M1

October 11 2025

Match Report – M1 v Sonning 3

MATCH REPORT M1 v Sonning 3

With the 1s having started the season strongly, this week we were looking to continue our momentum against Sonning 3s. The game started very poorly from Wootton, giving up a lot of chances and having very little control of the game. Sonning siezed their opportunities, scoring 2 goals after some poor defensive errors gifted them clear chances. However, despite being 2 down inside the first 25 minutes, Wootton started to find their feet, slowly gaining control and possession in key areas of the pitch. Chances started to come for our attackers, with a lovely flowing move culminating in Ollie finding Lee who smashed it into the back of the net. 2-1 down at half time, a chance to talk during the break meant we refocused and carried our momentum into the second half.

Leighton then decided to do something incredulous – picking the ball up by the halfway line, he skillfully beat half the opposing defenders with one of the craziest dribbles ever witnessed, slipping Ollie in to once again provide the assist for Lee to score the equaliser. The game now firmly heading our way, a short corner rebounded out to Chris who absolutely cannoned a shot into the net – 3-2! Wotton now sat strong, our defense redeeming themselves by not allowing our opponents to regain any sort of foothold in the game, eventually sealing a satisfying comeback victory that keeps our unbeaten start to the season going strong. Come on Wanderers!

MoM to Lee Tozer for his 2 goals and hard work!

Player of the Match Lee Tozer

For his 2 goals and hard work!

October 4 2025

Match Report – M1 v Eastcote 3

Peter Hobbs M1, Mens Hockey

MATCH REPORT M1 v Eastcote 3s

The wanderers had an early alarm call for a 1015 PB 90 mins away from the shire. A strong 15 man squad arrived ready for a tough contest on a chilly windy Autumnal morning. Wootton started the dominant team, all the action in the Eastcote half but there was no end product and the Eastcote keeper played a blinder. The game went into HT at 0-0.

Ready to dominate again the Wanderers defence had a momentary blip and conceded 2 mins into the second half. This got the team pumped up and in form Ollie Dunn did all the work himself for a solo finish in a crowded D. The best goal of the game came next, Jay pummelled a 16 yard hit straight down the middle to Tozer who played a first time ball to Ollie high on the right who then took the ball into the D for another cool finish onto the backboard. High in confidence Wootton were then pressing in the Eastcote D where a penalty corner should have been called but the ball was played route one up into the Wootton half where Jay looked to shield the ball out only for the umpire 60 yards away to call a phantom elbow leading to an Eastcote penalty corner from which they scored to make it 2-2. Tensions were high and a few interesting umpire calls later Tozer lost his head after a very harsh yellow card from a “phantom arm in the back” and Wootton went down to 10 men but the decision only spurred the team on to look for the win. This was the case as another solo effort from Ollie (on a hatrick) had his effort kicked off the line by the Eastcote defender. The umpire only gave a penalty corner but the umpire at the other end of the pitch corrected his colleague and awarded a flick. Ollie on his hat-rick turned down the chance for his third goal allowing Dan Robbins to step up and calmly convert the flick to make it 3-2 with 3 mins to play. Wanderers went back to full complement and saw the game off to send Wootton to the top of the league (as it was the only result of the day after the early start) Full Time Eastcote 3XI 2-3 WWHC 1XI.

Player of the Match Ollie

For scoring 2 and being heavily involved in all 3 goals.

September 21 2025

Match Report – M1 v Buckingham 1’s

webmaster M1, Mens Hockey

MATCH REPORT M1 v Buckingham 1's

The M1s finally shook off their summer hibernation with a short trip down the road to face Buckingham 1s. A gentle local away day… or so we thought.

Unfortunately, Wootton seemed to have left the alarm clocks at home. Buckingham started brightly, and our sluggish passing and heavy touches gifted them two early goals – one from a penalty corner and another from a swift counterattack. Twelve minutes gone, 2–0 down. Ouch.

But just as panic threatened, Wootton woke up. From then on, the Wanderers looked sharp, disciplined at the back and slick in possession. The fightback was on. Dan threaded a clever ball through to Ollie, who coolly finished to get us on the board. Minutes later, Ollie turned provider, sliding a pass into Stu’s path. Stu burst clear, one-on-one, but the keeper won the duel. A golden chance gone – and with it, Stu’s reputation, as the inevitable DoD nomination.

Still, the pressure remained from Wootton. Dan had a shot which caused chaos, the rebound falling kindly to Ollie, who pounced to level the game at 2–2. Tempers flared before half-time, with Buckingham collecting a green card – a rare moment of generosity from the umpires.

The second half was a much tighter affair, but Wootton stayed positive and carved out the better opportunities. And when you’ve got Ollie on fire, you make them count. First came a thunderous reverse-stick strike, then a deft penalty-corner deflection to complete his hat-trick (and then some) – 4–2 to the Wanderers!

Buckingham weren’t done though. A penalty flick pulled them back to 4–3, and with just over a minute left, disaster struck. A hopeful smash into the D found the faintest of touches past two despairing Wootton sticks and into the net. 4–4. Two points dropped, one very flat feeling.

Frustrating, yes. But plenty of positives: four goals, some brilliant link-up play, and signs of a strong season ahead with a good performance from all!

Player of the Match Ollie

For scoring all four and reminding us that we should probably just give him the ball more often.

March 29 2025

Match Report – M1 v Henley 3’s

Mark Chadwick M1, Mens Hockey

MATCH REPORT M1 v Henley 3’s

A glorious spring day saw the men’s 1’s welcome Henley for the final match of the season.

The game started well with Wootton putting together some good moves and turning the ball over high up the pitch with their high energy pressing game. The half ended with a comfortable 2-0 lead. Which included a lovely bit of hockey from three of our youngest players finished by Ethan for the 1st goal and tasty second from Ollie.

2nd half saw a bit more push back from Henley going from 2-0 to 2-1 then 2-2, the match see-sawing back and forth, 3-2 to us then 3-3 and finally finishing on 4 all. Ollie taking home the hat trick, his final goal of the 3 was a brilliant piece of individual skill which was admired by all, helping his end of season stats.

A bitter sweet result in the end but hopefully the lads enjoyed last match of the season. Looking forward to what next year brings especially with some new fresh faces pushing the team forward, we can’t wait to see what they will bring to the team 😀

Man of the Match Ollie Dunn

Hat trick hero!!

March 22 2025

Match Report – M1 v Abingdon 2’s

Mark Chadwick M1, Mens Hockey

MATCH REPORT M1 v Abingdon 2’s

The 1s travelled away this weekend to face a top of the league Abingdon who only needed a point to win the league. Travelling with a depleted squad the 1s were on the hunt to cause an upset

The game started strong from both teams, and it was clear a good defence would be the deciding factor for the game. Abingdon pushed hard finding chance after chance but Wootton’s defence held on and despite the onslaught of shots and attacks, a 0-0 scoreline was how the half finished.

After a positive team talk the confidence was high and the 1s aim was to keep the strength in defence and hold on to the draw, hoping for a sudden break which they could capitalise on. As the half progressed it was clear the fatigue was setting in and Abingdon began to take advantage of their extra numbers, finding their 1st goal through a well worked short corner, followed promptly by a deflected strike to find their 2nd, the pressure didn’t stop there and Abingdon found a 3rd from another well worked play, 3 goals in 15 minutes and the score remained the same until the final whistle.

3-0 to the hosts with a strong defensive performance from the Wootton 1s.

Man of the Match Jay Tye

Excellent work at the back, Jay is getting better and better.

March 15 2025

Match Report – M1 v Witney 2’s

Mark Chadwick M1, Mens Hockey

MATCH REPORT M1 v Witney 2’s

On a chilly but sunny Saturday, Witney 2’s made the trip to Northampton looking to cement their second place in the league in the hope for automatic promotion. But Wootton men’s 1s who don’t have anything to play for had other ideas and would try to put a dent in Witney’s promotion hopes. Wootton welcomed back Ollie after a period of absence to strengthen the midfield and hope to create opportunities for us to go for the win.

The game started well with both sides pushing up the pitch when they had the ball, but the deadlock was broken by Witney with a well worked long corner that found the back of the net. A few minutes later, a huge aerial from Jay managed to bounce through 2 Witney players and found Lee who entered the D, tried to go around the keeper but his feet got stuck and his shot went wide. It remained 1-0 until half time which gave a positive outlook to the huddle as Wootton went back out in the second half searching for an equaliser…

This wasn’t to be as 5 minutes into the second half Witney won a penalty corner which they managed to despatch into the back of the net (0-2). A further penalty corner, saw Witney score on the third attempt at goal in the routine finding the roof of the net. 0-3 now the score. Moments later, Wootton broke into the opposition 25 where Ollie unleashed a reverse shot which deflected off of a Witney defenders foot, but Lee was caught flat footed thinking it had hit a Wootton player, and missed the chance to tap the ball in and the keeper managed to smother the ball. From the resulting PC, Jay drag flicked it to agonisingly onto the post. Another 10 minutes passed and Witney were able to capitalise on a Wootton error and make the score 0-4 going into the final moments of the game. Finally Wootton managed to get a consolation goal from another well aerial by Jay which was brought down well by Ollie winning a free hit as the defender was too close when he received it. He took a quick one and played the ball to Layton who in turn managed to bounce a ball into Lee who controlled the ball, headed towards the baseline and managed to lift the ball into the goal from a tight angle to make the final score 1-4.

Next week Wootton travel to top of the league Abingdon in the penultimate fixture of the season.

Man of the Match Ethan Spencer

Endless running in whatever position the skipper put him in.

March 8 2025

Match Report – M1 v Marlow 4’s

Mark Chadwick M1, Mens Hockey

MATCH REPORT M1 v Marlow 4’s

Following a victory last week vs mid table rivals MK, Wootton 1s travelled down to Bisham Abbey to take on Marlow on a gloriously sunny morning.

After getting thoroughly drenched by the water cannons, the game started at a fast pace with Wootton conceding first to a well worked move by Marlow. Not to be perturbed Wootton regained some control and made several attacks of their own, one of which resulted in a short corner which Jay slotted home following great work between Dan, Lee and Chris.

The temperature and pace racked up and Marlow eventually showed why they were one of the top three teams who are running away with the league this season and developed many chances leading to numerous goals, 5-1 at half time.

The second half continued in a similar fashion, with Lee Tozer latching onto a loose ball to cooly flick into the back of the net from a tight angle, following a pin point rocket of a pass from Jay.

Final result of 7-2, with lots of positives and points to work on leading into Witney at home next week

Man of the Match Peter Hobbs

Another great performance from Peter earning his second MoM in the last few weeks.

March 1 2025

Match Report – M1 v Milton Keynes 3’s

Mark Chadwick M1, Mens Hockey

MATCH REPORT M1 v Milton Keynes 3’s

The 1s finally returned home this week after a long absence, aiming to get a result against Milton Keynes.

The game started strongly for the Wanderers, however a mix up at the back led to us conceding first. Despite Ethan managing to bring us back on level terms not long after, Milton Keynes were awarded a penalty flick to lead 2-1 at half time.

We headed back out for the second half knowing we were well in this game, and it wasn’t too long before Layton managed to score on his 1’s debut! This opened the floodgates for us as Chris was able to capitalise on an open goal, Dan scored a fantastic deflection into the roof of the net and Jed finished off the scoring by slotting past the keeper to make the final score 5-2 to the Wanderers!

Man of the Match Lee Tozer

Fantastic work rate and 4 assists, not a bad day on the pitch.

February 22 2025

Match Report – M1 v Oxford Hawks 5’s

Mark Chadwick M1, Mens Hockey

MATCH REPORT M1 v Oxford Hawks 5’s

The 1s travelled away for the 3rd successive game to Oxford, hoping to keep up the good form showed over the previous weeks.

The first half started strongly with Wanderers showing their strengths in pressure, forcing mistakes and finding chances in the opposition D, which aided their hunt for goals. Unfortunately we lacked the final product, as the half ended 0-0 it was clear the game would be decided by set pieces.

Wanderers went out for the second half knowing that they needed more chances to gain control of the game and continued pressing well, which unfortunately got undone when hawks found a gap and launched a counter attack, winning a short and ultimately capitalising to take a 1-0 lead, this didn’t dishearten the 1’s as they continued to fight back winning shorts of their own but were unable to convert the chances, the second blow came from a quick counter with hawks gaining another goal with a fortunate shot. And they continued on a hunt of their own, gaining another short corner late on which was fortunately converted to the defence’s surprise.

The hard fought battle finished 3-0 to the home side with the Wanderers walking away knowing they had put a solid shift in.

Man of the Match Peter Hobbs

Endless running and superb defending.

February 15 2025

Match Report – M1 v South Berkshire 3’s

Mark Chadwick M1, Mens Hockey

MATCH REPORT M1 v South Berks 3’s

After a 20 minute delay time due to missing three players because of an accident in Towcester.

We started the game off with a miss communicated push back between the defence, giving South Berks an opportunity right from the get go. However, Wanderers were switched on from the first second and managed to correct the mistake. Wootton then settled into the game with some nice transitions across the back as practiced in training, keeping with the plan until the patience finally paid off, with Alex Blunt getting the ball in the opposition D and sweetly striking on his reverse to take us into half time 1 goal to the good.

After a great team talk from coach Tony Brennan, Wanderers put the pressure on straight away in the second half, trying to keep the 1-0 lead, with great team work, defending and multiple goal line clearances. Wanderers managed to hold out for the second half, coming away from South Berks all 3 points, with a slim but well deserved 1-0 win.

Man of the Match Alex Blunt

Great winning goal, which supplemented his great defensive display.