slowly for away side Daventry as Union managed to take an early lead from a short corner, which was burred into the bottom corner.
Daventry fought back and started to get into the game more before Wes Pope equalised making the score 1-1.
A swift counter-attacking move by Union saw the home side take the advantage once more as Daventry were left staring at the harsh reality that this league may be tougher than the one they were promoted from last season.
DHC thought their break had come when the home side conceded a penalty flick only for Pope to see it saved.
After the half-time interval Union managed to win themselves a penalty flick after a rash lunge by DHC ‘keeper Karl Huckin. Redemption was attained shortly after for Huckin as he athletically dived to save the flick. Daventry started to pile on the pressure late into the second half and striker Ollie Dunn managed to grab an equaliser for the away side.
DHC created several good chances late into the game with Matt Finch scoring a disallowed goal from a short corner.
Moments later however, Finch got his just rewards as he fired the ball across goal into the opposite corner in literally the last touch of the game putting DHC 3-2 up.
A devastating blow for Union but well-earned victory for a Daventry side who put up a spirited performance in this first league fixture.

There is a change in the times of Monday night training

Juniors 6.30pm-7.30pm

Adults 7.30pm-9.30pm

The venue stays the sam which is Daventry William Parker School

After their crushing victory over Ludlow in the first round of the Vase, Daventry were today drawn against Ashby in the second round of the competition.

The tie will take place in Ashby on October 21st and DHC will be feeling confident after their impressive 8-0 victory on Sunday.

Ashby got into the second round via a bye and fell at this stage in the competition last year when they were defeated 6-1 by Gainsborough Rose.

Daventry's tie in the second round last year saw them win via walkover as Leicester failed to attend the fixture.

The DHC 1st team have plenty of experience against this Ashby side as clashed in the East Midlands Second Division last year.

For all the latest Vase fixtures and results visit www.englandhockey.co.uk

Sunday 23 Sept, UK Vase

DAVENTRY 8-0 LUDLOW

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Daventry secured their place in the second round of the UK vase at the expense of Ludlow in a comprehensive victory at the Sports Park on Sunday.
It is the second time in as many years Daventry have disposed of Ludlow in this competition, but Sunday’s 8-0 victory was slightly more convincing than an edgy 3-2 win last year.
The scoring was opened early by defender David Guest who struck home a pass from Ollie Dunn in the fallout from a short corner. Daventry controlled long periods of the first half passing the ball around well and a second goal followed from Scott Mahoney.
The halftime score of 2-0 suggested that the game would be a tough one despite the fact that DHC had dominated the first half.
The game became more stretched in the second half and a goal flurry saw Scott Mahoney net a second whilst Joe Englert, Wes Pope, Ollie Dunn and a brace from striker Matt Finch took the score and result to an unrecoverable position for the visitors.
Daventry’s goalkeeper Karl Huckin was rarely troubled though executed a few well-timed kicks when required.
The win shows that Daventry are looking to continue the good form that saw them promoted last season and are not suffering too heavily despite the exit of coach Ben Lamb.
The team awaits the next round of the draw with baited breath and will be hoping they can improve on last year’s fourth round exit.

Friendly - Saturday, September 15th

PREPARATIONS for the new hockey season reached their final stages at the weekend with the first team playing the last friendly of the summer at home to Old Sils.
After a fairly successful friendly summer league campaign, the side faced a team of very similar standard to the ones they will be playing in the upcoming season in East Midlands Division One.
The game didn’t start too badly for DHC as they looked sharp and more tactically focused than in previous games, however a lucky deflection from a short corner saw Sils grab an early lead.
The first half saw several chances for Daventry but the side were unable to convert them into the goals they desperately needed.
The second half saw Sils grab a second goal in controversial circumstances as the ball struck a foot in the ‘D’ before being converted to the back of the net.
Daventry’s resolve showed though and a weaving run from Mark Scoble saw a chance created for Ollie Dunn, who obliged by thrashing the ball home to make it 2-1 to Sils.
Pressure continued to build on the Old Sils defence as DHC continued to push forward as the second half went on. Eventually a goal-mouth scramble lead to youngster Joe Englert finishing from close range and tying the game up at 2-2.
Daventry probably should have taken the lead late on with a few chances going begging but a draw was a fair result for both teams who put on a very entertaining show for the small crowd.
The first team’s season kicks off for real on Sunday (Sept 23) at 1.00pm with a UK Vase Cup game at home to Ludlow, a team that DHC managed to put out of the competition last year in a reverse fixture.

The Next Training Session is Monday 3rd September

Juniors 6pm-7pm

Adults 7pm-9pm

At Daventry William Parker School

Under 11s

Saturday 1st 9am-10am

At Staverton Sport Park