Saturday 1st Oct 2022

Back at the Meadow

After a winning start to the new season, the ladies 1’s welcomed Holcombe to College Meadow for their first home game of the new season.

Knowing that it would be a tight, close game, Jules set out some specific things for the team to do.

With Emma and Evie AWOL at a school fixture as a result of an incident on the M2, plans were quickly changed to ensure we started with 11 on the pitch!

After a fairly lacklustre warm up, the umpires blew and the game began. Luckily Emma and Evie arrived in time for pushback.

After an expected fairly even start, Blackheath played a lovely move down the right hand side of the pitch to create their first clear cut chance of the game. Unfortunately the keepers position covered the angle and Sue’s shot went past the post.

The second clear cut chance happened minutes later as Emma weaved round numerous players, entered the d and beat the keeper only to put it wide.

Vicki B later had a chance when she arrived late in the D to pick up a cross but her shot went straight to the keeper.

0-0 at half time. Jules’ disappointed with our performance, strong words ringing in our ears…

In the second half, Blackheath soaked up lots of pressure and struggled to maintain possession after working hard to get the ball back. A couple of breaks couldn’t be made to count and Blackheath kept Holcombe at bay with Sarah MB directing her defence and making some vital saves.

A quick break through the middle of the pitch resulted in Grace one on one with the GK, having calmly rounded her unfortunately the shot was deflected off a Holcombe defender to result in a long corner.

When the umpires signalled for 2 minutes to go, a draw looked the likely outcome, but with what proved to be about 90 seconds left, a deflected ball arrived to a Holcombe forward on the flick spot one on one with Sarah. Despite her pads getting a good portion of the ball, a bobbly, weak shot somehow struggled over the line to give them a goal.

With hope not lost, Blackheath immediately attacked from the restart and earned a short corner. The full time whistle blew and the whole team encircled the D. A slick corner hit a Holcombe foot to win another short corner and add to the tension. Up stepped Emma for the re award but the GK saved her flick and the ball left the D to end the game.

A disappointing loss but we go again next week.

Player of the Match Sarah MB for some awesome saves and marshalling the defence
DoD Emma and Evie for being an hour late