Check out Whitchurch's progress in Milan. Keep an eye out for match reports, scorers and maybe even some photos.

Whitchurch Vs Stroitel Brest - 08/11/08

3-3

Williams, Croxall, Keating, Gordon, Brotherton, Fisher, Westerman, Naughalty, Collis, El Khatib, Potter. Subs - Gough, Keating, Barker, Gierak, Moore

Whitchurch started their Euro campaign with a 3 -3 draw against Stroitel Brest (BLR). Despite going behindto a penalty stroke after just 9', Joe Naughalty came close to equalising with his shot just clearing the bar. Whitchurch conceded a further goal after 20' but it was Naughalty who pulled one back after great work by Tom Fisher. The first 5 minutes of the second half proved to be very entertaining as firstly Stroitel went further ahead from a defection and Laith El Khatib and then Jon Collis both scoring to level the match. Iwan Williams proved to be Whitchurch's saviour making a number of excellent saves and with no further goals each team took 1 point.

Check out the photos

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Whitchurch Vs Orient Lyngby - 09/05/08

5-1 win

Williams, Croxall, Gough, Gordon, Brotherton, Fisher, Westerman, Naughalty, Collis, El Khatib, Young. Subs - Keating, Potter, Barker, Gierak, Moore

Whitchurch moved to the top of their Pool in the Eurohockey Club Challenge with a fine 5-1 win against Danish side Orient Lyngby in their second match of the Tournament. Whitchurch opened confidently, threatening the opposition goal with several fast-paced attacks, but it was Orient Lyngby who struck first, taking the lead after 14 minutes with a breakaway on the left wing. The lead was short-lived, Jon Collis firing home a penalty corner two minutes later to bring Whitchurch level. Whitchurch were having the better of the exchanges, Laith El Khatib hitting the post after a fine dribble in the circle, and having a shot well saved by the keeper just before the interval.

Whitchurch started the second period in explosive fashion, scoring three goals in the first eight minutes to take a firm grip on the match. Joe Naughalty gave Whitchurch the lead two minutes into the half with fine solo run and reverse stick finish, Jon Collis made it 3-1 from a penalty corner and then completed his hat-trick from another penalty corner to take Whitchurch into a 4-1 lead. Whitchurch were stretching the Orient Lyngby defence and created numerous further scoring opportunities but had to wait until last minute for their fifth goal, Doug Young coolly converting a cross from El Khatib.

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Whitchurch Vs Cernusco HC - 10/05/08

Williams, Croxall, Keating, Gordon, Brotherton, Fisher, Westerman, Naughalty, Collis, El Khatib, Whatling. Subs - Potter, Keating, Barker, Gierak, Moore

3-2 loss

An exciting game in front of a partizan home crowd.  Whitchurch started brightly but fell behind after six minutes to a Dijkstra goal.  The goal & the crowd seemed seemed to bouy the home side on and they forced a series of penalty corners which were comfortably foild by the in-form Williams.  As half-time approached Cernusco did get a breakthroguh at a penalty corner, Rutgers this time scoring.  Whitchurch were forced to take action and continued the attractive attacking hockey that had set the tone for their tournament.  With hal-time in sight Whitchurch forced a penalty corner after a deliberate office by Dell'Atti.  He was sent to the sin-bin and Cernusco keeper Ladini made a fine save to deny Collis from the penalty corner.  The half ended 2-o to the hosts.

Whitchurch once again stared the second period in a positive fashion - forcing three penalty corners in a short period.  The Cernsuco defence managed to hold on and continued to deny the Welsh side.  Whitchurch eventually made a break-through after winning a penalty stroke.  Laith El Khatib stepped up and calmy despatched to take the score to 2-1.  By this time it was all Whitchurch and the hosts had reverted to camping in their own half "cattanace" style.  With four minutes remaining Joe Naughalty levelled the match, which was clearly deserved.  A 2-2 draw would have taken Whitchurch through to the promo game on Sunday.  With only minutes remaining possession was surrendered in the Whitchurch midfield and the Italin side broke away to win a hit on the edge of the Whitchurch circle.  Tironi drove the ball into a crowded area and Barzano managed to deflect it in to take all three points.  Whitchurhc still managed to force a series of penalty corners at the end, but Collis flicked wide by the narrowest of margins.