Blackheath & Elthamians L1 ,1 v4 Folkstone L1’s
Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory
BEHC Ladies 1st XI played Folkestone 1st IX at Eltham College on Saturday. First touches were accurate, beating our opposite numbers with ease, and outshone only by our own fast-paced play down the left - orchestrated beautifully by playmaker Hannah (or was it Charlie?) Brown. We tested out the right, for kicks, but were unanimous in deciding to switch back to the left where we just felt more comfortable in attack.
Is how we’d have liked this report to read.
Instead, our first game after the four-week break was a shock to the system. And it showed. After taking an early lead (nothing was stopping one well-placed short corner strike from Kate) BEHC went 1-0 up but celebrations were short-lived.
Counter attacks came by the bucketload and Folkestone were able to equalise after just a few minutes. Disbelief was written on the faces of the BEHC side, surely the “best defence in the league” (Coach Jade, 2019) did not just miss three tackles and leave Sarah MB flying solo? Well, we did. And it was about to get worse.
Credit to Folkestone, their goal-hanging striker left us with a lot of ground to cover. More goals followed, three scored by Folkestone, one kicked in by Kate for good measure. No pity goals needed here though, Peth’s fancy footwork was disallowed after the umpires consulted Hawk-Eye. To the delight of the BEHC supporters and almost-carded aggie Coach Jade.
All in all, “The worst hockey we’ve played all season.” (Coach Jade, 2020) Final score 4-1 to Folkestone. BEHC are Essex-bound next weekend to take on Southend 1st XI away.
Some positives to take home: Sarah MB has returned from the break with catlike reactions, saving Meg’s face at the post with an outstretched glove; little Emma is always happy to have a go when all around her forget how to play; and Hannah can rest easier knowing the London Eye pod interiors are cleaned by around four people with cloths, while it's moving, in daylight but usually before 7am, seven days a week.
MoM: Emma Huxley for mad stick skills
DoD: Charlie Brown for being in Wales