A winners weekend

It was the weekend for killing giants. Stoke City beat League champions Chelsea, 1-0; Villa, at the bottom of the league, held League leaders Man City to a 0-0 draw and Blackheath Ladies 3s (7th in the league) beat New Beccs (2nd in the league) 4-3 Away.
Squad:
Sandra (GK)
Sandie
Megan (MOTM)
Rooney
Pringle
Beth
Daphne
Jo Jo (DOTD & birthday girl)
Carmel
Kate Socks (Capt)
Emma W
Sue
Nicky
Tania
Noleen (Rolling manager)
Mirza (Coach)

Says Sue to Daf, “The match report…..don’t let it rhyme”
“It must, of course,” comes Daf’s retort…. “For in our game, we played sublime!”

The entire squad ‘turned up’ and played well this week – our warm up was only enhanced by the delightful retro changing room at HSBC, equipped with lockers (see Beth picture), hair dryer and pink wash basins.
In the wind and rain, the 3s stepped up for a feisty game of hockey. With three subs there were fresh legs on the pitch at all times – some running energetically in the wrong direction, for which Jo Jo received DOTD and a rather attractive lobster outfit.

Our surprise at setting the pace and controlling the game was rewarded with a 2-1 lead at half time. Nicky’s first goal broke her duck and could easily have been Emma’s, such was the hunger of the forward line. The second came from a short corner – just the way it should be – and Sue, from Carmel, belted the ball to the backboard. A beautiful sound, if ever there was one.

An up-beat half-time talk from Captain Kate and Coach Mirza with a reminder not to lose our heads, sent us out to the second half with renewed vigour. The third goal from Carmel, came off three sweet passes from behind the halfway line and a crack to the backboard. Welcome back Carmel! Before we knew what was happening, Nicky had our fourth, her second, goal on the board. 4-1 up – seemed too good to be true. And it was. New Beccs put us under intense pressure for the rest of the match, scoring twice: one was an exquisite corner shot on goal. But a win’s a win and we were as relieved as we were delighted when the final whistle blew at 4-3 to Blackheath Ladies.

Teamwork this week was superb with clear communication and tight passing. Throughout the match, Megan held the back line secure and was always in the right place at the right time; intercepting, stopping, holding and passing with extraordinary accuracy – a well-deserved MOTM for her, along with the fairy princess outfit.

Match report written by Daphne Clifton (CH)