Home >
Roller Hockey News > Roller Hockey News 1995-1996 Season
Roller Hockey News 1995-1996 Season
National Cup
A classic north versus south confrontation is on the cards when the National Roller Hockey Association hold their annual finals day at the Pier Pavilion, Herne Bay, on Saturday. Top local side Apex Herne Bay United will face Manchester in four of the six finals, including the men's National Knockout Cup, which provides the climax. United will be bidding to win the cup for the first time since the 1920s and victory will also complete the double. United clinched the league crown last week.
The two sides also meet in the minors (under 13), intermediates (under 15) and juniors (under 20), while Manchester face Sharley Park (Nottinghamshire) in the schoolboys (under 17) event. Herne Bay United face Retford in the ladies' final, and the programme also includes a puck in-line hockey competition.
The first final, the intermediates, gets under way at 11.30am and the first 50 spectators admitted get a free T-shirt from sponsors Wahl Europe.
Finals programme: 11.30am : National Intermediates (under 15) Herne Bay United v Manchester
12.20pm : National Ladies, Herne Bay United v Retford
1.30pm : National Schoolboys (under 17), Manchester v Sharley Park
2.40pm : National Minors (under 13), Manchester v Herne Bay United
3.30pm : National Junors (under 20), Manchester v Herne Bay United
4.40pm : National Men's Puck In-line, Sheffield Snipers v Gosport Barbarians
6.10pm National Men's, Manchester v Herne Bay United
Posted: June 1996
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
Back to top
Premier League: Maidstone v Apex Herne Bay United
A crucial national roller hockey league match between the country's top teams had to be abandoned following a disagreement between the match referees. Defending National Premier Division champions Apex Herne Bay United were leading home club and main championship rivals Maidstone 3 - 1 at Chatham when play was halted two minutes before half time.
The abandonment followed a dispute between match officials, Ron Barker from Herne Bay, and Medway's Kevin Bodkin, both of whom could now face disciplinary action from the National Roller Hockey Associaiton.
Barker, the Apex president, who is also secretary of the Kent County RHA, was appointed as the main official for the game, with Bodkin, who has stood in international matches, named as the second official. But problems arose over Apex's third goal, which was awarded by Barker but contested by Bodkin, who was standing in the opposing half of the rink at the time.
"The goal was scored in my half and in my mind there was no problem, but Kevin said he did not think I could have seen it from where I was positioned," said Barker, who has refereed at national league level for around 10 years. "There were certainly no complaints from the Maidstone team, but I just felt that if you've got two referees who can't agree, then there's not much point in carrying on. Obviously the teams were a bit fed-up when the match was abandoned, but I could not see any alternative."
Both Barker and Bodkin have been asked to submit reports to NRHA, and national publicity officer Gail Whattingham said she though the circumstances surrounding the abandoment were unprecedented. "I've been involved in roller hockey for 18 years, and with the NRHA since 1989, and I certainly can't remember a similar incident," she said. "Naturally it's disappointing for the teams, particularly as it was such an important match, and the matter will now have to be dealt with by the NRHA's disputes and disiplinary committee."
Apex manager Terry Barton admitted he was disppointed with the abandonment, especially as victory would have put his side six points clear of Maidstone in the race for the title. "My understanding is that when a match is abandoned in the first half, it must be replayed, and if that's the case, there is no gurantee that we will be able to get our best side out again for the re-match," he said.
The match was the second between the sides in five days, Apex having previously beaten Maidstone 3 - 2 in the semi-finals of the National Knock-Out Cup at the Pier.
Posted: 23 May 1996
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
Back to top
National Cup semi final: Apex Herne Bay United 3 - 2 Maidstone
Apex Herne Bay United kept alive their hopes of a roller hockey double when they beat Maidstone 3 - 2 to book a place in the National Knockout Cup final. With the season fast reaching its climax, the teams are first and second in the league, and their cup encounter proved a typically fast and competitive affair.
The two keepers, Dan Barton of Apex, and Maidstone's Paul Haynes, were continually called upon to make brilliant saves, but Maidstone broke the deadlock seven minutes from half time with a goal from Joe Wheatley. Within two minutes Simon Hosking had brought Apex level, and the same player went on to complete a hat-trick before Stuart Doherty sent nevre ends jangling with Maidstone's second goal.
Apex now face Manchester in the final, which takes place at the Pier Pavilion on Saturday 22 June.
Apex: Dan Barton, Phil McVey, Chris Espejo, Simon Hosking, Tommy Harboard, Mario Sanchez, Dendy Hudson, Nick Barton, Kurt Holmes, Garrett Priestly
Posted: 23 May 1996
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
Back to top
Premier League: Apex Herne Bay United 4 - 2 Grimsby
Apex Herne Bay United hit the road this weekend in search of the National Roller Hockey Premier League title. Away wins at Manchester and Middlesbrough will ensure the crown for the fourth successive year.
Apex stayed on title track with a hard fought win over Grimsby last week. Although United enjoyed long periods of possession, Grimsby were always dangerous on the counter attack ensuring Apex keeper Garrett Priestly had to be at his best throughout.
Chris Espejo gave the hosts the lead midway through the first half but Grimsby hit back through Tony O'Donovan within five minutes. Espejo restored the lead after the change round only for O'Donovan to level again at 2 - 2. United pushed forward in droves after that and only a string of fine saves by Grimsby keeper Eddie Revell kept them out. A screaming shot from Kurt Holmes finally broke the deadlock and a fourth from Phil McVey ensured a 4 - 2 win and all the points for Apex.
Apex HBU: Dan Barton, Phil McVey, Mario Sanchez, Jamie Baker, Chris Espejo, Simon Hosking, Neil Ausitn, Nick Espejo, Kurt Holmes, Garrett Priestly
Posted: 1996
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
Back to top
Premier League: Apex Herne Bay United 17 - 0 Manchester
Apex Herne Bay United went a step nearer retaining the roller hockey National Premier league title when they overwhelmed a weakened Manchester side 17 - 0. Manchester were depleted when one of the cars bringing players broke down and only a basic team were in action with no substitutes.
Apex took full advantage using the squad well to break down the Manchester reistance. They eased into a 4 - 0 lead by half- time with three goals from Simon Hosking and one from Neil Austin.
Apex then turned the screws in the second half with Kurt Holmes spurring them to a goal rout, netting seven of the 13 second half goals.
The win keeps Apex four points clear of Maidstone with five games remaining including a difficult weekend away to Middlesbrough and Manchester. On Saturday Apex have a tough home fixture against Grimsby at the Pier Pavilion, starting at 7.40pm.
Team: David Garlick, Phil McVey (capt), Mario Sanchez (3), Jamie Baker, Nick Espejo (1), Simon Hosking (3), Neil Austin (3), Nick Barton, Kurt Holmes (7), Garrett Priestly
Posted: 1996
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
Back to top
European Cup Quarter final
Apex Herne Bay United aim to put the Kent coast resort on the roller hockey map this weekend when they travel to Switzerland for the second leg of their European Cup quarter-final tie against Uttigen. The Swiss champions hold a 4 - 2 lead from the first leg played at the Herne Bay Pier Pavilion a fortnight ago, but Apex are confident of overhauling the deficit.
United prepared for their Swiss sojourn by winning Saturday's National League contest against Maidstone 8 - 5, after clawing back from 4 - 0 down.
"If we can pull back four goals against Maidstone, there’s no reason why we can't get back two in Switzerland," said Apex secretary Aileen Barker. "It was a tough game against Maidstone and probably just what we needed to prepare for Uttigen. After the win over Maidstone and because European away goals don't count double, the lads think they really can come from behind to win it," added Mrs Barker.
The 13-strong Herne Bay party set off by coach for Switzerland at 6.30pm tomorrow for their game in Uttigen on Saturday evening. "It's a shame we won't have any supporters with us, but it is quite an expensive trip. They had 17 supporters here a fortnight ago, but it's all down to money," said Mrs Barker.
Should Apex win through this weekend they face forking out more money with a semi-final trip to either Italy or Portugal.
Posted: 14 March 1996
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
Back to top
Premier League: Apex Herne Bay United 8 - 5 Maidstone (Played: Saturday 9 March)
Apex Herne Bay United forged their way back from a 4 - 0 deficit to land a dramatic 8 - 5 victory over Maidstone at the weekend.
Warming up for Saturday's European Cup second leg quarter-final tie in Switzerland, Apex received an early shock when Maidstone opened the scoring through Dennard within 30 seconds of the start. The United mood worsened when two goals from Doherty and another from Wheatley increased Maidstone's advantage to four mid-way though the first half. United's Spanish import Mario Sanchez sparked the home comeback and further efforts from Simon Hosking and Nick Barton made in 4 - 3 by the change round.
Maidstone were desperate to defend their slender lead after the break, but there was no denying Apex as Kurt Holmes and Phil McVey finished off fine passing moves to give the hosts the lead for the first time in the match. Maidstone levelled with 18 minutes to play through Dennard, but United stormed ahead with goals from Hosking, Holmes and Sanchez to take maximum points and retain their position on top of the table.
Herne Bay United: Dan Barton, Philip McVey, Mario Sanchez, James Baker, Chris Espejo, Simon Hosking, Neil Austin, Nick Barton, Kurt Holmes, Garrett Priestley
Posted: 14 March 1996
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
Back to top
European Cup Quarter Final: Apex Herne Bay United 2 - 4 Uttigen (Played: Saturday 2 March)
Apex Herne Bay United roller hockey side will have to overturn a two-goal deficit if they are to achieve their dream of clinching a European Cup semi-final spot. In front of a vociferous 300-plus crowd, Apex lost Saturday's first-leg quarter-final tie against Swiss visitors RSC Uttigen 4 - 2, leaving United with a tough task in the away leg on Saturday, March 16.
Apex started well enough with Simon Hosking opening the scoring after 10 minutes, but a defensive error enabled Uttigen's skipper to level at 1 - 1. The second half started at furious pace but the Swiss side defended hard to limit United to just one further goal, a stinging shot from Nick Barton. The home joy was short lived, however, as Remo Shenk slid home an equaliser within 30 seconds. Home goalkeeper Dan Barton was then called into action, making a couple of fine stops. But just as it looked as though honours would finish even, Daniel Frutiger gave the visitors the lead on the breakaway. The Swiss made it 4 - 2 with only three minutes remaining to leave United facing a stiff task in the second leg.
Club secretary and time keeper Aileen Barker said: "There was very much a continental feel to the whole night. The crowd were extremely noisy with drums, bugles, and horns going off throughout the game, so much so that I could hardly hear the referee's whistle. It was such a good atmosphere and an enjoyable night that it almost made up for the fact that we'd lost."
But, according to Mrs Barker at least, the tie is far from dead at 4 - 2. "We had the majority of the possession and chances but just couldn't put the ball in the net. I still think we can do it because we have always played better in the away legs of our European matches. Unlike football, their away goals won't count double in the event of a draw. If we can win 2 - 0 in normal time I think we'll have a good chance of taking it to extra-time and even penalties."
Echoing Mrs Barker's sentiments, manager Terry Barton, said: "It will be tough to get a result out there but we are capable of beating them. We sat down afterwards and tried to work out why we hadn't won and couldn't really come up with the answer. We know we are good enough to beat them, it's just a question of whether we have the confidence to do it over there."
Apex HBU: Dan Barton, Phil McVey, Mario Sanchez, Paul McVey, Jamie Baker, Chris Espejo, Simon Hosking, Nick Barton, Kurt Holmes, Garrett Priestley
Posted: 7 March 1996
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
Back to top
Premier League: Apex Herne Bay United 17 - 2 Manchester
Apex Herne Bay Untetd crushed Manchester 17 - 2 to maintain their dominance of the National Roller Hockey Premier League. Manchester started strongly in the clash at the Pier Pavilion on Saturday, but Apex, who were at full strength for the first time this season, opened the scoring after five minutes through Chris Espejo.
The goal settled the home side down, and they were able to score freely, and had struck seven times before the break. Goalkeeper Dan Barton was in fine form, being beaten twice, once by a deflected effort, and once when a Manchester player picked up a rebound off the post.
Apex increased their control after the break, and with other keeper Garrett Priestly keeping a clean sheet, they ran out 17 - 2 winners.
Leading goalscorer Simon Hosking added another seven to his tally. Mario Sanchez scored once, Jamie Baker twice, Chris Espejo and Kurt Holmes claimed hat-tricks and Nick Barton a sinlge.
Apex: Dan Barton, Phil McVey, Mario Sanchez, Jamie Baker, Chris Espejo, Simon Hosking, Kevin Hoare, Nick Barton, Kurt Holmes, Garrett Priestly
Posted: 25 January 1996
Reported by: Herne Bay Gazette
Back to top
