It was a brisk Saturday afternoon, and the Blackheath Ladies took to the pitch with a point to prove. After a run of disappointing results, the team was determined to reset the tone, and from the first whistle, the energy was clear. Even Amelia’s “misplaced” gumshield couldn’t dent the enthusiasm, with super sub Roisin stepping up to the starting lineup to ensure the Reds hit the ground running.

With Tunbridge awarded the opening pushback, they wasted no time pressing into Blackheath’s half. However, the resolute defensive unit, led by Kveli’s confident goalkeeping and well-timed challenges, refused to be breached easily. Both teams traded possession with gusto, and while Blackheath created promising chances, Tunbridge moved the ball quickly and penetrated into D. A well-versed short corner routine saw them take the lead.

Undeterred, Blackheath showed grit and determination. The midfield dug deep, and the forwards pressed hard, forcing errors from Tunbridge. A well-won turnover saw Laura whip a sublime ball into the D, where Vicki B was perfectly positioned to bury it into the back of the net. The equaliser was met with roaring cheers: 1-1 and everything to play for.

Both teams earned several short corners, but neither managed to capitalise before the halftime whistle. Strong defence kept Blackheath level, proving a thorn in Tunbridge’s side.

The second half began with Blackheath upping the tempo. Evie distributed the ball confidently from the back, connecting seamlessly with the midfield - where Jilly and Sally orchestrated the field well enabling Blackheath to launch a series of attacks. However, against the run of play, a misstep in possession left the Reds vulnerable, and Tunbridge pounced on the opportunity, breaking through for a one-on-one finish to regain their lead: 2-1.

But this Blackheath side refused to let their heads drop. The defence dug in with low sticks and sharp tackles, with Amelie keeping Tunbridge’s pacey wingers in check. The team’s aggression began to bear fruit, and the Reds pushed higher up the pitch - Vicky P showed great skill as drop-forward and Wanni took on the coaches half time advice - with several strong injections from the right. Amelia—gumshield now firmly in place—pounced on her opportunity and from top of the D, unleashed a clean strike to level the score at 2-2.

With renewed momentum, Blackheath pressed for a winner. An injection into the circle drew the Tunbridge goalkeeper out, leading to a penalty. Up stepped Amelia again, but despite her confidence, a sharp save from the keeper and an unkind crossbar conspired to keep the ball out. Undaunted, Blackheath continued their assault and shut down Tunbridge’s counterattacks with fearless resolve.

As the final whistle blew, both teams walked away with a hard-earned point. While it wasn’t the win Blackheath hoped for, the Reds proved their mettle with a spirited display. Heading into the final game of 2024, the team can take pride in their resilience and effort on display - the hunt continues for 3 points next week.

Final score: 2-2.
MOM and DOD: Amelia for stellar play and aggressive attacks. Also DOD for losing her gumshield!