WH&E L1 1 : 0 Hampstead & Westminster L4
The Ladies 1s started the 2nd half of the season against Hampstead & Westminster 4s.
We began with lots of energy and pace on the ball, making a lot of quick passes and moving up the pitch to make opportunities which we were struggling to convert. We did also have to defend numerous short corners which were taken on brilliantly by Team Defence, even though when clearing 1 of them, Rachelle was met with the backside of an umpire to move around as well as the opposition!!
First half ended 0-0 so it was all to play for in the 2nd half.
We kept pushing up and creating chances, then on the rebound of a short corner; with a cricket-like swing Rachelle managed to slam the ball into the backboard of the goal to get us 1 up. After taking a minute to make sure it counted, we celebrated!
The opposition were then fighting back hard, and we had to defend numerous short corners which absolutely shattered everyone’s nerves watching as we are all too familiar with the ladies 1s classic stumble of winning right up until the last minute…
But even the magical gods were with us…Sarah E-Q, after stumbling and dropping her stick during a tackle turned around to see her stick still making the tackle whilst on the ground and the opposition struggling to get round it ?
So the whistle goes during a defensive short corner after a questionable decision from the umpire (naming no names!!) and everyone in Winchmore Hill is having a heart attack watching it play out… They send it wide!!! We’ve won! 1-0.
Player of the match to Rachelle for an amazing goal, and brilliant defending throughout. Honourable mention to Chris Putt for many great crucial saves.
Dick of the day to Beth Deane for injuring herself 10 minutes after the match by poking herself in the eye whilst sitting down!
WH&E M1 1 :3 Blueharts M3
Nevertheless, after only 10 mins we lost Colin Foad to injury, which upset the balance of the side and left us without not only our top goalscorer but also our key outlet from defence / midfield. Blueharts took full advantage of this to increase their pressure in the middle and soon took the lead with a well taken goal from their canny centre forward who latched onto a loose ball to strike the ball high inside the far post leaving Nick Smith with no chance in goal.
1-0 down, but we battled hard throughout the first half only for Blueharts to double their lead shortly before the break. Their centre forward again demonstrating his experience and quality with a first time shot on the move finding the inside netting at the far post once more.
The second half was a tale of two penalty strokes – the first to Blueharts who converted to make it 3-0; the second to Winchmore, with Sam Turmaine slotting home to claw one back. This changed the momentum of the game in our favour and for the last 10 minutes we pushed on looking for a famous comeback. But it was not to be and Blueharts held out for a 3-1 win.
We go into the Christmas break in 8th place in the league, but with lots of optimism knowing that we can beat anyone. Over the past 12 weeks the team has really found its feet and started to gel as a unit with a good passing game and I’m sure we’ll move up the league when we start again in the New Year.
WH&E L2 1 : 1 Ealing L3
Abbi scored again. That is all.
WH&E M2 0 : 7 Letchworth M4
No match report, yet…